Blog Tag: Full Sail Brewing

Here is the second installment in my Happy Hour Weekly Planner series. The first edition covered N/NE Portland and lined out the fairly rigorous criteria I laid out for establishments to meet. The basic requirement was $3 or less for 'good' beer and $2 or less for 'bad' beer. I tried to spread the love all around SE where beer drinking options abound, but my final list does tend to the areas I frequent more... Read More »

Michigan Brewing Company, from realdetroitweekly.com When I was back home visiting family over the Fourth of July, my brother broke the news to me that Michigan Brewing Company was no more. This news blew up bigger for me than any fireworks display (with the possible exception of San Diego this year - those 15 seconds were pretty unbelievable). Not only had Michigan lost its fourth largest brewery, but the Lansing area and the state lost... Read More »

Hood River, Or –  In 2008 Full Sail Brewing created their small batch Brewer’s Share series as an opportunity for each of their individual brewers to express their creations to be shared on tap exclusively in their pub. Since their crew came up with so many great beers, they decided to share a selection of them with beer lovers everywhere. The second beer in the series is "Phil’s Existential Alt," developed by Brewer Phil Roche, and will be released... Read More »

An old photo, but a timeless process. This photo was taken looking down the barrel of Full Sail Brewing's mashtun at their Riverplace location here in Portland. Brewers John Harris and Phil Roche are responsible for bringing us the Brewmaster Reserve Series of Full Sail beers. Make sure to check out the current release: Top Sail, Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Porter! ABV 9.5% IBUs: 40 Read More »

A new stout from Full Sail Brewing is on the horizon. "Spicy", "floral", "wildflower honey", "nitrogen conditioning" and a fairly sessionable 5.2% ABV? I'm game! Plus, as with all of the Brewer's Share releases, part of the proceed's go to a charity, this time Hospice of the Gorge. Looks like a formula for success. Check out the details from the official press release below: Hood River, Oregon – This month Full Sail Brewing will release a... Read More »

Fresh hop season has come and gone, and being Oregonians, we are not only spoiled with so many breweries close to home, but these breweries have access to some of the local fresh hops this time of year straight from the Willamette Valley. So as Summer closed, our beloved local brewers not only created new fresh hop beers, but also recreated versions of our classic favorites. Every fall, the Hood River Chamber of Commerce brings... Read More »

Hood River, Or – Oregon’s Cascade Mountains are named for the multitudes of cascading waters that rush from their glacial peaks. Oregon’s rushing rivers, cascading streams and thundering waterfalls all flow through the deep forests and rolling foothills. It is from these epic elevations that every batch of Full Sail beer sources its water. Full Sail’s new Brewmaster Reserve release, Elevation Imperial IPA, is brewed to celebrate these snow-capped mountains and their bounty of pristine, crystal clear... Read More »

The best brews reflect the delicate balance of art and science. With Full Sail’s latest release in their Limited Edition lager series, LTD 05, artistry takes form in an amber lager- a sophisticated beer that has an elegant maltiness and is superbly balanced. “We brewed this beer as a celebration of lagers, and like the other beers in our LTD series, it allows us to explore a classic lager profile and intertwine our own passion as an American craft brewer. LTD 05,... Read More »

Hood River, Or – For the past year bourbon barrels and time have been working their magic together deep in the cellar at the Full Sail Brewery. There are absolutely no shortcuts with this beer, as it all has been aging in rich bourbon barrels for twelve months. A 100% commitment to excellence results in a truly special beer – complex, elegant and supremely balanced. Now we’re finally able to taste the delicious results as... Read More »

Hood River, Or – The days are getting shorter and the temps are falling, but there is plenty of reason to rejoice this month. The holiday season is in full swing, the mountains are covered in snow, and Full Sail Brewing Company will release Bump in the Night, the first and newest beer in their 2011 Brewmaster Reserve line up. Bump in the Night is brewed in the Cascadian Dark Ale (CDA) style and is the perfect companion for... Read More »

Many things exist on paper before they are fully realized. With the exception of BridgePort's Nightcap (released on November 11th), the labels below represent planned releases from the breweries. No specific dates yet as the press releases have not hit the streets. BridgePort Brewing Nightcap Winter Ale Full Sail Brewing Bump in the Night Cascadian Dark Ale Full Sail Brewing Imperial Porter Widmer Brothers Galaxy Hopped Barleywine Ale Widmer Brothers Nelson Imperial IPA Widmer Brothers... Read More »

Hood River, Oregon – The peaks are covered in fresh snow and the ski and snowboard season has finally arrived. To celebrate the newly fallen snow and the predictions for an epic snowfall year, Full Sail will release a new beer in their Brewer’s Share line up, Powder Stash Pale, brewed by Full Sail’s Pub staff. “It’s an easy drinking, low alcohol, nitro beer so it’ll be smooth and creamy, just like the powder on the mountain,” says Matt Bowers, Full... Read More »

Hood River, Oregon – Full Sail Brewing Company, renown for their internationally award-winning beers, has announced that they have expanded distribution to additional markets in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire in partnership with L. Knife & Son Companies. “We are very proud to enter the northeast markets with such a strong distributor partner. L. Knife has had a long term commitment to craft beer and has a deep understanding of how to... Read More »

Wreck the Halls, a Festive Brewmaster Reserve Beer Hood River, Or – The first snow storm of the season has arrived! The air is cooler, the nights are longer, and the east winds are blowing as snowboarders and skiers start to make their way up the mountain. At the Brewery, the Full Sail crew is humming with the anticipation of a big snow year and their hoppy holiday release, Wreck the Halls. Wreck the Halls... Read More »

Not much on the label, except that we can expect: a 22 oz bottle of hoppy, Imperial IPA, sometime in 2011, IBUs: 80, ABV: 7.5% This should be another great release from John and Phil down at the Portland Waterfront location! I'll have more information when the press releases start dropping, but with 2011 on the label this one is probably at least a few month off. Normally, we don't report on things too far... Read More »

Yay! Shiny metal tanks. Bender approved. Read More »

It's that time of year: Fresh hops, fresh hop festivals, fresh hop beers.  Full Sail is kicking off the season with three fresh hop seasonals.  Two of these are the same beer made with different hop varieties, showcasing the difference in First Gold and Centennial hops.  These beers are great for a side-by-side comparison, and a simple way to discover the aroma and taste differences for yourself. Check out the rest of the details in... Read More »

When Full Sail claims that this beer ages well, it's an understatement.  At my last family tasting, I brought out a 3 year old Full Sail Old Boardhead.  While it's not surprising that this beer was great, it was a huge surprise that this beer got top honors at a table of people who never drink barleywine outside of our tastings.  This beer transcended all style barriers and was a show stopper as everyone slowed down even... Read More »

Full Sail Brewing's Kristy Holsopple Hood River, Oregon – “He was a wise man who invented beer.” –Plato The Greek philosopher had his sentiment right, but according to most historians it was likely a woman who brewed the first beer and for most of the last 6,000 years of recorded civilization it was women “Brewsters” who continued to evolve the art of brewing beer developing many unique and regional varieties of beer. “As craft brewers we are... Read More »

Hood River, Or – The warm west winds signal the start of the summer season as kiteboarders and windsurfers light up the river in a swirl of color. You can watch the sight from the vantage point of Full Sail's Tasting Room and Pub and savor the newest release in their Brewmaster Reserve series, Spotless IPA. This release continues Full Sail’s summer “sun” series. Named to honor our sun that has been spotless for over a year, Spotless is a... Read More »

Hood River, Or - Brewers know the best way to celebrate is to brew a special beer, so to honor American Craft Beer Week (May 17 - 23), Full Sail will release a new beer in their Brewer's Share line up. This special beer, "Vendell Veizen" is a Weizen Bock and was developed by Assistant Packaging Supervisor, Wendell Bryant. "It's such an honor to brew a beer for American Craft Beer Week. I'm an avid... Read More »

Full Sail Hop Pursuit IPA. Read More »

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... Read More »

Another year is upon us, and that means another Annual New Year's Day Tasting for my family.  Overall, the tasting went great, but there were a few mistakes made that we can look forward to cleaning up next year.  In this article, we're going to talk a little bit about cellaring beer--the whats, whens, and whys.  First though, let's go through this years tasting list: Abyss (2007), Deschutes Brewing, Barrel Aged Imperial Stout Abyss (2008),... Read More »

Hood River, Oregon - Brewers know the best way to celebrate is to brew a special beer, and in honor of Oregon Craft Beer Month Full Sail Brewing Company will release a new beer in their Brewer's Share line up. The special beer, Andy's Ambrosia Red, was developed by Full Sail Brewer Andy Cummings. The Brewer's Share series is a line up of small batch draft beers where each of the Full Sail brewers takes... Read More »

Old Boardhead Barleywine-Style Ale from Full Sail Brewing Co."A deliciously rich Barleywine that has a spectacular depth and delicacy of flavor that is deep and robust. Its strong sweet body is balanced with Centennial and Crystal hops for a pleasant hoppiness and finish."Stats: 9% ABV, 91 IBU Read More »

This just in from Full Sail:Hood River, Or - Full Sail Brewing Company is proud to release a new beer in their Brewmaster Reserve line-up for 2009, Keelhauler Scottish Ale. Keelhauler is a full bodied rich ale with slight notes of caramel and cocoa and a strong malty flavor. The hop character is spicy and earthy with a nice finishing hop flavor. "With this style we embark on a trip across the pond. Keelhauler, a... Read More »

Hood River, Or - Full Sail Brewing is proud to announce the special release of Black Gold Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 2009. This highly anticipated release from Full Sail's vintage barrel series has been a Full Sail brewing tradition since 1998. Every year since, Full Sail's talented team of brewers brew an Imperial style dark ale and fill roughly sixty oak bourbon barrel casks, then age them in their cellar for about a year."Wood... Read More »

Full Sail Brewing Company Portland, Or - Full Sail Brewing Company was honored by the State of Oregon for their outstanding commitment to sustainable business practices. The Brewery received the Governor's Sustainability Award for small business. The State of Oregon, ranked the greenest state in the nation by Forbes.com and Business Facilities Magazine, presents the awards annually to innovative companies and organizations that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to sustainability.The second annual Governor's Sustainability Awards were... Read More »

Hood River, Or - A few unmistakable signs tell us when winter has arrived in Hood River. The waterfalls in the Gorge start kicking out the jams. The snow report for the backcountry regains its hold over us. And the Wassail starts flowing once again. And that means friends and family will surely be close behind."Historically, brewers craft small batches of darker beers, generously adding extra hops and malts to make exceptionally robust tasty ales... Read More »

Full Sail's "21" Doppelbock. Hood River Oregon - "Over the last year, we have been working on a special beer to celebrate a special occasion - the brewery's 21st birthday which is coming up in September. This means we are finally old enough to drink our own beer. They say your 21st birthday is a rite of passage - the milepost that marks your evolution from child to adult, with all the attendant privileges &... Read More »

Full Sail Brewer Phil Roche. Hood River, Oregon - This year Full Sail celebrates 21 years of doing what they love, brewing beer. As a continuation of their 21st birthday celebrations, Full Sail is proud to announce the next beer in their line up of small batch draft beers called "Brewer's Share." To celebrate the release of Phil's Existential Alt, brewed by Full Sail brewer, Phil Roche, the brewery invites you to "Meet the Brewer... Read More »

Full Sail Brewmaster John Harris checking out the fresh hops on the vine. Hood River, Or - Full Sail Brewing is proud to announce the release of Lupulin Fresh Hop Ale as part of their Brewmaster Reserve series. Brewing a fresh hop ale to celebrate the hop harvest is an annual tradition at Full Sail. Every year, the Full Sail brewers travel to area hop fields and gather all the fresh hops they can carry... Read More »

Brewmaster John Harris and Brewer Phil Roche from Full Sail's Brewery at Riverplace in Portland. Hood River, - June 27, 2008 -- This year Full Sail celebrates 21 years of doing what they love, brewing beer. As a continuation of their 21st birthday celebrations, Full Sail is proud to announce the next beer in their line up of small batch draft beers called "Brewer's Share." The brewery will launch their second offering, Lizama Summer Weizen,... Read More »

These are shots from the Full Sail Brewery in Portland where John Harris and Phil Roche craft the Brewmaster Reserve series which include: Top Sail Bourbon Imperial Porter, Old Boardhead Barleywine, Prodigal Sun IPA, Wreck the Halls, and many others. Check out the Full Sail website for their PDF on this ever-rotating series. Check out the rest of the photos here. Read More »