Salem, Oregon – BDOA Chapter

The Salem Chapter is the original Beer Drinkers of America Chapter and the place where BDOA got its start.

What started as a simple idea to bring beer drinkers together has turned into a growing local community built around meeting new people, trying new places, attending events, competing in ridiculous challenges, and giving people a reason to get out and do something together.

The Salem Chapter is not just about drinking beer. It is about creating a community around it.

Some events are organized competitions. Some are casual meetups. Some are community-focused. Other times, we just get together, grab a beer, hang out, and see where the night goes.

There is no requirement to attend everything, and you do not have to know anyone before showing up. The goal is to make it easy for people around Salem to connect with other BDOA members and be part of something local.

What We Do

Throughout the year, the Salem Chapter hosts and participates in different kinds of events around the Salem area.

That has included:

• Brewery and bar meetups
• Casual member socials
• Cornhole
• Beer pong
• Member competitions
• Hot Dog Eating Contests
• Beer-related challenges
• Community and charity events
• BDOA national events and challenges
• Virtual member meetups
• Group hangouts
• And plenty of random ideas we decide would be fun to try

We try not to make every meetup feel like some formal organization event.

Sometimes the best Chapter event is simply picking a place, telling everyone where we are going to be, and seeing who shows up.

Other times, we like doing something a little bigger.

One of our Salem events included $1 canned beers, cornhole, a Hot Dog Eating Contest, and a challenge to build the tallest beer can pyramid possible. The winning pyramid ended up around six feet tall and used roughly 100 cans.

The Hot Dog Eating Contest winner managed to put down 12 hot dogs in four minutes and walked away with a trophy and a cash prize.

Those are the kinds of events we like putting together — things that give everyone something to talk about afterward.

More Than Just Events

One of the biggest goals of the Salem Chapter is simply helping people meet each other.

A lot of people join BDOA because they like the idea of the organization, but Chapters are where members can actually turn that into something local.

Instead of only seeing usernames or comments online, you can meet the people who live in your area.

You might come to an event knowing nobody and leave knowing a handful of people you will probably see again at the next one.

That is what we are trying to build.

A group of people around Salem who know each other, support local places, show up for events, and have a good time together.

Salem Is Where BDOA Started

The Salem Chapter also has a unique place within Beer Drinkers of America because this is where the organization began.

A lot of the ideas that eventually become larger BDOA events, competitions, challenges, and programs are tested or started right here in Salem.

As Beer Drinkers of America continues growing nationally, we want the Salem Chapter to continue growing right alongside it.

That means more local events, more member involvement, more partnerships with local bars and breweries, and more opportunities for people around Salem to participate.

We are always looking for new ideas too.

If there is a bar we should check out, a competition you think we should host, a local business we should work with, or something completely ridiculous you think would make a good event, we want to hear it.

Community Involvement

We also want the Chapter to be able to do some good while we are having fun.

BDOA has continued expanding its community and charitable efforts, and the Salem Chapter will be part of that.

That can mean charity events, drives, fundraisers, community projects, or partnering with local organizations when we have an opportunity to help.

Not everything has to be complicated.

Sometimes getting a bunch of people together behind one simple cause can make a pretty big difference.

Upcoming Events

We always try to have something coming up for members.

Our next major Salem event is the BDOA Salem Beer Pong Tournament on Saturday, September 26, 2026, with a $1,000 first-place prize.

Tournament information and registration can be found here

Keep an eye on the Salem Chapter page and BDOA social media for additional meetups, competitions, and events.

Join the Salem Chapter

If you live in Salem or the surrounding area and want to get more involved with Beer Drinkers of America, we would love to have you.

You do not need to attend every meetup.

You do not need to be the most outgoing person in the room.

You definitely do not need to be a beer expert.

Just show up when something sounds fun.

Come meet some people, grab a beer, participate in an event, or just hang out.

The Salem Chapter is continuing to grow, and there is plenty more we want to do.

We’ll see you at the next one. 🍻

Current Members:

Current Leadership:

1. (President) Hayden Rue – #001
2. (Vice President) Hunter Rue – #002