One of our favorite stops to catch up on the latest craft beer releases is to swing in to see Sean Campbell, aka John Beermonger, at The BeerMongers. Only opening its doors over 5 years ago, The Mongers has become a Southeast Portland beer institution. Today The BeerMongers celebrates an impressive milestone of being open for 2000 Days in a Row.

Sean Campbell of The BeerMongers needs some sleep after 2000 Days in a Row.

The BeerMongers never rest as this cozy bottleshop and taproom never takes a day off since it opened its doors on September 5, 2009. For 2000 consecutive days Campbell and his fine crew of beertenders have always opened its doors each and every day to serve you up some of the finest craft beers along with some  marginal advice.

An impressive taplist is shaping up for 2000 Days in a Row as The Mongers will be pouring some of its favorites beers plus a few secret specials.

• Russian River Temptation
• Alaskan 2013 Smoked Porter
• Stone 11-11-11 (Ale with Cinnamon & Anahiem Chilies
• New Belgium La Folie
• Dogfish Head Festina Peche
• HUB 2014 Barrel Aged Motherland
• Barley Brown’s Tank Slapper
• Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

Read More…

Posted under beer events, beer history, beer to do list

On Monday, March 2nd, Russian River Brewing Company will be pouring a wide array of beers at the Green Dragon. The Dragon will be tapping all six Russian River beers all at once including the much-hyped Pliny the Younger. This event runs from 5:00 to 11:00pm.

Green Dragon is pre-selling 100 tickets to this Russian River event. For $30 per ticket one will receive a special lanyard and tasting card, along with a hefty sample of each of the 6 beers.

The Green Dragon will be pouring the following to support Russian River Brewing Company. The six beers featured include the following.

• Supplication
• Temptation
• Consecration
• Blind Pig
• Pliny the Elder
• Pliny the Younger

Read More…

Posted under beer events, beer to do list

With the revival of the brewing industry here in the United States it has also brought with it the strong upswing of craft distillers. Both industries are now a solid part of what makes up Portland’s strong culture of imbibing. It seems as more and more breweries open there are a solid amount of new distilleries opening as well.

On Saturday, February 28th, StormBreaker Brewing will be the host to their Inaugural Brewstillery Fest beginning at noon and running til 10:00pm.

Advance tickets for the inaugural Brewstillery Festival are now on sale for $20, which includes a tasting glass and 10 tickets. Tickets can be purchased here. Get them now as if you wait until that day of the event tickets jump up to $25.

StormBreaker’s Dan Malech states, “It is our goal to find some more ideal pairings. At the fest breweries and distilleries will be paired together to create the perfect pairing. There will be some beers created just for this event to go with a specific spirit, some aged in barrels from their distilling partner, and some that were always just meant to be.”

Stuart Ramsay leading a discussion at the Brewstillery Media Preview with Baerlic Brewing, Ex Novo Brewing and Hopworks Urban Brewery (photo by Cat Stelzer)

The 18 participating breweries include: Stormbreaker Brewing, Amnesia Brewing, Baerlic Brewing Co., Base Camp Brewing Company, Breakside Brewery, Cascade Brewing, Coalition Brewing, The Commons Brewery, Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House, Ecliptic Brewing, Ex Novo, Hair of the Dog, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Humble Brewing, Laurelwood Public House & Brewery, Migration Brewing Company, Upright Brewing, Widmer Brothers Brewing

The 12 participating distilleries include: Read More…

Posted under beer events, Distilling, places to drink beer

Monday, February 23, 2015 (Los Angeles, CA) Beer Autism Hope (a registered 501(c)3 charity) and All About Beer Magazine announce the inaugural Hops & Hopes Craft Beer Festival set for Saturday, April 25th at the legendary Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The festival is a craft beer celebration unlike any other with the biggest names in beer gathering from across the nation for a day to give back. Craft beer fans will get the chance to taste brews from America’s best breweries, meet brewing legends, celebrities and take part in craft beer masters symposiums hosted by All About Beer Magazine’s John Holl.

Hops & Hopes Craft Beer Day concludes a two year miracle journey for beer historian with autism Lance Rice, who launched the Beer Autism Hope movement. Special guest appearances and brewmaster panels will be live streamed for worldwide viewing. The day will also be filmed for the highly anticipated Lance’s Brewery Tour documentary, which captures Lance Rice’s improbably journey from unknown beer historian with autism to worldwide inspiration, author and autism advocate.

“Two years ago Lance overcame incredible odds to leave home on his own for the first time at fifty-five-years-old. On Hops & Hopes Craft Beer Day his courage will bring him centerstage at a festival benefiting autism in his honor – surrounded by thousands at one of the nation’s most revered stadiums – it’s unbelievable.” stated Aaron Rice, Director of the Beer Autism Hope Cause. Read More…

Posted under Beer Fundraiser, press releases

EUGENE, Ore.—Feb. 24, 2015— Ninkasi Brewing Company believes crafted, independent beer and music is a winning combination. Since the beginning Ninkasi has supported local artists in a variety of ways, all organized by James Book, Ninkasi brand and experiential marketing director. With the opening of its new Ninkasi Studios this past June, the brewery announces its first original musical offering— the “Dawn of the Red Compilation EP,” available on Ninkasi’s website this March.

Since 2009, Ninkasi has supported artists including music production, engineering and recording from iterations of the brewery’s in-house recordings studio, album pressing sponsorships, assistance in tours and bookings, and opportunities to showcase their music at Ninkasi signature events. Book has been at the helm of the studio operation, bringing a wealth of experience in the music industry to the brewery’s marketing mix.

“Coming from a 20-year career in both recording and touring in music before craft beer, it’s  rewarding to be able to help new artists reach their aspirations and help them navigate some of the chasms we had to cross without the support of sponsors,” explains Book. “The opening of Ninkasi Studios will enable us to support up-and-coming artists at no cost to them.” Read More…

Posted under Beer & Music, press releases

Its going to be a great April here in Portland for all craft beer lovers as the Craft Brewers Conference arrives in town. There are already a few events on the books but many more will keep rolling on in, including this new one from Boneyard Beer and many of their beery friends.

On Thursday, April 16th, 2015, Boneyard Beer and Friends present the inaugural BEERGASM Fest taking place at Green Dragon Bistro and Pub. From 5:00 to 10:00pm each of the participating breweries will be serving up two different specialty beers, many of which are not available here in Portland.

Participating breweries include:

• 3 Floyds Brewing
• Alpine Beer Company
• Bagby Beer Company
• Surly Brewing Co.
• Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project
• Hollister Brewing Company
• Boneyard Beer
• Rogue Ales
• Fat Heads Beer
• Barley Browns Beer
• Melvin Brewing
• Ballast Point Brewing Company
• Beavertown Brewing
• Piece Brewery
• Almanac Beer Co.
• Societe Brewing Company

Read More…

Posted under beer events, Beer Fundraiser, beer news, beer to do list

After last week’s popular launch of Lardo Lager brewed by Eugene’s Oakshire Brewing, the Portland sandwich shop Lardo is teaming up once again for a unique promotion. On Friday, February 27th, Lardo will offer its new Lardo Barrel Aged Passport Experience.

Oakshire brewing is partnering with Lardo to offer a truly unique beer experience. Each of the three Lardo locations will be offering one of three hyper limited barrel aged beers from Oakshire. These beers will include Barrel Aged Barleywine, Barrel Aged Perfect Storm and Barrel Aged Ill Tempered Gnome have been sent up from Eugene just for this event.

To get started on this daylong Lardo Barrel Aged Passport Experience, one will have to collect a “stamp” of all three beers. Once completed the winner will receive a free order of Lardo’s famous Dirty Frys. Read More…

Posted under beer and food, beer events, beer to do list

So one of the two Portland weekly papers, Willamette Week, took the initiative to honor the so-called best beers, breweries, festivals and beer bar in all of Oregon for the inaugural Oregon Beer Awards. On Wednesday, February 25^th this will be released in Willamette Week’s 2015 Portland Beer Guide.

The awards ceremony took place last evening in Portland at the Doug Fir Lounge. People in attendance were treated to the first copies of the new beer guide. From briefly flipping through the guide it looks to be well done and presented for both the hard-core beer geek along with the casual beer drinker.

The staff at the Willamette Week made their own picks for its Top 10 Beers of  2015 and also included another set of awards compiled from the votes of 200 or so other participants. Willamette Week determined its own Top 10 Beers as they have done so in the past for its first two issues. In the first year of the guide Willamette Week voted for Fearless Loki Red as one of the Top 10 from that year.

Upright Brewing’s Alex Ganum Accepting his brewery’s top beer of the year award

This year the papers Top 10 Beers are as follows:

1. Engelberg Pilsner – Upright Brewing
2. Peach Slap (Batch No. 1) – Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House
3. Hop-A-Wheelie – Boneyard Beer
4. Top O’ The Feckin Mornin’ – Feckin Brewery
5. Schwarzbier – Pints Brewing
6. Alpenglow – Fat Head’s Brewery Portland
7. La Tormenta – Breakside Brewery
8. Red Sea – Big Island/Caldera
9. Altbier – Widmer Brothers Brewing
10. Golden Promise Single Malt Pale Ale – pFriem Family Brewers

For the industry voting, the Willamette Week sent ballots to approximately 200 people in the craft beer industry. I’m guessing from the responses that the Willamette Week‘s mailing list doesn’t venture too far out of the Portland metro area. Read More…

Posted under beer awards, beer news, Beer personalities

Portland, OR – It’s daylight savings time! Spring forward to Bazi on Sunday, March 8th from 4-9 PM for our 3rd Annual Saison Greetings farmhouse ale tap takeover featuring domestic and import Belgian-inspired saison style beers. The lineup includes:

• 10 Barrel Black Saison
• Baerlic Wildcat
• Breakside Tropicalia
• The Commons Boysen
• Lompoc and Bazi Forbidden Fruit Collaboration
• Logsdon Farmhouse Seizoen Bretta
• Oakshire Hermanne 1882
• pFriem Saison
• Du Bocq Saison 1858
• Saison Dupont
• Hof Ten Dormaal Saison
• Vipaeur Saison de Pipaix

Sampler trays will be available for purchase. The domestic flight will be available for $8 and the import flight for $12. Each flight consists of 4 – 5 oz pours. Pick one flight or try them side by side. And don’t forget our all Sunday Happy Hour is back, so come thirsty and hungry! Read More…

Posted under beer events, press releases

Portland based Gigantic Brewing recently traveled to Ontario, Canada to brew a beer in conjunction with B-Side Brewing Label at the brewing facility of Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company. This new collaboration, La Formidable American-Belgo IPA will be released on Thursday, February 26 across Ontario in Eastern Canada.

Gigantic was approached by B-Side Brewing to brew a beer in Ontario for distribution in this local market. The beer and the marketing that goes with this beer looks just as if it was brewed here in Portland. Unfortunately for us here in the Pacific Northwest we will not be seeing this bottle, well unless you can secure some from a beer trader.

Here is more from B-Side Brewing Label press release: Read More…

Posted under beer news, Beer personalities, beer releases