My Beery Valentine 3

Brewpublic & Saraveza Present an event for Beer Lovers

On 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. Laurelwood – “Hugh 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 6PM. Sample trays available. No tickets required to enter.
Saraveza is located at 1004 N. Killingsworth St. in Portland, OR.

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

Belmont Station is a place that 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…

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

The weekend was wickedly winning as we welcomed The Beer Wench aka Ashley Routson to the Pacific Northwest. This was her third visit to Portland and there was still many great beer spots which she had not yet been to, so we had to try and knock these out. Granted, hitting up all the best Portland craft beer bars is somewhat of a daunting task that requires an intense commitment. But, we knew it was imperative to at least get a few of the essentials out of the way. Ashley’s trip was to be brief – only 36 hours in the Portland area, so every minute had to count.

First, let us preface the telling of our adventures with more about Ashley. Known widely in the craft beer world as The Beer Wench, she is first and foremost a wine sommelier with extensive knowledge of the many tiers of the craft beverage world. She has worked on many levels within the industry from bar managing, tap crafting, event coordinating, and product inventory to writing her world renowned “Drink with the Wench” website and more recently her attention-grabbing and palate wowing “BeerMixology” site that tackles the emerging trend of beer cocktails. Perhaps most impressive about Ashley is that on top of all this, she also works for Bison Brewing as their official “Director of Awesomeness”, a title well deserved. Her presence is felt vertically integrated throughout the entire brewery from the most simple and essential of tasks to those most complex and labor intensive. She has even helped to brew beers such as the popular seasonal Saison de Wench that will be released again soon.

So, as you can imagine, this wasn’t just any beer geek that we were striving to entertain. Our journey logically began at our favorite Read More…

Posted under beer reviews, places to drink beer, weekend in review

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:

Amuse: 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.

As 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

Laurelwood 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

Van 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

Thomas 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.

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

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: Read More…

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

One of Oregon’s most beloved India Pale Ale has returned! Work Horse IPA from Laurelwood Brewing of Portland is back on the menu after going away for several months. The brewery’s pub favorite, Workhorse disappeared due to a shortage in the floral hop varietals available to make it happen.

More from Laurelwood: Read More…

Posted under Oregon beer, beer news, beer releases

Laurelwood Public House & Brewery is hosting a Collaboration Brewer’s Dinner Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. A fantastic night of food prepared by Executive Chef Aaron Nichols paired with some great beers from Breakside Brewery, Cascade Barrel House, Heater Allen, and Laurelwood. Brewers will be on hand to walk you through their creations and talk beer all night! Only $35 per person. Get your tickets now at the NE Portland and Battle Ground Laurelwood locations.

The menu & beer pairings are as follows:

Amuse: Duck confit with cranberry jus & nasturtium gremolata; Cascade Barrel House Cranberry Sour Ale

Appetizer: Tarragon & Oregon bay shrimp cakes with arugula pesto; Breakside Golden Farmhouse Ale

Salad: Spiced pepitas & duck breast over warm spinach salad with garlic dressing; Heater Allen Sandy Paws Baltic Porter

Entrée: Hanger steak with lemony potato salad & braised greens; Laurelwood Deranger Imperial Red

Dessert: Apricot upside-down cake with whipped cream & dried pear; Cascade Barrel House Apricot Sour Ale

About Laurelwood Brewing Company

Laurelwood 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.

Posted under beer and food, beer events, events

Where to begin? KillerBeerWeek 2011 was the biggest series of events that Brewpublic has put forth in our three years of existence. Eight days at eight venues with more than 95 curated specialty craft beers throughout.

As previously mentioned, it all kicked off for us at Roscoe’s Pub on Sunday October 16, 2011, where Jeremy and Quyen and company hosted our KillerBeerSummit, and helped us to wrangle up sixteen special beers on tap. Read PortlandBeer.org’s write up of the Summit here.

Monday night (October 17, 2011) witnessed one of the best Read More…

Posted under Oregon beer, Uncategorized, beer events, beer reviews

‘Tis the season to get down with some gourd-eous brews. On Monday October 17, 2011, the Green Dragon Pub & Bistro and Brewpublic have teamed up to present one bad-ass pumpkin party with more than 15 pumpkin brews on tap, including two pumpkin “casks” that will be tapped. Highlights look to be one-of-a-kind pumpkin ales from Hopworks, Breakside, Elysian, Rogue, Laurelwood, and so many more. In addition, there will be a pumpkin menu, a pumpkin smashing contest, and a pumpkin seed spitting competition. This will be utterly killer!  See you there.

The Green Dragon is located at 928 SE 9th Avenue in Portland, Oregon. For a complete list of events occuring during Brewpublic’s 8 day KillerBeerWeek, visit http://brewpublic.com/events Cheers!

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

Laurelwood Public House & Brewery is having it’s 10^th annual Laurelfest celebration this Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The brewery will have a special seasonal beer release of Laurelfest Bier; a Vienna lager style fresh hop beer, a wonderful food menu consisting of dishes from a fresh Albacore tuna salad to house made double smoked pork & cheddar sausages, and a fantastic live music line up. In addition to the great food, beer, and music, we will have fun kids activities all day.

The music schedule is as follows:

3:30 p.m. Popular Demand

5:30 p.m. Rubella Graves

7:30 p.m. Keegan Smith

There will also be a Laurelfest celebration at our Battle Ground, WA location from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the same day. Special BBQ menu will be $16.95 for adults and $6.95 for kids. Live music will be provided by Matt Brown starting at 3:30 p.m. Join the Battle Ground crew for fun, food, and great beer.

About Laurelwood Brewing Company

Laurelwood 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.

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