Brown ales are not always the go-to beers of uber beer geeks, but that could very well be changing. On a recent trip through the Columbia Gorge, we visited one of Oregon’s best breweries, Double Mountain, and were both surprised and pleased to discover four different browns pouring.

Dapper Dan: A wonderful English mild, this one is “a true session ale.” Named for brewer Matt Swihart’s good friend who is said to have inspired the brewer’s his interest in beer. Well, if this is the case, we’ll tip one back for Dan as well. Brewer Kyle Larsen says this is a brew he reaches for after a long day in the brewhouse. Could this be Hood River’s best session beer? 3.5% ABV, 31 BU

Dapper Dan on nitro: A cascading creamy version of the aforementioned treat, this luxurious and lush light incarnation is arguably dapperer than its fellow tapmate.

Pumking: a marvel of brewing creation

Southern Tier Brewing of Upstate New York makes the type of bold beers Pacific Northwesterners love.  Now they are available in Washington and Idaho.

Southern Tier Brewing Company of Lakewood, New York has been making a splash on the East Coast since its inception in 2004.  Founders Phineas “Phin” DeMink and Alan “Skip” Yahn have an affinity for producing captivating beers to the liking of beer enthusiasts everywhere.  Now available for distribution in Washington and Idaho, the noteworthy brewery has received numerous accolates including being listed as one of Beer Advocate’s top 50 American Breweries for 2007.  BA also ranked Southern Tier’s Un*Earthly Imperial IPA as the “81st Best Beer in the World.”  DeMank, a graduate from the world famous Siebel’s Institute in Chicago, spent time brewing with Goose Island Brewing in Chicago.  This was following a stint at Ellicottville Brewing in Upstate New York formerly owned by his current partner Yahn and still running under new ownership.