Tag: Portland

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1/2 Cider & 1/2 IPA = gluten free

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I don’t know about this experiment but I really like that it is tabbed as an experiment.  So many beer releases have fancy, dressed up names but this one I may try because of the fact that they own up to their testing. Kudos to Harvester Brewing!

“Apple IPA features the wonderful characteristics of a dry cider crossed with a classicly-hopped Northwest IPA. It starts with an IPA base brewed with buckwheat and chestnuts and kettle hopped with three large aroma additions of Centennial hops. Then apple must is added to create a mixture of 51% IPA and 49% cider. The blend is fermented with an American ale yeast, and is finished by dry- hopping with 10 lbs. of Centennial hops.”

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from the Cellar – Widmer Galaxy Barleywine

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For 2014, I will be pulling up some bottles from my cellar and reviewing them. Not to be pessimistic, but I don’t have lofty expectations. Though my beers were light protected and kept at a consistent temp, beer can be fickle and some may have been better last month or next month. That being said, I am really excited to dig into the beers and see what time has wrought.

The second beer pulled up from the depths of the cellar is the Widmer Bros. Galaxy Hopped Barleywine ale But before that, the backstory on the beer from the brewer, “Limited Release #4. Spring 2011. Ale brew with huskless malt and Belgian candy sugar. Galaxy Hopped Barleywine is a new take on an old favorite. This beer pours a dark crimson, almost mahogany color. The yeast & galaxy hops deliver a big bang of red and yellow fruit aromatics like banana, pineapple, cherry, and strawberry. The experience begins with a taste of toffee and darkened sweet caramel overlaid on subtle tones of vanilla. All to be punctuated by the floral and citrus dry hop character.”

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This beer pours a dark reddish brown.  I got a strange whiff when opening the bottle and was worried because this is a hopped beer from 2011!  But I figured that the high ABV of 9.5% and the candy sugar from Belgium would offset that.  The initial aroma once in the glass is a bit of caramel, a little Werthers wrapped candy.  But I also get a quick hit of bitterness and at the back the faint aroma of sawdust.

The taste is surprisingly good.  This beer did hold up!  There is a good sparkle to it.  A little caramel which must be from the candy sugar and then a good bit of bitterness that holds on for a while.  I’m also getting some notes of citrus juice too.  The end dries up the palate a bit but then the next sip begins the re-hydrating process anew.

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The final cellaring verdict:  This was one of the beers that I was worried most about.  I really feared that I had held it too long.  Going on 3 years!  But it held up.  Because the hops probably dropped out fairly quickly, I think anything over 3 or 4 months would have been at about the same hop level as now.  As it stands the candy sugar takes center stage along with the alcohol to make a pleasing glass.  Maybe Widmer will make this again so I can try a fresh version to compare.  Which may affect this review.

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Review – Permafrost from Burnside Brewery

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Though L.A. is in zero need for a winter warmer, I really wanted to try the NW version from Burnside Brewing, and Permafrost pours a hazy and muddled dark orange color. First sip is effervescent but soon settles into a heartier ale. The aroma is dark citrus with malt notes. A bright hit of alcohol also pops in and out. A dark bitterness takes root at the end.  This is the 3rd beer that I have tried from my Christmas beer purchases and though it doesn’t reach the heights of the GoodLife or SixPoint.  It continues the trend of great beers.

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Ecliptic Filament Winter IPA

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Talk about a cool and understated label with an intriguing beer from Ecliptic inside.  The name is an inspired choice.  Fits the brewery name and the season.  Though, I have started seeing the nomenclature of Winter or Fall IPA’s on some beers and I hope this sub-set of a style gets some clarification.  Otherwise we could be heading toward a free-fall come judging time.

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Holiday Beer # 21 – Big Country from Breakside

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Breakside Brewery Big Country / Oregon

“Our take on a winter ale is something uncommon in the Northwest: a rich and balanced strong ale inspired by the starkbiers and weinnachtsbiers sold in winter in the open air markets of Germany. Malt driven notes of orange, cocoa, candied fruit, and toast dominate the aroma and flavor of this beer. the body is luscious and full and gives way to a refreshing, spicy finish.”

with thanks to Samurai Artist!

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Review – The Future is Now from Gigantic Brewing

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Not one of my favorite labels from Gigantic Brewing but I do like the quote on the side.  Very cool and fits into many points in a person’s life. This stylistic mash-up pours a dark reddish / brown color with a nice off white head to it.  Aroma is a little alcohol heavy with a sprinkling of citrus.  This is a cheek warmer.  Solid herbal and citrus mix of bitterness with a nice malt punch to it.  But the bitterness here is the star.  Hitting hard at the start and lingering with each sip.  I think I may like hoppy amber more than Black IPA’s.

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On the non-beer side of the ledger, I have to tout Grantland again.  The rambling and funny discussions between Malcolm Gladwell and Bill Simmons are great and thought provoking with many ideas that I wish were implemented in the world of sports.

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Review – BrewDog TV (shows 4-6)

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Onto Round 2 of the BrewDog TV review!

This post revolves around the Seattle, Portland and Denver episodes.

Since I wrote a small piece about a coffee beer for November BeerPaper LA and I am writing a larger piece about coffee and brewing for December, I was glad to see that the show went with the obvious for the Seattle episode.  And though the molecular gastronomy was enlightening with the beer pairings, I would have skipped the added caffeine boost section and given more screen time to the chocolatier and the baristas and Elysian.  That’s a personal preference though.

The Denver / Boulder show scared me a bit with the meat smoked thing though I liked the choice of pale ale.  On the whole this one is probably the weakest so far.  Maybe because it was titled Denver, I was expecting more of actual Denver but no mention except for brief bits on Great Divide and Strange.  Plus they like Falling Rock which might be good outside of GABF but has a Toronado SF vibe that I don’t like.  I much prefer Freshcraft.  The gourmand section was fun too.  It is my favorite segment of the show by far.

I was really excited to see the Portland show seeing that it is my hometown.  A little strange to see them partner with Deschutes.  Nothing against them but they don’t scream Portland to me.  Much like my issue with the Denver show, call it Oregon or Colorado if you are going farther afield.  The beer style was inspired though and takes a play from the Beers Made by Walking idea.  My favorite beer that I won’t get to try.  The food section ranks second behind the Philly donut section.

Overall, the show really works for me though.  I enjoy the accents and the self-deprecating humor.  They seem to be enjoying themselves which helps the viewer to enjoy the show!

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Otto

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If you have had Fred from Hair of the Dog then you will need to try this companion beer “from the wood” that bears the name of Otto.  And wears the jaunty Germanic hat.  This palindromic twist on Fred is another aged beer from HotD.  And they certainly know how to make them.

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Oregon Public House

Have a pint.  Change the World.

It can and is being done at the not-for-profit pub, Oregon Public House in North Portland.

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On my most recent trip to Portland, my mom took me to the Public House.  It was a first time for both of us so the helpful employee at the door gave us the rundown.  You order your beer and/or food.  Then you pay for it.  All normal so far.  But then you can pick the charity that ALL of the proceeds go to.

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Or you can have your tab split amongst the choices on the board.  And/or you can drop some extra greenbacks into the Give-O-Meter through your choice of stein….

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All well and good but what about the beer?  Well, it was a good list. Competitive for Portland beer buyers dollars in my opinion.  I picked up the Lime Kolsch from Burnside Brewing and enjoyed it while my mom had the Proletariat Red from Lompoc.  And I could have easily picked a  couple other beers to have or the cider from Reverend Nat’s which piqued my interest.

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And if you need further prodding to head out that way, Breakside Brewery is literally 1/2 a block away.  Two birds. One stone.

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Review – IPX Single Hop Centennial by HUB

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Thanks Hopworks, now I have to get my hands on the Amarillo, Meridian, Falconer’s Flight and Cascade hop versions too!  Love the label.  Simple design with a great use of graphics to give a little bit of hop knowledge to the drinker. I especially like the disclosure of the hop farms that grew the hops that made it into this particular beer.

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The Centennial version pours a dark orange.  Aroma isn’t huge to me.  I get some spice notes primarily.  The taste has a solid level of bitterness and it is tilted more to spices and herbs.  By solid, I mean that it delivers hops but doesn’t bludgeon you with them.  Nice and bubbly and fresh tasting.  The IPX tastes a bit stronger than 6%.

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And since we are reviewing part of my bounty that I brought back from Portland, I would be remiss not to mention that Season 3 of Portlandia is now streaming on the Netflix.  I thought Season 2 was a bit less funny than 1 (despite the standout Battlestar Galactica episode) so I am curious as to how the latest season plays out.  And to see which Portland Trailblazer (if any) make a guest appearance.