Even if you’re not looking for something craft beer-related to do in this fair city of Portland, Oregon, chances are, the action will find you.
Though it seems there is no cap to our love for craft beer here in Beervana, one of the city’s best craft beer spots, the Guild Public House closed its doors for good Saturday. Publican Jesse Cornett served up draught pours of Natian Old Grogham Winter IPA, Fort George Vortex, and Oakshire Ill Tempered Gnome. $3 pints and $5 growler fills helped the beers flow faster and the pub bid adieu to the remainder of the craft beer on tap. Good luck, Jesse. See you around, man.
On Saturday night, Burnside Brewing orchestrated a daunting and haunting display for Halloween weekend – Night of the Living Ales, year two. Unlike last year’s pub crawl event, 2011′s debauchery was held at one venue.
For this particular event, a tent was set up in Burnside’s front parking lot where a variety of beers distributed by Maletis Beverage were served. Some highlights included Fort George’s North V holiday brew, with fruits and various malts, this beer was intended to be perceived as a fruit cake (read our details on it here), Burnside’s first winter ale release, dubbed Permafrost, was a bold, richly malted brew that clocked in at more than 8% ABV, and had a big bitter hops presence to balance it. Perhaps the most popular brew was a Peanut Butter Chocolate Alt, also from Burnside, that disappeared quickly. A German Alt-style beer, this brew employed the addition of several Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Oakshire of Eugene delivered their Imperial Chocolate Pumpkin Porter known as Black Jack which was made with oven roasted pumpkins, cocoa nibs, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and ginger. Ninkasi poured a hoppy lager known as PK Ice, Lompoc a bourbon barrel-aged rendition of their seasonally sought after Monster Mash Imperial Porter, and Widmer’s Nelson O’Ryely IPA was perhaps the dankestly hopped offering of them all.
Live music, burlesque dancers, and lot of freaks and beer geeks dressed appropo for this occasion. Kudos to Ezra and the Burnside team for throwing together one hell of a party.
On Sunday, we toasted the late Don Younger and his Horse Brass pub, celebrating the bar’s 35th anniversary at 45th and SE Belmont Street. Celebrity beertenders such as the legendary Fred Eckhardt and beer journalist John Foyston were pouring some select liquid goodies for the crowd. Live music filled the air and made for a night at the Brass not to be forgotten. Here’s a look at some of the highlights that graced the taps at the ol’ Brass:
Russian River Don the Younger – “It has good bitterness and flavor, which is what Don and I had talked about all along, while still keeping the beer a session beer, a type of beer Don really enjoyed.” -Russian River Brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo. This beer was an American bitter – golden amber in color with a nice dry citrus, cereal and tobacco nose. Tobacco?! Now we know it was brewed for Don. Pouring all week. 5.5% ABV, 37 IBU.
Rogue Younger’s 35th Anniversary - In keeping with the tradition, John Maier has again brewed a special beer for the Horse Brass’ anniversary. An ESB with floral notes and hopped with English Target and Challenger hops. Finished and dry-hopped with East Kent Goldings and fermented with Fuller’s Ale yeast. It wouldn’t be a Horse Brass anniversary without Rogue. Pouring all week on draught and cask. 6% ABV.
Lompoc Old Tavern Rat – Lompoc founder Jerry Fechter first brewed this beer in 2002 and named it after his business partner and good friend, and has brewed it every year since. The keg has been cellared for a year. A very intense (like Don) strong ale with a malty body and plenty of caramel, dried fruit and roast flavors. Sure to warm the cockles of your heart on a cold autumn day. Pouring all week. 9.4% ABV. Sold by the glass only.
Bend Hop Head Double IPA - “We called Tonya (Cornett, Bend Brewmaster) and asked her for something special for our anniversary and she didn’t disappoint. Big and Bold. This well-balanced West Coast Double IPA has a big citrus and pine aroma, tangarine and nectarine flavors with underlying biscuit and toffee flavors. Tonya – you rock!! Pouring all week. 9.25% ABV. Sold by the glass only.
Other highlights that were featured on Sunday included Sierra Nevada’s Charlie, Fred & Ken Imperial Helles Bock, Widmer BrrBon, Deschutes 2007 Abyss, Upright Barrel-aged Stout, and many more.
This week-long celebration will continue with an array of guest bartenders including Lisa “The Beer Goddess” Morrison, Full Sail Brewmaster John Harris, Rogue Ales founder Jack Joyce, Stumptown Coffee founder Duane Sorenson, Double Mountain co-founder Charlie Devereux, and Apizza Scholls baron Brian Spangler. Look for more special brews from Upright, Double Mountain, Lagunitas, Everybody’s Brewing, Heater Allen, Hair of the Dog, Full Sail, and many more.
Posted under beer events, beer reviews, brewpubs, Oregon beer, places to drink beer
This post was written by Angelo on October 31, 2011
