The old adage that you learn something new every day is so, so true.
Just read this bit from the Cascade Brewing folks….Brewmaster Ron Gansberg is somewhat of a visionary, and he’s at it again. This week he’s in the hop fields, picking pounds of fresh hop shoots. Why? He’s going to pickle them, using white wine vinegar and several bottles of Cascade Kriek Ale. Young hop shoots are a culinary delicacy enjoyed in Belgium – they have also been called poor man’s asparagus! Fresh hop shoots are only available from mid-March to late April, after which they develop a bitter taste. Pickled hop shoots make a delicious garnish or tasty hors d’oeuvres. Look for them on the menu when the Cascade Barrel House makes its debut!
Lipschmacker Gose
Lipschmacker Gose – A NW version of a historic German wheat beer that was almost lost to the world. Unlike most beers from Bavaria which are Lagers, or bottom fermented, this beer was historically top fermented. Gose which originated in the small town of Goslar, near Leipzig which at the time was outside Bavaria and did not have to adhere to Reinheitsgebot, the German purity law. This historical wheat beer was made with the addition of coriander, and hint of salt. It then under goes a second lactic fermentation. Similar in style to a Geuze, but with a slight hint of spice. This is a perfect beer for quenching your thirst the heat of summer. It is 4.8% alcohol by vol.
Raccoon Lodge & Cascade Brewing
Boy did I have a tour of this wonderful place. Not only did I talk to Art Larrance who runs the place, but then I got tours from Ron Gansberg the head brewer and another tour from Curtis the assistant brewer. These guys are really cool.
I sampled so many beers including a Gose that they are working on plus so many NW sour beers. They have so many variations that it boggles the mind. I had their Cask IPA which is another example of the milder Oregon style of IPA. I tried their Mouton Rouge which was very sour. So good. Dark, dark red with a berry sharpness.
I would have to say that if you wanted to try something different. The Bruery and Cascade Brewing are the places to go on the west coast.