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:
Read More…

Posted under beer events, Beer personalities, Oregon beer, places to drink beer, Washington Beer

On May 9, 2013 I scored a bottle of Russian River Pliny The Elder IIPA at my local liquor store in Berkeley, CA. It was the freshest bottle of Pliny I’ve ever had the pleasure of opening. You see, the beer was bottled on the same date that I purchased it. In fact, the Russian River Brewing Co. driver arrived just as I was about to leave Pliny-less. Score!

For safe measure, I thought it’d be best to sample a comparable East Coast Imperial India Pale Ale to Pliny. No better offering seemed to fit other than The Alchemist‘s Heady Topper Ale. A bold 8% ABV double Read More…

Posted under beer events, California Beer

Press release:

Portland beer lovers rejoyce (sic): Hop Valley Brewing Company’s popular products will finally be available throughout the metro area.

“We’ve self-distributed on a limited basis within the Portland area for a few years,” says Hop Valley co-owner Jonas Kungys. “We’re excited that our new brewing facility will increase our capacity enough to fully serve the market.”

Hop Valley has entered into new distribution agreements with Portland-based Maletis Beverage and Morgan Distributing for distribution over 10 counties in the greater Portland metro area.

This evening from 5-8pm Hop Valley will host a special event at Belmont Station. Read More…

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

By Tyler Kreis

The craft beer scene is booming in America right now. In fact, in 1993 there were only about 500 breweries making beer in America. Today, there’s about 2,700. Here, in the great state of Maryland, are a few breweries and brewpubs that are changing the beer world.

Duclaw Brewing was starting by Dave Benfield in 1995, and opened up to the unprepared world in 1996. He started out like many of us –homebrewing to produce the kind of beer he wanted to drink rather than be limited to that which was commercially available at the time.

Within one year of Read More…

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

Press release:

Widmer Brothers Brewing has released three limited release beers for summer, each offering an uncommon take on a traditional beer style. Citra Blonde Summer Brew, Marionberry Hibiscus Gose, and the latest in the brewery’s Rotator IPA series, Hopside Down India Pale Lager (IPL) are now available in select markets across the country.

These three beers, together with Widmer Brothers’ new year-round release Alchemy Ale and the brewery’s signature Hefeweizen, offer a broad spectrum of flavors, ingredients and styles, and are great choices for a range of summertime beer drinking occasions.

“We have been brewing seasonal and limited-release beers for a long time, and this year’s summer lineup is among the best we’ve ever had,” said Kurt Widmer, co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing. “Citra Blonde, Hopside Down, and our Marionberry Hibiscus Gose are three delicious and exciting beers, all different in their own way, and are the perfect complement to the warm summer months.”

Widmer Brothers will also include part of this great lineup in the brewery’s “Brothers’ Best” variety pack for the summer. Beginning in May, the variety pack will feature Hopside Down IPL and Citra Blonde Summer Brew, along with Alchemy Ale and Hefe. 

The seasonal releases will all be Read More…

Posted under beer releases, Oregon beer, press releases

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

Charlie Herrin aka The Beer Traveler reviews Fort George Brewing‘s Cavatica Stout aged in Heaven Hills Rye whiskey barrels.

A real treat for the hardcore beer geeks, this limited edition stout available while supplies last in 16-ounce cans is a force to be reckoned with. Find out Read More…

Posted under beer reviews, beer tools, beers on film, Oregon 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