The People's Top 5 of 2011, A Look Ahead to 2012
2011 was a peculiar year. For myself, personally, 2011 was filled with ups and downs. Some notable lows made the summer and fall months particularly difficult, but thanks to a strong finish, lots of wonderful craft beer related festivities, and America’s greatest growth yet in the craft beer boom, 2011 proved to be a year worth remembering.
We asked a number of craft beer minds to share with us some of the most memorable brews and brew events of the year as well as what they perceived as emerging trends in our industry. In picking the brains of many prominent characters who greatly impact the craft beer scene both locally and nationally, we seek to unfold what 2012 might have in store for us. Thanks to all who chimed in, and if you didn’t get your two cents in, feel free to comment with yours. Cheers! -Angelo
Name: Dan Culver, aka the HopFather
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Contributor to Brewpublic
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
Boneyard – RPM IPA
Block 15 – Imagine
Surly – Abrassive Ale
Port Brewing – High Tide Fresh Hop IPA
Cascade – ’09 Vlad the Imp Aler
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
I’ll go with collaborations, barrel aging, increased growth of craft beer (breweries), festivals and/or beer weeks every week of the year, and the unfortunate passing of Don Younger
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
April Brews’ Day, Bellingham, WA
Central Oregon Beer Night at Beermongers during Brewpublic Killer Beer Week
Imperial IPA Summit at Roscoe’s
Beer Bloggers Conference
Don Younger’s Wake at the Horse Brass (wouldn’t say “favorite” but definitely most memorable)
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
Great craft beer of course, doing at least one blog post every month, and maybe even those 12 beers of the Apocalypse
twitter: @thehopfather
Name: Randy Plew
Location: St Johns, Portland, Oregon
Position: Owner of Plew’s Brews
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011?
Firestone Walker Double Jack Draft
Rusty Truck Fender Bender Amber
Freemont Interurban IPA
Occidental Hefeweizen
NoPo Hairy Buffalo
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
Home Brewer Bill sb444
Don Younger Passing
Hammer Head IPA 25th Birthday
Rogue Voodoo Donut Maple Bacon Ale
Captured by Porches’ Beer Bus
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
Plew’s Winter Beer Fest
Burnside’s Fruit Beer Fest
Lucky Lab’s Big Beer Fest
Organic Beer Fest
Cans Beer Fest
Name: James Book
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Position: Marketing Director / Ninkasi Brewing
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
21Amendment / Ninkasi — Allies Win The War
Ninkasi — Total Domination —with the understanding that my title probably negates my vote’s credibility, SORRY I really do love these beers (too much)
Sun King – Osiris Pale
Burnside Brewing – Oatmeal Pale
Deschutes – The Abyss
Name: Andrew Wegman
Location: Tualatin Oregon
Position: General Manager, Birra Deli
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
- Red Hook Pilsner
- Hop Valley VIPorter
- Southern Tier Creme Brulee
- Lagunitas Bavarian
- Calapooia Chili Beer
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
Sour Beers growing in popularity.
White IPA’s
A lot of great Brewery Collaborations.
Lots of new great fresh hop beers.
A lot of great beers being paired with foods at restaurants.
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
Craft Beer Month Tastings, Trivia night, Book Signings, and deals at Birra Deli
North Meets South Food and Drink Jubilee, at the Benson Hotel
Fort George Release Party
Oktoberfest
Winter Beer Fest… yum
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
More Collaborations, and more food and beer pairings…
Name: Erin Grey Kemplin
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Oregon Regional Brewery Rep, Stone Brewing Co.
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
- Baird / Ishii / Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA
- Lips of Faith La Terroir
- Boneyard RPM IPA
- Cantillon Vigneronne
- Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
Canning
Sours
BBA
Return to session ales
Everyone owns a brewery
Name: Gerritt ILL
Position : Upright Brewing, Brewer
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
- Breakside Dry Stout
- Burnside Gratzer
- Widmer Alt
- Upright Kopstootje
- Yuengling
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
- Such a wide range of styles being brewed.
- Barrel aging is becoming more and more common
- Beer events. They are growing exponentially.
- Using a hose indoors is still fun
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
- Cheers to Belgian Beers
- Amnesia Single Hop Fest
- Brewpublic Division St. Pubcrawl
- Hood River Fresh Hop Fest
- Widmer Oktoberfest
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
-Washing kegs.
Name: Bolt Minister
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Assistant Brewer at Rock Bottom Brewery
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
- That “Hipster” small beer that Upright and Laurelwood caloborated on
- Sang Noir from Cascade
- Widmer’s Cranberry Bog beer at OBF
- The current tart cranberry sour on at Cascade (I’m a sucker from cranberries)
- And our Rock Bottom Fresh Hop Pale – wish we could make it all year
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
Hopefully the emergence of small beers that a few folks did catches on
The continued success of canning craft beer
Continued positive economic impact of craft beer during a down economy (jobs etc.)
Oh yeah Kid Rock starting a brewery in Michigan-Beer bar festivals creating buzz for beers outside of breweries
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
Lucky Lab Strong Ale Fest
NAOBF
Hood River Hop Fest
Astoria Brew Cup
Holiday Ale Fest
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
World Beer Congress
N
ame: Jason Randles
Location: Bend, Oregon
Position: Digital Marketing Manager at Deschutes Brewery
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
Double Mountain Vaporizer
Deschutes Brewery The Stoic
Firestone Walker Double Jack
Boulevard Brewing Saison-Brett
Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
1. Cans! More and more breweries are jumping on board.
2. IPAs continue to be on fire.
3. Craft drinkers still can’t get enough of barrel aged imperial stouts!
4. The sheer number of new breweries opening in all of our backyards
5. Texas overturning antiquated “beer” laws, thanks to Jester King Brewery
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
SAVOR, The Little Woody, Philly Craft Beer Week, Fresh Hop Celebration (Denver, CO), 1st Annual Central Oregon Kick-off to Oregon Craft Beer Month
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
The release of Conflux No. 1 – Deschutes Brewery and Hair of the Dog Collaboration. The blending of Fred, Adam, The Stoic, and The Dissident is going to be amazing.
Twitter: @JasonRandles
Name: Jason Smithling
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Fake blogger – The Newest School (http://thenewestschoolbeerblog.blogspot.com/) / PDX Beer Year (http://tinyurl.com/pdxbeeryear)
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011?
Bayerischer Bahnhof Brettanomyces Lambicus Berliner Weisse
Block 15 Strawberry Fields
Firestone Walker 100% Barrel Aged Velvet Merkin
Bruery Oude Tart with Sour Cherries
Upright Brewing Belmont Station 14th Anniversary Ale
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
The loss of Don Younger
Celebrating women in craft brewing (LOLA, Alison Grayson’s ‘The Love of Beer’ documentary)
A return to session beers
Sneaking glassware into events that only offer plastic
Over-hyped, limited beer releases seem to have reached a tipping point
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
Apex 1st Anniversary
Belmont Station’s Puckerfest
Bruery Reserve Society Initiation Celebration
Lost Abbey/Port Brewing 5th Anniversary party
SNOB Ritch’s Beer & Sushi pairing night at Roscoe’s
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
Rumored pre-OBF sour festival at Waterfront Park (as announced during the 2011 ceremonial tapping)
Name: Jeremie Landers
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Oregon Brew Crew competition chair, avid homebrewer
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
Deschutes The Abyss 2009 (soured)
The Lost Abbey Cuvee De Tomme
Pizza Port/Oakshire collaboration I-5 Imperial Brown Ale
Widmer Rotator IPA Falconer’s Flight
Russian River Don the Younger
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
Sadly, the death of good friend and master publican Don Younger, the re-legalization of transporting homebrew out of the home (Oregon SB 444), the establishment of the first Portland Fruit Beer Festival, Wyeast Labs begins exclusive testing of McPolanders Czech Lager yeast with Oregon Brew Crew members, Ben Love and Van Havig leave their respective breweries to begin their own Gigantic Brewing
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
Portland Fruit Beer Festival, Holiday Ale Festival, Oregon Brewers Festival, Zwickelmania, Fresh Hop Tastival
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
Hopefully seeing Wyeast Labs make public the strain (tentatively named) 1499 McPolanders Czech Lager Yeast in a future Private Collection release ~crossing fingers
Name: Trevor Thurston
Location: St Johns, Portland, Oregon
Position: Beertender at Plew’s Brews, keg hauler, homebrew evangelist
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
Firestone Walker Double Jack, Logsdon’s Siezoen, Terrapin’s Hopsecutioner, NoPo Brews Hairy Buffalo, and the Leipziger Gose. Plus many more!
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
A/B going to pellets, CDA‘s ( again), farmhouse and sour beers, nano breweries being successful and growing, the Brewing Up Cocktails series.
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
Plew’s Brews Winter Beer Festival, Cheers to Belgian Beers, Lucky Lab Barleywine Tastival, Organic Beer Fest, Saraveza’s IIPA Fest !
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
Finding an investor to start my brewery, the second annual Plew’s Brews Winter Beer Festival, more great NoPo Brews events, and checkin out some White IPA’s…
If you have a photo of yourself (preferably in beer mode), that would be splendid, too.
Website: www.nopobrews.com
Name: Jacob Leonard
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Brewer at Widmer Bros Brewing
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
- 2011 Sierra Nevada Celebration
- Widmer Brothers Citra Blonde Summer Brew
- Stiegl Goldenbrau
- Heater Allen Pilsner
- Oakshire Overcast Espresso Stout
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
The amount of new breweries that are in the works.
Brewers re-discovering sessionable beers.
Hop blends and the diversity that they offer.
Traditional-style craft lagers.
I think the most obvious trend is the Nano-brewery.
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
Sasquatch Beer Festival
Zwicklemania
Portland Fruit Beer Festival
Oregon Brewers Fest Brewers Dinner
Brewers Burger Brawl at The Hop and Vine
What do you most look forward to in 2012
It sounds simple, but I just look forward to enjoying more Northwest beer (the best beer on the planet!) with my friends.
Name: Marc Demeule
Location: Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec
Position : Agronomist, beer taster, beer traveler & hop grower, contributor to Brewpublic
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
Top 5 beers from a Québec brewery
1- Le Trou du Diable Dulcis Succubus Saison, hopped with New World varieties, aged in Dolce noble rot wine barrels with brettanomyces.
2- Le Trou du Diable V 5th anniversary beer, claymore scotch ale aged in Jack Daniel barrels.
3- Le Bénélux Grande Armada reserve American strong ale Grande Armada aged for 6 months in Whiskey barrel
4- Les brasseurs du temps Obscur désir Imperial stout
5- Microbrasserie d’Orléans Jean dit Laforge Imperial stout
And my 5 best from outside Québec province.
1- Southern Tier 2XIPA Imperial IPA
2- Sierra Nevada 30th anniversary, Our brewers reserve grand cru
American strong ale
3- Stone Lukcy Basatd Ale American strong ale
4- Meantime London Porter
5- Hill farmstead Vera Mae Saison
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
More and more breweries did create barrel aged beers
Sour beers slowly appears in Québec breweries
There is close to 15 breweries in Montréal area, and rumors of new projects for 2012
The tragedy of the closure of the Alchemist brewery in Waterbury, Vt after a water flood
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
- Having a beer with friends. After all, it’s probably the most important thing.
- Brewing my first beer :o)
- The X de 1000 festival where I presented it
- The Ice cider festival in Rougement, Qc
- Cask night at le Bénélux… even if I missed some parts.
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
– Get back to Portland for vacation
– 2nd edition of the Winter Warmer festival in Montréal
marc@brewpublic.com
Name: Arlene Nunez
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Position: Owner, By The Bottle
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
There are two criteria to make this list:
1.) It has to be a beer that I have never tried before this year, and…
2.) of course it has to blow my palate out of the water
In chronological order:
1.) Siera Nevada HOPTIMIUM Imperial IPA-Chico, CA
2.) Great Divide CHOCOLATE OAK-AGED YETI Imperial Stout-Denver, CO
3.) Browar Amber GRAND Imperial Porter-Poland
4.) Traquair HOUSE ALE-Scotlan
5.) Avery DUGANA Imperial IPA-Boulder, CO
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
1.) collaborative efforts from Breweries at opposite ends of the earth
2.) hybrid beers: smoky doppelbocks, oatmeal pale ales
3.) the pros embracing the homebrewers, the brewers of the future
4.) hype beers that I won’t mention
5.) defining moment: Angelo DeIeso, Best Bartender in Washington, By the Bottle. Hey, if I was a brewer, all of my top five beers would be my beers.
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
1.) BREWPUBLIC Killer BeerWeek
2.) Bridging the Taps with Saraveza
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
1.) Who’s Your Daddy?, the first ever beer festival in Vancouver, WA, the Saturday of Father’s Day Weekend
2.) The developement of the beer scene in Vancouver
3.) The ever increasing creativity and innovation of the craft brew scene that seems to have no limits.
Name: The collective staff at Bottles
Location: 5015 NE Fremont St., Portland, Oregon.
Position: all
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
1. 72 eldarodo fresh hoped ipa (New Belgium and elysian)
2. bad bunny imp. cream ale (Alameda)
3. fatili four (Upright)
4. Pumking (Southern Teir)
5. falling street fresh hop (Alameda)
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
1. cans
2. different types of ipas (cda, white ipa, winter ipa)
3. sour
4. the new packaging (multi breweries in the same package)
5. tap take overs
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
1. organic beer fest
2. start of the oregon craft beer month with the timbers
3. fruit beer fest
4. can beer fest
5. obf
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
The night before the end of the world. And all the beers we get to drink with an apocalyptic reference!
Name: Seth Kelton
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Beer advocate and all around friendly presence in the Portland craft beer scene
Top 5 Beers:
5. Cascade Saison Minuit: Dark Saisons are hard to come by & this Minuit’s roast/chocolate notes combined with a slight funk, were spot on.
4. 10 Barrel Smoked Apple Stout: Had this from their Pub’s “Big Handle Series” back in late July. A legitmate “Sweet & Savory” beer. The stout was super smokey, the apple hints were just right & the thick mouthfeel (for a medium ABV stout… 6%ish from memory) all made for a standout experience.
3. Logsdon Kili Wit: Their Fresh Hop Seizoen earned tons of praise and I predict the Kili will follow suit. The best American Wit I’ve had to date. Track it down.
2. Breakside/John Foyston Collaboration Steam Beer: Tried this during Breakside’s Collaboration Fest. Easy drinking, amazing flavor, makes me wish this style was more widely/readily available.. *Attention Mr. Edmunds & Mr. Foyston: This beer should be year round. Please make it happen!
1. Hair of the Dog Adam from the Wood (from bottle): Yeah, yeah… I know. It’s the “obvious” choice, but I must give credit where it’s due. This is the definition of a World Class brew.
Trends of 2011:
-Expensive Beer: Lots of barrel aged projects hit taps/bottles this year. Highlights include $9.50-$11.50 for a 12oz draft glass & $25 bottles. All of which came from Oregon breweries. Yikes
–Pumpkin Ales: Saw quite a few variations this Fall, way more than I’ve ever seen. Though I dig this idea, more are misses than hits for me. Look forward to seeing more examples of the style next year.
-Fruit/Experimental Ales: With the success of the Fruit Beer Fest & a number of crazy beers being released featuring: Habanero/Lime, Beets, Rooibos, Pineapple, Cantaloupe, etc, there was a good amount of creativity displayed. With the number of Oregon breweries growing steadily, the battle to set yourself apart will only grow.
-Beer Fests: Yep, I’d say (without doing any research) there averaged 3-6 per month in 2011. Dang it, if my cupboards at home can’t take any more of souvenir glasses! But I must give props to some newbie fests which focused on: Saisons, Scottish, Sessions, Smoked, Chili, Fruit, Pumpkin, Coffee, you name it.
Future Prediction:
-High Quality Beer/Food Joints opening: Though I only eat out maybe once a month, reading the Food/Draft/Bottle lists for places like the recently opened Les Caves, one year in Grain & Gristle, Saraveza, and Hair of the Dog Tasting Room, all seriously make me reconsider my perpetual diet. Rather than focusing on one dynamic to pull in customers, the idea of high quality eats, atmosphere, and a strong focus on beer all in one location, is enticing and will certainly be expanding across the state. Belgian Waffles, Gourmet Coffee & a Saison for brunch? Yes, please.
Name: Marty Ochs
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Position: National Sales Director at Ninkasi Brewing Co.
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
These may not be new- but they were new to me and made an impact –
- Mikkeler – The American Dream
- Good Life – Sweet As Pale Ale
- Elysian – Pumpkin Stout (one of their crazy variations)
- 21st Amendment – Allies Win the War (I know this is a collaboration with us, but it was ridiculously good)
- Ninkasi – Ice 9, Whiteaker Block Party Beer (yes, it’s ours, but I just had to vote for this single batch beer we did for the block party that was amazingly smooth and unique, a golden pale ale.
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
- Chains opening up to regional and local sets more rapidly.
- LA is about to explode with craft opportunities without the pay to play gangster style of sales San Francisco has.
- The seemingly lack of BA focus on market share while patting everyone on the back for volume growth. Moving the dial on share will be the goal for the industry.
- The separation of on premise accounts that utilize their craft knowledge to ride or push the craft trends in their region vs on premise accounts that follow their distributors direction and loose customers.
- The continued growth of IPA in the NW is still astonishing.
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
I will choose events off the radar…
- Mountain Bike Oregon. They have a small but growing beer garden that makes the event more amazing!
- Dirty Dash – drink stations and running in mud!!!
- Whiteaker Block Party
- Holiday Ale Fest in PDX – not off the radar but fun.
- CBC in San Francisco – learning and drinking together at last.
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
CBC every year. The continued growth of craft in all regions throughout the US. Sierra Nevada CANS. …and a specialty series we are developing here at Ninkasi along with our continued expansion!!!!
Name: Jeff Alworth
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Beervana Blogger, author
Five faves:
- Worthington White Shield
- De Struise Aardmonnik
- Ninkasi Helles Belles
- Lompoc Voodoo Mild
- Breakside Grisette (of course!)–though the Devon White Ale rocked, too
Trends/moments
- The emergence of small beers (Session Fest, Mighty Mites) as a potential niche market
- The fruit beer fest
- The rise of lagers in craft brewing
- The continued, very slow rise of saisons
- Visiting 24 European breweries in 24 days (admittedly a rather personal entry)
Looking forward
I always look forward to the moment when cask ale sweeps the state, so what the hell, I’ll look forward to it again this year.
Twitter: @Beervana
Name: JT Thompson
Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Position: Minister of Propaganda at Smuttynose and Portsmouth Brewery
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
- Sunner Kolsch
- Victory Headwaters Pale Ale
- Smuttynose Short Batch #13: Satchmo on cask at NERAX North
- Thornbridge Halcyon-Portsmouth Brewery American Mild
- The cask-conditioned German helleses, from breweries I’ve never heard of (and can’t pronounce) that keep showing up around New England. I’m never sure when they’re going to appear, but I’m damned glad when they do. Watching the carbonation during the pour is pretty amazing on its own.
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
- Lagers seem to be coming back, thank god. Even in traditional english ale strongholds like Portland, ME are starting to see craft lagers in more bars and restaurants as well as more locally brewed lagers. Hooray!
- Sierra Nevada and New Belgium’s quest for for East Coast production facilities. Even though other breweries have opened second facilities, I think the mystique and brand cache of these two have really caused people to think fundamentally about what it means to be a craft brewer. I don’t think anyone is going to kick either of these breweries out of the club for opening a second facility, but these moves are both massive game changers. I can’t imagine that anyone cared when Pyramid opened its second brewery or even RedHook for that matter. Seeing two leading breweries with such brand authenticity look at second facilities makes you question a few things though, which is good thing. Nothing good can come from keeping the same rigid definitions as our segment of the industry spreads into uncharted territory.
- Brewmasters on Discovery Channel is a definitely a high water mark, even though I don’t think its impact will be very long-lasting. While the show was incredibly high profile, people will have a hard time convincing me that this was any kind of a sell-out move or shark jump.
- It would be impossible for me to tell you how many times someone told me over thew course of 2011 that they ‘want to get into brewing or are ‘thinking about starting their own place.’ The number of tire kickers and dreamers is amazing. Who would ever have thought that a bunch of guys with beards would be the new belle of the ball?
- One trend that’s driven me batty this year, in part because I see beer geeks, beer writers and even brewers (who should know better), is the use of ‘Brett’ and ‘sour’ to mean things that aren’t necessarily either sour or brewed with Brettanomyces. Brett doesn’t give tartness to a beer and lactobacillus doesn’t impart a sour flavor. Describing beers accurately is very important and the casual and incorrect usage of these terms kind of reeks of laziness.
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
I don’t get out to too many beer events but i’ll go with what I’ve got.
- NERAX and NERAX North-The two best cask beer fests in America are incredibly fun to help put on and attend. The range of beers, particularly the British beers, is unmatched in this country.
- Mondial de la Biere in Montreal. It was odd being at a beer fest in another language, but it was great to see such a vibrant beer scene. The entire city gets filled with brewers and beer drinkers. It’s a lot more laid back than US beer fests too.
- Craft Brewers Conference is always worthwhile too. Most of the time when you get to see your brewer friends at beer events, there are lots of beer drinkers on hand. CBC is the one time where you can catch up kind of away from the public.
- Passport is a local beer and food pairing event that Smuttynose helps organize. It takes place at Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth’s living history museum. Tables are set-up amongst colonial buildings each one features a different beer and food pairing. Guests can mill about the grounds and enjoy the setting by the water while eating and drinking. We raise lots of money for New Hampshire Public TV and Strawbery Banke There isn’t another beer event like it!
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
On a local level, I’m most excited about construction on the new Smuttynose Brewery and on a broader scope, I’m excited to see how craft beer continues to mainstream from its niche and am very curious to see what will happen with all these small nanos that are opening in droves. I’m afraid we might be heading for another shake-out but I hope I get proven wrong.
Name:Dave Fleming
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Head Brewer, Lompoc Brewing
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
1.Arbutus Pale Ale Duncan BC
2. Founders Centennial IPA ( there rye is wicked good too)
3.Boston Beer Works Red Sox Red
4. Three Creeks Five Pine Porter
5. Sierra Nevada Fresh hop Estate ( the list above is in no order of preference)
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
1.craft beer is thriving in this economy
2.hoppy ipas are still popular
3.everybody and there brother still thinks, Portland would be a great place to open a brewery
4. Eugene only has five breweries
5. Low alcohol beers are still not popular
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
Cheers to Belgian Beers at Metalcraft Fabrication, Boonville Brew Fest, Skamania Lodge Brewfest, Fresh Hop Ale Hood River and Lucky Lab’s Barleywine and Big Beer Fest obvisouly no bias here and the above lists are in no order of favorites
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
Actually brewing my joke answer to “hey Chowder (or fill in the nickname Squirrel, Rick a Shee, Flem, Flemdog, Mad dog, Hemmy, Spaz, Pine Marten…) what are you gonna brew next I always respond with: Honey Jalepeno Lavendar Lager… it sounds nice to say but im not sure on how its gonna drink ….so i think i finally have to do it after 5 years of using that as my answer when i don’t know what i am actually brewing next.
Name: Alex Ganum
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Founder and head brewer of Upright Brewing
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
Double Mountain Rainier Kriek, Widmer Himbeere Gose mit dem Eibisch, Commons Fleur de Ferme, Silver Moon Little Red Pils, Burnside Gooseberry Berliner Weisse
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
One trend I see is more small production breweries with tasting rooms, at least in Oregon.
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
My Beery Valentine, Single hop fest at Amnesia, CTBB, Van Havig tribute night, tastings at Snob Ritch’s
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
Gigantic Brewing. I hear it’s going to be huge! Also, drinking more cider at Bushwhacker!
Name: Ben Edmunds
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Head Brewer at Breakside Brewery
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
Oregon Only
- Flat Tail 1st Anniversary (aka Wild 5 Blonde)
- Hair of the Dog Cherry Adam from the Wood
- Upright Special Herbs
- Laurelwood Biere du Printemps and Organic Pale Ale
- Oakshire La Ferme du Funk and Heart-Shaped Box
Outside of Oregon
- New Belgium Le Terroir 2011
- Odell Myrcenary
- Weyerbacher Sixteen
- Allagash Coolship Resurgam
- Chuckanut Kolsch
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
-Increase in the number of lower alcohol styles being produced
-“Festivalization” of the beer production calendar–it always feels like we’re making a beer special for a new, specialized fest!
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
- Portland Cheers to Belgian Beers
- Great American Beer Festival
- BrewPubliCrawl
- any of the events from Portland Beer Week…Burger Brawl, The Love of Beer premiere, barrel-aging seminar, Mighty Mites
- BenFest!
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
At Breakside, we hope to have a second brewpub up and running by the end of the year. It’ll be a challenge to get it done, but we’re optimistic. I’m excited to see what all the new breweries in Oregon do, both the places from established folks like Gigantic and Worthy, as well as the spots from new folks to the industry. I’m also excited to keep collaborating on fun one-off beers with good friends from all over the beer community.
Name: Joe Jasper
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Position: Head Brewer and Production Manager at Oakshire Brewing
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
- Watershed IPA
- Overcast Espresso Stout
- Ill Tempered Gnome
- Pliny the Elder
- Supplication
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
More bourbon barrel aged “strong” beers
IPA’s are increasing in ABV and IBU’s across the board
Beers infused with herbs are becoming more common and more “approachable”
Session beers are also becoming more common (but not necessarily more approachable)
NAOBF
OBF
GABF
CBC
Name: Benjamin Kilduff
Location : Portland, Oregon
Position: Beer Advocate and contributor, Brewpublic.com
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
*Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA
*Russian River Supplication
*Alpine Great
*Terrapin Moo-Hoo
*Laurelwood Imperial Workhorse IPA
I haven’t really noticed any new trend necessarily, but when I had Dechsutes Dissident I started to get into the Oud Tart and Flanders Red styles a lot more.
PIB, HAF, and Organic Ale Fest. I went to the my Saraveza IIPA Fest and liked it very much. I don’t spend a lot of time in that part of town but that was a lot of fun. I also can never resist Concordia Alehouse’s Beer Brawls
More Flanders Red and Oud Tart styles.
Name: Josh Grgas
3 Trends:
(1) I’m pleased, but hopefully not pretentiously so, that non-IPA styles are starting to garner more attention. I notice more people leaving their comfort zone and getting excited by variety.
(3) More great, passionate people entering the industry and chasing a dream. I truly believe more great beer being produced or recommended will only help the local and national culture.
Name: D.J. Paul
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Available/Brewpublic Contributor
1. Heart Shaped Box – Oakshire Brewing : My first exposure to this fine single batch beer was at Brewpublic’s “My Beery Valentine” at Saraveza. The cocoa nibs, cherries, espresso and vanilla beans overwhelmed the senses. Oh, and it was aged in a Heaven Hill barrel to give this beer its magical shine on Valentines Day.
2. Ching Ching – Bend Brewing : Great Berliner Weiss during summer beer season. Just the right amount of tartness. I remember having this in July at CheeseBar during their Brewer DJ night and sought it out afterwards. Saraveza carried it in bottles and was occasionally found on tap in Portland. Plus it won a Bronze Medal at 2011 GABF.
3. Thumbprint IIPA – New Glarus Brewing Co. : I brought back this 4 pack from my summer trip back to the midwest. This Imperial IPA from the highly respected New Glarus brewery put forth a brew that was very hoppy but had a nice malt back to make it one of the more approachable IIPA’s on the market.
4. Lolita – Goose Island Brewing Co. : This wild ale aged on raspberries in wine barrels served from a 22oz bottle shared around a campfire during a Memorial Day weekend camping trip made the dampness of all the rain we received go away….well at least temporarily in our minds.
5. It Takes A Lot Of Great Beer To Make Great Wine – Russian River Brewing Co. : This lower alcohol session ale brewed by the guy that usually goes to extremes was an excellent take on a nice warm afternoon thirst quencher. Of course there are some noticeable hops but this brew was inspired to share with the wine makers of Northern California to get them thru harvest season.
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
1. Amount of brewery openings that continue to take place in Portland. Which ones will stand the test of time?
2. Emergence of the Berliner Weiss style of beer here in the US.
3. Lower alcohol beers making a comeback.
4. Breweries rethinking their distribution and marketing strategies to keep their beer to more local, regionalized growth.
5. Too many new Portland area beer festivals that take away from the uniqueness of what a festival should bring to the customer.
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?:
1. Inaugural Eugene Beer Week
2. Killer Beer Week Pumpkin Beer Fest
3. Saraveza/Brewpublic IIPA Fest
5. Glen Hay Falconer Brew-Am Golf Outing
What do you most look forward to in 2012?:
Name: Matt Van Wyk
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Position: Brewmaster at Oakshire Brewing
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must):
So many to choose from. Here’s a few: Block 15’s Golden Canary, Bend Brewing’s Ching Ching, 10 Barrels PB and J beer, Breakside’s Gin Barrel Sour Double Wit, and how about Skookumchuck Wild Ale.
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
- The largest of the US craft Breweries are attempting to appeal to the beer geek as much as possible by producing a lot of one off beers.
- Craft Beer in Cans is on the rise.
- Food and Beer continue to be a match made in heaven.
- 20 something’s are starting with craft beer rather than discovering it later in life.
- The amazing growth in the craft beer industry is unparraleled. It will be intweresting to see how it shakes out.
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
- SAVOR in Washington DC
- GABF
- Oregon Brewers Festival
- Portland Cheers to Belgian Beers
- and of course Brewpublic’s Killer Beer Week
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
I’m looking forward to becoming a Totally Dominant Oregon brewery in 2012. 😉 In reality, I look forward to some very exciting growth at Oakshire, both locally and into our distribution network. All of our beer programs should see significant growth in 2012 and we’ll be branching out to some new things. I really look forward to sitting down with my Brewpublicans and enjoying a pint or two. Cheers!
Name: Hilda Stevens
Location: Portland, Oregon
Position: Owner of Bazi Bierbrasserie
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
- Stillwater Ales Cellar Door
- Ellezelloise Hercule Stout
- t’Gaverhopke Extra Quad
- Struise Pannepot Quad
- Oude Gueuze Tilquin a l’Ancienne
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
Name: Ashley V RoutsonLocation: Berkeley, California
Position: Director of Awesomeness, Bison Brewing // Founder, DrinkWithTheWench.Com // Founder, BeerMixology.Com
What are 5 of your favorite beers that you experienced in 2011? (If you are a brewer, it is okay to list your own if you must)
1. Saison De Wench, Bison Brewing: Belgian Farmhouse Ale brewed with roses, hibiscus, lemongrass and pink peppercorn. This has been the 3rd commercial beer recipe that I’ve helped design and brew from start to finish, which is a really exciting personal achievement.
2. Firestone Walker XV Anniversary Ale
3. Sang Noir, Cascade Barrel House
4. Gin-Barrel Double Wit, Breakside
5. Helles Belles, Ninkasi
What are 5 trends or defining moments in craft beer that have emerged or stood out to you in 2011?
1. Beer Cocktails – Not necessarily a new concept, but definitely something becoming rapidly popular across the country. So much, in fact, that I created a website with the goal of being the foremost resource on beer cocktails — beermixology.com.
2. Rye – Rye has been used as a brewing grain for years, but these days it seems to be increasing in popularity. Many breweries are using rye in non-traditional styles, which is very interesting.
3. Fruit Beers – Noticing a lot of brewers stepping outside of the box and using fruits not commonly used in brewing.
4. Collaboration Beers – Everyone and their mother seems to be collaborating these days and, for the most part, some really fun and interesting beers have been produced as a result.
5. “Proprietary” Beers – Beers brewed with ingredients grown on brewery grounds, mostly hops. They are still very rare, but increasing in popularity. Unfortunately, it is impossible for most breweries to be “farm to brewery” (for several reasons, but I won’t get into it now).
5 favorite craft beer events of 2011?
1. Holiday Ale Fest (Portland, OR) – Quite possibly, the most important event of the year, for obvious reasons. This was my first Holiday Ale, and definitely not my last.
2. Legendary Boonville Fest (Boonville, CA) – 2 nights and 3 days of camping with brewers and industry folks, enjoying epic craft beer and awesome food. Can’t really get much better than that.
3. Lagunitas Beer Circus (Petaluma, CA) – First time experience. Total freak show and, since I’m a total freak, I loved it.
4. Great American Beer Festival (Denver, CA) – Although not my first GABF, this was my first time going as a brewer with a beer on the floor and in the competition. Nothing can really express how much of an honor it was.
5. #IPADay (International, via Twitter) – This was the first social media based event that I organized for the craft beer industry. Thousands of people from 6 continents and several countries joined the virtual craft beer celebration. I also hosted an IPA fest at the Napa Marriott, which raised about 2k for a local LBGT charity.
Runner-up: Firestone Walker From the Barrel Event (Paso Robles, CA) – First year this event was kicked off. Barrel-aged beer, Bourbon, Port wine, cigars and lots of great food… Needless to say, the night was epic.
What do you most look forward to in 2012?
Professionally, I’m looking forward to furthering my involvement and impact in the craft beer industry and continuing to innovate and push the boundaries. I am also excited to return to some of the events I attended for the first time last year, as well as work on developing some of my own new and interesting concepts.
Personally, I’m looking forward to is launching BeerMixology.com at the beginning of the year. I also hope to continue to build my personal brand, as well as collaborate with other beer writers for the advocacy of better beer.
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
Cool article and good insight into all the beers I forgot I also loved in 2011. Thanks for putting it together.
Great “recaps” from some great people, thanks for including me. Learned about a few beers that I’ve never heard of that sound really interesting.
Thanks 🙂
great list of great people and some awesome beers for sure! cool to see all the different perspectives.
That was great Angelo! I should’ve added, ” hangin out with Angelo in 2012″ to the list!
Peace!
Cute! I may possibly need to include this to our upcoming Christmas Blessing month!
Hey Brad or any individual else, Do you come about to know what time
amazon will begin their black friday for your discounts
you listed right here? Should you do, could you also supply if it is going to be Eastern
time or what…. Thanks
Hi Fascinating How Can i register to participate in this Burt’s Bees Walk tomorrow in the Curve.
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