Free Portlandbeer.org Stickers!

They're perfect for sticking on passed out strangers at brewfests!

We've got a stack of 200 stickers and we're giving them away to you, our loyal readers. Over the last few years, our readership has grown exponentially, we've gotten a lot of helpful feedback (mixed in with the ever-entertaining drunken rambling emails and phone calls). In the past, we've given away t-shits and Ultimate 6-Packs, but this year, our checking account is a little low, so you get stickers.

But what's the catch? Well, I don't know if I'd call it a catch, but we ain't paying for postage. That's right, we're drawing a line in the sand. You're already getting free stickers, so stop complaining and just mail us a self-addressed stamped envelope and we'll send you back a couple of stickers. It's not necessarily the cost of the stamps, it's just that we're really freakin' lazy and fewer steps will ensure a quick turnaround.

So, just use our contact form, and write "I want some stickers!" or something similar. We'll email you back with our address information.

Show your support with the latest in sticker technology! On one side it's a durable logo--on the other, it's, well, sticky!

Even the recycleable backing has a life lesson!

Photos: Deschutes Brewery and Public House (Bond Street, Bend, OR)

Here's another set from last weekend's trip to Bend. Along with the 2008 Bend Brewfest and the main brewing facility of Deschutes Brewing, I also stopped by the Deschutes Brewery and Public House to meet some people and check out their Bond Street operations.




Check out the rest of the photos here.

2008 Bend Brewfest

Coming out of Oregon Craft Beer Month in July, it's pretty easy to say how I'm feeling: worn out. I played many roles in July including host, photographer, writer, patron, and professional napper. Sometimes covering several events in a single day, I was ground up and spit out into August a weary soul. I'm not complaining about this because July is an exceptional time to be a beer lover in Oregon. It just that my anticipation for this time of year overshadows the exhausting reality of covering (and enjoying) all of these events.

And now, here I am, at another brewfest, in the middle of August, in Bend Oregon. And after all I've done during the previous months, it's still a high point for me. Maybe it's getting out of town for a few days. Maybe it's the great venue and music. Maybe it's the short lines and variety of beer. It must be some combination of all of those things.

The fact that I can try a few beers, stretch out in the beautiful grass, listen to the music, and take a quick nap without the fear of being trampled by a drunken mob is exactly what I needed. And that's why I did it a few times on Friday.

Brewery and Beer List:

Anderson Valley
Summer Solstice
Poleeko Gold Pale

Aspall
Dry Cider
Organic Cider

Baron Brewing
Pilsner
Schwarzbier
Helles Bock

Bayern Brewing
Dancing Trout Wheat

Bear Republic
Racer 5
Hop Rod Rye

Bend Brewing Co.
Axe Head Red
Met Golden Ale

Big Sky Brewing
Moose Drool Brown
Trout Slayer Wheat

Boulder Brewery
Hazed N Infused Amber
Sweaty Betty Bavarian Hefe

Bridgeport Ales
Haymaker
IPA

Caldera Brewing Co.
Ginger Ale
IPA

Cascade Lakes
Paulina Lake Pils
IPA

De Proef
La Grande Blanche Imperial White Ale
Zoetzuur Flemish Flanders Red

Deschutes Brewing
20 Anniversary Wit
Twilight Ale

Double Mt.
Hop Lava IPA
IRA

Eel River
IPA

Fox Barrel
Black Currant

Full Sail
Sessions Lager
LTD 02 Lager
Prodigal Sun

Great Divide
Samurai Blonde

Hales
Kolsch

Hopworks Urban Brewing
Crosstown Pale

Kona
Longboard Lager
Wailu Wheat

Lazy Boy Brewing
IPA
Belgien Strong

Lagunitas
IPA
Sirius

Laughing Dog
Huckleberry Cream
Dogzilla Black IPA

Lost Coast
Great White

Mactarnahans
Sling Shot Extra Pale
Amber Ale

Mad River
Steelhead Extra Pale
Double IPA

McMenamins
Copper Moon
Stingray IPA

Mt. Shasta
Mt High IPA
Weed Golden Ale

New Belgium Brewing Co.
Fat Tire Amber
Mighty Arrow Pale

New Old Lompoc Brewing
Dry Hopped Condor
LSD Lompoc

Oakshire Brewing
Espresso Stout

Pyramid Brewing
Apricot Ale
Crystal Wheat

Red Hook
Long Hammer IPA
Later Harvest

Roots Organic
Gruit Kolsch
Neverminde Pale Ale

Seadog Brewing
Blueberry Wheat

Shmaltz Brewing Co.
He'Brew Rejewvenator
Coney Island Lager
Coney Island Albino Python

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Pale Ale
Anniversary IPA

Snoqualmie Falls
Copperhead Pale
Wildcat IPA
Steam Train Porter

Stone Brewery
Arrogant Bastard
Stone Smoked Porter

Trumer Pils
German Pilsner

Victory
Prima Pils

Widmer Brothers
Oktoberfest
Broken Halo

Wildfire Brewing
Summer Golden Ale
Backdraft

Wolavers
Organic English Brown
Organic Wit


Check out the rest of the photos here.

Photos: BC Hop Farms Tour!

I got an email from Brian Butenschoen, director of the Oregon Brewer's Guild, saying "What are you doing at 10am on Tuesday? Want to go for a tour of BC Hop Farms?" Those are my favorite emails...

So we picked up John Harris, brewmaster at Full Sail in Portland, and made our way down to Woodburn, Oregon. After only a few wrong turns, we made it and were surrounded by more than 350 acres of hops! We met up with farm owner Charlie Davidson and toured the fields and harvesting rooms. We ended the tour enjoying the bucket of beer that John Harris brought along: Full Sail Session Lager, IPA, and Prodigal Sun IPA. Hop harvest time is in a couple of weeks, so get ready for those Fresh Hop Ales!




Check out the rest of the photos here.

Fresh Hop Flavors Drive Interest in Microbrew Lineup as Hood River Hops Fest Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

Oregon grown hops!

HOOD RIVER, Ore. (June 23, 2008) — Celebrating its fifth year as the premier fresh hops beer tasting event in the Pacific Northwest, the Hood River Hops Fest on Oct. 4, 2008, will feature beers from more than 20 Northwest craft brewers, an expanded menu of food with an emphasis on local restaurants, Columbia Gorge wines and activities for the entire family.

“Hops Fest started as a tribute to the great, fresh-hopped microbrews of the Pacific Northwest, and that still is the reason that thousands of people attend,” says Charlie Devereux, who is helping coordinate beer vendors for the event, which is organized by and operates as a fund-raiser for the Hood River Downtown Business Association. “But we also want to provide a variety of other reasons for people to attend. Our goal is a safe, fun, family-friendly event.”

Among those attractions will be a rich array of food offerings, many from local restaurants. New musical offerings will put an emphasis on traditional and fun sounds (can you say “Ooom-pah!”).

An expanded play area for children will allow families to attend during the afternoon of the event, which runs from noon to 9 p.m. in downtown Hood River.

Oregon hops for miles!

Featured breweries again will include Gorge favorites such as Double Mountain Brewery, Full Sail Brewing, Big Horse, Elliot Glacier, Walking Man and Mt. Hood Brewing. Organizers are still lining up additional brewers to pour tastes this year. Stay tuned by checking the Hops Fest web site regularly. If you’ve got it bookmarked, fine; that link will still work.

In addition to beer, Hops Fest 2008 will feature a more diverse selection of local wines. The number of labels producing quality wine from the Columbia Gorge AVA has grown rapidly, and Hops Fest 2008 hopes to work closely with the Columbia Gorge Wine Growers Association to offer a broad selection to wine lovers.

Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities, or individuals interested in volunteering, should contact the Hops Fest Steering Committee at 541-490-0022.

Organizers call off All Oregon Ale Festival

PORTLAND, Ore. - August 11, 2008 - The Portland Brewers Festival Association of Oregon regrets to announce that the first-ever “All Oregon Ale Festival” has been cancelled for 2008. The event was scheduled to take place September 12 & 13 at Portland International Raceway. Organizers cite various reasons for the cancellation, including still-pending approval by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC), and the lack of time to properly promote the event.

“We are extremely disappointed to cancel the event, but we are cognizant that we need more time to let people know it is taking place,” explained Art Larrance, the brainchild behind the event. “We still believe this is a viable event, and we’re looking forward presenting the All Oregon Ale Festival in 2009.”

The All Oregon Beer Festival was designed to celebrate the best that Oregon’s craft breweries have to offer. Thirty Oregon breweries signed up for the event, which was also to include food and a nine-hole Frisbee Golf course.

Once the OLCC issues a license, event organizers will reconvene to select a date for 2009, and an announcement will be made at that time.

Photos: Behind the Scenes at Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

We can't show off the inner workings of Portland breweries without stopping by Widmer Brothers Brewing! Thanks to brewer Ben Dobler for showing me around the facility.




Check out the rest of the photos here.

Oregon Brewers Festival bucks the economic downturn, celebrates banner year with record attendance and sales

2008 Oregon Brewers Festival (Brewers Dinner).

PORTLAND, Ore. – July 31, 2008 – America’s economy may be in a downturn, but the effects didn’t show at the 21st annual Oregon Brewers Festival (OBF). The nation’s largest outdoor craft beer festival witnessed record attendance with 70,000 people, a 15 percent increase over last year’s all time high. Beer sales followed suit, also showing a 15 percent increase. The four-day event concluded on July 27th at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

“We weren’t sure what to expect for attendance and sales given the economic situation, but we were prepared to take a hit,” explained festival director and founder Art Larrance. “Instead, rising gas prices seemed to have helped us. People are staying home this summer, and many chose to partake of our city’s mass transit and explore festivals taking place in their own backyard.”

Larrance added that perfect beer drinking weather in the 70s and low 80s also played a large role in the increase.

Despite rising keg costs, the OBF chose to stay the course with its pricing, offering a four-ounce taste for $1 or 14-ounces for $4.

The event kicked off on July 24th with a one-mile parade by brewers and beer lovers on the city’s sidewalks, led by Portland Mayor Tom Potter and accompanied by a small marching band. Upon arrival at the venue, Mayor Potter swung a wooden mallet to drive the brass tap into the official first keg of the festival, presented by Widmer Brothers Brewing Co.

The OBF served 73 different craft beers from 18 states across the country. The top selling product for the third year running was Cascade Brewing's Razberry Wheat out of Southwest Portland. Another light, refreshing fruit beer to sell out early was Hell or High Watermelon by San Francisco’s 21st Amendment Brewery. Portland’s Widmer Brothers Brewing sold a large quantity of its Full Nelson, an Imperial IPA brewed specifically for the OBF.

Beer lovers came from every state in the nation, and many countries around the world, to join in the celebration. The festival generated an economic impact of more than $1.5 million for the state.

2008 Oregon Brewers Festival (Brewers Dinner).

Minors and designated drivers received access to the Crater Lake Rootbeer Garden, which served up complimentary cups of handcrafted rootbeer. Staff from the Wallowa Valley Together Project provided education on the potential dangers, risks, and unhealthy community norms associated with underage drinking; they were joined by high-school students of Teens Against Drugs & Alcohol, who promoted their “None before 21” campaign.

The Oregon Brewers Festival was founded in 1988 as an opportunity to expose the public to microbrews at a time when the craft brewing industry was just getting off the ground. Today, that industry has succeeded, especially in Oregon, where 60 brewing companies operate 90 brewing facilities. There are 30 breweries operating within the Portland city limits, more than any other city in the world; the Portland metro area boasts 38 breweries, more than any other metro area in the world. In fact, the Portland metro area is the largest craft brewing market in the United States, even though Portland ranks 23rd in population for metro areas in the nation.

The Oregon Brewers Festival always takes place the last full weekend in July. The 2009 dates are July 23rd through 26th. For more information, visit www.oregonbrewfest.com.


Check out the rest of the photos here.

Photos: Behind the Scenes at BridgePort Brewing Company

Continuing the series of Portland brewery photography, we visit BridgePort Brewing Company. Thanks to Assistant Brewmaster Jeff Edgerton for the private tour!




Check out the rest of the photos here.

Photos: Behind the scenes at Alameda Brewhouse

Next in our series of Portland brewery photography is Alameda Brewhouse. Thanks to Eric Wathen for letting us meet up with him and follow him around with a camera!




Check out the rest of the photos here.

2008 Oregeon Brewers Festival -- Exclusive Brewers Dinner Beer List

Brewers Dinner pint glass.

I just wanted to post a quick note about the beers featured at the 2008 Brewers Dinner, which kicks off the Oregon Brewers Festival the night before it opens. Along with great food, this dinner features about 25 beers which are not featured at the OBF.

I know, if you missed it, this list won't help you. But maybe you'll see that it would be wise to get your tickets ahead of time and get to this dinner next year! Proceeds benefit our wonderful Oregon Brewers Guild so that they can help spread the word and educate people on our greatest natural resource!

Alameda Brewhouse: Lucky Devil Belgian Style Golden Strong Ale
Bridgeport Brewing: 2007 Hop Harvest IPA (Firkin)
Captured By Porches: Witbier
Deschutes Brewery: The Dissident, Beligian Style Sour Brown Ale
Double Mountain Brewery: Pils
Full Sail Brewing Co.: Lizama Summer Dunkel Weizen
Golden Valley Brewery: Red Hills Pils
Hopworks Urban Brewery: D.O.A. Barrel Aged Old Ale
Lompoc Brewing: Heaven's Helles Lager
Laurelwood Brewing Company: Framboise Sour Lambic Blend
Lucky Labrador Brewing: Super Dog IPA
Ninkasi Brewing Co.: Tricerahops Double IPA
Oakshire Brewing: Double IPA
Old Market Pub and Brewery: Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout
Pelican Pub and Brewery: India Pelican Ale
Pyramid Breweries: Draught Pale Ale
Raccoon Lodge and Brewpub: Belgian Style Strong Ale
Ram Brewery: Barefoot Wit
Ram Brewery: Palm Island Toasted Coconut Porter
Rock Bottom Brewery: Rod Flanders Belgian Style Sour Brown Ale
Rogue Ale: Imperial Younger's Special Bitter
Roots Organic Brewing Co.: Gruit Kolsch
Wakonda Brewery: Beachcomber Creme Ale
Widmer Brothers Brewing: Belgian Style Golden Ale
Wildfire Brewing: Code 24 Pale Ale

Photos: 2008 Oregon Brewers Festival -- Brewers Dinner

Here are some shots of the Brewers Dinner on the night before the festival opens. Great people, great food, and awesome beer!




Check out the rest of the photos here.

Photos: Behind the Scenes at Hopworks Urban Brewery

Thanks to Christian Ettinger, Ben Love, Jaime Rodriguez, and Mike Price for letting me get in their way to shoot the brewery!



Check out the rest of the photos here.

Photos: Behind the Scenes at Roots Organic Brewing Company

Thanks to Craig Nicholls, Jason McAdam, and Chip Conlon for letting me invade the Roots brewery.



Check out the rest of the photos here.

Bridgeport's Hop Czar Imperial IPA Preview

Bridgeport's Imperial IPA: Hop Czar. Available in 22oz bottles next week.

Bridgeport's Assistant Brewmaster Jeff Edgerton gave the media a preview of their new release for their Big Brews series today. The Big Brews program started last October with their Hop Harvest Ale and continued on with Old Knucklehead and Stumptown Tart--all 22oz limited release bottles. Continuing this journey, Bridgeport has taken their flagship IPA, stuck a bike pump to the bottle, and had the employees hand pump for weeks, until--POP--out came a bigger version: Hop Czar Imperial IPA--well it's sort of like that.

"Hop Czar, an Imperial IPA brewed from BridgePort’s award-winning IPA recipe, is a triple-hopped (brew kettle and two separate hop jack charges) bottle-conditioned, Imperial-style IPA. It carries a deep malt background with enthusiastic citrus and floral notes paired with high hop bitterness. Sitting at 8-percent ABV (alcohol by volume) and 100 IBU's, Hop Czar is a strong blend of Nugget, Chinook, Cascade and Centennial hops."

Assistant Brewmaster Jeff Edgerton gives a tour of the brewery.

Bridgeport IPA is often overlooked in a town where everything is hopped, hopped more, and sometimes over-hopped. Now, don't get me wrong, I seldom turn down hop-bombs, but I also feel that they tend to stretch the IPA category a bit thin. IPAs, while they can be hop heavy, should still be a balanced beer, with a noticeable malt character. For me, Bridgeport IPA has always been the IPA that exemplifies the IPA category. I have recommended it for years to people who want to know where to center themselves in the world of Portland IPAs.

That is precisely why I was so excited to hear that the Hop Czar was based on Bridgeport's IPA foundation. The tasters we had were directly out of the bottles that were filled earlier today. It pours perfectly, great aroma, and a is very well-balanced Imperial IPA. Jeff told us that their hopjack, which has about a 70 pound capacity is first filled with hops. Then, half of the Hop Czar batch(about 37 barrels) is run through the hops . The hopjack is then emptied, refilled, and the rest of the batch is run through for a total of about 140 pounds of dry hops per 75 barrel batch! As it should be, it's definitely in the "very hoppy" category, but my favorite aspect was the hop bitterness. With 100 IBUs, it going to be bitter, but the malt profile does a great job of not letting that bitterness overpower the beer.

Hop Czar on the bottling line.

Hop Czar Imperial IPA will be available starting today at their downtown on draft only. 22oz bottles should start appearing on store shelves next week. And thankfully, the Big Brews series doesn't stop there. For their next release, we will be seeing a bourbon barrel aged porter.

ADDENDUM (Same Day): I just got back home after bringing my only bottle over to a friends place, so that three of us could try it against some Bridgeport IPAs. Wow, this really puts it in context! Everyone was impressed. Definitely a great beer--grab 'em when you see 'em!


Check out the rest of the photos here.

The Biggest and Baddest Oregon Imperial IPAs: The Concordia Cup

Ten 3oz. Imperial IPA samples and scorecard for the 2008 Concordia Cup.

Imperial IPA lover? Get your butt to Concordia Ale House July 9th - July 13th for the Concordia Cup! Ten of the best Oregon Imperial IPAs battle it out for supremacy and your vote counts.

OK, now that the press release talk is over, let's get down to what's actually involved here. First of all, for all of you that think that beer bloggers have a great life--drinking beer, talking to brewers, and getting some free swag--here's what really involved. In order to get this post out before you have a chance to make it there yourself, I had to wake up at the crack of 11am, so that I could get there by noon. If that wasn't enough, my girlfriend and I were the the first to order sample trays for the 2008 event, just as the clock ticked 12:02: "Where are our ten Imperial IPAs?! It's after noon already--look at my watch!" Yeah, I embarrass myself sometimes.

And then the sample trays came. Good god. It's noon on a Wednesday and for $10 our kind server has brought us 10 3oz. samples of Oregon's finest Imperial IPAs--each. Yep, a total of 60 ounces of IIPAs sitting in front of us by 12:11. Man, I just woke up an hour ago. Sometimes you've got to take one for the team. I sighed, wiped the residual crust out of my eyes, and crossed my fingers that ten Imperial IPAs were going to be the new hangover cure of the decade. Despite my drowsiness, I was very excited to cut into these beers and pick a winner.

Checkmate.

Luckily, there was no ranking here. Just grab a scoresheet, drink all ten Imperial IPAs, and pick your favorite. Of course, this is a blind tasting, so it takes a little back-and-forth, a sip here, and a gulp to solidify your decision.

I picked the best one, and I'm sure that it will be the overall winner. Unfortunately, after polishing off all ten beers, I can't remember which one I picked--so no spoilers here.

Get down to Concordia Ale House and try your hand at this competition. You get to try some great beers, talk about some great beers, and consequently, get your ass kicked by some great beers.

[UPDATE] 2008 Concordia Cup Results (Imperial IPA):

1: I2Pa -- Rogue Ales **[Fifth Place]**
2: Hopness Monster -- Deschutes Brewery (PDX) **[First Place]**
3: C-Note -- Lompoc Brewing
4: Tricerahops -- Ninkasi Brewing Company
5: Perfect Storm -- Willamette Brewing (Debuting as Oakshire Brewing)
6: Green Mammoth -- Laurelwood Brewing Company **[Second Place]**
7: Hopasaurus Rex -- Steelhead Brewing
8: Molten Lava -- Double Mountain Brewery **[Third Place]**
9: King Screamer -- Deschutes Brewery (Bend) **[Fourth Place]**
10: Blue Dot -- Hair of the Dog Brewing Company

These results are courtesy of Patrick's comment on the Rooftop Brew Blog, so please go visit them!



Check out the rest of the photos here.

What To Do If You Run Into a Big Black Homo

Walking Man Brewer, Jacob Leonard.

Drink it. It's delicious.

There were so many rumors about a Big Black Homo being released in Portland that I thought all the news outlets would be outside of Belmont Station. Man, FOX wasn't even there.

Luckily, I was. This was Walking Man's dark malt version of their Homo Erectus, an Imperial IPA, and it was awesome. Walking Man Brewing is synonymous with big, quality beers and this was no exception. Based on their legendary IIPA, the dark malt added a great roasted quality and sweetened up the bitterness a little. Think 1/4 Stout mixed with 3/4 Imperial IPA--kind of.

Walking Man brewer Jacob Leonard and owner Bob Craig were on hand to answer any questions about the beers they had brought, including: Walking Man IPA, 2006 Walking Man Old Stumblefoot, and Sasquatch Legacy. Jacob, of course, hovered around the tap handle and ensured that everyone orded the beer by name. Instead of whispering "I'd like to try the, uh, dark IPA...", you had to say "I want a Big Black Homo!"

Walking Man Owner, Bob Craig (seated).

Well, since I don't get out to the Walking Man Brewery out in Stevenson Washington very much, I had to make sure to grab a glass of the aged 2006 Old Stumblefoot barleywine on top of my two Big Black Homos. Damn, I knew it was gonna be strong, but that 12.3% kept me in my chair with a bewildered smile plastered on my face for a bit. I wanted to tell owner Bob Craig to change the name to Old Stumbleface--and there he was, just a few feet away--but I couldn't get out of my chair. This might explain why all of the photos are shot at an upward angle.

Well, this whole experience simply reinforced one of the rules I live my life by, and what's a good blog post without a life lesson? So, in parting, I divulge one of the few rules I obey, in hopes that with a little self-assesment and introspection, you can find room for it in your life as well:

"Never pass up a chance to drink Walking Man beer."

Check out the rest of the photos here.

All these beers blend together--especially when they're, uh, blended together

Brewing grains.

As everyone (and their mothers) are reporting, it is now Oregon Craft Beer. In fact, my mother called and left me a message: "Matt, it's July. Don't forget it's Oregon Craft Beer month!" Like I need reminding!

As hyper-champions of beer blending, we at portlandbeer.org are excited to see a few events in support of this art. As Brett mentioned in an earlier post about beer blending, it seems to be a very polarizing issue among beer enthusiasts. Some cry out for the purity of the beer flowing out of the tap while others celebrate the countless possibilities when two or more beers meet in the same glass.

In our neck of the woods, there is only one rule when it comes to blending: You must intimately know the beers in the blend. This is not like the times when you were 12 and tried to fit all 7 of the Slurpee flavors into one cup because you knew it would piss off your brother who had the lack of foresight to choose more than one flavor. Like a sweet mix tape (yes, I'm a product of the 80's), each song needs to be a piece to the puzzle. You don't just throw random shit on a mix tape. It needs to have intention, a story, a mood , and most importantly and be exactly 45 minutes per side.

But, if it sounds intimidating, don't worry--we've got a few blending events this month that are overseen by professionals. See what they're all about. Scratch that--taste what they're all about. Ask questions. Get answers. And get confident to ask the bartender for that blend that you've always wondered about.

• Every Tuesday in July: Check out "Rock Bottom's Tuesday Special Blend" at their downtown location.

• Tuesday, July 22nd 3:00pm: "Hopworks Urban Brewery’s Special Blend Night" -- Christian, Ben, Jaime and one lucky Hopworks employee compete to see who can make the best Hopworks blended beer. Hopworks IPA+Velvet ESB blend? HUB Lager+Survival Stout+DOA blend? Something else?! This one will be crazy!

2008 Oregon Brewers Festival Beer Descriptions

Oregon Brewers Festival

21st Amendment Brewery
San Francisco, CA
21st-amendment.com
Hell or High Watermelon / Wheat Beer with fruit

OG: 1.048
FG: 1.010
ABV: 5.2
IBUs: 17
Color: Golden

One of the most popular beers at the OBF for several years, this wheat beer is flavored with real watermelon, giving the beer a subtle aroma and a dry, tart flavor. Low hopping levels let the unique taste of wheat and watermelon shine through.


Alameda Brewhouse
Portland, OR
alamedabrewhouse.com
East Village Amber / Amber

OG: 1.054
FG: 1.014
ABV: 5.2
IBUs: 33
Color: Dark Amber

Alameda's Alt beer is a bit of a hybrid - fermented with ale yeast, but at a colder temperature, like a lager. This gives the beer a smoother taste. Dark, mellow, and highly drinkable, East Village is Alameda's most popular seasonal brew.


Alaskan Brewing Co
Juneau, AK
alaskanbeer.com
Alaskan Summer Ale / Kölsch

OG: 1.048
FG: 1.010
ABV: 5.3
IBUs: 18
Color: Golden

The Kölsch beer style originated in Cologne (Koln), Germany. It is softly malty, low in hops and very light and refreshing - great for a hot summer day. Made with centuries-old glacier water, this beer has won six awards, including four at the Los Angeles County Fair, the California Brewers Festival, and the North American Beer Awards.


Allagash Brewing Co
Portland, ME
allagash.com
Allagash White / Belgian-Style Wheat Beer

OG: 1.048
FG: 1.010
ABV: 5.0
IBUs: 19
Color: Golden

Allagash's award-winning interpretation of a Belgian Style Wheat Beer - also its flagship ale - is brewed with a generous portion of wheat and a special blend of spices. Light and slightly cloudy in appearance, with a subtle spice aroma, this beer pairs well with a salad with vinaigrette dressing or fresh goat cheese, poultry and fish entrees, or a spicy apple pie.


Amnesia Brewing Co
Portland, OR
Copacetic IPA / IPA

OG: 1.060
FG: 1.012
ABV: 6.2
IBUs: 87
Color: Light Amber

One of several popular IPAs at Amnesia, Copacetic is well-balanced with a huge fruit aroma from the Amarillo hops used for dry-hopping. Six different malts, including Munich, Vienna, English crystal and crisp two-row, provide the backbone and a slightly nutty caramel flavor. Outside the festival, there's only one place to get this beer - at the brewery itself.


Anderson Valley Brewing Co
Boonville, CA
avbc.com
Poleeko Gold Pale Ale / Pale Ale

OG: 1.050
FG: 1.009
ABV: 5.5
IBUs: 36
Color: Golden

This honey-gold pale ale is crisp and clear, with an unusual lightness and dryness for such a full-flavored ale. The arousing abundance of Pacific Northwest hops adds both a floral bouquet and a lively, citrusy finish. It's won several medals, and was quoted as being "Exceptionally Great; something special" by a Celebrator Beer News Blind Tasting Panel.


Bayern Brewing
Missoula, MT
bayernbrewery.com
Bayern Pilsener / German Pilsener

OG: 1.047
FG: 1.007
ABV: 5.0
IBUs: 34
Color: Golden

A perennial OBF favorite, this complex, refreshing pilsner is made in the traditional German style. Carefully chosen Noble hop varieties give it a floral, spicy hop aroma. Cold fermentation and extended lagering at 30 degrees accentuate its crisp, smooth malt flavor. The extra time taken to produce this beer shows in the glass, but won't take any extra time to drink.


Bell's Brewery
Comstock, MI
bellsbeer.com
Bell's Porter / Brown Porter

OG: 1.056
FG: 1.016
ABV: 5.6
IBUs: 33
Color: Black

Some people say porter is a winter beer; Bell's means to show that it's a beer for all seasons. A blend of dark malts and roasted barley imbues coffee and chocolate flavors with subtle roasted notes, hopped just to balance with Northern Brewer, Cascade and Fuggles. Bell's Porter won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup earlier this year.


Bison Brewing
Berkeley, CA
bisonbrew.com
Organic Chocolate Stout / Dry Foreign Style Stout

OG: 1.072
FG: 1.008
ABV: 5.0
IBUs: 36
Color: Black

This richly-textured, roasty dry stout gets a boost of bitterness and charisma from the addition of cocoa powder in the mash: The cocoa adds the flavor of chocolate without the sweetness. Bison blends five unique organic malts along with Magnum, Cascade, and Perle hops to create a stout that has won multiple awards, including silver at the Great American Beer Festival.


Blue Frog Grog & Grill
Fairfield, CA
bigbluefrog.com
Blonde Frog Ale / Pale Ale

OG: 1.060
FG: 1.008
ABV: 7.0
IBUs: 40
Color: Golden

This blonde won't break your heart, and that color's not from peroxide. German two-row and Cara-Helles malts and some flaked oats give this beer its malty character and, of course, great body. The judges seem to agree, as they gave this beer first place honors in the 2007 West Coast Brew Fest for the pale ale category.


Boulder Beer Co
Boulder, CO
boulderbeer.com
Hazed & Infused / Dry-Hopped Amber Ale

OG: 1.054
FG: 1.014
ABV: 4.8
IBUs: 38
Color: Dark Amber

This unfiltered ale is left in its naturally "hazy" state to keep as much of the flavor in as possible. It is then "infused" with a blend of Crystal and Centennial hops during cold fermentation. Cold dry-hopping gives Hazed & Infused a huge fresh hop aroma without adding bitterness.


Boulevard Brewing Co
Kansas City, MO
boulevard.com
Lunar Ale / Belgian Style Ale

OG: 1.048
FG: 1.010
ABV: 4.5
IBUs: 13
Color: Brown

Lunar Ale is a cloudy, russet brown beer with subtle fruity aromatics from the special strain of Belgian yeast used in fermentation. Because a substantial portion of the grain bill is wheat, this unfiltered beer is naturally hazy. A small amount of German roasted malt adds the distinctive color. The result is a beer that is uniquely rounded with a mellow flavor and a crisp, dry finish.


Boundary Bay Brewery
Bellingham, WA
bbaybrewery.com
Dry Hopped Crystal Pale Ale / American Pale Ale

OG: 1.062
FG: 1.011
ABV: 6.0
IBUs: 45
Color: Light Amber

Made especially for the Oregon Brewers Festival, this beer makes exclusive use of Crystal hops in four additions, including dry-hopping. A simple grain bill of premium two-row and Munich malts provide the perfect body to balance the soft floral flavor and aroma of this small batch ale.


BridgePort Brewing Co
Portland, OR
bridgeportbrew.com
BridgePort Hop Czar / Imperial IPA

OG: 1.071
FG: 1.014
ABV: 8.0
IBUs: 100
Color: Light Amber

Hop Czar has a deep malt background supporting one huge kettle hop charge and two whole cone packed hop jack charges. This triple-hopped up IPA features an enthusiastic floral/citrus flavor coupled with an insultingly high level of hop bitterness. It's a symphony of Northwest Nugget, Chinook, Cascade and Centennial hops in a glass.


Caldera Brewing Co
Ashland, OR
calderabrewing.com
Caldera Ginger Ale / Summer Ale

OG: 1.042
FG: 1.007
ABV: 4.7
IBUs: 10
Color: Golden

Organic ginger spices the nose and palate of this light, refreshing summer beer. Caldera keeps the Simcoe hop levels low so you can taste the ginger and the two-row and imported caramel malts.


Cascade Brewing Co
Portland, OR
raclodge.com
Razberry Wheat / Fruit Beer

OG: 1.050
FG: 1.011
ABV: 4.5
IBUs: 15
Color: Golden

Put on your rose-colored beer goggles: This brew really is pretty in pink. Whole raspberries added to a sour mash Berlin-style wheat beer create a berry splash in this extremely refreshing beer. The raspberry is apparent on the nose, while the palate is tart and lemony with a hint of wheat. This is one of the most quenching brews at the fest.


Collaborator
Portland, OR
widmer.com
Resurrection Rye / American Pale Ale

OG: 1.056
FG: 1.008
ABV: 6.6
IBUs: 80
Color: Light Amber

Created by Portland homebrewer Patrick Miller, Resurrection Rye is a classic American pale ale that celebrates the communion of hops and rye. A creamy tan head and tangerine orange color herald the caramel malt sweetness that awaits your first sip. But it's the distinct piney and spicy flavor of rye paired with big Northwest hops that quickly command your attention. Rejoice! The Rye has Risen!


Deschutes Brewery
Bend, OR
deschutesbrewery.com
20th Anniversary Wit / Belgian-Style Wheat Beer

OG: 1.044
FG: 1.010
ABV: 5.5
IBUs: 26
Color: Golden

Deschutes continues its Bond Street Summer Series with this Belgian Wit. Malted and unmalted white wheat and Pilsner malts are sour mashed, then hopped with the soft and noble Czech Saaz . The beer is then flavored with fresh bitter orange zest, coriander, grains of paradise seed and fresh Curacao orange juice for a spicy, thirst-quenching summer refresher.


Dick's Brewing Co
Centralia, WA
dicksbeer.com
Dick's IPA / IPA

OG: 1.055
FG: 1.009
ABV: 5.0
IBUs: 97
Color: Light Amber

This pale ale is hopped to the extreme! The beer starts out as a mellow pale ale until it reaches the kettle. Throughout the course of the 90-minute boil, four massive additions of Chinook and Tomahawk hops from the Yakima Valley transform this beer into a hophead's dream come true. It's hops, hops, hops for maximum bitterness, flavor and aroma.


Eel River Brewing Co
Scotia, CA
eelriverbrewing.com
Organic IPA / IPA

OG: 1.064
FG: 1.011
ABV: 7.0
IBUs: 72
Color: Light Amber

This India Pale Ale is brewed with the finest certified organic ingredients available. Bright-minted copper in color, this full-bodied beer delivers a crisp hoppy bouquet from Pacific Hallertau and Centennial hops balanced by a distinctive rich malt taste from two-row, caramel and wheat malt.


Electric Brewing
Bisbee, AZ
electricbrewing.com
Electric Beer / American Lager

OG: 1.048
FG:
ABV: 4.5
IBUs:
Color: Golden

Pilsner, Munich, and Cara-red malts are lightened with a bit of corn sugar to produce a light, golden lager. Highly quaffable for summer, it's moderately hopped with delicate Mt. Hood hops in the boil for bitterness, Tettnanger toward the end for flavor, and the coveted Saaz hops at the finish for a delicate aroma and spicy finish.


Eugene City Brewery
Eugene, OR
100 Meter Ale / Red Ale

OG: 1.059
FG: 1.014
ABV: 5.9
IBUs: 85
Color: Red

Eugene City's Red, like all Eugene City beers, is made without chemicals, additives or preservatives, using "free-range" Eugene City water. Awards for this beer include a Silver at the 2007 World Beer Championship, a Gold in 2006, and Silver at the 2007 Australian International Beer Awards.


Fearless Brewing Co
Estacada, OR
fearless1.com
Clackamas Cream Ale / Cream Ale

OG: 1.043
FG: 1.005
ABV: 5.0
IBUs: 22
Color: Golden

As part of Fearless' research to create this beer, two local homebrew clubs submitted 26 different examples of the style to inspire the brewer. The result is a very light, crisp, thirst-quenching ale with all the premium aspects of a Northwest craft beer. The secret ingredient is love - can you taste it?


Fifty Fifty Brewing Co
Truckee, CA
fiftyfiftybrewing.com
Foggy Goggle White / Belgian Style Wit

OG: 1.062
FG: 1.012
ABV: 6.0
IBUs: 21
Color: Golden

Two types of sweet orange peel, lemon peel, chamomile, coriander and rose hips give this summer seasonal a spicy nose. A mini sour mash, a special blend of three Belgian yeasts, and a smidge of lactic acid lend a touch of tartness to the finished product. Lip-smacking refreshment!


Flying Fish Brewing Co
Cherry Hill, NJ
flyingfish.com
Love Fish Abbey Dubbel / Beglian-Style Dubbel

OG: 1.066
FG: 1.016
ABV: 7.0
IBUs: 18
Color: Brown

Flying Fish makes this Belgian-Abbey Dubbel on a very limited basis - usually just for Valentine's Day. But this year, the brewers have made it just for you. Complex with interwoven flavors accentuated by aging on dried cherries, it has an immense head, fruity nose and generous body. It's malty in the middle with a clean, almond-like dry finish and a slight alcohol warmth. Fall in love all over again.


Four + Brewing
Salt Lake City, UT
fourplusbrewing.com
Rype / Orange Wheat Beer

OG: 1.042
FG: 1.011
ABV: 4.0
IBUs: 22
Color: Golden

Rype, a new release from Four +, is a filtered American-style wheat beer with natural orange peel and coriander added in the whirlpool to impart a zesty, spicy flavor. Wasatch Mountain water helps give the beer its crisp, clean, refreshing taste. Light and highly quaffable for summer, this beer's low alcohol level will keep you alert enough to taste its complex flavors.


Full Sail Brewing Co
Hood River, OR
fullsailbrewing.com
Full Sail Ltd 02 / Pale Bock

OG: 1.064
FG: 1.013
ABV: 6.4
IBUs: 32
Color: Golden

LTD 02, named for its "limited availability" (April to September), is a light-bodied lager. Soft malt undertones from Vienna, two-row pale, caramel and wheat malts are balanced by Czech Saaz and Styrian Golding hops for a nice, clean finish. LTD 02 won the Gold Medal at the World Beer Championships in 2006 and 2007.


Golden Valley Brewery
McMinnville, OR
goldenvalleybrewery.com
Cote d'Or / Belgian Style Golden Ale

OG: 1.065
FG: 1.018
ABV: 6.3
IBUs: 22
Color: Golden

Cote d'Or is French for "golden slope," and you might feel yourself slipping after too many of these. Strong yet refreshing, malt flavors predominate in this Belgian-style golden ale. Estery notes linger on the palate, and barrel aging on neutral Chard Barrels imparts soft notes of vanilla.


Goose Island Beer Co
Chicago, IL
gooseisland.com
Matilda / Belgian Style

OG: 1.062
FG: 1.013
ABV: 7.0
IBUs: 32
Color: Golden

The brewers at Goose Island created Matilda based on the great legends and folklore they heard while sipping a wonderful pint in an old Belgian abbey. Part of Goose Island's innovative Reserve Line, Matilda's Belgian-style yeast and an infusion of Brettanomyces yeast give this unfiltered golden-hued ale a complex, spicy and earthy - yet fruity - profile.


Grand Teton Brewing Co
Victory, ID
grandtetonbrewing.com
Bitch Creek ESB / ESB

OG: 1.062
FG:
ABV: 6.5
IBUs: 54
Color: Brown

Bitch Creek ESB is Grand Teton's flagship brew. Mahogany-colored, complex and balanced, both the hops (Galena, Chinook, and Centennial) and malt (Idaho pale, German Carahell, Cara Aroma, Cara Munich and melanoidin) come through. Three Great American Beer Festival medals, including two golds, in the last four years prove that Bitch Creek is not just a pretty name.


Great Divide Brewing Co
Denver, CO
greatdivide.com
Titan IPA / IPA

OG: 1.068
FG: 1.014
ABV: 6.8
IBUs: 60
Color: Light Amber

Titan is brewed for disciples of gigantic hopping. Piney hop aromas and citrus hop flavors lead the way, reminiscent of grapefruit and orange zest. Its bracing finish balances a generous malt sweetness with crisp minerally bitterness.


Green Flash Brewing Co
Vista, CA
greenflashbrew.com
Hop Head Red / American Red Ale

OG: 1.062
FG: 1.016
ABV: 6.3
IBUs: 45
Color: Red

Hop Head Red has elevated hop levels to the point where some might consider it a "Red IPA." Whether true or not, it pleased the judges at the Great American Beer Festival (Silver in 2007) and World Beer Championships (Gold in 2008). Nugget hops for bittering and Amarillos in the finish balance the velvety malt flavor from two-row, caramel, Carafa and honey malts.


Hales Ales Brewery & Pub
Seattle, WA
halesales.com
Hale's Kölsch / Kölsch

OG: 1.045
FG: 1.008
ABV: 4.5
IBUs: 15
Color: Golden

Brewed in the tradition of Cologne, Germany, this Kölsch is a light, crisp, refreshing beer that combines many of the attributes of a well-made pilsner with the rich flavors obtained from a top-fermenting ale yeast. Hale's Kölsch is approachable, easy drinking, and subtle in flavor profile - a reminder that brewer's finesse is as important as a giant hop bill.


Hazel Dell Brewpub
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver IPA / IPA

OG: 1.045
FG: 1.008
ABV: 4.9
IBUs: 25
Color: Golden

Vancouver IPA is a new beer at Hazel Dell Brewpub, the second IPA on tap distinguished by a new hop bill. Palisade, Rainier, Glacier and Centennial hop additions are spaced throughout the boil, balancing the two-row, wheat and Crystal 75 malts.


Hopworks Urban Brewery
Portland, OR
hopworksbeer.com
HUB Lager / Czech Pilsner

OG: 1.046
FG: 1.009
ABV: 5.1
IBUs: 32
Color: Golden

All malt, all the time, and organic at that! The delicate honey flavors of the organic Canadian grown Pilsner malt create a light golden beer with a depth of character. A huge whole-flower Czech Saaz bomb in the hopback complements the all-Saaz schedule for boiling (bittering) hops. This beer was winner of the Silver medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup.


Iron Horse Brewery
Ellensburg, WA
ironhorsebrewery.com
Quilter's Irish Death / Dark Ale

OG:
FG:
ABV: 7.8
IBUs:
Color: Black

Quilter’s Irish Death is an imperial sweet stout with a big malt body and balanced bitterness. Employing more than a half dozen varieties of malts, the taste of this ale is clearly stout. Flavor complexity is enhanced by a variety of hops, which nevertheless take a back seat to the malt.


Kona Brewing Co
Kailua-Kona, HI
konabrewingco.com
Kona Mac Nut Brown Ale / Specialty Nut Brown Ale

OG: 1.052
FG: 1.013
ABV: 5.3
IBUs: 35
Color: Dark Amber

A touch of pure macadamia nut honey from the Big Island of Hawaii lends a subtle sweetness to complement this beer's toasted nut character. A tropical, earthy, spicy and citrusy blend of hops help round out this complex island treat. Try it here, or catch a flight to Hawaii - it's not available anywhere else!


Lagunitas Brewing Co
Petaluma, CA
lagunitas.com
Lagunitas Hop Stoopid / Imperial IPA

OG: 1.085
FG: 1.016
ABV: 8.2
IBUs: 110
Color: Light Amber

Qan you imagine a wurld widdout Beer? Ever'thing ewe gnoe wood be diff'ernt. Phish mite phly, dawgs mite uze power touls, and prhyday nites mite be spent bilding treez out of leftover sour qreem and cheaze. And then dere'd be speling ishyous. Sip, sip, gulp, chug… aaah! Once again all is right with the world. Maybe we're not so stoopid after all.


Lang Creek Brewery
Marion, MT
langcreekbrewery.com
Mandarin Hefeweizen / American Wheat

OG: 1.048
FG: 1.010
ABV: 4.9
IBUs: 13
Color: Golden

Mandarin Orange Extract gives a unique citrusy twist to a style familiar to most Northwesterners. Light yet full-bodied, Mandarin Hefeweizen is a refreshing drink for hot summer nights, and a sustainable treat to get you through Montana's long, col