Astoria, Oregon is a phenomenal little town where a magic comes to life in real time with a rich historical presence and an abundance of gorgeous day hikes in the surrounding area. On our last visit to Astoria, beer hunting was at the forefront of our excursions, but with good beer, there must be an adequate cultural and scenic presence to enhance the impression of one’s journeys. Living in the Pacific Northwest and traveling around the country for stellar beer, it appears more times than not that the availability of quality craft beer is usually discovered in areas with a strong progressive, forward thinking presence. A town with good breweries is often a town with ambrosial restaurants and a knack for artistry and other beneficence. I have also found that most towns that feature proper craft brew also possess nearby natural areas. This theory is proven by places such as Bend, Ashland, Eugene, and, of course, Astoria.

What an amazing weekend it was: Friday the 13th and Valentines Day landing back to back..  But to make matters better, Zwicklemania landed on Oregon’s craft brewing world and presented a world of fun and community that will resonate for days, months, and years to come.

Ike Manchester and Scott Sanders judge entries for 2009's Collaborator

Thanks to Yvette Uber of the Oregon Brew Crew, I was asked to participate in the judging of this years Collaborator.  I was in a group reviewing a flight of old ales and barleywine entries next to the skilled and knowledgeable Ike Manchester of Widmer Brewing fame as well as Scott Sanders, a pioneer member of the Oregon Brew Crew, whose English Brown Ale was the chosen beer for the first Collaborator brew in 1998 (somehow Widmer Snow Plow won out).  The presence of these men made me feel like quite a small fry in technical brewing know-how, but their kind spirits aided in erasing my doubts.  It was awesome.

An Exclusive Interview with Brewmaster and Owner Trevor Howard

Hop Valley Brewing is the sole brewery of Springfield, Oregon, the twin city of neighboring Eugene.  The brewery’s brick building has housed many breweries and restaurants including Spencer’s, Sophia’s, and Ninaksi.  Hop Valley is the brainchild of Eugene native Trevor Howard, who is remodeling the space to make it a one-of-a-kind restaurant and brewpub. The young brewer has garnered a wealth of brewing knowledge beginning with his studies in Oregon State University’s fermentation sciences program. While at OSU, Howard was an avid homebrewer and even undertook an internship at Pelican Brewing Company in Pacific City, Oregon. Upon graduating, he broke into professional brewing with Rogue Ales. After a year brewing at Rogue’s Newport, Oregon location, Howard returned to Eugene in 2005 and began brewing at the company’s Eugene City location . His signature Tracktown series brews, including the Honey Orange Wheat and the hardily hopped Three Bills Golden, Triple Jump Pale Ale, 100 Meter Red, and the 200 Meter IPA, remain a hit around Beervana.  Howard left Rogue in December 2008 to follow his dream of running a family brewpub with his father Ron. Pressing to get his pub open and his beers into the hands of thirsty hopheads, Howard spoke with Brewpublic’s Margaret Lut while his beer finished boiling and made its way through the heat exchanger.

Hop Valley brewmaster Trevor Howard

Oregon Brewers Guild Announces First Annual Statewide Brewery Open Houses

This President’s Day weekend, dozens of Oregon breweries and brewpubs will open their doors to visitors for the state’s first annual Zwickelmania, a one day event similar to the open houses held by Oregon wineries over Memorial Day and Thanksgiving weekends. Zwickelmania, hosted by the Oregon Brewers Guild (OBG), is a free statewide event that offers visitors a chance to tour Oregon breweries, meet the brewers and sample their favorite beers – all during Oregon’s Sesquicentennial weekend.

Another press release from Rogue:

Rogue Jazz Guy Ale

PORTLAND, OR, January 5, 2009 – World class jazz calls for world class beer. So for the fourth year, Rogue Ales has produced a limited edition Jazz Guy Ale bottle for the Portland Jazz Festival.

Pyramid's MacTarnahans Taproom

Green Dragon Brewpub presents “Meet the Brewer” Tuesday January 6, 2009, featuring Tom Bleigh of Pyramid Breweries from 6:00p to 8:00p.

Beach dunes of Florence, Oregon

Okay. Here’s where I spot a rare event on our favorable beer calendar.  The Wakonda Meet the Brewer event at the Green Dragon (now run by Rogue) is a rare chance to palate the Central Oregon Coast brewery’s offerings. Formerly of Alaska, the somewhat obscure Oregon production brewery will make a trip to Portland, a three hour drive from Florence. We received the announcement from Ross Baechle at Rogue about this event.

Apparently the news we broke of Rogue’s intention to acquire the Green Dragon Pub and Bistro raised quite a stir.  In John Foyston’s article about this yesterday in the Oregonian, it was mentioned that it sounded like “(I) didn’t talk to the Rogue Folks.”  This is true.  In fact, being a lesser known resource than the big O, we often don’t get the press releases or inside scoop on a lot of the local beer happenings.  I tried to comment on the Beer Here’s blog, but was unable to do so.  What I wanted to let people know is that I made attempts to contact Rogue and the Green Dragon.  Rogue sent a vague letter from their “Attorney General” (lawyer), Brian Schweppenheiser demanding a retraction and clarification.  Schweppenheiser wanted me to clarify that “no employs have been fired.” I didn’t say anyone had been fired.  I reported that “Officially no one has been fired but no one is expecting to have a job and they already have new people lined up.” Schweppenheiser also asked me to clarify that “no employees at the Green Dragon have been fired, we do not have new employees “lined up”, the proposed purchase is not final and is subject to regulatory approval, the Green Dragon will not be closed down for 3 days.  It will not be closed at all.”  Schweppenheiser continued: “while it is true that we export Rogue Ales, Stouts, Porters, and Lagers to 19 countries, it is not accurate that “many feature repackaging of other available brands.”  We make special bottles (Red Fox, White Crane, and Brown Bear) in Japanese for our long-time importer, bar owner, and Japan craft beer pioneer Phred Kaufman.  All other Rogue Nation countries offer the same beers made available in the U.S.A.- no “repackaging” at all.”  When I sent a follow-up email to Schweppenheiser for my own clarification, my message was ignored.  I asked him “Why don’t you clarify what is really going on with Rogue and the Green Dragon so I can let people what is up.  Also, I know for a fact that you repackage your beers such as the Jazz Man, the Saturday Market Beer, and a number of the Aquarium series beers which are simply other Rogue beers with different labels.  Is this not true or are websites like Ratebeer.com and BeerAdvocate.com wrong about this?”  Thusfar, no response.  We also received a comment on the post from Brett Joyce, current president and son of founder Jack Joyce, announcing the demand for retraction and clarification, restating the same bulletin points as  sentiments of his lawyer. Joyce also commented “So, the rumors are true that there is a proposal, but nothing concrete. Glad to hear the staffs jobs are safe for a little while. Everyone at the GD always treated me great, sad to see it go.”  What is that supposed to mean?  “Safe for a little while”?!  How long is a little while and isn’t he the president of Rogue?  Most people’s fears echoed in the comments of this blog appear to be that of what Rogue will do to the establishment and its labor once they have control of assets.  Joyce, from this perspective could be interpreted as making it sound as if the Green Dragon is the one who would be responsible for job cuts.   Hmmm.

Ed Schwartz

So, after a day of anticipation to talk to a human being about what is really up with this situation, I was able to speak with Ed Schwartz, majority owner of the Green Dragon.  Schwartz appeared up front and cordial about the goings on with the deal, and has always come across to me as a straight shooter.  I interviewed him this morning and he put some perspective on things from his end.  Schwartz said “I am looking to sell (the Green Dragon). I have gotten some amazing surprises to change occupancy.  When we opened it was 49.”  When I asked him what the current occupancy is, Schwartz was unclear whether it is 49 or 98.  “(Occupancy) needs to be 200.” Apparently after toiling with the city, a struggle for many business owners, especially when dealing with alcohol, Schwartz seems tired, frustrated, and in financial upheaval.  “I just got a call from the city and they another $50,000 in fees” said Schwartz.  “For what needs to be done, is going to cost $220,000.  I don’t have it. Here’s the deal: the only way the company has been going on is by me putting $10,000 into it.  I am trying to do what’s best for the employees.”  According to Schwartz, however Rogue, as a potential buyer views the Green Dragon as “over-staffed by five people.”  To accommodate this issue, if Rogue buys the company, people would be forced to move to Flanders (Rogue’s current Portland ale house location).  Said Schwartz “The only people to lose a job would be those who are hung up.”  From his tone, I wasn’t certain if Schwartz was truly confident in Rogue or in dire need of a quick financial fix.  “The whole reason Rogue is doing this is they don’t want to make it a typical Rogue Place.  I mean, they don’t want to completely take over and make it Rogue.  The idea is to keep all the current guest taps and install an additional twenty taps for (Rogue) beers.”  Schwartz seems to genuinely care about the welfare of his staff.  “I am trying to do what is best for the employees” said Schwartz. So what is the timeframe on a potential changeover to Rogue?  “We’re looking at Wednesday-ish.” he said “There will be no interuption of service but if and when it goes through, (Rogue) will shut it down for a few days.” As of right now: “Nothing has been signed.”  May the Schwartz be with you.

NEWPORT, OR, November 4, 2008 – The Rogue Nation Department of Agriculture has planted 122 acres of winter malting barley near Tygh Valley, Ore.

Rogue starts growing malt near Mt. Hood

The idea of Yellow Snow in your mouth might make you want to gag. In 1974 Frank Zappa warned us “Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow.”  Now, it is recommended you drink one kind of yellow snow–Rogue’s winter IPA release. Brewed exclusively with high-alpha Amarillo hops, Rogue’s Yellow Snow IPA is a florally and fruitily hopped brew.  The beer was created in 2000 for the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Yellow Snow is Rogue’s tribute to winter sports everywhere—downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country, ice hockey, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and even curling. According to the brewery, it will be available November 1st in select states where mountains and snow can be found. At 15 degrees Plato, it seems that Utes might not be able to buy this brew on the slopes but you can. It’s out now!  Mmmm  Yellow Snow!

Here’s a funny commercial: