By D.J. Paul

After Leaving Full Sail Brewing last year to develop the plans for his own brewing venture, John Harris has found his ideal location in North Portland. While traffic is all snarled above you on I-5 at the Fremont Bridge-Rose Quarter bottleneck, Harris will be brewing at a former auto body shop with over 14,000 square feet at North Mississippi and North Cook.

During this time since Harris left Full Sail he’s been very active finding the ideal home for his new production brewery and brewpub space. He also found to the time to brew some collaborative beers with Boneyard Beer and Golden Valley Brewing. Harris also performed with Tom Dalldorf’s Rolling Boil Blues Band at last summer’s Oregon Brewers Festival.

For those that want to check out his new space, Harris will be hosting an open house later this month on Sunday, April 28^th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Read More…

Posted under beer events, beer news, Beer personalities, Oregon beer

Two established brewmasters in the Oregon craft beer community have re-banded for the creation of a new beer recipe. Former McMenamins, Deschutes, and Full Sail brewmaster John Harris joined Golden Valley Brewery (GVB) brewmaster Mark Vickery to develop Valley Red Imperial, a double red ale releasing today at GVB’s two pubs.

John Harris’s career in brewing spans more than years and three brewing empires. So, it’s no wonder why so many people look up to Harris when it comes to the art of brewing, and many brewers owe the man a lot when it comes to setting them on their path. One such brewer is Mark Vickery, brewmaster at Golden Valley Brewing of McMinnville, Oregon.Vickery cut his teeth brewing under Harris at Deschutes before assuming his current role as the brewing lead at GVB.

“Many brewers and brewery’s today stand on (Harris’) shoulders.” says Vickery. “One of the first pub brewers at McMenamins, John’s Hammerhead remains to this day one of there best selling ales.”

The first Brewmaster at Deschutes Brewery, Harris is credited with developing the recipes for Mirror Pond Pale, Black Butte Porter and Jubelale. “After a long run at the Pilsner Room for Full Sail Brewing Harris creativity lifted off.” adds Vickery, “Too many to Read More…

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

News broke in March of this year that John Harris, a fixture in the Oregon craft brewing community, would be stepping down from his post as brewmaster at Full Sail Brewing to began his own craft brewery. Living the dream of almost every craft brewer, Harris looks to open his new venture in Southeast Portland near where he resides. Known for the many beer recipes he helped to develop at Full Sail – most notably those from their Brewmasters Reserve Series, Harris, began his professional career in brewing with McMenamins before brewing for Deschutes Brewery of Bend, where he helped to develop their very popular and widely available Mirror Pond Pale Ale.

Now in between brewing gigs, Harris is doing as many in his brewing boots have done, he is collaborating with another brewery. Boneyard Beer of Bend has come out of the gate strong in the few years since they have been open, with some of the most critically acclaimed India Pale Ales Oregon has ever tasted. Harris is joining them today to brew a new beer, an Read More…

Posted under beer news, Beer personalities, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

There’s a lot of awesome beer weeks around the country, but one you definitely don’t want to miss out on is the second annual Corvallis Beer Week!

Corvallis’ Craft Beer scene continues to blossom beginning on Monday, September 10th.  That’s the day that the 2nd Annual Corvallis Beer Week kicks off to promote the education and celebration of Craft Beer throughout our beautiful city.

The idea for Corvallis Beer Week is the brainchild of Read More…

Posted under beer events, Oregon beer

The North American Organic Brewers Festival (NAOBF) returns to Overlook Park in Portland, Oregon to continue celebrating the contributions of organic brewers and a commitment to more sustainable living. This year’s fest marks the 8th annual NAOBF and will once again feature craft beer and artisan ciders from around the world. “This should be a great fest this year – we’ve increased to three trailers, so lines won’t be a problem” says event coordinator Chris Crabb, adding: “Styles run the gamut from Belgian Whites to Cascadian Darks.”

NAOBF will feature a full lineup of  live local music, organic food (including ice cream and coffee!), sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits, a soda garden with complimentary Crater Lake Root Beer for minors and designated drivers, and a children’s area with face painting and activities. The NAOBF is a family friendly event, and minors are welcome with parents.

More details:

Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission into the event is free. The purchase of a $6 reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece. A full glass of beer or cider costs four tokens and a four-ounce taste costs one token; select beers cost double tokens. Patrons receive a $1 discount toward the tasting glass with a validated MAX ticket, a ticket from the onsite Hopworks bike corral – last year, nearly 2,000 attendees parked their bikes at the festival – or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank (limit one discount per person). The NAOBF benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and the Oregon Food Bank.

Lineup of Beers and Ciders To Pour at 2012 NAOBF: Read More…

Posted under Beer & Music, beer and food, beer events, beer news, California Beer, craft cider, Oregon beer, Washington Beer

Mark you calendar because the Sasquatch BrewAm is taking place again next month!   The 8th Annual BrewAm will be on Friday, July 27th. Sign-up now!!

Sign up now as spots are going fast!!

Posted under beer events, events

Here’s a press release from Tabor tavern that should spark Portlander’s interest:

Tabor Tavern, a neighborhood tavern with good food and drink, welcoming staff and fair prices, is slated to open in east Portland this spring. Located at the northwestern edge of the Mt. Tabor neighborhood on the corner of 53^rd and east Burnside, Tabor Tavern will serve pub fare, fresh-brewed craft beers on draft, as well as a full complement of spirits and wines.  Tabor Tavern will be open 7-days a week for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.  Children will be permitted until 8:00 p.m. Read More…

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

Rogue has announced that they will again be running two shuttle buses in Portland for this year’s Zwickelmania. There are a few changes in the brewery route for the NW/SW and the SE routes, and Rogue will be hosting Zwickel brunches this year at the Green Dragon and Rogue Hall and they are encouraging people to call and make a reservation. Below is the information that Rogue is putting out.

See you Saturday! Read More…

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

By DJ Paul

Bend Brewfest August 18-20

With all of the amazing events happening throughout the Portland area this weekend it may have been tough to get out of town. However, if you chose to leave town and head Southeast, you may have noticed that Bend was hosting their Eight Annual Bend Brewfest Thursday through Saturday. Now in its 8^th year, Read More…

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

Saturday, June 25, 2011
Thompson Brewery & Public House (Salem, OR)

What could be better than a selection of cool brews at the start of summer, all vying to be your favorite? Head to the Barley Cup.

The twist to this contest is that our brewers cannot just brew the beer they do best. Instead, a random drawing determines the brew style to be crafted. For the patrons and judges, this ensures a full range of beers from which to choose. In keeping with tradition, the Capital City Homebrewers Club determine the overall winner of the Barley Cup trophy. The proud winner goes on to represent McMenamins at the Holiday Ale Festival in downtown Portland in December. We also asks our guests to determine the winner of the People’s Choice award. Brewers are on hand to answer questions, give tours of the brewery and plead their cases for their own brews.

During the festival, feel free to explore the property. The Thompson house itself was built in 1905 by Spanish American War veteran Fred Thompson for his father Franklin, a Civil War veteran, and his mother Maria. It is rumored that some of the long-passed Thompsons still hang around, so keep an eye on your beer. Raise a pint of McMenamins ale to the Thompson family and all who came after them.

Posted under beer events, events