Hopworks’ Brewlord Ben Love just informed us that a new bourbon-barrel aged beer is now pouring at the brewpub. The first in HUB’s “Single Barrel” series, is their flavorsome Deluxe Organic Ale (aka DOA) in Buffalo Trace Kentucky bourbon casks. Buffalo Trace is the country’s oldest standing distilling site, dating back to 1870. The Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey used for this release is Buffalo Trace’s flagship mash since being introduced in 1999.

“(This beer has) Incredible bourbon character” says Love. He adds, “This is the first beer aged in the barrel, and as a result, has much of the same aroma and flavors as the whiskey. Buffalo Trace Whiskey won a gold medal 2007 San Francisco spirits competion. The taste is pleasantly sweet and contains notes of brown sugar and spice that give way to oak and leather.”

So get over to HUB before the the well runs dry, and party like it’s 1999!

Stats on this brew: 9.5% ABV 16 Degress Plato 55 IBU

Alternative names for this post: Buffalo Soldier, Trace of Bourbon, Still of the Night, Singles Night, Looking Down the Barrel

Posted under Distilling, Oregon beer, beer releases

Mel Heim of Rogue

From the desks of Rogue:

PORTLAND, OR, November 3, 2008 – After taming toddlers and tipplers, Melissa Heim has found her true calling tending the rum stills at the Rogue Distillery & Public House in Portland’s Pearl District.

The 25-year-old Portland native is one of a few female distillers in the burgeoning American craft distilling movement. And, along with Rogue ambassador Sebbie Buhler, is a founding member of the Clear Boots Society, a nascent organization of women in the craft distilling industry patterned after the Pink Boots Society for woman craft brewers.

Heim, known as Mel around the Rogue Nation, is used to breaking stereotypes. As a 9-year-old she became the youngest Tae Kwon Do black belt in Oregon. She added two more black belts, including a teaching belt, by the time she was 18. Then it was off to the University of Oregon, where she studied English.

After returning to Portland, Heim worked in infant care and gymnastics instruction at the Multnomah Athletic Club, then bartended before taking over the Rogue rum distillery this past June. A quick study, she is proving to be as much of a ninja in the stillhouse as she is on the mat. She shadowed former distiller Alex Gund on the job for a week, then apprenticed for five weeks before taking over all production duties for Rogue’s three rums: White Rum, Dark Rum and Hazelnut Spice Rum.

For more information, go to Rogue’s official site www.rogue.com

Posted under Distilling