Beer in Portland – Part 2

Not to far away from Belmont Station (heck, Portland is a small big town, everything is close), is the enviromentally friendly Hopworks Urban Brewery or HUB.  Really cool space.  The bank vault from the building before is now a little snug table.  They have a plethora of regular beers and even more specials.  I had the Abominable Winter Ale and the Belgian Apple.  Both very good.dscn5081dscn5082

Where to go in Portland – Part 1

Belmont Station.  What can I say.  Great selection of beer.  Just great.  Saw Heater-Allen for the first time, ever.  Every time I go in, I see something new.  Plus, they have a beer bar next door with amazing taps.  If you are anywhere in Oregon, find Belmont Station.dscn5077dscn5078

Double Mountain Brewing

They are relatively new to the Hood River, Oregon scene but they do some excellent brews.  Many seasonals that I wish I could get my hands on.  They do a Killer Green IPA each year that hope to taste from the tap.  They do an excellent IRA – India Red Ale and they do a coffee beer with local coffee roaster Ten Speed.stout

What I am Drinking now

Grimbergen DoublePricewise, this is a good deal for a mild Belgian / bock style. Sweet and a bit malty. Not overpowering. Could use a little more malt to boost the flavor profile up. What I would call a borderline good beer.

Favorite Beer – Gose

gose_glassBayerischer Bahnhof Original Leipziger Gose
A Traditional Ale brewed by
Gasthaus & Gosebrauerei Bayerischer Bahnhof
Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
Leipziger Gose is a top-fermenting wheat beer {60% wheat, 40% barley malt} with coriander, salt, and lactic acid bacteria added in the boil. As the name implies, the Gose originates from the city of Goslar. It is a 4.6% alc/vol eclectic beer whose name evokes a close relationship to the renowned Lambic/Geuze breweries in Belgium. Only the short supplies in the German Democratic Republic put an end to the exotic beer. Surprisingly the Gose had its renaissance before the German reunification and has been brewed at the train station in Leipzig since 2000.  I had this beer on tap in 2006 and it was spectacular.  Bottles in the states are easier to come by but have not been as good.  It is too delicate a beer to travel.