Lompoc Brewing’s Batch 69 Baltic porter

February 8th, 2010 by Matt Wiater No comments »

Lompoc Brewing's Batch 69 Baltic Porter

No details yet, but when it hits the shelves, I’ll be grabbing them by the handful!   After getting their beer into 22 ounce bottles not too long ago, Lompoc Brewing is doing a great job getting us some bottled seasonals as well: Barrel Aged Oak Doppelbock, Barrel Aged LSD, and now this.  Keep ‘em coming!

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Brewpublic.com and Saraveza Presents: My Beery Valentine, A Benefit for Haiti Relief Efforts

February 8th, 2010 by Matt Wiater No comments »

In pursuit of interesting and imaginative beer styles, Brewpublic and Saraveza have again coordinated a one-of-a-kind line-up of specialty brews. This time it is a killer tap list for Valentine’s/Zwickelmania Weekend. “MY BEER VALENTINE” will showcase some never before experienced draughts of chocolate and fruit beers as well as some of Oregon’s best hoppy brews. MY BEERY VALENTINE expresses the love and passion for dynamic brews and is designed with the true beer geek in mind. This event is also a benefit for Mercy Corps’ Haiti Relief Efforts. Local organic chocolates from Equal Exchange as well as handmade treats will be available to pair with these mouthwatering beers.

Highlights from this event will include the following beers:

  • Upright Four Play: a tempting tart cherry wheat Saison aged in Pinot Noir casks.
  • Cascade Raspberry/Noyeau blend: a confluence of barrel-aged rarities matured in brandy liqueur casks employing hand-pitted apricot kernels.
  • Block-15 Love Potion No. 9: a chocolate raspberry oatmeal stout conditioned with fresh roasted cocoa nibs and locally grown Oregon raspberries.
  • New Old Lompoc Bourbon Barrel fermented Cherry Stout: a big and bold one-off beer meshing deep, roasted chocolaty malts with sweet cherries. Barrel-fermentation provides a distinct complexity.
  • Vertigo Razz Wheat: an unfiltered American wheat ale eschews syrup for over twelve pounds of real raspberries per barrel — yielding a beer with a delightful blend of light, refreshing flavors.

Other specialty beers will be present from Oregon craft breweries such as Double MountainFort GeorgeWidmer BrosOakshire, and more…

When: Saturday and Sunday February 13 and 14, 2010
Where: Saraveza Bottle Shop & Pasty Tavern, 1004 N. Killingsworth, Portland, Oregon
Other Details: Admission is free, proceeds benefit Mercy Corps Haitian relief efforts.
For more information:
http://brewpublic.com http://saraveza.com http://www.mercycorps.org/haiti

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Fermented Photo: Jubel 2010, Deschutes Brewery

February 5th, 2010 by Matt Wiater 2 comments »

Jubel 2010, Deschutes Brewery
Jubel 2010, Deschutes Brewery. Every winter, I track this beer down—which sometimes requires a trip to bend. As noted below, it’s usually around every winter on draft as Super Jubel, but it’s finally making it’s appearance in Deschute’s Reserve Series bottles (though it was bottled ten years ago before the Reserve Series was born).

Jubel 2010 is a deeply dynamic presentation of the flavors found in our festive winter seasonal, Jubelale. Available on tap around the holidays at our pubs as Super Jubel, February 2010 marks only the second time we have ever bottled this immortal libation. As some of you may remember, the first and only other time this special brew was bottled was to celebrate the new millennium as Jubel 2000.

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Hoppy Housewives Beer Class

February 4th, 2010 by Matt Wiater No comments »

Hoppy Housewives

Awesome!  Check out what Lisa Morrison (aka The Beer Goddess) is doing out at Fort George Brewery in Astoria:

Looking for something fun, unique and tasty for your best gal pal this Valentine’s Day? How about a romantic trip to the coast and a special beer-tasting journey just for her?

Lisa Morrison, aka the Beer Goddess, is hosting one of her popular women-only beer classes at Fort George Brewery & Public House on Feb. 20. It’s called Hoppy Housewives. You don’t have to be a housewife to attend, but you do have to be a woman! The two-hour afternoon class takes ladies on an entertaining and educational tour of several beer styles, as Lisa shares tips on pairing beer with food, cooking with beer — participants even get a take-home recipe book — and great stories about beer’s HERstory (instead of history). Light fare in the form of finger food and tapas will be provided so students don’t get hungry!

Don’t forget, it’s also Stout Month at the Fort George, with rotating stouts on draft from countless different breweries all month! Class attendees and their escorts are encouraged to make a weekend of it by booking a room at the newly opened Commodore Hotel, nearly right across the street from the brew pub! Details: http://www.commodoreastoria.com/

Please note: Lisa is teaming up with Fort George and the Commodore to offer a contest to win a package that includes one entry to Hoppy Housewives and one night’s stay for two in a deluxe cabin at the Commodore Astoria, valued at more than $100. Listen to “Beer O’Clock!,” Saturday, Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. on kxl.com or check out the podcast on iTunes or kxl.com for details on how to enter.

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Standing Stone Brewing Co. Hosts Regional Kickoff For “Women Enjoying Beer”

February 4th, 2010 by Matt Wiater No comments »

(Ashland, OR) Standing Stone Brewing Co (101 Oak St, Ashland) will host the regional kickoff gathering of Women Enjoying Beer on Thursday February 11 from 7-9 pm. This event is for women only, and focuses on helping females learn more about many different aspects of beer, have fun doing it and identify varieties. Women Enjoying Beer will be held on a regular basis, providing participants with a chance to try new beers and deepen their knowledge and appreciation in a relaxed, social setting.

This unique concept is the brainchild of Ginger Johnson, a beer enthusiast, industry specialist and consultant who organizes such events and helps breweries develop and serve the female consumer base nationally.

Johnson will lead a guided tasting of 4 beers, facilitate a discussion about qualities and flavors, describe the beer making process and the factors that contribute to a beer’s overall taste experience, and answer questions. The gathering is designed to be an informal, fun opportunity to meet others and explore beer at the same time. The event costs $10 per person. Food may be purchased separately. Interested attendees can call Ginger at 515-450-7757 to sign up or get more information.

Johnson started Women Enjoying Beer in 2008 after seeing a huge opportunity, for both business and consumers, to get a lot more women together over beer. Women approach beer differently than men and are overlooked by beer marketers, leaving them markedly underrepresented in the beer market, less informed about beer and less inclined to explore its diverse offerings. Johnson recently moved to Ashland to join forces with Standing Stone, focusing on customer service, operational efficiency and business development. She plans to maintain her consulting.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to turn on the beer switch for women who may not otherwise have an opportunity to explore and discover all that beer has to offer, and they really welcome and savor the experience,” says Johnson. “For women, Women Enjoying Beer is a great way to enjoy good company and beverages simultaneously. For businesses, it’s all about developing and serving the female beer consumer though events, presentations and workshops.”

Johnson has spoken at the Craft Brewers Conference and the California Small Brewers Association, is a member of the Brewers Association and the National Beer Wholesalers Association, and is on the board of BreweryFans.com. She engages consumers and industry alike around the female beer experience and best practices in customer service through her blog and website, www.womenenjoyingbeer.com.

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Vintage Big Bottle Winter Beer Tasting at Saraveza

February 2nd, 2010 by Matt Wiater No comments »

PORTLAND, Ore.—Jan. 25, 2010—Thirty lucky citizens of Beervanna will get a rare and limited opportunity to try a variety of big bottle vintage beers Tuesday, February 9th at 6:30 pm at Saraveza, 1004 N. Killingsworth St.  This special affair features seven expensive and rare vintage large format bottles as the centerpiece of an evening of vintage beer tasting, beer and food pairing, and education about the beers and the changes they undergo in their mammoth bottles.
The all-star beer lineup of seven beers features 2006 Chimay Grand Reserve, 2007 Duvel Tripel, 2007 Samichalaus, 2008 St. Bernardus Abt 12, 2008 St. Feuillien Triple, 2007 Unibroue La Fin Du Monde and 2006 Val-Dieu Winter.

With names like Jeroboam, Methuselah and Salmanazar, these three, six and nine liter bottles hold precious cargo from Europe and Canada that has undergone careful cellaring for several years, allowing the beers to mellow and the flavors to blend to reveal subtle nuances that transform these beers into true works of art.

Saraveza owner Sarah Pederson and Chef Spence Lack have created complementary parings to accompany these beers from the cellar of Preston Weesner, including a 15-month-old aged gouda cheese from Willamette Valley Cheese, house crackers and Marcona almonds; cherry smoked black pepper duck sausage with a Chimay beer and prune reduction; and a cider braised lamb and parsnip potato mash pasty with warm spiced butternut squash and pickled garnish.

Tickets are $60 limited to two per person and available only at Saraveza.  For more information, call 503-206-4252.

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Beer Print Auction for Red Cross Haiti Relief (Day 2)

January 28th, 2010 by Matt Wiater No comments »
Deschutes Brewery (Bend, OR)

We have teamed up with Deschutes Brewery to bring you some one of a kind photo prints to benefit the Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development.  100% of all proceeds will go directly to this program.

We have created a simple auction in hopes of raising more money than we could have individually contributed here at the site.  We haven’t done this before, but the Portland beer community is made up of a lot of great individuals who can hopefully drive some attention to our project. So, if you can’t bid, at least help us spread the word on this auction by posting, tweeting, or simply telling your friends.

Since Deschutes Brewery is helping us get the word out, we’ve selected four Deschutes themed photographs from our collection.  If you win the auction item, you’ll receive a professionally created 8×12 print, signed by Duschutes Brewery founder Gary Fish.  You will be the only person in the world with this item (and it’s a big, big world). Contributor Ian Seniff was kind enough to also donate a piece of his artwork to the auction as well.

Thanks for all of the support everyone!

Check out the rest of the auction items and participate here!

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Press Release: Deschutes Brewery Releases Reserve Series Jubel 2010

January 26th, 2010 by Matt Wiater 1 comment »
Deschutes Brewery and Public House (Bend, OR)

BEND, Ore. – Deschutes Brewery, the sixth largest craft brewery in the nation, announces the release of its first Reserve Series beer for the New Year and decade, Jubel 2010. Jubel 2010 is a deeply dynamic presentation of the flavors found in its festive winter seasonal, Jubelale. Available on tap around the holidays at its pubs as “Super Jubel,” February 2010 marks only the second time the Brewery has ever bottled this immortal libation. The first and only other time this special brew was bottled was to celebrate the new millennium as Jubel 2000.

Jubel was discovered by accident two decades ago when a clumsy burglar didn’t realize the weight of his stolen keg of Jubelale. He dropped it outside to freeze in the season’s sub-zero temperatures – only to be discovered the next morning by Gary Fish, Deschutes Brewery owner. More than half the liquid in the keg had frozen and the remaining beer was a very cold, highly concentrated “Jubelale on steroids.” It was so good that the brewers set about recreating it, coming up with an annual “Super Jubel” that is aged in Oregon oak pinot barrels.

A limited amount of Jubel 2010 will be available in 22 ounce wax-dipped bottles and on draft all over the west this February.

Beer Geek Information:

  • 10% Alcohol by Volume (ABV)
  • 55 International Bittering Units (IBUs)
  • Serving Temperature: 50-55 degrees F
  • Glassware: Snifter or Goblet
  • Drink one now and cellar one to enjoy a year from now.

About Deschutes Brewery
Located in beautiful Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Brewery is in the business of daring people to expect more from their beer. That’s why we started off in 1988, on the banks of the Deschutes River here in Bend, Oregon, by selling Black Butte Porter at a time when others were sure a dark beer would never catch on. Our brewers love to push the envelope, especially if it makes someone nervous. But for us, the highest praise is a raised glass and a toast of “Bravely Done!” For more information about Deschutes Brewery and its courageously crafted beers, please visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com.

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Press Release: Full Sail Brewing Company Releases Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Porter

January 26th, 2010 by Matt Wiater No comments »
Full Sail Brewing Company

Hood River, Or – The waiting list is growing and so is the anticipation. It is almost time for the annual and very limited release of Full Sail’s bourbon barrel beer. Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Porter rested in oak bourbon barrels for close to one year will finally be ready to pour early this February.

“Our barrel aged beers have been a Full Sail tradition since 1998 when we discovered the magic that happens when you pair vintage barrels, dedication, and patience. Brewed back in February 2009, this imperial style porter was reserved and aged for almost a year in casks from Maker’s Mark, Stranahan’s and Four Roses. After a year we created a blend that is 100% barrel aged beer to craft our Bourbon Barrel Top Sail. This extended aging presents aromas of oak, coconut and bourbon. Deep chocolate flavors warm to a full-bodied beer. Oak, toast and caramel flavors are rounded by the bourbon fire and sweetness. Deep black in color, Top Sail Bourbon Aged Imperial Porter has a roasty malt flavor that is immensely drinkable and smooth. It cellars well, if you store a few bottles in a dark, cool place and be patient – you will be rewarded for your effort and restraint,” said Jamie Emmerson, Full Sail’s Executive Brewmaster. To help the beer aficionados that have the self-discipline to cellar this beer, Full Sail marks the bottle label with the reserve year. Top Sail will be available in 22 oz bottles and limited draught. (ABV 9.85%, IBU 65)

“We love the concept of the bourbon barrel aging (though we confess we love the beer even more). Whiskey begins life as beer–or at least a beer-like concoction. It’s made from malted grain and water, which is then distilled and barrel-aged, so barrel aging beer in whiskey casks is a natural. Wood and barrel aging is an art form that takes dedication, patience and care. When done right, it’s a wonderful thing. It’s still distinctly beer, but with added depth and flavor. We brew this special beer in small batches, that’s why it is available in very limited quantities. You should get some while you can,” added Emmerson.

To celebrate the release of this beer Full Sail is planning two Horizontal Tastings that highlight the flavor components of this special brew. “Since Top Sail is a blend of the three barrel varieties, we thought it would be interesting to try a bit of each before blending, so we kegged off a very small stash of each variety for the release. Join us to celebrate the release of this very special beer and taste the nuances between the three versions and the final blend,” added Emmerson. The special tapping will take place at 5 p.m., Monday, February 1st, at Full Sail’s River place Brewery in Portland, Oregon and on Thursday, February 4th at the Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River. For more information call the Full Sail River place brewery at 503-222-5343 or the Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub at 541-386-2247.

The independent and employee-owned Full Sail Brewery is perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the most epic wind and kite surfing spot in the world. At this very moment 47 specialists in the liquid refreshment arts are crafting barley and hops into your next beer. Among the company’s most popular brews are Full Sail Amber, IPA, Pale, LTD, Session and Session Black Premium lager. Founded in 1987, the Full Sail crew has been fermenting godlike nectar for 22 years. Committed to brewing great beer and sustainable practices their award winning brews are now available in nineteen states. The Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub is open seven days a week. Swing by for a pint, grab a bite, tour the brewery, or just soak up the view.

www.fullsailbrewing.com

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CellarFest: Good Intentions, Good Beer, Bad Article

January 24th, 2010 by Ian Seniff 3 comments »

I arrived early. I brought the notebook. I was prepared.

I was going to do a write-up on a beer event and do it the right way: taking notes and documenting every detail in beautiful prose that would bring me admiration from all who read it. Yes, that was the intent. Here is what really happened:

Bailey's CellarFest 2010

Bailey's CellarFest 2010

My insights are on the right and my friend Andy’s are on the left but as time went on we felt free to contribute to each other’s notes on the tap lists that are not at all suitable for note taking. As you can see we are brilliant and our comments should be held in the highest regard, especially the stuff about teenagers and my drawing of Robocop and how I feel vampires should look.

In short, CellarFest was pretty great.

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