Tag: Oregon

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Review – Pineapple Party Punch from Rogue

For the final review of June, let’s go a bit Tiki with Rogue Ales Pineapple Party Punch.

No rum involved in this hazy IPA, just pineapple and toasted coconut. The aroma is pineapple smoothie. Not unpleasant but a bit sweet to me even for a fruited hazy. When tasting, is actually works. The hop bitterness and the pineapple play off each other and the mouthfeel is pillowy soft. The coconut is a little less present but that is the way I prefer, a little of it goes a long way for me.

I was worried that this would be too much but Rogue has mixologisted it up in balance.

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Beer Review – A Trio of Oregon Beers

Some great Oregon breweries have been sneaking into the L.A. beer market of late. I have seen a bit of Wayfinder Beer and Heater Allen and lately pFriem Family Brewers too.

So instead of a single review or a duo, it is time for a trilogy of Oregon beers in one post. Three different styles but only one best of show….

Wayfinder Beer Russian Circles Black Pilsner – if you closed your eyes and drank this, at first, you would certainly know it was a pilsner but you would probably then lean towards either German or Czech styled. There is a bit of roast, Malliard reaction in the aroma and taste but overall this is a really nice, hearty pilsner.

Heater Allen Pink Boots Brew – the famous McMinnville lager brewery utilized the 2023 Pink Boots hop blend for this pale ale. Quite a melange of hop notes here. Getting pine and some citrus and even a touch of strawberry as well. A bit slick on the tongue as well.

pFriem Sparkling IPA – pours a dark orange. Initial taste is a bit of marmalade paired with pear as well. Was expecting more bubbles due to the name but there is a swirl of flavors. The label name checks seven fruits including sugar covered strawberry which is quite specific. Just a crazy four dimensional IPA.

My Winner – Due to the complexity, I select the pFriem but this was a close contest for sure.

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Oregon Beer Day – Gold Dot

Two Oregon titans are combining on a new project that will land in my college town of McMinnville.

Lisa Allen, head brewer at Heater Allen known for fantastic pilsners, and Kevin Davey, who as brewmaster at Wayfinder— led the Cold IPA trend are combining forces.

The Heater Allen brewery in McMinnville, Oregon, will also launch a new venture and line of beers at the facility to be called Gold Dot. 

If you are looking for the next hot beer style, it may be born at this new brewery partnership. And Gold Dot is now on the Oregon list the next time I visit.

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Coming to PDX in 2023

In a patented Beer Search Party move, read THIS about 2023 Oregon and SW Washington breweries about to open first, then you can see below my picks and if you agree with my choices as the most interesting newbies.

Oak Union – hey, hey might be landing in my hometown of Milwaukie

Breakside – big plans for three locations including Astoria

Upright – adding a second location in a former corner gas station

Little Hop Brewing – a brewery and a mobile Tiny Hop House truck

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The Family

La Familia Cider Company is breaking cider ground.  The cidery was founded in 2017 by the Gonzalez family. Jose, JJ and Jazzelle. La Familia Cider mixes hard ciders with aguas frescas.

La familia Cider donates a portion of their profits to local charities that help families stay together and work through the immigration process.

You will need to be in the NW to try now.

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XXXIV

34 years of Black Butte. Wow. And this year Deschutes Brewing is celebrating with a Tiramisu inspired version of their yearly treat.

As we move slowly out of the sun and into fall, these big stouts are going to start looking really appealing.

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Featured Review – Sting from Nectar Creek Mead

I have mini-dabbled in mead in the past year so when I got the opportunity to taste a Ginger Mead from Nectar Creek Meadery, I jumped at the chance.

Sting is from their core line-up and is described as, “Fresh ginger and pure Oregon honey combine for a sting of warmth and a tease of sweetness in this refreshing session mead.”

The big flavor here is vanilla. Like pastry shop baking vanilla. Ginger is kinda there. But this slightly bubbly yellow hued mead is big time vanilla. To me less sting and more pillowy. The honey has won this battle royale with the ginger convincingly.

Take away the ginger root on the label. Take away the name. And this is delicious. The pastry heads in attendance would love this. I quite enjoyed drinking it myself and would not hesitate to buy another mead from Nectar Creek. That is saying something because I look at media samples much harsher.

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Santa’s Pint Glass – Day 26

I have had a few Jubelales this year but let’s focus on the alternate Deschutes Jubel, Cherries Jubelale.

“This new take on the beloved Super Jubel receives a dessert-inspired twist with the addition of cherry and vanilla to its rich barrel-aged malty decadence. Barrel-aged in wine, the beer brings in the flavors of Jubelale, but with added strength and complexity from barrel aging.”