This year, the portlandbeer.org family started a new tradition: The First Annual Kick Off The New Year With Great Beers (as if we need the excuse). The justification is that sharing great beers on the first day of the year will bring good luck for the whole year. Well, we’re five days into the new year and I’ve had no disasters, so it must be working.
Cellaring beer is a new concept for me. I’ve always wanted to store a few away for awhile, but lack of willpower led to the demise of all attempts. In 2008, I was somehow able to put away about tow beers each month as long as I immediately put them into the box in the basement as soon as I got home from the store (any time spent in my fridge, and the beer was destined to end up in my stomach). Since I’m new to this, there is nothing particularly aged in my collection. These are mostly beers that I’ve come across that I wanted to save for a special occasion.
- 2007 Avery Mephistopheles
- 2008 BrewDog Paradox Port Dundas
- 2008 BrewDog Paradox Macallan
- 2007 Deschutes Abyss
- 2008 Deschutes Abyss
- 2008 Deschutes Dissident
- 2008 Firestone Walker XII
- 2008 Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout
- 2008 Ommegang Three Philosophers
- 2007 St Bernardus Abt 12
- 2007 Scaldis Noel
It was definitely a successful event and there are already plans for a repeat next year. Of course, I’ll have to resupply the box in the cellar, but at least now I know that I’ve got the willpower to do it!
But drinking good beer alone won’t solve all of my problems for 2009, will it? I’d like to hope it would, but I’ve got to be practical. So, over here at portlandbeer.org, we’ll have to manually make changes for the better, not just cross our fingers. What can you expect from us in 2009? Well, more of everything: beer release coverage, brewery news, photography, and more tools to help you navigate the Portland beer scene. We’re also experimenting with a new layout to make it easier to find and use all of our content. You can also expect some new faces over here as we gather some permanent writer’s and some guest posters to give more unique perspectives on what’s happening in our city.
But we can’t do all the work ourselves. Your suggestions have helped us grow in the past and we’d like to hear what you’d like to see for 2009. Got comments, ideas, ridicule? Let us know so that we can keep improving this site!
Cheers!
Matt
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2 Comments on "Kicking Off 2009 With Great Beer"
I too started a beer cellar this year. The first entery was Top Sail, it is hard to look at, but I am sure I’ll be happy I didn’t drink it when I can have the 2008 and 2010 vintages side by side.
I’ve now got about 40 beers (not different types mind you, just 40 total). The key for me has been to buy 3: one for now, one for in a year to try against a current version and one to hold as long as I can stand it.
Good luck in 2009, you run a great site!
Thanks Joe! 40 bottles sounds like a great stash!
I’ve still got some goodies left including the 2008 Top Sail: 2007 Old Boardhead, 2007 Abyss, 2008 Abyss, 2006 Thomas Hardy’s, 2008 Black Butte XX, and something else I can’t remember. I’d look in the box, but I’m afraid some bottles would go missing! I’m not invincible…