To help kick off PDX Beer Week, two leaders of different beverage revolutions have joined forces to provide insight on their dynamic industries, their beverage of choice and the accelerated use of coffee as a beer adjunct.  Award winning brewer, Ben Edmunds of Breakside Brewery and boutique coffee roaster and owner of Red e Cafes and Roastery, Keith Miller, will lead an informal discussion on these two bustling industries over homemade brunch provided by Saraveza Bottle Shop & Pasty Tavern.  Each ticket includes a buffet brunch, six different coffee inspired beers (menus posted on left), a bottomless cup of Red e coffee & 16oz of your own self-made blend of Red E coffee & Breakside beer to take home and share. $30/seat. Tickets are limited; purchase in advance HERE.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

KEITH MILLER
ROASTER, RED e COFFEE

After working in software for 10 years, Keith and his long time partner, Mindy Farley, decided to take stake in the world of coffee.  Mindy comes from a barista and management background while Keith finds interest in the engineering the “perfect cup.”  The Red e Cafe showcases many of Keith’s coffee contraptions like a metal pour-over or draft tower for his cold press.  A vagabond roaster during the majority of his career, Keith is currently going through the process building Red E’s own roastery.  Keith also has a background in brewing beer.  He had a home brewing operation when he lived in Buffalo, NY.

Red E Cafes & Roastery has two locations specializing in single origin coffees.  Both venues are beautifully unadulterated w/ reclaimed wood accents, rotating art & the highest quality coffee. Recently, Red E was featured in People Magazine, New York Times and coffee blog Sprudge.com. Customers can purchase Red E whole beans at either location.  www.theredecafe.com

BEN EDMUNDS
BREWER, BREAKSIDE BREWING

Ben Edmunds is brewmaster at Breakside Brewery, where he has won medals at both the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. He was educated at the Siebel Institute, Doemens Academy (Munich), and Yale. Born and raised in the Midwest, his love of craft beer began on Lake Superior beaches drinking Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss, and to this day, he believes that the best beer experiences come when shared with good people in great places.

Breakside Brewery is the invention of Scott Lawrence and Tony Petraglia. Some mutual friends introduced the two after learning they both had a desire to leave their corporate jobs in order to pursue their dream of opening a brew pub. They jumped in head first and committed their minimal financial resources and made it happen. www.breaksidebrews.com

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

The official reserve release for this year’s Portland Beer Week is a collaboration between Deschutes and Hopworks Urban Brewery: the result is an India Red Lager, a dry-hopped red lager utilizing Pacific Northwest hop varieties. Two different versions have been brewed with slight differences, one at HUB and one at Deschutes Portland pub. Tonight is a rare chance to have both on tap side by side and it’s your first chance to buy bottles of this limited edition run brewed by Hopworks. Join Hopworks owner and Brewmaster Christian Ettinger and reps from Deschutes for this limited release. Draft and bottles are limited. There will be enough to last today but don’t wait around on this one!

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

The first annual Portland Beer & Cheese Festival takes place at The Commons Brewery and features a stunning cheese selection by champion cheesemonger Steve Jones of Cheese Bar fame and beers from the best regional brewers and free light snacks from Chop Butchery and Charcuterie. Tickets are $25 and include a tasting glass and punch card that gets you 10 different specifically chosen craft beer and cheese pairings.

Thanks to Tiny Little Hammers for the artwork

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

10 Barrel Brewing has announced a special event taking place in conjunction with PDX Beer Week and the Portland Fruit Beer Fest. 10 Barrel Tap Takeover at APEX will feature many special beers from Bend, Oregon on tap.

These include Raspberries Gone Wild, Oats on Nitro, Pray For Brandy Strong Ale, One Hop Wonder Strong Pale, Okie Dokie Smokie, Rude Boy Rye, Red Headed Step Child, Cynical CDA, “He Done Did It” PB&J, “Mighty 45″ Bourbon Maple, and Red Vine Sin1st0r in addition to some of 10 Barrel’s year round favorites. Brewers Jimmy Seifrit, Tonya Cornett, Shawn Kelso, Bobby Jackson, and Ben Shirley on hand from  4-8 p.m. on Saturday June 9, 2012 for this event.

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

10 Barrel Brewing has announced a special event taking place in conjunction with PDX Beer Week and the Portland Fruit Beer Fest. 10 Barrel Tap Takeover at APEX will feature many special beers from Bend, Oregon on tap.

These include Raspberries Gone Wild, Oats on Nitro, Pray For Brandy Strong Ale, One Hop Wonder Strong Pale, Okie Dokie Smokie, Rude Boy Rye, Red Headed Step Child, Cynical CDA, “He Done Did It” PB&J, “Mighty 45″ Bourbon Maple, and Red Vine Sin1st0r in addition to some of 10 Barrel’s year round favorites. Brewers Jimmy Seifrit, Tonya Cornett, Shawn Kelso, Bobby Jackson, and Ben Shirley on hand from  4-8 p.m. on Saturday June 9, 2012 for this event. A Read More…

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

Returning from last year a seminar on barrel-aged beers MC’d by Breakside Brewery Brewmaster Ben Edmunds and presented by the Widmer Brothers. A panel of brewing experts that includes Mitch Steele, Brewmaster at Stone Brewing, Matt Van Wyk from Oakshire Brewing, Ben Edmunds and Widmer’s Doug Rehberg who will present both blended and unblended versions of the breweries upcoming ‘Kill Devil’ a rum barrel-aged Imperial Brown Ale. Attendees will get to sample from multiple extremely rare barrel-aged beers from each brewer.

Stone Brewing Co.

2008 Stone Imperial Russian Stout Aged in Heaven Hills Bourbon barrels
Hwy 78 aged in Glenlivet Scotch barrels
2010 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine aged in Heaven Hills Bourbon barrels

Oakshire Brewing Co.

Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Very Ill Tempered Gnome
Bourbon aged Nutcracker (Gingerbread Imp Porter)
Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine

Widmer Brothers

Pre-blended Kill Devil Brown aged in Rum barrels
Finished BA Kill Devil Brown
Brrrbon vintage winter strong ale aged in Bourbon barrels

Breakside Brewery

Bourbon Barrel-Aged Wheatwine
Single Barrel Young American Lambic

Cost:

$35

Posted under events, Uncategorized

By Kerry Finsand

A Benefit For We Love Clean Rivers, Inc. June 8 at the Spirit of 77

Taplister, a website that helps beer geeks find their favorite beers on tap and discover new ones in Portland and beyond announces the first ever Rye Beer Fest, a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization, We Love Clean Rivers Inc.

The Rye Beer Fest, a celebration of the revival of rye beers, will be held at the Spirit of 77 (500 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR) during Portland Beer Week. The fest will take place on Friday June 8, from 4-10 p.m. and will feature special one-off rye beers like Hopworks’ Fight for your Rye’t to staples such as Upright Six and Oakshire Line Dry Rye. In addition to rye beers, there will be rye whiskeys paired with the rye beers that were curated for the fest. Entry to the event is free. Beers will cost $1 for a 4-ounce sample, $2.50 for a 10-ounce pour of beer and $5 for a 20-ounce pint. The price of the whiskeys is to be determined.

Event highlights include:

4-6 p.m.- Meet The Brewer, some of the breweries who brewed the fine beers for this fest will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. During the meet the brewers Rye cocktails will be available as well.

Starting at 5 p.m. and on every hour We Love Clean Rivers will be doing a raffle drawing. Tickets cost $2 each or $10 for 15. Prizes range from NRS boating swag to Smith Optics sunglasses.

While you are enjoying your drinks, watch extreme kayaking and rafting videos on the big screen.

A percentage of the proceeds of this event will benefit We Love Clean Rivers Inc., a nonprofit that is dedicated to cleaning high-use rivers by mobilizing the river recreation community and partnering with local environmental, recreation, and educational organizations. To keep up with the latest news regarding the Rye Beer Fest check out www.ryebeerfest.com

Complete Beer List: Read More…

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

A Benefit For We Love Clean Rivers, Inc. June 8 at the Spirit of 77

Portland, Ore. – Taplister, www.taplister.com, a website that helps beer geeks find their favorite beers on tap and discover new ones in Portland and beyond announces the first ever Rye Beer Fest, a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization, We Love Clean Rivers Inc.

The Rye Beer Fest, a celebration of the revival of rye beers, will be held at the Spirit of 77 (500 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, Ore.) during Portland Beer Week. The fest will take place on Friday June 8, from 4-10 p.m. and will feature special one-off rye beers like Hopworks’ Fight for your Rye’t to staples such as Upright Six and Oakshire Line Dry Rye. In addition to rye beers, there will be rye whiskeys paired with the rye beers that were curated for the fest. Entry to the event is free. Beers will cost $1 for a 4-ounce sample, $2.50 for a 10-ounce pour of beer and $5 for a 20-ounce pint. The price of the whiskeys is to be determined.

Event highlights include:

4-6 p.m.- Meet The Brewer, some of the breweries who brewed the fine beers for this fest will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. During the meet the brewers Rye cocktails will be available as well.

Starting at 5 p.m. and on every hour We Love Clean Rivers will be doing a raffle drawing. Tickets cost $2 each or $10 for 15. Prizes range from NRS boating swag to Smith Optics sunglasses.

While you are enjoying your drinks, watch extreme kayaking and rafting videos on the big screen.

A percentage of the proceeds of this event will benefit We Love Clean Rivers Inc., a nonprofit that is dedicated to cleaning high-use rivers by mobilizing the river recreation community and partnering with local environmental, recreation, and educational organizations. To keep up with the latest news regarding the Rye Beer Fest check out www.ryebeerfest.com

Complete Beer List:

Burnside Brewing- Meridian Rye- A new draft-only Spring seasonal, brewed with 45% Roggenmalz (German Rye), coriander and Meridian hops. Slight nuttiness from the rye is balanced with undertones of fresh spice, berries, nuts and tropical fruits flavors created by the heavy additions of Meridian hops and coriander. (ABV 6.06% IBU 21)

Upright Brewing- Six- Six is a rye beer displaying the great spicy notes the grain is known for along with a deep caramel core and delicate bubblegum note rooted in its open fermentation. Despite it’s dark color, the beer finishes quite dry and refreshing. (ABV 6.7% 25 IBU)

Firestone Walker Brewing- Wookey Jack- This Black IPA contains rich dark malts and spicy rye careen into bold citrus laden hops creating a new dimension in IPA flavor. (ABV 8.5% 60 IBU)

Oakshire Brewing- Line Dry Rye- This Pale Ale with American hops give a crisp bitterness and slight citrusy flavor. Clean and refreshing, ending with a small note of honey. (ABV 5.3% IBU 35)

Bear Republic Brewing- Ryevalry- This Double IPA is brewed with large quantities of American hops and fermented with a Belgian ale yeast to create a bitter, hoppy, and spicy ale that is sure to delight. (ABV 8.2% 70 IBU)

Pints Brewing- Red Brick Rye- American Pale Ale with Crystal and Glacier hops which provide a fruity hop presence while the rye malt and Nugget hops balance the earthy malt base. (ABV 5.2%)

Calpooia Brewing- Rock Hard Rye – Rye malt and a hefty amount of 100% Zeus hops contribute a uniquely fresh and surprisingly smooth hoppy quality to this beer. (ABV 6.5% IBU: 60)

Two Kilts Brewing- Red “Rye” der - (ABV 5.6% IBU 45)

Laurelwood Brewing- Wry Pale Ale – A Pale Ale with a hint of rye that was brought back from retirement for this fest. (ABV 5.6% IBU 40)

Breakside Brewery- Breakside Kellerbier – Breakside’s interpretation of a Franconian ‘cellar beer’ includes a portion of chocolate rye malt that gives the beer special complexity and flavor. This unfiltered, brown ale was lagered for over a month to develop its smooth, rich flavor. (ABV 5.1% IBU 35)

Fort George Brewery- Quiet Rye-it- Pale Ale – A hoppy pale ale with Zythos hops that produces a citrus and pine taste. (ABV 6.1% IBU 72.4)

Worthy Brewing/Good Life Brewing- Good and Worthy- Belgian Rye Ale, brewed for this fest as a hoppy session ale and bringing together Good Life and yet to be opened Worthy Brewing. (ABV 4.3%)

Short Snout Brewing- Rye-teous Dude- Rye Stout with chocolate rye. (ABV 6% IBU 35)

The Commons Brewery- Enkel Belgian Pale Ale (ABV 5.5% IBU 20)

Occidental Brewing- Roggenbier- An old world style beer with hints of spice. (ABV 5% IBU 22)

Hopworks Urban Brewery- Fight for your Rye’t- A session-able rye and chocolate malt mild beer. (3.5% ABV, 20 IBU)

Migration Brewing/Lompoc Brewing- A` wry Wit- Refreshing wit beer with hints of coriander and grapefruit. (5.9% ABV 28 IBU)

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

Beer Weeks Galore

Seems these days there’s a beer festival every weekend. Moreover, there are several beer weeks being organized nationwide to celebrate our world’s burgeoning interest in craft brew. May 14-20 marks American Craft Beer Week, a nationwide celebration of artisan brewing. This week-long celebration, according to CraftBeer.com “offers an exciting opportunity for small and independent craft brewers and the community of better beer retailers to celebrate the ever advancing beer culture here in the U.S. Plus, tens of thousands of today’s beer beginners, beer enthusiasts, and hard core beer geeks make time to toast the week.” Look for many regional toasts highlighted by tastings and events to pop off in 2012.

Read More…

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