Deschutes & Goose Island Class of '88 Tasting Event

Last year Deschutes Brewery celebrated their 25th year in business. Over the coarse of 2013 they collaborated with fellow breweries celebrating their Silver anniversary. The first beer in the Class of ‘88 series was a barleywine made in collaboration with Rogue Ales and North Coast Brewing Company. The second, released in early summer, was an Imperial Smoked Porter made with Great Lakes Brewing Company. And now out on store shelves is Class of ’88 Belgian Style Ale brewed with Goose Island Beer Co.

Today you can visit Deschutes Brewery and Public House in the Pearl District of Portland to taste both versions of Class of ’88 Belgian Style Ale from Deschutes and Goose Island. From 5:00 to 8:00pm you can meet the brewmasters from both Deschutes Brewery and Goose Island in Chicago along with Deschutes founder Gary Fish. And while enjoying side by side versions of the mouthwatering ale, you can have it paired with Chicago-inspired culinary specials.

Deschutes Brewery and Goose Island Beer Company, both founded in 1988, have come together to create a Belgian-style ale to celebrate their shared silver anniversary. This beer is the third and final in Deschutes Brewery’s Class of ‘88 collaboration series, which celebrates the anniversary of craft breweries around the country that were founded in 1988. This beer aged in decade-old Muscat oak barrels for nine months.

“It isn’t a coincidence that all but one of the “Class of ‘88” started brewing as brewpubs, including both Deschutes and Goose Island,” said John Hall, founder of Goose Island Beer Company. “In 1988 we were brewing styles of beer that were new to beer drinkers and as a brewpub we were personally interacting with customers and expanding their beer palates.”

Hall and Deschutes Brewery brewmaster, Cam O’Connor, worked together to create this exotic beer, which was brewed with Michigan Riesling and Oregon Pinot Noir grapes, hops from Mt. Hood and pilsner malt. Since last spring, 100 percent of the beer has been barrel-aging to result in a dry, slightly tart flavor with an oak boldness. Like all the Class of ’88 beers, each brewery will produce its own version of the brew in bottles and draft. Both beer versions will be available in each respective brewery’s distribution area for a very limited time in large format bottles and on draft. The alcohol by volume will be around 10%.