The Mother of All Brewers Dinner – Laurelwood Collaborates with an All-Star Local Lineup of Beer Makers

Brewmasters Vasilios Gletsos (left) of Laurelwood with Alex Ganum of Upright Brewing

Laurelwood Brewing Co. is holding a one of a kind collaboration brewer’s dinner on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The dinner will feature collaboration beers brewed by Vasilios Gletsos of Laurelwood Brewing Co., Alex Ganum of Upright Brewing, Van Havig of Gigantic Brewing Co., and Tom Bleigh of Hopworks Urban Brewery. These exclusive handcrafted ales will be served with a five-course dinner prepared by Laurelwood’s Executive Chef Aaron Nichols. Tickets are $50 per person and available at the NE Portland and Battle Ground, WA Laurelwood locations. The menu is as follows:

Gigantic Brewer Van Havig - It's Going To Be HugeAmuse: Chicken coronets with preserved lemon

Beer: Cascadian Pilsner brewed by Van Havig and Vasili Gletsos

Appetizer: Mussel and shrimp soup with lemon grass, kafir lime leaf, fish stock, chilies, garlic, shallot, and Thai spices

Beer: Thai Wit brewed by Tom Bleigh and Vasili Gletsos

Salad: Blood orange and arugula with red onions, Castelvetrano olives, and parsley

Beer: Sour Red blended by Alex Ganum, Tom Bleigh, Van Havig, and Vasili Gletsos

Entrée: Smoked pork belly and pomegranate barbequed brisket with potato-chard gratin, and pomegranate demi glaze jus

Beer: Scottish Ale brewed by Alex Ganum and Vasili Gletsos

Dessert: Grapefruit tart with pecan brittle and Chantilly cream

Beer: Milk Stout brewed by the Laurelwood Brew Team

The food for this dinner is locally sourced from Draper Valley Farms, Sweet Briar Farms, and Country Natural Beef. Laurelwood will also donate 10% of the collaboration dinner sales to the Oregon Food Bank. Join us for a night of special one of a kind beers and a wonderfully prepared dinner.

Hopworks brewer Tom Bleigh (left) and Laurelwood brewer Vasilios GletsosAs stated by Vasili Gletsos, Brewmaster, Laurelwood Brewing Co., “For this Collaborative Beer Dinner, we have broken the mold and created a unique experience by first asking the Chef to create a seasonal menu and then getting together a great set of brewers to create beers to pair with it.

The selection of the participating brewers has special significance for me since I have chosen to work with brewers who have been my past Brewmasters at my previous breweries here in Portland, and who have all gone on to other breweries, as I have. Part of what working at Laurelwood has given me is the flexibility to make lots of one-off and seasonal beers, as well as to answer the question “when will I ever get to work with those awesome brewers who have taught me so much?” This is a great opportunity for me to have a little reunion of brewers I have a high regard for as well as are good friends of mine. I know everyone else will be really pleased with the unique beers and pairings that we come up with.”

About Laurelwood Brewing Company

LaurelwoodLaurelwood is a family owned brewery that creates one of the most recognized regional craft beers. Owners Mike De Kalb & Cathy Woo-De Kalb are dedicated to sustainable and organic practices, and first began producing certified organic beer in 2001. Laurelwood’s product line is known for its creativity and quality therefore winning many national and international beer awards. Laurelwood’s handcrafted beers can be found on draft and in bottles throughout Oregon and Washington. To find out more about Laurelwood Brewing Company go online at www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com.

About Van Havig, Gigantic Brewing Company

Gigantic Brewing CoVan Havig started his brewing career in 1995 at Minnesota Brewing Company in St. Paul, Minnesota, and then moved on to work for the Rock Bottom Breweries for the next 16 years.  He was brewmaster at the Bethesda, Maryland and Portland, Oregon Rock Bottoms, as well as the regional brewer in both locations.  From 2004 to 2011 he also ran the QA/QC program for Rock Bottom Breweries.  He is currently starting his own brewery, Gigantic Brewing Company, in Portland, Oregon.

About Thomas Bleigh, Hopworks Urban Brewery

Hopworks Urban BreweryThomas Bleigh started his career at Portland Brewing Company as an un-paid intern. Prior to joining Hopworks, he held the positions of Brewer, Lead Brewer, Lead Cellar Operator, Head Brewer and Plant Manager at Portland Brewing, Pyramid Breweries, Independent Brewer’s United and North American Breweries. In 2008, he was recognized, along with Pyramid Breweries as Mid Size Brewer/Brewery of the Year at GABF.?He is a graduate from UC Davis and UW-Madison with an MFA in Fine Arts. Born in Augsburg, Germany, he has an appreciation for beer appellation and the “drink local” mentality. When not spending time with his two young children, or playing soccer, he can be found spending his time pursuing charcuterie or fermenting various meats, cheese, fruits or vegetables.

About Alex Ganum, Upright Brewing

Alex Ganum is the owner and head brewer at Upright. He grew up drinking his father’s German pilsners and his older brother’s Bells Porter before moving to Portland in 2002. After meeting several homebrewers he decided to give it a go and never looked back. Seven years later his love of brewing led him to open Upright, a brewery he thinks is as much a part of the community as it is personal. When he doesn’t have beer on his mind Alex is probably thinking about what’s next in the kitchen or on his plate and what digestif to wash it down with.

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Pelican and Gigantic Brewing Collaboration Beer: Schwarzenfreude

L to R: Ben Love, Todd Campbell, Darron Welch, and Dr. Charlie Papazian (photo by Jay Brooks of Brookston Beer Bulletin)

Schwarzenfreude is a first-ever collaboration brew with the Pelican Pub & Brewery and Gigantic Brewing Company. Founded by former Pelican brewer Ben Love and Van Havig, Gigantic is a new brewery scheduled to open in SE Portland this Spring.

Gigantic Brewing Co

Pelican Pub & BrewerySchwarzenfreude was designed and brewed for the Read More…

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BREWVANA Connoisseur Tour w/ Migration Brewer Mike Branes

Migration Brewer Michael Branes BREWVANA Brewery Tours is hosting a Connoisseur Tour for local craft beer enthusiasts.  The tour features Mike Branes,  Migration Brewery’s head brewer, who will be leading the tour to two breweries, a public house and an English- style pub. Taking place this Sunday, February 12th from 1-5pm, the tour is $69/ person and is all inclusive.

The tour begins with a beer sampling at Migration Brewery and a tour of the facility, where Mike will introduce his brewery and discuss the beers that he brews. The next stop is the NW Lucky Lab where head brewer Ben Flerchinger will give a tour of his brewery and participants will taste their beers.  Lunch and beer will be served at East Burn, a public house that focuses on craft beers with 16 rotating taps. The final stop will be the infamous Horse Brass Pub featuring over 50 different local, regional and international varieties of beer in a traditional English-style pub.

Ticket’s for BREWVANA’s Connoisseur Tour with Mike Branes are $69 per person and are all inclusive, consisting of the tours, beer tastings, and lunch.  Register online @ http://www.experiencebrewvana.com/register/?regevent_action=register&event_id=201

or call BREWVANA @ 503.729.6804. Seating is limited and reservations must be made in advance.

Mike Branes started his career at Barley John’s in Minnesota where he learned and was inspired by head brewer and owner John Moore. There he cleaned kegs, and other brewery tasks in his 3-year internship, receiving a wealth of knowledge as his payment for these laborious tasks.  Mike took this knowledge and harnessed his craft for the next 8 years as a home brewer, while working as a pubster for the Lucky Labrador and distributing for Mt. People’s organic beer and wine distribution.  In 2008 Mike took the leap of faith and trust in his ability to become the head brewer and partner of Migration Brewing Co.

Each month, Brewvana’s Connoisseur Tour gives a different local brewer the opportunity to showcase the beers that they live to brew and create their own tour based on their favorite places around town. It is their chance to share their knowledge of beer with their community.

BREWVANA is the Ultimate Beer Tour Experience, committed to embracing the history and culture of the craft brewing industry in Portland, Oregon. Transportation is provided on a 14-passenger bus equipped with cup holders, a beer inspired mural and the Beeriodic Table for reference.

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This post was written by admin on February 8, 2012

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Full Sail Bourbon Top Sail Horizontal

Full Sail Brewmasters Jaime Emmerson (left) and John Harris

Barrel aging beer is certainly an emerging trend amongst craft breweries. The depth and complexity of this added dimension is an unquestionably benevolent element that, if properly executed, lends much to any stalwart brew. Full Sail Brewing knows this well.

On Wednesday February 2, 2012, Full Sail unmasked four renditions of their Top Sail Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Porter at McCormick & Schmick’s Riverplace brewpub. This “horizontal” featured three whiskey cask-aged pours of the brew and a final blend of each that married each into one exquisite conclusion. Each spent a full year soaking in and amalgamating the nuances of the bold base beer with the notes provided with each barrel.  Read More…

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Midnight Sun Meet the Brewer @ Belmont Station

Brewer Jeremiah Boone will be here with some fun drafts. Details coming soon.

Midnight Sun Brewing

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This post was written by admin on February 2, 2012

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A Celebration of Don Younger’s Life and Legacy @ The Horse Brass Pub

Photo and painting by John Foyston

Portland’s iconic publican and one of the primary architects of Beervana, Don Younger, died a year ago.

No doubt many a pint of Younger’s Special Bitter and drams of The Macallan 12 Scot’s whisky were raised in his honor Tuesday on the anniversary, but there’s another event coming up at  Don’s pub:
6 p.m. Monday Feb. 6, Horse Brass Pub, 4537 S.E. Belmont St. – a celebration of Don’s life and legacy featuring a firkin of Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA and the unveilling of a new painting I just finishted for the pub: do join us if you can.

-John Foyston

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This post was written by admin on February 2, 2012

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Valentine’s Day Chocolate and Beer Pairing with Fred Eckhardt @ Rogue Public House

Rogue Valentine's Day Chocolate and Beer Pairing

This year is the 24th Annual Chocolate & Beer Extravaganza at Rogue Public House and Distillery and hosted by Fred Eckhardt. Join us for 10 courses of beer and chocolate on Valentines Day!

Tickets are now on sale at the pub and can be purchased over the phone (503) 222-5910 or in person. Seating is limited so get yours soon.

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This post was written by admin on February 1, 2012

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Hopworks Urban Brewery Brewers Dinner @ Trellis

TrellisTrellis, a wine county-inspired restaurant that celebrates small scale, artisan products at the height of their seasonality, will host Portland, Ore., based organic brew masters Christian Ettinger, Thomas Bleigh and Jaime Rodriguez of Hopworks Urban Brewery for the second annual brew pairing dinner on Friday, Feb. 24.

Hopworks is Portland’s first Eco-Brewpub offering world-class organic beer. Hopworks incorporates a range of sustainable practices in their operation, and makes every effort to protect the future with a thoughtful alternative.

This will be Hopworks’ second visit to Kirkland. Chef Brian Scheehser has created a delectable five-course dinner featuring Wild Prawns and Bone Marrow Bruschetta, Grilled Quail, Boneless Short Rib and a Hazelnut Flourless Chocolate Cake. Each course will be paired with one of Hopworks’ organic brews, which will remain top secret until the night of the dinner. Some of the featured beers are also included in Chef Scheehser’s recipes.

Hopworks Urban Brewery

WHO: All community members, family and friends over the age of 21.

WHAT: Hopworks Urban Brewery Second Annual Beer Pairing Dinner

WHERE: Trellis Restaurant, 220 Kirkland Avenue, Kirkland, Wash.

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 24, 2012

5:30 p.m. – Beer reception and passed hors d’oeuvres

6:30 p.m. – Beer pairing dinner

COST: $75 for five-course meal and beer pairings. Tax and gratuity not included.

Seating is limited; please call (425) 284-5900 for reservations to the Hopworks Urban Brewery Second Annual Beer Pairing Dinner. Those who reserve seats at the dinner are eligible for a discounted stay ($119) at the Heathman Hotel on the night of the dinner.

About Trellis

Housed in the luxurious Heathman Hotel (www.heathmankirkland.com) on Seattle’s eastside in Kirkland, Wash., Trellis is a 90-seat restaurant and bar that features wine country-style cuisine under the direction of executive chef Brian Scheehser, who was featured at the famed James Beard House in New York City as part of its Best Hotel Chefs in America series in 2008.  Trellis features a richly appointed environment that is comfortable and warm with food and drink that celebrates small scale, artisan products at the height of their seasonal quality.  Trellis’ rustic, farm-fresh, robust menu characterizes wine country restaurants and evolves with the seasons, always using the best of the current harvest as a foundation for its farm-to-table philosophy. Much of the produce on the menu is grown in Scheehser’s local five-acre garden at the South 47 farm in Woodinville, Wash.  A wine list with more than 200 selections features the best that California, Washington and Oregon vintners have to offer as well as an extensive international collection.  Heated outdoor seating is available.  For additional information, visit www.trellisrestaurant.net.

About Hopworks Urban Brewery

Hopworks Urban Brewery and Hopworks BikeBar are Portland’s first Eco-Brewpubs offering handcrafted organic beers and fresh, local ingredients. The brewpubs are sustainably-built and operated buildings with a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Hopworks is 100 percent renewably powered, “cradle to gate” carbon neutral and features sustainable components including composting, rain barrels, a pervious paver parking lot and hand dryers. The company makes every effort to protect “our” future with a thoughtful alternative.

The 20-barrel brewery produces 8,500 barrels a year and provides its restaurants with ten different HUB organic beers on tap and two cask ales at all times. Hopworks beer is available on draught and in bottles in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. For more information, please visit HopworksBeer.com or follow on Twitter @HopworksBeer.

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Weekend In Review: Destination Bend, Oregon (Part Two) Deschutes Brewery, Boneyard Beer, 10 Barrel Brewing, Silver Moon Brewing

Boneyard co-founder Clay Storey at the taps

The weekend before last we found ourselves in Oregon’s largest town east of the Cascades. Here in Bend, we discovered a breadth of exceptional breweries. And, for a city with the same population as Asheville, North Carolina, which has been dubbed “Beer City USA”, Bend has more breweries. In the coming months, at least a handful of new breweries will emerge in Bend pushing it up to around 15 within the city.

In our last post about our most recent excursions in Bend, we mentioned the new on the scene GoodLife Brewing Co., which has been breaking ground into their 22,ooo square foot warehouse with some promising flavors, as well as the bursting at the seems Deschutes Brewery, which is at the top of Oregon’s players when it comes to artisan beer production. Read More…

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Golden Valley Restaurant & Brewery – Beaverton, Oregon

Golden Valley Restaurant & Brewery, Beaverton OR

By D.J. Paul

Having just opened their doors over the past couple of weeks, Golden Valley Restaurant & Brewery is bringing in the customers. This being their second location is in Portland’s neighbor to the west, Beaverton. Located directly south of the Sunset Highway between the Cornell Rd. and the Bethany Blvd. exits sure makes it a convenient place to stop in for some beer and food.

Mark Vickery of Golden Valley Brewing
Golden Valley brewer Mark Vickery

Golden Valley opened their first location in the heart of Oregon’s Wine Country in McMinnville, OR back in 1993. Nineteen years in business is very impressive and makes it one of Oregon’s longest running operating breweries. During this time they have gone through a few brewers but their current brewer, Mark Vickery, has been with them for over the past decade. Prior to joining Golden Valley, Mark spent time learning the ropes at Bridgeport Brewing while studying at PSU. He then went on to Bend, OR to become John Harris’ assistant at the Deschutes Brew Pub. During these ten years at Deschutes, Mark assisted in the development of some of the Deschutes beers that continue to be enjoyed today.

At Golden Valley’s new Read More…

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