Oregon and Washington Winners at 2012 World Beer Cup

Oregon winners at the 2012 World Beer Cup in San Diego, CA  L to R: Bend brewer Ian Larkin, Pelican brewmaster Darron Welch, 10 Barrel (formerly of Bend Brewing) brewmaster Tonya Cornett (photo by Shawn Kelso)

The 2012 World Beer Cup that coincided with the Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego, California was a wonderful experience. Featuring some of the most talented taste makers in the craft beverage industry, this bi-annual award ceremony ranks at the top along with the Great American Beer Festival as the most prestigious award ceremony beheld by craft beer brewers in North America. Here’s a look at 2012′s winners from Oregon and Washington: Read More…

Share

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

Alameda Presents: Northeast Pedal Poker Run

Northeast Pedal Poker RunCome celebrate the beers of NE Portland at the first annual “NE Pedal Poker Run”.  On May 19th from 1:00 – 5: p.m. visit six participating NE breweries and pubs all with in easy walking distance.  At each stop pick up one playing card to create the best 5 card stud hand possible.  Make sure you are at Alameda Brewing by 5:30 for fabulous prizes and the music of Twisted Whistle. No purchase necessary to play, just come have some fun!

For more information visit our page on facebook  “NEPedalPokerRun

Breweries along the route:

  • Alameda Brewing
  • Fire on the Mountain Brewing
  • Laurelwood Public House
  • Columbia River Brewing

Taking over Bottles and The Moon and Sixpence:

  • Migration Brewing
  • Burnside Brewing
  • Breakside Brewing
  • Upright Brewing
Share

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

More New Craft Beer Labels

Coalition Two Dogs IPA

Here is a look at more craft beers that you will soon be able to enjoy around the Pacific Northwest. A bunch of new India Pale Ales, including three new experimental hops brews from Widmer Bros that you will soon see on tap. Plus, Laurelwood is releasing a promising new Portlandia Pils and there’s much more. Is your mouth watering yet? Check out what is coming down the pipeline… Read More…

Share

Posted under Oregon beer, Washington Beer, beer news, beer releases

This post was written by Angelo on March 7, 2012

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Gigantic Brewing: Collabo Beer Night at APEX

Gigantic Brewing Co
On Thursday February 16, 2012, APEX pub (1216 SE Division St., Portland, Oregon) will host a special collaboration event with start-up brewery Gigantic. The soon to open Southeast Portland brewery headed by Ben Love (former Hopworks brewmaster) and Van Havig (former Rock Bottom Portland brewmaster) has teamed up with four of Oregon’s best breweries to produce four distinctly unique and flavorsome beers. Collaborating brewers include Oakshire Brewing‘s  (Eugene) Matt Van Wyk, Breakside Brewery‘s (Portland) Ben Edmunds, Pelican Brewery‘s (Pacific City) Daniel Pollard, and Laurelwood Brewery‘s (Portland) Vasilios Gletsos.
Here’s the full details from Ben at Gigantic: Read More…
Share

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

Gigantic Brewing: Collabo Beer Night @ APEX

Gigantic Brewing CoWhen: Thursday Feb 16, 5-9pm
Where: Apex – 1216 SE Division St, PDX, OR 97202
The Gigantic lads, Ben Love and Van Havig, have not only been busy building the Gigantic Brewery & Tasting Room at SE 26th & Steele in Portland, but they’ve also brewed up a series of collabo (aka. collaboration) beers with their brewer friends around Oregon. This is your chance to try all the collabo beers in one place and meet the brewers. Join Ben and Van – along with all the other collabo brewers (Ben Edmunds, Vasilli Gletsos, Daniel Pollard, and Matt Van Wyk) – for a night of drinking and celebration! The beers will be on tap at the Apex. Remember to bring your dollar dollar bills y’all (Apex is cash only).
Collabo Beers on Tap:
Breakside Brewing (feat. Gigantic Brewing)
Hoppy Hoppy Nano Beer (Imperial IPA)
Laurelwood Brewing (feat. Gigantic Brewing)
Cascadian Pilsner Beer (Hoppy Pilsner)
Oakshire Brewing (feat. Gigantic Brewing)
Collabo Wabo (Sammy Hagar Tribute NW Red Ale with Agave Nectar)
Pelican Pub & Brewery (feat. Gigantic Brewing)
Schwarzenfreude (Baltic Porter)
Share

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

Saraveza and Brewpublic’s 3rd Annual MY BEERY VALENTINE

Brewpublic & Saraveza Present an event for Beer Lovers

Brewpublic Presents My Beery Valentine 3 @ Saraveza on February 12, 2012On Sunday February 12, 2012, Brewpublic & Saraveza Bottleshop & Pasty Tavern team up for a special Valentine’s event to once again to bring bring sweethearts, sweet tooths, and, of course, beer lovers, the ultimate lineup of Valentine’s brews from Beervana and beyond.

Pairing with a delectable assortment of flavors from some of the most talented craft beer brewers around, My Beery Valentine will also feature four mouthwatering and decadent treats from Sugar Pimp. Read More…

Share

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

The Mother of All Brewers Dinner – Laurelwood Collaborates with an All-Star Local Lineup of Beer Makers

Brewmasters Vasilios Gletsos (left) of Laurelwood with Alex Ganum of Upright Brewing

Laurelwood Brewing Co. is holding a one of a kind collaboration brewer’s dinner on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The dinner will feature collaboration beers brewed by Vasilios Gletsos of Laurelwood Brewing Co., Alex Ganum of Upright Brewing, Van Havig of Gigantic Brewing Co., and Tom Bleigh of Hopworks Urban Brewery. These exclusive handcrafted ales will be served with a five-course dinner prepared by Laurelwood’s Executive Chef Aaron Nichols. Tickets are $50 per person and available at the NE Portland and Battle Ground, WA Laurelwood locations. The menu is as follows:

Gigantic Brewer Van Havig - It's Going To Be HugeAmuse: Chicken coronets with preserved lemon

Beer: Cascadian Pilsner brewed by Van Havig and Vasili Gletsos

Appetizer: Mussel and shrimp soup with lemon grass, kafir lime leaf, fish stock, chilies, garlic, shallot, and Thai spices

Beer: Thai Wit brewed by Tom Bleigh and Vasili Gletsos

Salad: Blood orange and arugula with red onions, Castelvetrano olives, and parsley

Beer: Sour Red blended by Alex Ganum, Tom Bleigh, Van Havig, and Vasili Gletsos

Entrée: Smoked pork belly and pomegranate barbequed brisket with potato-chard gratin, and pomegranate demi glaze jus

Beer: Scottish Ale brewed by Alex Ganum and Vasili Gletsos

Dessert: Grapefruit tart with pecan brittle and Chantilly cream

Beer: Milk Stout brewed by the Laurelwood Brew Team

The food for this dinner is locally sourced from Draper Valley Farms, Sweet Briar Farms, and Country Natural Beef. Laurelwood will also donate 10% of the collaboration dinner sales to the Oregon Food Bank. Join us for a night of special one of a kind beers and a wonderfully prepared dinner.

Hopworks brewer Tom Bleigh (left) and Laurelwood brewer Vasilios GletsosAs stated by Vasili Gletsos, Brewmaster, Laurelwood Brewing Co., “For this Collaborative Beer Dinner, we have broken the mold and created a unique experience by first asking the Chef to create a seasonal menu and then getting together a great set of brewers to create beers to pair with it.

The selection of the participating brewers has special significance for me since I have chosen to work with brewers who have been my past Brewmasters at my previous breweries here in Portland, and who have all gone on to other breweries, as I have. Part of what working at Laurelwood has given me is the flexibility to make lots of one-off and seasonal beers, as well as to answer the question “when will I ever get to work with those awesome brewers who have taught me so much?” This is a great opportunity for me to have a little reunion of brewers I have a high regard for as well as are good friends of mine. I know everyone else will be really pleased with the unique beers and pairings that we come up with.”

About Laurelwood Brewing Company

LaurelwoodLaurelwood is a family owned brewery that creates one of the most recognized regional craft beers. Owners Mike De Kalb & Cathy Woo-De Kalb are dedicated to sustainable and organic practices, and first began producing certified organic beer in 2001. Laurelwood’s product line is known for its creativity and quality therefore winning many national and international beer awards. Laurelwood’s handcrafted beers can be found on draft and in bottles throughout Oregon and Washington. To find out more about Laurelwood Brewing Company go online at www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com.

About Van Havig, Gigantic Brewing Company

Gigantic Brewing CoVan Havig started his brewing career in 1995 at Minnesota Brewing Company in St. Paul, Minnesota, and then moved on to work for the Rock Bottom Breweries for the next 16 years.  He was brewmaster at the Bethesda, Maryland and Portland, Oregon Rock Bottoms, as well as the regional brewer in both locations.  From 2004 to 2011 he also ran the QA/QC program for Rock Bottom Breweries.  He is currently starting his own brewery, Gigantic Brewing Company, in Portland, Oregon.

About Thomas Bleigh, Hopworks Urban Brewery

Hopworks Urban BreweryThomas Bleigh started his career at Portland Brewing Company as an un-paid intern. Prior to joining Hopworks, he held the positions of Brewer, Lead Brewer, Lead Cellar Operator, Head Brewer and Plant Manager at Portland Brewing, Pyramid Breweries, Independent Brewer’s United and North American Breweries. In 2008, he was recognized, along with Pyramid Breweries as Mid Size Brewer/Brewery of the Year at GABF.?He is a graduate from UC Davis and UW-Madison with an MFA in Fine Arts. Born in Augsburg, Germany, he has an appreciation for beer appellation and the “drink local” mentality. When not spending time with his two young children, or playing soccer, he can be found spending his time pursuing charcuterie or fermenting various meats, cheese, fruits or vegetables.

About Alex Ganum, Upright Brewing

Alex Ganum is the owner and head brewer at Upright. He grew up drinking his father’s German pilsners and his older brother’s Bells Porter before moving to Portland in 2002. After meeting several homebrewers he decided to give it a go and never looked back. Seven years later his love of brewing led him to open Upright, a brewery he thinks is as much a part of the community as it is personal. When he doesn’t have beer on his mind Alex is probably thinking about what’s next in the kitchen or on his plate and what digestif to wash it down with.

Share

Posted under Beer personalities, Oregon beer, beer and food, beer events, brewpubs, events, places to drink beer, press releases

BREWPUBLIC Presents: MY BEERY VALENTINE 3 @ Saraveza

My Beery Valentine 3

Brewpublic & Saraveza Present an event for Beer Lovers

Brewpublic Presents My Beery Valentine 3 @ Saraveza on February 12, 2012On Sunday February 12, 2012, Brewpublic & Saraveza Bottleshop & Pasty Tavern team up for a special Valentine’s event to once again to bring bring sweethearts, sweet tooths, and, of course, beer lovers, the ultimate lineup of Valentine’s brews from Beervana and beyond.

Pairing with a delectable assortment of flavors from some of the most talented craft beer brewers around, My Beery Valentine will also feature the mouthwatering and decadent treats from Sugar Pimp.

The Beers

Look for some spectacular one-offs from some of our favorite brewers including:

1. Breakside “Lavender Fudge Stout” – “A sweeter version of our dry stout conditioned on cacao nibs and lavender.”

2. Coalition“Sweet Kiss Goodnight Double Porter” – Sweet Kiss Goodnight is a strong porter, coming in at 8.2% ABV, 31 IBU.  Chilean caramel malt, munich malt, and honey malt add sweetness, with a hint of roastiness from carafa.  After fermentation, this beer was aged on cherry wood and vanilla bean to add to its alluring complexity.

3. Upright “Blend Edmunds” – A barrel aged wheaten Four with tart cherry / barrel aged Six with dark sweet cherry

4. Mt Tabor “Valencino’s Dirty Nutz” – “Valentine’s Day is a time for secrets and sweets. Surprise your taste buds with our Dirty Nutz, a stout infused with Nocino, a sweet Italian walnut liqueur. Take your time, as Dirty Nutz is built to last and some say tastes even better when warm (don’t worry, our Dirty Nutz don’t sweat). So get in the mood, grab your sweetheart and wrap your lips around our Dirty Nutz.”

5. Vertigo “Raspberry Blast” – “We took our Arctic Blast Vanilla Porter and pulled out a half-barrel to which we added 6 pounds of raspberries.”

6. Fort George Mexican Chocolate Stout – ?“What does a revolution taste like? Smooth, creamy, and with a kick of cinnamon! Our Mexican chocolate stout starts off with a smooth chocolate taste and balanced body. The different chocolate malts give off not only a creamy dark roasted chocolate flavor, but also a bit of bitterness to help prepare you for the wonderful spices that come at the end. With cinnamon, vanilla, and almond spices blended in the chocolate that we put in the kettle and the bright tank, this potent brew is great to enjoy before or after the revolution. Enjoy this sweet yet spicy new stout from the Fort George and celebrate the revolution that is Stout Month. Viva La Stout!” 7.6% ABV

7. Cascade – “Live From the Barrel: Bourbon Apricot” “This NW-style sour ale is a special one. Apricot nectar was barrel aged for four months then blended with spiced Bourbon Quad and Noyaux shells. Apricot skins, brandy and charred notes from the Bourbon barrel greet you in the nose. Tart rich notes of apricot flesh and oak on the palate lead to a complex finish of apricots, cherry pits, oak and vanillin. Servus!” 7.14% ABV

8. LaurelwoodHugh Heifer Milk Stout “Made with British Maris Otter, Brown, chocolate malts and Roast Barley, Domestic Crystal 60 and 150 as well as oats and Black Prinz Malt, Lactose, Northern Brewer Hops and finished with Cacao Nibs and Coffee. This beer is a luxurious an velvety stout with a with a mature, rich and complex body. The nose is dominated by layers of Chocolate, Coffee, and lightly roasted Coco Puffs. The body is voluptuous. ’nuff said?” 5.2% ABV

9. Alameda “My Bloody Valentine” – “This is the second incarnation of this farmhouse style Saison. It is dry, citric, tart, spritzy, and incredibly drinkable. The orange essence comes from the use of dried orange peels and blood orange juice.”

10. The Commons “Brotherly Love” – A Belgian Dark Strong Ale aged in a Heaven Hill bourbon barrel. Red tart cherry and roasted Peruvian cocoa nibs were added to the barrel and allowed meld with the beer. 8.7% ABV

11. Block 15 “Love Potion #9” – Sweet stout conditioned with locally grown black Raspberries from Stahlbush Island Farms and matured on house roasted Fair Trade cocoa nibs. Developed by Gypsies & guaranteed to help you find love. 6.3%ABV, 30 IBU.

12. Hopworks “Army of Darkness Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout” – Black as a moonless night, Army of Darkness emerges from the Hopworks cellar after 9 months in Bourbon Barrels. What was once a roasty, fruity, warming stout has become a chocolatey and smooth. Caramel and vanilla dominate the nose, while the Bourbon barrels impart and mildly drying finish. Big, black and bold all around, this beer embodies darkness in the best way possible. 11.1% ABV, 63 IBU

13. Oakshire “Cordial Love” – Oatmeal stout made with cocoa nibs and aged on espresso and sweet cherries. 6.4% ABV

This event begins at 11AM (originally listed as 6PM) and goes until midnight. Sample trays available. No tickets required to enter.
Saraveza is located at 1004 N. Killingsworth St. in Portland, OR.

Share

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

BIGGER, BADDER, BLACKER!

Ale-ian

Belmont Station is a place thAbram Goldman-Armstrong (left) and Shawn Kelso of Barley Brown'sat feels like an never ending craft beer festival. Every night of the week there’s something going on in the Bier Cafe and the bottleshop. More than 1400 bottles of beer and nearly twenty rotating draught selections to choose from. Perhaps the most badass of all of their events is BIGGER, BADDER, BLACKER! This week long celebration of, as the title indicates, bold and behemoth dark brews, hosts some of the most coveted pitchy pours in the world.

If you missed the kickoff last night, you missed the initial “Descent into Darkness”, including rockstar brewer Shawn Kelso of Barley Brown’s (soon to be with 10 Barrel Brewing) unleashing two muscular brutes – BB’s Anniversary Ale simply known as “13″ and his 2010 Great American Beer Festival gold medal winning Turmoil CDA. In addition the Station was gracing the people with these two highly sought after dark ales, they also unveiled a Mikkeller Tequila Barrel-aged Black Hole alongside a Peated Whisky Barrel-aged Black Hole. Still not sated? How about some Laurelwood Moose & Squirrel Imperial Stout, New Belgium Clutch (sour Belgian style stout), or Deschutes Black Butte XXI (yes, from 2009). But don’t fret, for this, my friends, is just the tip of the big black iceberg. Read More…

Share

Posted under Beer personalities, Oregon beer, beer events, beer releases, vintage beers