Cheers to Santa Clones! Gigantic Brewing & Weird Portland United Toast to Holiday Magic with New “Santa Clones Winter Warmer”
Portland’s Fave Holiday Icon Comes to Life in a New Brew—Release Event Complete with the Santa Clones, the Unipiper, and Chris Willis Himself!
PORTLAND, OR – November 5, 2024 – Just when you thought Portland couldn’t get any weirder, Gigantic Brewing Company and Weird Portland United are here to sleigh the holiday season with their newest holiday treat: the “Santa Clones Winter Warmer.” This jolly brew is inspired by one of Portland’s most beloved, quirky traditions—Santa Clones! For the uninitiated, that’s 400 (yes, 400!) vintage 1960s blow-mold Santa figurines that mysteriously pop up in secret spots each year. And this year, you can experience the wonder of it all in a glass.
The Santa Clones Winter Warmer—a deliciously malty, rich brew layered with caramel and a hint of dark fruit—is crafted for cozy, festive vibes. And here’s the best part: you get to sip it first at the launch party at Gigantic Brewing’s Hawthorne location (4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd) on Friday, November 8. The revelry kicks off at 3 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m., featuring a dazzling Santa Clones display in the Portrait Room, a chance to meet Portland’s own Santa Clones artist Chris Willis, and, of course, an appearance by the one-and-only Unipiper. If you can’t make it Friday, don’t worry—the Santa Clones exhibit will stay up all weekend for maximum holiday cheer.
“Our goal with this beer was to craft the ultimate holiday sipper—one we’re sure Santa would reach for on cold winter nights at the North Pole,” says Ben Love, Gigantic Brewmaster. “This winter warmer is rich and toasty, with layers of caramel sweetness and just the right touch of warming alcohol to keep spirits bright.”
Whether you’re a fan of the festive Santas, great beer, or keeping Portland delightfully weird, grab a pint of Santa Clones Winter Warmer and toast to Portland’s jolliest holiday tradition!
https://www.facebook.com/events/929711572356125
Meet the Legend Behind the Santas
Chris Willis, Portland’s jolliest secret-keeper, is the artist behind Santa Clones, a display that has grown from a handful of retro figurines into a spectacular, city-loved attraction. Each winter, Willis assembles his collection of blow-mold Santas in a top-secret Portland location, bringing an extra dose of festive weirdness to the city. This year, the Santas are stopping by Gigantic’s Hawthorne Portrait Room for a special in-bar display you won’t want to miss.
www.instagram.com/chriswillis
What is Weird Portland United?
Founded in 2019 by Portland’s Unipiper in an effort to curb the growing homogenization and sanitization of the city’s image, Weird Portland United exists to discover, promote, and nurture the dreamers, creators, and risk-takers that keep Portland weird. In 2020, WPU awarded over $5000 in grants to Portland creatives through the #KeepWeirdAlive campaign. This September, WPU launched the ‘Portland Weird Fest’ at Oaks Amusement Park to coincide with the establishment of ‘Keep Portland Weird Day’, as formally recognized by Portland City Council. The event drew close to 1000 attendees in a celebration of the city’s weirdest achievements.
www.weirdportlandunited.org
About Gigantic Brewing Company
Gigantic Brewing Company is an independent, artisanal brewery located in the Southeast quadrant of Portland. We hold ourselves to a simple principle – Never Give an Inch. We vow to start small and (stubbornly) stay small, focusing our efforts on making exceptional beer, rather than a lot of beer. When you drink Gigantic, know that we didn’t just put our names on the label – our effort, imagination, and dry wit are in every can. Enjoy Gigantic at the Gigantic Brewery (5224 SE 26th Ave), Gigantic Robot Room (6935 NE Glisan), on tap or in bottle at your favorite grocer, bottle shop, bar or restaurant in Oregon.
www.GiganticBrewing.com
What:
Gigantic Brewing and Weird Portland United are releasing the Santa Clones Winter Warmer, a festive holiday beer inspired by Portland’s iconic Santa Clones display. Over 400 vintage blow-mold Santa figurines magically appear in Portland each year, creating a quirky holiday scene. The event will showcase a smaller Santa Clones display, and you’ll get to meet the artist Chris Willis and enjoy the Unipiper’s holiday spirit.
Where:
Gigantic Brewing Hawthorne, 4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR. The Santas will be set up in the Portrait Room.
When:
Friday, November 8, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Santa Clones display will stay up all weekend at Gigantic Hawthorne.
Why:
Celebrate Portland’s holiday weirdness and support local creatives through Weird Portland United. A portion of proceeds will fund Weird Portland United’s work to keep Portland fun, unique, and wonderfully weird
