Fire & Brimstone, an annual celebration of chili and smoke beers, is returning to Portland for a second go, this time in two locations. North Portland’s The Hop & Vine will be joined by street-mate Saraveza in presenting the event the weekend of September 15th and 16th. Tasting sessions will be Saturday 12-7pm and Sunday 12-5pm.

Both locations will offer special food pairings, the lion’s share of which will take place at Saraveza. Their “Smokin’ Bamberg Onion” plate will be a $20 all-encompassing meal, complete with a peach-chili dessert and tasters of all five smoke/chili beers they’ll be pouring. The Hop & Vine’s pairing will bring the magic of the chili to the plate via offerings of a coconut & garden chile-steamed plate of clams, prawns and scallops as well as a pair of harissa-rubbed lamb ribs and a smoked chile ice cream.

Local favorites like Burnside’s Sweet Heat and Breakside’s Smokey Porter will join offerings from national stars like Dogfish Head and Stone, who will be, in turn, be joining international heavy hitters like Mikkeller and the aforementioned Schlenkerla. Between them, the two bars will be serving 17+ unique and diverse chili and smoke (and, in some cases, both) brews from all over the globe!

Pedicab transport will be provided by PDX Pedicab to participants between the locations, but if participants choose to walk, they can easily follow the chiles on “the smoke trail”, a path of smokin’ chile peppers painted along the Killingsworth sidewalk to guide the way.

At both locations, $20 will get you 10 tasting tokens (all 5oz pours will cost 1 token). A Fire & Brimstone tulip glass can also be purchased by participants for $4 (or two tokens) while supplies last. Additional tokens may be purchased for $2 each.

Both venues will also be open for regular business.

The Hop & Vine, which recently celebrated its 4th Anniversary, is a bar & bottle shop servicing North Portland & beyond, offer a depth & breadth of libations & edibles both local and global. They are located at 1914 N Killingsworth St.

Saraveza is a Bottleshop & Pasty Tavern in North Portland and is recognized as one of the premier beer destinations in the country. They are located at 1004 N Killingsworth St.

TAPLISTS:

SARAVEZA:

• Aecht Schlenkerla Oak/Smoke Dopplebock
• Aecht Schlenkerla Marzen
• Breakside Smokey Porter
• Gigantic Hot Town, Summer in the City
• Burnside Sweet Heat

THE HOP&VINE:

• Mikkeller Chipotle Porter
• Oakshire Smokin’ Dubbel
• Widmer SxNW
• Widmer Smoke on the Lager
• 10Barrel Rauchbier
• Fort George Hellcat
• Wandering Aengus Chili Cider
• Dogfish Head Theobrama
• Heater Allen Smoky Bobtoberfest
• Stone Smoked Porter w/ Chipotle
• Schmaltz/Terrapin Reunion ’11
• Alaskan Smoked Porter ’10
• Emelisse Rauchbier

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

Two of North Portland’s favorite craft beer venues, just blocks away from one another, celebrate two days (September 15 and 16, 2012) of some to the best, if not most interesting smoke and chili beers. Fire & Brimstone was a huge hit last September at The Hop & Vine and now returns as an annual tastival the includes Saraveza Bottle Shop & Pasty Tavern, just across the I-5 overpass on North Killingsworth Street. Paired up with an assortment of food pairings, Fire & Brimstone is a dream come true for those who seek out the likes of smoked porters, rauchbiers, chili beers, and a wide range of craft beers that are smoky, chili, or a combination of the two.

Here’s the full rundown of beers, food items, pricing, and other specific details of Fire & Brimstone from the organizers: Read More…

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

Once a year the stars align over North Portland as the cosmos prepares for an exaltation of fermentation, fire, friends, and loud ass music. If you had not yet sensed it… The Hop & Vine is turning four!!!! We are pleased to invite you and yours to this year’s anniversary party to be held Sunday, August 5th. As always and forever, there will be a host of special beverages, delicious grillibles, and fine conversation for revelers of all tastes. We’re also ratcheting things up a notch this year with a bombastic array of local musical talents doing their thing out on the patio. Performers include the Johnny Connolly Trio, Steak Knife, Bison, Bison, and Fruit of the Legion of Loom. If you don’t know, you should; and if you do know, we’ll have the drinks waiting. Festivities kick off at 3pm and go all night. Tell your friends, brace yourself, and join us in celebrating some of our favorite things!

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

Posted under events, Uncategorized

By Jen Sotolongo

Although the modern brewing industry is primarily dominated by males, women were the original brewers. Credit for the creation of beer is often given to Ninkasi, the Sumerian goddess of beer. Inscribed on a tablet dating back to 1800 BC, the “A Hymn to Ninkasi,” a poem that describes the first-known recipe for beer. From Europe to Egypt, women dominated the brewing world. Men were not permitted to brew and women ran the beer halls and taverns.

Considered a food and form of hydration, due to poor water quality, beer was an important source of sustenance for all members of the household and beermaking was among a wife’s household duties. Brewsters, a nearly extinct term for female brewers, experimented with different spices and ingredients and brewed for special occasions and community gatherings. Additionally, brewing was a form of economic empowerment for women, as it allowed them to earn a small income through the sales of surplus beer.

Once beer became a mass-produced commodity during the Industrial Revolution, men took the Read More…

Posted under beer history, Oregon beer

Block 15 Pappy’s Dark Portland Release

February 11, 2012

3 to 6pm

the Hop & Vine

1914 N Killingsworth Street

Portland, Oregon 97217

503-954-3322

thehopandvine.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…..

Block 15 will be releasing their highly coveted Pappy’s Dark at the H&V! We’ll be selling bottles of both Pappy’s Dark & Super Nebula in the Bottleshop starting at 3:00PM (1 per person.) In the Bar Nick Arzner & some of the amazing brewers will be on hand for pints & conversation.

All eight taps will be taken over:

• Pappy’s Dark 2011
• Pappy’s Dark 2012
• Super Nebula
• Imagine
• La ferme de Démons
• Figgy Pudding

& two to be decided on the lighter side

Also Available: Pappy Van Winkle 12, 15 & 20 year

Proost!

About Block 15:

Our brewers are dedicated in bringing beer enthusiasts traditional, unique, and challenging bottle conditioned ales brewed with the finest ingredients from our region and around the world. Drop by our brewpub and enjoy over 13 hand crafted ales and lagers in our historic downtown location. View our bottle our againg journal , real-time tap list, menus, and events at Block 15.com

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

When Upright Brewing opened in 2009, there was a a lot of buzz surrounding the Northeast Portland brewery. As many beer geeks like us were anticipatory of the French and Belgian farmhouse-inspired beers that former BJ’s brewer and Ommegang apprentice Alex Ganum would make, others expressed skepticism regarding the viability of a brewery that didn’t march to the beaten drum. Brewing in an open barrel fermenter might have lead many to think the guy was just crazy, but this never deterred our man.

Since the bold undertaking of Ganum three years ago and his apparent success, a number of other daring regional craft beer adventures have broken ground. These include Cascade Brewing’s Barrel House, Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, Block 15, Breakside Brewery, The Commons Brewery, and more. To say that Ganum is a visionary of what craft beer in our region could sustain, seems in retrospect a bit of an understatement.

Upright’s core lineup of numerological named beers that include his sessionable wheaten Four, a more aggressively hopped Five, a rich dark rye Six, and his boldest and most assertive Saison, Seven, exemplify just how originative Upright is. But, these are just the tip of the iceberg, and in someways, seemingly pedestrian when considering the risks Ganum has been willing to take when devising and executing many of his beers over the past three years. Delving into barrel-aging and blending of wild ales, Ganum’s vision for beer is more than just a quaff for the average dude, it involves a mindful approach to the culinary arts and ties in elements of history and science. As a parter in the restaurant and bar, The Grain & Gristle, Ganum continually illustrates his appreciation for a vast range of flavors in beers that he achieves by a variety of means. Whether it is unfolding new flavor profiles with beers like his Flora Rustica Saison which employs the addition of calendula flower and yarrow, or revamping historic styles like the Oyster Stout or the German-inspired Gose, it is evident that Ganum refuses to let himself get complacent, therefor, his audience is seldom bored.

As an example of Upright’s constant evolution, Ganum has altered its house strain of yeast for the Number Series three times since the brewery’s inception.  “Five is also hoppier now and the aroma is more pronounced” says Ganum. “With our new yeast, the Four, Five, and Six are now coming across as more French Biere de Garde styles.” he adds. “This allows them to come across as more ingredients-driven and way less floral and fruity.” Ganum says the boisterous Seven is perhaps the only beer of the regular lineup that has remained mostly the same.

Over the past month, Upright Brewing has brewed a handful of noteworthy beers that are sure to inspire salivation in the mouths of beer lovers and foodies alike. Not playing on the popularity and hype of barrel-aging, Ganum’s reserved and humble demeanor channel an inclusive vibe to his trade. Further, Upright’s beers when compared to many other daring brewers bottling in 750ml champagne bottles, is considerably affordable.

Here is a look at more than a handful specialty beers that you can expect to find in bottles and on tap from Upright. Get them while you can because they may disappear soon. Read More…

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

Upright Brewing & Bol’s Genever Ambassador Jacob Grier have done it again. Kopstootje is a Biére de Garde that has been made with the same herbs & botanicals as Bol’s Genever & we will be pairing the bier & Genever together Friday the 13th for an Awesome deal of 8 bucks! Alex Ganum of Upright Brewing & Jacob will be on hand for some conversation & toasting.

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

Celebrate the Holidays and *Chrismakuh with Sierra Nevada and The Hop & Vine this December 15th with a unique opportunity to taste a vast array of unique beers to benefit a good cause. The Hop & Vine and Sierra Nevada representatives will have 8 special limited beers on draft and a free Ovila chalice when you bring a new toy for the Portland Metro Toy Drive.

The entrance fee is one non-perishable food item or $1 to get in going towards the Oregon Food Bank in this time of need. The incredible lineup of brews on tap include many seasonals and rarities including offerings from SN’s Base Camp line of beers and the complete Trappist collaboration Ovila series of 4 beers available in a flight for only $7.

Beer List:

Life & Limb
The brainchild of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. Life & Limb is a 10% ABV strong, dark beer that defies style characteristics- brewed with pure maple syrup from the Calagione family farm in Massachusetts and estate barley grown on the Grossman “farm” at the brewery in Chico, CA. The beer is alive with yeast-a blend of both breweries’ house strains-bottle conditioned for added complexity and shelf life, and naturally carbonated with birch syrup fresh from Alaska.

Foam Pilsner
Foam is a German-style Pilsner, light bodied and easy drinking, yet loaded With flavor. Brewed With a miX of European and American malts, balanced by a spicy, and herbal hop kick. Brewed in honor of Phish, Foam is a crisp and refreshing traditional pale gold lager beer. In the Words of Phish-‘Tfn looking through, And it all would be, So crystal clear, If it Wasn’t for the foam.” Great music, great beer, and good times.

Celebration
The long, cold nights of winter are a little brighter with Celebration^® Ale. Wonderfully robust and rich, Celebration^® Ale is dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma. Brewed especially for the holidays, it is perfect for a festive gathering or for a quiet evening at home.

Black Hop Rising
This unusual beer ís an anomaly-a rowdy blend of beer styles old and new It has the clean medium-bodied smoothness of a classic German black lager (Schwarz bier) and the aggressive resíny-bold hop flavors of an American black IPA. Black Hop Rising features a
silky body With hints of black coffee maltiness, contrasted by intense grapefruit, pine, and tropical fruit Ílavors from the heavy-handed dose of Simcoe, Citra, and Crystal hops.

Ovila: Quad
As winter approaches, anticipation begins for Christmas.  This full and sultry ale is sure to warm the soul and welcome the season.  This silky ale is rich, mahogany brown in color with a velvety malt aroma, spiked with hints of dried cherry, fig, raisin, and plum notes.  A full and creamy body offers layers of flavor including a perfume-like maltiness.  Rich and warming, this complex ale should be shared among friends in the true spirit of the season.

Please joins us this *Chrismakuh to cheers to the holidays while enjoying a fine ale and helping families in need at the same time.

Posted under beer events, beer releases, events, Oregon beer

This holiday season welcome back Brewing up Cocktails for a special winter warmer/holiday themed evening of Beer Cocktails at The Hop & Vine. Last winter’s edition was perhaps the most popular installment of Brewing Up Cocktails ever, featuring acclaimed drinks like the Hot Scotchy, Wassail, and the Furburger, all three of which will make their return on December 10th. There will also be four brand new beer cocktails to set your head right and warm the cockles of your heart as the holidays near.
The new beer cocktails run the gamut of styles:  Three varieties will be served hot to fend off the winter cold, an effervescent and citrusy take on the French 75, a fruity and hoppy punch made with IPA, and a silky smooth beer flip. There will be something for everyone at this event, even an ugly Christmas sweater contest! Drink list…

Hot Drinks Wassail
Returning from last year’s hit Brewing up Cocktails is the hot mulled classic Wassail made with a base of Deschutes Jubelale slowly heated in a crockpot with brandy, sherry, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange. Served warm in a mug with a lemon slice.

Hot Scotchy

Beervana described  the Hot Scotchy as “The Greatest Beverage in the World.” Perhaps the most popular beer cocktail to date, made with hot unfermented beer and Scotch. It may be the perfect winter brewers beverage.

Hot Choklat

A new creation served steaming hot, it is one boozy treat. Starting with a base of dark rum, a little Galliano Ristretto is added and then topped off with steamed 9% abv Choklat Imperial Stout and a float of whipped cream. Served with or without a dash of chili powder.

Cold Drinks

Trade Winds Punch: Rum, gin, vanilla Beans, grapefruit zest, ripe guavas, Chinese five spice powder, and a stalk of lemongrass are infused over night and then built into a tasty beer punch the next day with fresh lime juice, citrusy IPA, and sugar. This is our recreation of punch originated by Washington, DC bartender Jon Harris. You have never had anything like it, we promise you.

Euclidean 75

The lightest and most refreshing of the bunch, the Euclidean 75 is made with gin, lemon, and sugar,  then topped off with an effervescent and refreshingly tart Berliner-Weisse. A creation from Denver bartender and beer cocktail afficionado Ryan Conklin of Euclid Hall. FurburgerThe lovingly named Furburger returns from the very first Brewing up Cocktails. Black and thick as night with chocolate and roasty creaminess from Great Divide’s Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout, balanced with herbal Chartreuse and bourbon.

Smoked Vanilla Bean Flip

This creamy dessert of a beer cocktail has an incredible melange of flavors, from the anise-tinged aquavit to cream sherry, rhubarb and chocolate bitters, one whole egg, and Stone Brewing’s Smoked Porter.

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