Each year since Brewpublic began in 2008, we’ve taken special pleasure in rounding up the best-of-the-year lists. Most often you’ve witnessed these year-end inventories in the form of top 5′s. And, to not let down, we’ve rounded up this year’s superlatives in a multi-part series we will bring you throughout the rest of the year.

For 2012, much like we did last year, asking craft beer experts, industry workers, enthusiasts, and friends to conjure up their fondest beer memories of 2012 as well as sharing what they eagerly anticipate for the future in the coming year. We’ve also asked these folks to attest to top trends witnessed in the craft beer scene over the past year as well as some favorite events of 2012.

While we realize that such lists are next to impossible to formulate with any real certainty, the process of thinking back on all of the remarkable brews tested and tasted is a fun and nostalgic process. We will not hold these reputable individuals to their beer choices with absoluteness, because we realize, as mentioned in the past, that choosing just one beer, or even only five for that matter, as a favorite, can be as constrictive and limiting as choosing a favorite song, work of art, or even friend. Variety is the spice of life, just as hops is readily that of Northwest craft brews. So, without further adieu, let’s hear what the people have to say. Read More…

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

Saturday, November 17, 2012 • 6pm

Join us for our special “Logsdon Ales Havest Beer Pairing Dinner”

We invite you to join us for a chef-inspired 6-course harvest dinner paired with world-class award-winning new world and traditional begian-style ales . Limited seating. Reservations required. Courtesy of local brewmaster Dave Logsdon of Logsdon Farmhouse Ales and Cooper Spur Mountain Resort’s Executive Chef Joe Silliman.

 • Special Guest: Dave Logsdon, Brewmaster

• 6 Courses & 6 Pairings

• $60/per person (Cash, Check, or Credit)

• Call 541-352-6037 to make reservations.

• Receive a special 20% lodging discount with any “Logsdon Ales Harvest Beer Pairing Dinner” reservations

• Featured Logsdon Farmhouse Ales will be available for sale after the event.

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

Hood River, OR—Fresh-hopped beer will be the main attraction at this year’s annual Hood River Hops Fest on Saturday, September 29,2012. As one of the best beer-tasting events in the Pacific Northwest, the Hood River Hops Fest features fresh-hopped beers from over 25 Northwest craft brewers. Some of this years’ brewers include Amnesia Brewing, Deschutes Brewery, Double Mountain Brewery, Pfriem Family Brewers, Laurelwood Brewing, and Logsdon Ales. An expanded menu of local culinary favorites, a host of arts and crafts vendors, a great selection of Gorge wines, a children’s play area, and a day-long lineup of live music guarantees fun for the entire family.

“Hops Fest started as a tribute to the great, fresh-hopped microbrews of the Pacific Northwest, and that still is the reason that thousands of people attend,” said Kerry Cobb, Executive Director of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the event.

The Hood River Hops Fest runs from noon to 9pm and is situated in downtown Hood River, Oregon between 5^th and 7^th streets and Cascade and Columbia streets. Visitors can supplement their beer tasting with great local cuisine, from wood-fired pizza to American pub fare to vegetarian dishes. This year’s musical lineup features Barlow Road, Tess Barr Blues Band, Tony Smiley, and The Quick & Easy Boys.

Admission is as follows:

·         21 and over: $6.00 (includes beer-tasting stein)

·         20 and under: free until 5:30pm

·         Wine drinkers and designated drivers: $4.00

NOTE: Children are welcome throughout the afternoon until 6pm. The venue is open to adults only from 6pm until closing at 9pm.

“Hops Fest in Hood River has become a well-loved annual tradition for beer lovers, both local and from around the world,” said Nancy Carlson, Event Coordinator for the Chamber. “It’s an event that brings a great group of people to downtown Hood River, and one the Chamber looks forward to every year.”

For information about beer vendors and event updates as they occur, follow the event on the Hood River Hops Fest Facebook page, #HRHops12 on Twitter, or visit the Hood River Hops Fest website.

The Hood River County Chamber supports economic and tourism development for the region and provides promotional programs to its 500 members. As a county-wide organization, it supports businesses, organizations, and governmental agencies in Cascade Locks, Hood River, Parkdale, Odell, Pine Grove, and Mount Hood-Parkdale.

Hood River County Chamber of Commerce

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

Hood River, OR—Fresh-hopped beer will be the main attraction at this year’s annual Hood River Hops Fest on Saturday, September 29,2012. As one of the best beer-tasting events in the Pacific Northwest, the Hood River Hops Fest features fresh-hopped beers from over 25 Northwest craft brewers. Some of this years’ brewers include Amnesia Brewing, Deschutes Brewery, Double Mountain Brewery, Pfriem Family Brewers, Laurelwood Brewing, and Logsdon Ales. An expanded menu of local culinary favorites, a host of arts and crafts vendors, a great selection of Gorge wines, a children’s play area, and a day-long lineup of live music guarantees fun for the entire family.

“Hops Fest started as a tribute to the Read More…

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

Thursday July 19 New Belgium and Cascade

At 3PM we’ll tap an oak pin of New Belgium Oscar, one of the two Foeder-aged sour beers that Lauren and Eric Salazar use as the base blending beers for the Lips of Faith Series and we’ll also have a rare keg of Blackberry Whiskey Sour on tap beginning at noon. The Cascade crew are still deciding what blends they’ll deliver but you know they’ll be great!

In addition to these special Brewers Nights we expect to pour beers from Schooner Exact, Solera, Rock Bottom, Big Al’s, Buckman Botanical, Mikkeller, Bahnhoff, and more. We’ll see how they roll… Check Belmont-station.com for daily tap list and Puckerfest.com for updates.

In order that we can serve everyone as quickly as possible our Biercafe will be Cash Only during Puckerfest.

For more information: Carl Singmaster 503-232-8538

Posted under events, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

Wednesday July 18 5 – 8 PM Logsdon Farmhouse Ales &The Commons

Logsdon Owner/Brewmaster Dave Logsdon will tap Cerasus organic kriek beer, a barrel-aged Flanders style red ale with two pounds of fruit added per gallon of beer & Barrel-aged Seizoen Bretta, farmhouse Saison with Brettanomyces.

The Commons Brewers grace us with Eleanor, Wine barrel aged Farmhouse Ale made with magic (is that a legal ingredient?), BeneTibi, a 100% Brett Lambicus fermented beer with sour cherries and cider pressings, and a special one-off TBA.

Posted under events, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

Tuesday July 17 5 – 8PM Double Mountain

Charlie Devereux and Matt Swihart have led a parade of Puckerfesters each year with their phenomenal Krieks and fresh cherries. Let’s do it again! Can’t wait. More details soon.

Posted under events, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

Monday July 16 5 – 8PM Upright

Brewers Alex Ganum, Gerritt Ill, and Bobby Birk present another stunning display of barrel-aging and blending: Fantasia (barrel fermented with Baird Family Orchard peaches and a mix of souring yeasts and bacteria, lambic-esque), Lactovasilios (barrel fermented Berliner-weisse style sour ale), Blend Love (mix of barrel aged wheat and rye beers with raspberries and cherries), De la Seven (one-off variant of Upright’s strong saison fermented with yeast from the De la Senne brewery of Belgium and aged with brettanomyces in Patton Valley wine barrels), Belmont Station 14th Anniversary – a blend of gin and wine barrel aged wheat beer with apricot puree, Barrel aged Five (hoppy saison matured in former Fantasia barrels with the spent peaches), Late Harvest (farmhouse-style brown ale aged in Ransom wine, whiskey, and gin barrels). Plus we’ll sell a limited number of bottles of Belmont Station 14th Anniversary Beer

Posted under events, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

Sunday July 15 2 – 5PM Block 15

Brewer/Owner Nick Arzner serves up another of his famously amazing lineups: Golden Canary, 2011 Demons Farm, & 2011 Strawberry Fields, Belmont Station 15th Anniversary (Scotch Ale matured in rare fifteen year old Bourbon casks from Rip Van Winkle Distillery and then blended with select Bourbon barrel Oud Bruins, matured 9 & 24 months), and a special firkin of Golden Canary with Gooseberries

In order that we can serve everyone as quickly as possible our Biercafe will be Cash Only during Puckerfest.

For more information: Carl Singmaster 503-232-8538

Posted under events, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

Saturday July 14 Noon Gueuze Drafts and Cantillon Bottles

It’s pretty rare to have 3 authentic Gueuzes side by side. We’ll tap a keg of Cantillon Gueuze, Tilquin Gueuze, and St. Louis Gueuze. I remember the days when we had Cantillon bottles for sale constantly. That was before everyone caught on. Our last allotment was so small it seemed the best thing to do would be pour flights so a more folks can taste the brilliance of Cantillon. Flights of Cantillon Geueze, Kriek, and Rose poured from our very limited number of bottles.

Posted under events, Oregon beer, places to drink beer