Portland Event a Fundraiser to Bring Sea Otter Back to Oregon Coast

Published 03/07/26 at 4:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Portland, Oregon) – Beers, beverages and little beasties: one Portland event is coming together to assist the coastline of Oregon.

“The event supports efforts to restore sea otters to the Oregon coast, a keystone species that helps maintain healthy kelp forests and estuaries,” said Chanel Hason, spokesman for the Elakha Alliance.

The Oregon Otter Beer Festival will return to Portland this spring, bringing its fifth annual celebration of craft beverages and marine conservation to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) on April 11. The evening fundraiser, hosted by the Elakha Alliance in partnership with the Oregon Zoo, runs from 7 to 10:30 p.m. and aims to raise $50,000 to advance the Elakha Alliance's efforts to help revitalize the state's local marine ecosystems. www.elakhaalliance.org

Organizers say the event will feature exclusive sea-otter-themed beers made with Maris Otter malt, along with tastings from additional wine, cider, and ginger beer producers. Guests will also find food, art, music, and a range of interactive activities throughout OMSI’s Turbine Hall.

A raffle and silent auction will offer local artwork, adventure packages, and other items. Portland artist Mike Bennett will create a live painting of sea otters on a surfboard during the event, with the finished piece auctioned to support restoration work. KMHD’s Bryson Wallace will provide a DJ set.

Several local creators will participate, including La Petite Tattoo, which will preview an ocean-themed flash tattoo event planned for May. Kate’s Ice Cream will serve Ottie’s Oreo vegan ice cream, The Traveling Typist will offer on-the-spot poetry, and The Henna Queen will provide ocean-inspired body art. Attendees are encouraged to bring an old shirt or canvas bag to make custom block prints with Wombat Wisdoms. Sea otter trivia and a photo booth will round out the activities.

“This festival isn’t just about great beer – it’s about bringing an essential species back to Oregon’s coastline,” said Chanel Hason, the Elakha Alliance’s director of outreach and community relations. “Every pint poured helps fund science, Tribal collaboration, and community engagement needed to make sea otter restoration a reality.”

Sea otters once lived along Oregon’s shoreline but were hunted to local extinction by the early 1900s. Their disappearance has contributed to ecological imbalance, including unchecked sea urchin populations that have damaged kelp forests. Funds raised at the festival will support research, outreach, and advocacy tied to reintroducing the species.

The event is open to guests 21 and older. Tickets include 11 beer tastings, five additional beverage tastings, a custom 16-ounce festival glass, gourmet food, non-alcoholic options, and live entertainment. Tickets and details are available at the Elakha Alliance website www.elakhaalliance.org

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