Sometimes we wonder if Jesse McCann, owner of APEX bar (1216 SE Division St., Portland, OR) is totally insane. Well, we don’t really wonder this, we know this. In fact, he is crazy about killer beer. McCann unseated the Horse Brass Pub in the 2011 Northwest Brewing News’ reader’s choice best craft beer bar in Oregon, a task that is no small feat. And it’s not difficult to see why APEX is such a smash amongst craft beer zealots. With more than 50 rotating taps that feature some of the best beers from the West Coast to the farthest reaches of Europe and beyond, McCann and his staff have clearly illustrated their passion for taste supremacy. He’s also well connected like the Jack Ruby of the beer world (without all the illegal gangster mafioso stuff). As another shining example of killer craft beer aptitude, APEX , not typically known for special events (well, every day there features an amazing lineup), will unload the big guns for those with a hankering for hops. Russian River’s Pliny the Younger and Dogfish Head’s 120 Minute IPA, Bear Republic Racer X, just to name a few will flow from the pub’s taps while supplies last.

Here’s the good word from brother McCann:

This Saturday, February 11th, you’re in for a real treat at APEX.  Starting at opening, 11:30 AM, we’ll be pouring a little beer from Santa Rosa, California called Pliny the Younger, as well as its sibling Pliny the Elder and their cousin Blind Pig.  To keep the Younger company, we’ll also make some Dogfish Head 120 Minute available for comparison.  So please come by and hop your face off along with some of our usual suspects like (Alameda) Yellow Wolf, Apex, (Bear Republic) Racer X or 5, Deuce, (Firestone Walker) Union Jack, (Elysian) Idiot Sauvin, (Sierra Nevada) Ruthless Rye, Lagunitas Sucks, etc… Not recommended for the lupulin intolerant. See you there!

Posted under beer events, events, places to drink beer

Sometimes we wonder if Jesse McCann, owner of APEX bar (1216 SE Division St., Portland, OR) is totally insane. Well, we don’t really wonder this, we know this. In fact, he is crazy about killer beer. McCann unseated the Horse Brass Pub in the 2011 Northwest Brewing News’ reader’s choice best craft beer bar in Oregon, a task that is no small feat. And it’s not difficult to see why APEX is such a smash amongst craft beer zealots. With more than 50 rotating taps that feature some of the best beers from the West Coast to the farthest reaches of Europe and beyond, McCann and his staff have clearly illustrated their passion for taste supremacy. He’s also well connected like the Jack Ruby of the beer world (without all the illegal gangster mafioso stuff). As another shining example of killer craft beer aptitude, APEX , not typically known for special events (well, every day there features an amazing lineup), will unload the big guns for those with a hankering for hops. Russian River’s Pliny the Younger and Dogfish Head’s 120 Minute IPA, Bear Republic Racer X, just to name a few will flow from the pub’s taps while supplies last.

Here’s the good word from brother McCann: Read More…

Posted under beer events, places to drink beer

APEX bar in Southeast Portland is “getting all numerological” and at 1:20 PM, on Friday 1/20. They will be tapping into a keg of … you guessed it: 120 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head. “This batch weighs in at a hefty 18% ABV,” says publican Jesse McCann, “so we’ll be pouring it in 6-ounce glasses so that you, not the limited quantity (1/6 barrel), will last the afternoon.”

Hopefully these two back to back beer attacks will get your mid-January weekend of to a rockin’ start. See you at APEX!

Posted under beer events, beer news, beer releases, events, places to drink beer

On Thursday January 19, 2012, from 5-9 PM, brewers Steve and Morgan from Ale Industries of Concord, CA will be at APEX bar to tap five of their heretofore untasted in Oregon beers. These two guys are making the slog up I-5 with some fresh kegs to bring you:

• East Bay IPA- 7.75%ABV- The East Bay IPA is all about big hop aroma and flavor. Two pounds of hops were used per barrel, giving it an even 100 IBUs. Columbus was used up front for bitterness which helps balance the rich malt bill. Cascade and Citra were added in the finish giving a wonderful tropical fruit/citrus nose.

• Rye’d Piper- 5.8%ABV- Coming in at 5.8% ABV, this ruby red beer speaks to the hop-head in us all. The use of rye malt lends a subdue spiciness that compliments the big caramel, chocolate, toasty and malts. Enough Pacific Northwest hops are added to this beer to give our brewers callus’, bad for them, but oh so good for us.

• Uncle Jesse’s- 5.3%ABV- This Session IPA is a straw/copper colored hoppy beer. We used Columbus hops, nearly exclusively, which gives this beer its beautiful orangey, grapefruit aroma and bursting citrus flavor! Being an “Session IPA” we have also kept the alcohol percentage low, making this a very drinkable beer.

• Orange Kush- Shush 4.5%ABV- Orange Kush is constructed using the best floor malted barley and wheat from Canada. This gives Orange Kush its smooth, dry malt character. Organic orange peel, coriander, and chamomile are used in the finish to impart intertwining layers of depth and flavor. It is just begging for another taste!

• Sour Chocolate Cherry Stout- 11%ABV APEX owner Jesse McCann says “I haven’t received details on the last, the very limited edition Sour Chocolate Stout (only a sixth barrel!). If it’s anything like the Grand Cru they brought last time they visited, it’s not to be missed.”

Amen, brother!

Posted under Beer personalities, beer events, beer news, beer releases, events, places to drink beer

I just wanted to drop you a note letting you know that APEX will be tapping 1 of only 10 in existence 1/6th bbl. kegs of Ale Industries Grand Cru on Thursday, December 8th at 5PM.  Servings  will be in a 6 oz. glass, so there will be just over 100 served.  If this is the type of thing you enjoy, I hope you don’t miss out.

Posted under Uncategorized, events

Don’t try to drink them all at once, plan on NOT driving home.

Posted under Oregon beer, beer events, places to drink beer

Summer and long warm days were great, but they’re GONE!  Daylight savings time will be ending this Sunday and rather than whine about it, I propose that we plunge headlong into the winter with a bang, not a whimper.  In celebration of the growing darkness, APEX will be pouring a WIDE selection of dark & strong beers for a long weekend starting at 5PM on Thursday, November 10th and lasting through Sunday the 13th.  There will be over 40 big, bad, dark and/or strong beers on tap at APEX. Many will be barrel aged, some sour, lots of imperials and even one or two multi year verticals.  Quite a few are unpronounceable, and a respectable number are downright unreasonable.  So figure out a way to get safely home afterwards, and be sure to join us to EMBRACE THE DARKNESS!

Don’t try to drink them all at once, plan on NOT driving home.

Posted under Oregon beer, beer events, events, places to drink beer

Posted under beer events, beer releases, places to drink beer

Posted under Oregon beer, beer events, events

When Portland Beer Week was conceptualized organizers wanted to showcase everything that made Portland the best craft beer drinking city in the world. Part of what makes the city great is our love of craft beers weather (sic) they come from Portland or say our brewing brothers to the South in California.

Teaming up with Jesse Mccann of APEX bar and Columbia Distributing beer week organizers have assembled an epic lineup of 28 California beers from 14 breweries from all over the state. Many of these breweries have never before been poured in Oregon. We are happy to introduce such highly regarded breweries like Ballast Point, Craftsman, Beachwood BBQ, Magnolia, Telegraph and Moonlight to Oregon. From some of the bigger guys we all know and love Stone Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Lagunitas, Anderson Valley, Bear Republic, North Coast, Green Flash and El Toro we have a lineup of extremely rare beers most having never been available in this state either.

Furthermore we will have a handful of brewers in attendance including:

Terrance Sullivan from Sierra Nevada who currently heads up the Beer Camp program.

Portland Beer Week, a city-wide celebration of the vibrant local craft beer community in Portland, Oregon, will take place Aug. 19-28.  The week-long event will highlight the breweries, businesses,  people and, most importantly, the beer that have earned Portland its well-deserved reputation as Beervana.

In its inaugural year, Portland Beer Week will include a series of events hosted throughout the week at beer-centric establishments all around town.  Featured events include beer festivals, tastings, out-of-the-ordinary pairings, special tappings, gastronomical experiences and the world premier of “The Love of Beer,” a documentary about the region’s women of craft beer.

Columbia Distributing is one of the nation’s largest malt beverage, wine and non-alcoholic distributors. Our success is based on the fact that we never lose sight of delivering what’s really important—quality products, timely service, and a genuine concern for our customers needs.

Posted under beer events, events, places to drink beer