Hop Star
Anybody who knows the least about Chris Ormand knows the dude abides when it comes to craft beer knowledge. The prime guy lurking in the back reaches of Belmont Station has been bringing mouthwatering geek beers since the shop was adjacent to the Horse Brass. Anytime you can peer into the mind of such a brew nut, it is a good one. Here’s a Q & A with Chris:
What sparked your interest in craft beer?
CO: I started drinking on occasion in high school (didn’t everyone?), and I was never a fan of watery domestic brews, so I was mainly a Jack Daniels drinker in my early years. I quit drinking from the time I was 19 until I was 23, and when I went into a liquor store for the first time (legally anyway) I was overwhelmed by the selection. I f I recall, I started out by buying a 6pk of summit Extra Pale Ale and a 6pk of Pete’s Wicked something or another. After that I was a confirmed “craft beer” buyer, and I never looked back. A couple years later I moved to Madison, WI and was introduced to the wonderful brews from Capitol, Sprecher, and Bells. It’s been all downhill from there…
CO: Dessert island, or desert island? If it was a dessert island I’d have to go with a nice imperial stout to compliment all the chocolate I’d be eating. If it’s a desert island then the choice is easy: DuPont Saison. It’s light and zesty enough to drink when the weather is hot, complex enough that I wouldn’t quickly get bored with it, and strong enough that it’ll put me to sleep after a long day of figuring out how to build a radio out of coconuts.
CO: These are subject to change at a moment’s notice, but as of now I’d go with:
~Orval
~Oppigard’s Well-hopped Lager
~Bamberger Aecht Schlenkerla Helles
~Moylan’s Hopsickle
~Cantillon Iris
~Green Flash West Coast IPA
CO: Narke Kaggen Stormaktsporter. It’s been hovering in the top 5 at ratebeer.com since it was released, and since it’s only available in Sweden would require a very, very expensive trade or a trip to Scandinavia.
CO: My personal favorite pairing, compliments of Alex Ganum, the owner of Upright Brewing Company: Anchor Steam and a fresh glazed donut. Simple and perfect.
Thanks Chris!
About The Author
Angelo
Angelo grew up in Maine and is proud to call New England his original home. Cascadia is now his home. He fell in love with great beer in Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. He has been a correspondent for the Portland Tribune's Guest on Tap column, LivePDX.com, and has been featured in publications such as Beer Northwest and PDX Magazine. Angelo also has a great interest in independent music, and has been a booker and organizer for shows around the Portland under the name Pop Tomorrow! Angelo garnered much knowledge regarding beer from his experiences homebrewing, working at Belmont Station, Pyramid Brewing, Upright Brewing, By the Bottle, Beer Revolution, Olde Depot Public House, Falling Sky Brewing, Cascade Brewing, and from many many knowledgeable, passionate, and loving people along the way. It is Angelo's mission to bring "infotainment" and "edumation" to the readers of this website. If you have any questions or comments, or would like to contribute, please contact me at angelo@brewpublic.com
Chris rules. I remember when my office was next door to the old Belmont Station location [I miss that office!] I’d walk over [it took mere steps] and ask him tons of dumb questions about different beers and he would be very patient with me. I always left with lots of great beers. So, thanks Chris!