Be Excellent to Each Other.

Sasquatch gets verrry thirsty.

Ty Conner and Quentin Falconer

The Quick and Easy Boys and live art.

Eugene Hilton, where a corny keg makes a great doorstop.

The Eugene Hilton just beyond the Markets

The inaugural Eugene Beer Week was anchored by the 9th annual Sasquatch Brew Fest in Eugene, OR this past weekend. I got an early start and will fill in the details of Eugene Beer Week as they become available but I would like to give this incredible fest it's fair due first. We began the trek from our motel to the Hilton, passing through the famed Saturday Market consisting of handmade crafts and many talented individuals. The Farmer's Market located across the street presented bounties of the spring along with many wonderful aromas. I picked up some dried Cherry Bomb and Smoked Habanero peppers from Crossroads Farms to turn my chili up a notch.

Raise your hands if you are feeling Sassy!

Maritime Pacific sharing space on Hopwork's Jockey Box

Sasquatch was moved from its outdoor location at Kesey Square to the Eugene Hilton last year amid space concerns. The decision allowed the organizers to move the festival up a month to May since weather was not a concern (fortunately). This date is better suited to commemorate the passing of Glen Hay Falconer. At the brewer's dinner this year, Hopunion made a huge announcement as they presented a check for $50,000 to the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation. Many of the beers at this year's festival featured the proprietary Falconer's Flight blend including Maritime Pacific's Decompression Ale, Seattle Beer Week's 2011 Commemorative Beer. This beer was created by Corey Blodgett, a past winner of the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation Brewing Scholarship Program.

Terry Bucher and Kirk Studach

 Hops were a central theme at the festival which also featured live music, a silent auction, raffles, food, and a homebrew competition. Best of show for the homebrewers went to Justin Lang and Bill Nave for their Bad Intel IPA. Hopunion showed their generosity again by offering a trip to Hop School as their prize. Randy Scorby seemed to place in every other category and the local homebrew club, Cascade Brewers Society, showed well with Terry Bucher and Kirk Studach placing multiple beers. On the professional side, some favorites included the aforementioned Decompression, Lompoc's Peregrine Imperial IPA, and Block 15's Millenium Falcon (featuring Millenium and Falconer's Flight hops).

This cast was ergonomically designed to fit the Sasquatch sample glass.

Hops (how did Colin and Malachi slip in all the pictures?).

Feeling Sassy!

All night...