Brewpublic’s Quebecer correspondent Marc Demeule recaps a malt-filled weekend in October where he returns to Portland for more of what he loves…craft beer. This time Marc does it fest-style with Brewpublic’s 1st Brewniversary at Saraveza, The Portland Fresh Hop Tastival at Oak’s Park, and the KillerBeerFest at Bailey’s Taproom. We just wonder if he will make it back for the Holiday Ale Fest. Well, there’s always something exciting brewing in Beervana.

It’s not easy being a beer nut, but sometimes it can be fun as hell. Gettin’ geeked out on seasonals, one-offs, and, in general, brews I’ve never had before, is what it’s all about. Granted, the liver takes a toll for rewarding the palate, but in the end, it’s as publican Don Younger once said “It’s not about the beer, it’s about the beer.”

So, amidst scrambling about to shore up the final touches on Brewpublic’s big weekend, we performed a bit of quality assurance work. After a night of merriment…I mean Q.A. in the garage with Bailey’s owner/publican Geoff Phillips, the next morning was again filled with obligatory beer hunting.

Outdoor seating at Bonfire

Ugh! The weekend is over alas, but what a great one it was. Another year and we still haven’t made it to the Spring Beer and Wine Fest. Maybe it related to what Bill at It’s Pub Night had to say about beer snobs and this event, or perhaps it was simply that the weather on Friday called for sitting outdoors while enjoying delicious brews. Frankly, that sounded like a better game plan to the group I was with, than drinking inside the Oregon Convention Center. Maybe we’ll check it out next year.

Beer dweebs like us are always seeking out the latest greatest beer and awaiting a new brewpub to open its doors.  Luckily, for folks in the Hood River area, another such beer lovers’ dream is becoming a reality.  Across the Columbia from Hood River, on the Washington hillside of another picturesque town known as White Salmon, resides a dapper new brewpub.  In a handsomely refurbished liquor store that was originally Odd Fellow’s Hall built in 1937, the sightly establishment dubbed Everybody’s Brewing is the dream of Doug and Christine Ellenberger.  Along with other partners, the two have put together an attractive display of guest taps and anticipate having Doug’s beer ready within the next few months.  A 17-barrel brew system purchased from Hamanako Brewery of Japan lives beneath large sturdy wooden planks bolstering the spacious hardwood public area above.  On a clear day, a breathtaking view of Mount Hood is framed by the large windows to the North.

Downtown White Salmon, WA

Amnesia assistant brewer Chris (left) and owner/brewer Kevin King

Eighteen beers, including six special releases from Amnesia, made the inaugural Amnesia Winter Ale Festival an unforgettable jubilee. The event was a benefit for the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation to provide Siebels scholarships in the name of the late, much beloved Falconer.  Falconer’s brother Quenton heads the foundation and traveled from the Bay Area to attend the event.