Holiday Season 2023 – Day 13 – Peppermint Bark Imperial Stout from Oakshire Brewing

To Eugene, Oregon for a barrel-aged peppermint stout from Oakshire Brewing.

“Imperial Stout aged in Kentucky Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, and Port Barrels. Conditioned on Peppermint Bark Candy, Peppermint Stick, and Cocoa Nibs. Selected from the same barrels as Hellshire X, the base matured for 22 months in Blanton’s Bourbon, Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey, and American Port barrels. We blended the barrels onto Peruvian cocoa nibs and peppermint sticks. We finished it with peppermint bark candy from Eugene’s Euphoria Chocolate Company.”

Up From the Cellar – 2013 Barleywine from Oakshire


Every twice in awhile, I get a wild hare and go to raiding the beer cellar. Sorry, been listening to the S-Town podcast.

Going back to the halcyon days of 2013 for a barleywine from Oakshire Brewing of Eugene, Oregon.

This one did bubble over even though I let it rest for a bit. As I cleaned up the mess, I got a vinous note in the aroma that worried me a bit. And when poured into the glass, there were flecks of brown stirring around.

Some oxidization had happened but as the beer warmed up, it became much more oaky and bourbon barrel. The caramel notes were intermingling with the remaining hop character as well in the this opaque light brown beer. Getting a touch of chocolate as well.

I would hazard a guess that this beer was better a couple years ago. The fade to barrel has simplified a beer that I hazard a guess was happier and less sweet.

Blazer Playoffs 2017

A few games into the 2016-17 NBA season and things started turning south for my beloved Blazers. The crew that had clicked last year was losing very frequently. It looked dire. I had started my “Who to draft” process. But then the arrival of the Bosnian Beast, Jusuf Nurkic from our nearest playoff competitor sparked a revival. And despite Nurk going down, the rest of the team stepped up and got us into a 1st round match-up with Golden State. (also thank to Russell Westbrook for downing the Nuggets)

So, considering we have a first round date with the Curry-Durant Warriors. What should I drink? I welcome your suggestions but here are some that just might be in my ‘fridge for the series….

You can find some Ex Novo Brewing beers around LA and since they are Portland based and have a beer named Damon Stout-amire after a former point guard for the Blazers, it would be a good start.

I will need something strong for when the Warriors start scoring at will, so I pulled up a barley wine from Oakshire Brewing from 2014! It will certainly relax me as the torrid pace of scoring ensues.

I also will try to channel the 1977 Blazers by opening Brewyard’s Smoked Red Ale. Maybe the spirit of the original Big Red Head will swing some karma.

Congratulations though to the team for persevering when it could have been just as easy to tank for draft picks.

The Perfect Storm


Oakshire Brewing Perfect Storm Double IPA is a great IPA name in my opinion and from the brewery description it sounds like a great bitter DIPA as well.

“Brewed in a single batch in May ’12, this ale shows gorgeous floral and citrus hops character – led by the amazing tangerine-intensive Zythos – with toasted nut bread, and figs from the warm malt profile.”

Axe to grind

The ever growing Oakshire Brewing has a new Baltic Porter a brewin’: “Axe of Perun is strong dark lager with hints of chocolate and licorice in the aroma. It has a sweet middle with a touch of roast and chocolate flavors that keep it in balance. 7.4% abv.”

Willamette

Is this a trend developing? English style session ales would be most welcome. Here is what the up and coming Oakshire from Oregon has in store….

“The most recent in our series of Single Batch Beers is a English Style Pale Ale called Willamette Dammit. The beer is made with 100% Crisp Marris Otter Pale malt and 100% Willamette Hops. Willamette hops are a relative of the English fuggle and were first bred in the Oregon Breeding Program in 1976. They are a very pleasant hop and lend a hint of spiciness to the aroma. At 4.9% abv, WD is worth a couple of pints down at the pub. As always, get it on draft only at select bars and restaurants around town as well as at the tasting room on M, Th, F, and Sat. God Save the Queen!”

Kris Kringle – Day 14

Oakshire Brewing Company of Eugene, Oregon has released their newest Seasonal Beer, Ill-Tempered Gnome throughout the state of Oregon on draft and in 22 ounce bottles. This winter seasonal is a complex brown ale with an underlying American hop punch. At 6.8% abv, the Gnome provides, bitter, roasty, chocolate, pine resin, citrus, dark fruit, coffee and sweet flavors all in one glass.