Since getting back recently into the Oregon and Washington, I have had the privilege of expBEERiencing so many great new breweries, pubs, and craft brew haunts. While the nation continues to see across-the-board growth in craft brewing, our little corner of the world is witnessing something of an almost incomprehensible magnitude. One of the best new spots I’ve had the pleasure of hitting up has been Loowit Brewing in downtown Vancouver, Washington.

America’s Vancouver, sometimes referred to as simply “The Couve” or even “Vantucky” has a much different vibe and culture than Portland, Oregon just across the river. With a lot less craft beer culture than the Rose City, The Couve is starting to finally get some traction in this department with a number of interesting events and openings that are sure to at last carve out a niche for Clark County’s largest city.

Loowit Brewing, founded by once homebrew champions and friends Devon Bray and Thomas Poffenroth, has been operating their 10-barrel brewery on Columbia Street near the I-5 Bridge since mid autumn and are now beginning to hit their stride. There has been a lot of learning and some growing pains according to the brewers who are delving into their first business venture of this magnitude and their first professional brewing gigs.

Last week, I stopped by the pub before they opened and met with Bray and Poffenroth to sample their wares. Every beer I tasted was spot on, from their lighter Lucid Golden Ale through their emoboldened Jack Daniels barrel-aged Truman’s Goddamn Strong Ale was clean well put together. I was particularly impressed with Read More…

Posted under beer awards, beer news, brewpubs, Washington Beer

After a year away in the San Francisco Bay Area, I’ve finally made the journey back home to Cascadia. Circumstances surrounding my return leave for mixed emotions, but the overall sentiment of being back in an area where so many of my close friends and family are located is that of elation and relief.

You see, the Bay Area is a wonderful place to be with stellar weather and a fair share of choice craft beer, but if I am honest with myself, I must admit that nowhere I have traveled so far in this great land has been able to hold a candle to the culture that surrounds artisan beer here. A few cities make the top list of destinations when it comes to great craft beer, but none nearly as prolific and aboveboard as Portland, Oregon.

San Diego and Denver definitely round out the top of the list for best beer towns in America, and a handful of others such as Chicago, Boston, Seattle and even San Francisco are worth mentioning. But, as I’ve pointed out in the past, when you consider the quantity and quality of of craft breweries here in the Portland and Cascadia region, there is honestly no comparison.  Where else other than Oregon can you get a growler filled at a gas station or find a craft beer option on draught at even the lowliest of dive bars? We have laundromats, bike shops, and even strip clubs with excellent tap selections. And living here, we don’t even flinch at this abundance. It is simply ingrained in our lifestyles.

Some time away from all of this has made me really Read More…

Posted under Beer Travel, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

After last year’s inaugural Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival in Paso Robles, California, one thing was for certain – these folks at the award winning brewery sure know how to throw a beer fest. Some of the most coveted breweries from across the nation and a few of international acclaim were asked to share some of their best beers for this amazing event.

Despite temperatures that exceeded 100-degrees on the day of the fest, the staff and grounds crew at the event provided plenty of water, shade, large fans, and mist makers to keep the quaffers as quenched and cool as possible.

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Posted under beer events, beer reviews, California Beer, places to drink beer

In this moving episode of The Beer Traveler, Charlie visits Ron and Jeanette Muck of Vancouver, Washington. Ron, a chemical engineer,homebrewer, and endurance cyclist who was afflicted at a relatively young age by a rare muscular disease. Jeanette, his wife, not only administers daily tasks for Ron that we take for granted, is also his homebrew chef and assistant, following Ron’s innovative recipes, and strict brewing guidelines.

In February of this year, a unique brew of Ron’s won the People’s Choice Awards at Mashfest, a Vancouver-based homebrewer’s competition that has tripled in size in just a few years. From there local brewpub the Old Ivy Taproom and Portland’s Amnesia Brewing collaborated with Ron to brew the beer on a much larger scale.

Posted under Beer Brewing, Beer personalities, Beer Travel, beers on film, Oregon beer

By Kim Schimke

Invisibility would be awesome. Flying would be pretty cool, also. Reading minds might prove useful. It’s too bad super powers don’t exist, but you know what does? Good beer. With the right beer in hand, an individual can conquer the world. Please allow me to explain.

Alcohol releases dopamine in the brain. I’ll dust off my old Bachelor’s Degree in psychology to clarify. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which is a natural chemical in the brain. Dopamine is responsible for the “yeah baby, I’m feelin’ good, reaaalll good” sensation. It is located in the “reward center” of the brain and makes a person happy. Beer is alcohol. Ergo, beer makes you happy. Happy people tend to be motivated, proactive, pleasant, hard-working, and overall good human beings. I think you see where I am going with this.

The Boston Beer Company created the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program which gives small business owners in the food & beverage industry monetary support and mentoring. New Belgium has raised over $2 million for non-profits that are bike-related through Read More…

Posted under beer me, Beer Travel, places to drink beer

By Kim Schimke

Beercation: traveling to new beer destinations in search of deliciousness. Okay, so that may be my definition, but neither Webster nor Wikipedia has yet to adopt this term, so I’m improvising. In the past couple months; I have been fortunate enough to take two major beercations; one to LA and the other to Boston. Both were incredibly successful. What makes for a successful beercation you ask? I have thrown together some tips so you may be equipped to take and fully enjoy a beercation of your own.

I may not be a craft expert, but beercations are something I have pretty much specialized in since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Growing up with my craft loving parents, I’ve been traveling around the country hitting up brewpubs, breweries, and bottle shops for quite some time. I’ve picked up a thing or two and have now acquired a beercation bag of tricks. It’s important to keep in mind that though a hoot and a half, beercations also take preparation, just like any other vacation. Read More…

Posted under Beer Education, beer humor, beer me, beer tools, Beer Travel

Naked City Taphouse in Seattle hosted this year’s Oregon Brewers Night during Seattle Beer Week. Founder and Brewmaster Don Webb served as emcee for this fun event featuring a nice assortment of beers from some of the Beaver State’s finest breweries.

In addition to six house offerings from Webb and Naked City, Oregon was represented by three different brews from each of the participating breweries including Deschutes, Fort George, Ninkasi, Oakshire, Double Mountain and Burnside Brewing. Brewers from 10 Barrel Brewing made an appearance as well. Notable brewers such as 10 Barrel’s Tonya Cornett, Oakshire’s Matt Van Wyk, and Ninkasi’s Jamie Floyd were in attendance for this fun event. Here’s a look at some photos from this fun and festive night:
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Posted under beer events, Beer personalities, Oregon beer, places to drink beer, Washington Beer

One of the most anticipated craft beer events on the West Coast is undoubtedly the annual Boonville Beer Fest. This past weekend marked the 17th annual return of this event centered around the pioneering brewery that is Anderson Valley Brewing.

Located within the serene rolling hills and oak groves in the secluded town of Boonville, about 25 miles west beyond a winding mountainous pass from Ukiah in Mendocino County, Anderson Valley’s yearly pilgrimage witnesses a great deal of brewers, brewery representatives, industry folks and beer enthusiasts from all points north, south and east. With a large contingency of the turnout representing California, the festival showcased both popular and obscure, regional and journeyed companies for this unparalleled undertaking. Read More…

Posted under Beer & Music, beer and food, beer events, beer reviews, Beer Travel, California Beer, places to drink beer

Posted under beer events, beer humor, Beer Travel, beers on film

Press Release:

It’s Official! Our new Public House at 207 Madison is now open and we’d like to invite you to our Grand Opening this Thursday 5/2 from 5-10p. Enjoy live music by The Whiskey Chasers, plus food from Oregon Wood Fired Pizza and Burgers on the Run. We’ll have a variety of single batch beers, plus our classic year-round favorites. No cover, and minors are welcome until 8p.

All dock sales {including Cornelius keg and growler fills} will take place at our new Public House on Read More…

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