Showing posts with label PDX Beer News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PDX Beer News. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Portland Beer Week Kickoff Party and Official Beer - India Red Lager







2012 Portland Beer Week (June 7-17th)
This is different, it's unique, it's Portland Beer Week
2012 Portland Beer Week is presented by:
APEX, Columbia Distributing, Deschutes Brewery and Google Places


Portland Beer Week is excited to announce the release of our official 2012 reserve beer, a dry-hopped India Red Lager created in collaboration with Deschutes Brewery and Hopworks Urban Brewery -- available in both bottles and on draft through this 10-day beer week.

Your first to try this special new beer is Thursday June 7th


Kickoff Gala Party at Spirit of 77 with a Brewers Pop-a-Shot Tourney
Thursday June 7th from 6-10pm

Join us for a mini brewfest and a bracketed Brewers Pop-A-Shot Tourney where 16+ brewers will shoot it out for the right to have a taphandle at Spirit of 77 for one year and it will be MC'd by the Beer Goddess herself Lisa Morrison. Brackets will be available and prizes to those who come and guess the winners! Expect beers from Deschutes, Hopworks, Double Mountain, Laurelwood, Widmer and Firestone Walker with brewers all in attendance. Lots of prizes and schwag plus special beer and food pairing menu items.

$25 Advanced VIP Schwag Bag tickets available now. Each bag will include a 22oz bottle of the reserve India Red Lager, a Portland Beer Week pint glass and card good for discounts and specials at participating breweries and bars, official beer week T-shirt, Spirit of 77 sweatband and a coupon for their first pint free at the kickoff party. Only 100 of these available for this super steal, get them now.

$5 Portland Beer Week pint glass If you dont want the whole schwag bag you can purchase just the special pint glass for entrance in advance here or at the door. Remember this glass will get you deals all over town during beer week.

Pre-Purchase Tickets Here


India Red Lager Bottle Release Party
Friday June 8th 4-6pm, Belmont Station, 4500 SE Stark, Portland, OR
If you miss the Kickoff party your first chance to buy bottles of India Red Lager and only chance to try the two versions, one from Deschutes one from Hopworks on draft is at Belmont Station on Friday June 8th. 2 versions of this beer were produced, one at Deschutes for draft and one at Hopworks for bottles and this is the only time you will be able to try both on draft side-by-side. Also purchase limited edition 22oz bottles of the new beer and meet brewers and representatives of both breweries.


Check out the full calendar here.


Portland Beer Week is Presented by:
APEX is the beer bar Portland deserves. Combining a love of great beers from around the world with a life-long passion for all things two-wheeled.

Columbia Distributing are proud distributors of beers, ciders and wines for more than 75 years. Named Distributor of the Year by Beverage World in 2011, Columbia's passion and dedication to the craft brewing industry dates back to it's infancy in the early 80's and we are proud to be a part of the second annual Portland Beer Week.

Deschutes Brewery: Located on the banks of the Deschutes River in beautiful Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Brewery is in the business of daring people to expect more from their beer. That’s why we started off back in 1988, selling Black Butte Porter at a time when others were sure a dark beer would never catch on. Our brewers love to buck convention, especially if it makes someone nervous. For us, however, the highest praise is a raised glass and a toast of “Bravely Done!” For more information about Deschutes Brewery and its courageously crafted beers, please visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/Deschutes.Brewery or on Twitter at Twitter.com/DeschutesBeer.

Google Places, the new local recommendation engine that connects people with the places they love.









Portland Beer Week Returns June 7 - 17.

Portland Beer Week Returns this year June 7th through June 17th packed full of great festivities.
From the Press Release:










Portland Beer Week returns to the greatest beer city in the world this June 7 through June 17.

After a successful first year, Portland Beer Week has brought together an even more exciting group of events for its second year including a new official beer, a dry-hopped India Red Lager created in collaboration with Deschutes Brewery and Hopworks Urban Brewery -- available in both bottles and on draft through this 10-day beer week.




In addition to having more breweries than any other city in the world, Portland enjoys one of the most advanced beer cultures -- and a thirst for fun and educational craft beer events. Portland Beer Week aims to celebrate and expand that culture, not just by promoting Portland brewers and breweries, but tap houses, restaurants, food, and underexplored beer styles. Craft beer culture is not just about the beer itself but about the people, food, camaraderie, and education that comes along with this art form.




Festivals are a key component to this week's Portland Beer Week; the return of the popular Portland Fruit Beer Festival (June 9 & 10) -- in its second year, newcomers like the Rye Beer Fest (June 8), and the return of one of Oregon's most unique events, an Olympics-style Brewers Summer Games (June 16).




Much more than a series of festivals though, Portland Beer Week aims to educate as well as entertain with a series of beer-related seminars, exploring everything from how to taste and evaluate beer, to pairing food with beer, barrel-aging beer, sour beers and blending, and wild and farmhouse-style ales.




Because Portland beer isn't just celebrated in Beeverana, Portland Beer Week has invited an astounding roster of out-of-town and out-of-state brewers to represent, with a series of state-themed Brewers Nights. Meet Mitch Steele, Brewmaster of Stone Brewing Co., Eric and Lauren Salazar of New Belgium Brewing, Dick Cantwell of Elysian Brewing, Brewers from California's Beachwood BBQ, Almanac and Drake's Brewing. Plus the relaunch and debut of 10 Barrel Brewing's all-star lineup of brewers and reimagined beers with Jimmy Seifrit, Tonya Cornett and Shawn Kelso. That is just for starters, with more brewers joining the lineup over the next few months.




Portland Beer Week kicks off Thursday, June 7 at Spirit of 77 with the release of the 2012 reserve India Red Lager, a mini brewfest and a bracketed Brewers Pop-A-Shot Tourney. Two versions of the official reserve India Red Lager beer will be brewed, with Deschutes brewing the first batch meant for draft sales and Hopworks taking on the beer destined for bottles. Limited quantities of Portland Beer Week India Red Lager will be available at participating bars, breweries and restaurants of Portland Beer Week.




Just like the city itself, this is different, it's unique, it's Portland Beer Week!




Portland Beer Week is Presented by:




APEX was founded with the singular goal of bringing the best beers in the world together under one roof. The never ending quest to find the finest quality, most interesting beers available is what drives and defines APEX. Representing the last mile a beer travels before reaching its final destination, your mouth, APEX strives to honor, maintain and protect the quality and integrity of the amazing products found here. The attention to detail and passion for draft quality and beer presentation are hallmarks of the APEX experience and it is our pleasure to share them with you, the discerning beer lover. And we love bikes. www.apexbar.com




Columbia Distributing are proud distributors of beers, ciders and wines for more than 75 years. Named Distributor of the Year by Beverage World in 2011, Columbia's passion and dedication to the craft brewing industry dates back to it's infancy in the early 80's and we are proud to be a part of the second annual Portland Beer Week.




Deschutes Brewery: Located on the banks of the Deschutes River in beautiful Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Brewery is in the business of daring people to expect more from their beer. That’s why we started off back in 1988, selling Black Butte Porter at a time when others were sure a dark beer would never catch on. Our brewers love to buck convention, especially if it makes someone nervous. For us, however, the highest praise is a raised glass and a toast of “Bravely Done!” For more information about Deschutes Brewery and its courageously crafted beers, please visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/Deschutes.Brewery or on Twitter at Twitter.com/DeschutesBeer.




Google Places, the new local recommendation engine that connects people with the places they love.







Here is a list of just some of the events planned for Portland Beer Week, with more to come. Watch the Events Calendar for updates:







Portland Beer Week Kickoff Party and Official Beer Release at Spirit of 77

Date: Thursday June 7th

Time: 6-10pm

Location: Spirit of 77, 500 Northeast Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Portland, OR 97232

Location Website: www.spiritof77bar.com







Rye Beer Fest

Date: June 8th

Time: 4-10pm

Location: Spirit of 77, 500 Northeast Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Portland, OR 97232

Location Website: www.spiritof77bar.com

Cost: No cover

Description: The Rye Beer Fest is a celebration of the revival of rye beers brought to you by Taplister.com, and held at the Spirit of 77. The fest will feature special one off rye beers from a variety of NW favorite breweries to staples like, Upright's Six and Oakshire's Line Dry to name a few. Plus Spirit of 77 will feature special Rye food pairings and even discounted Rye Whiskey pairings to complement the beers with profits to benefit charity.







Humble Brewing Release Party

Date: June 8, 2012

Time: 7pm

Location: Bridgetown Beerhouse

Location Website: http://facebook.com/bridgetownbeerhouse

Cost: No charge, other than the beer you buy.

Description: In celebration of PDX Beer Week, Portland's smallest brewery will be releasing something special. Try the beer, meet the brewer, and maybe win some humble schwag at Bridgetown Beerhouse.*







Clone Comparison Tasting: A collaboration with Artisanal Imports, Powered by Yeast, LOLA and PUB

Date: June 8, 2012

Time: 7 PM to close

Location:Portland U Brew

Location Website:http://www.portlandubrewandpub.com/ or www.lolabeerpdx.com

Cost: TBD

Description: Teaming up with Artisanal Imports and Powered by Yeast, the Ladies of Lagers and Ales (LOLA) gathered at the Portland U Brew to brew three clone beers from these importing and brand management companies. Come do a side by side tasting of the real versions of Tilburg's Dutch Brown Ale, Sunner Kolsch and Kawk as well as the clone versions.







Portland Fruit Beer Festival Homebrewers Dinner

Date: June 8th

Time: 5-9pm

Location: Burnside Brewing Co. 701 E. Burnside, Portland, OR 97214

Location Website: http://www.portlandfruitbeerfest.com/

Cost: $50

Description: A special catered dinner in Burnside Brewing’s south brewery space centered around the best Homebrew Fruit Beer entries into this years festival competition. 4 homebrewers fruit beers will be served alongside select pro fruit beer entries and brewers will be present to discuss brewing with fruit and it’s unique challenges and benefits.







Portland Fruit Beer Festival

Date: June 9th and 10th

Time: 11am-9pm Saturday 11-6pm Sunday

Location: 7th E. Burnside/Burnside Brewing

Location Website: http://www.portlandfruitbeerfest.com/

Cost: $20

Description: The Portland Fruit Beer Festival returns with twice the space and twice the beer as before. Over 25 breweries are making beer for this years festival that explores the unique, creative and exotic possibilities of fruit beers. This All-Ages festival also features some of the best food and music and a pre-fest Homebrewers Dinner and competition.







Kölsch Day

Date: June 9th

Time: 1-9PM

Location: Prost! 4237 N. Mississippi AVE Portland, OR 97217

Location Website: prostportland.com

Cost: TBA No Cover

Description: Kölsch Day

We will be featuring Zunft & Reissdorf Kölsch Biers, served as in Cologne, in .2L glasses(Kölsch-Stange), and delivered in trays(Kölschkranz) to your table by our staff.

Sit in the in the sun on our Biergarten and enjoy refreshing Kölsch all day long!





Meet the new faces of 10 Barrel Brewing
Date: Saturday, June 9th


Time: 4-8PM
Location: APEX, 1216 SE Division St. 97202
Location Website: www.apexbar.com
Cost: No entry fee, purchase beer by the glass as you go.
Description: 10-15 rare, unusual and experimental 10 Barrel beers will be at APEX along with the new brewing dream team that produced them. Come meet them and taste what they've been working on.







Double Mountain Brewer's Dinner

Date: June 10th

Time:

Location: Interurban, 4057 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland, OR 97227

Location Website: www.interurbanpdx.com

Cost:

Description: Coursed Food & Beer Pairing Dinner featuring Selected Double Mountain brews by Charlie Devereux and food from Chef John Gorham.







"Wake Up Your Senses" Seminar

Date: Sunday, June 10th

Time: 1-3pm

Location: Bad Habit Room (next door to Saraveza)

Location Website: www.saraveza.com

Cost:

Description: Before a beer goes to market, there is extensive testing and tasting that happens to ensure quality and consistency. Meet the people whose jobs it is to make sure your beer tastes the way it is supposed to (the best job in the world, right?) and go through the evaluation process the way the pros do it. Lead by tasting experts: Amanda Benson, Deschutes, Sensory Staff, Lauren Woods Salazar, New Belgium Brewing, Sensory Staff Specialist/Blender and Tonya Cornett gold medal winning Brewmaster at 10 Barrel Brewing.




Join these ladies as they wake up your senses to the many layers of flavor and smells that beer has to offer. Also, hear from Brewmaster Tonya Cornett about how a brewer approaches the making and tasting of a new beer.







New Belgium Sour Blending Symposium

Date: June 11th, 2012

Time: 2 Sessions: at 2pm and 6pm

Location: Saraveza's Bad Habit Room

Location Website: http://saraveza.com/

Cost: $45

Description: Beer blending is a sensory art that has been relied on for centuries to ensure palatable beverages. Many of today’s specialty beers originated as test blends, or in fact are themselves blends of several, or many, different beers. In this Portland Beer Week seminar and workshop, guests will take a trip into New Belgium’s oak cellar, affectionately known as “Cache la Foudre”, where they will learn about NBB’s history as America’s leading producer of Belgian-style sour beers, from the brewers and blenders themselves. Eric Salazar &Lauren Woods Salazar, the curators of NBB’s sour beer program, will lead a slideshow & interactive discussion on the genesis of Wild Ales such as La Folie, Le Terroir, & Eric’s Ale “from grain to glass”, with a focus on the blender’s art & techniques. This will be followed by a one-of-a-kind, hands-on blending workshop where guests will be led through the process of experimenting & creating their own blended beer to-taste, using samples of single-barrel unblended base beer from New Belgium’s oak cellar, each dispensed from a bar-top gravity-fed cask. Guests will document their blend ratios & will be able to go home with a growler full of their very own, custom blended Portland Beer Week beer.








California Beer Week, day 1: Almanac & Hollister

Date: Monday, June 11th

Time: 4-8 PM

Location: APEX, 1216 SE Division St. 97202

Location Website: www.apexbar.com, http://www.

almanacbeer.com/, http://hollisterbrewco.com/


Cost: No entry fee, purchase beer by the glass as you go.

Description: Enjoy some of the eclectic beers of Almanac Brewing from the San Francisco Bay area and meet their founders and brewers. Alongside Almanac, we'll be featuring a few of the delicious and all too rare beers of Hollister Brewing from down south in Goleta.






Brewers Burger Brawl

Date: June 12th

Time: TBA

Location: The Hop & Vine

Location Website: www.thehopandvine.com

Cost: no cover

Description: One of the more popular events of last year the Brewers Burger Brawl returns to the Hop & Vine. 5 Oregon brewers go head to head with their own burger recipe and beer pairing. Last year Burnside Brewing’s Jason Mcadam came out on top and has picked 4 new challengers to the throne this year. Sliders of each brewers burger will be available this year.







Firestone Walker Dinner

Date: June 12th

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Wildwood Restaurant & Bar, 1221 NW 21st Avenue, Portland, OR 97209

Location Website: http://wildwoodrestaurant.com/

Cost: TBA

Description: Expect lots of special barrel-aged and seasonal beers.







Stone Brewing Brewmasters Dinner with Mitch Steele

Date: June 12th

Time:

Location: Interurban, 4057 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland, OR 97227

Location Website: www.interurbanpdx.com

Cost: TBA

Description: Coursed Food & Beer Pairing Dinner featuring Selected Stone brews by Mitch Steele and food from Chef John Gorham.







UnIPA Day

Date: Tuesday 6/12/12

Time: All Day

Location: Participating brewpubs and craft beer establishments in Portland

Location Website: http://www.beerconnections.com/

Cost:

Description: The Northwest is known for its hoppy IPA's, but there are many of other great styles of beer to try. Dozens of establishments will discount non-IPA beers, so this is the day to appreciate the Stouts, Porters, Goses, Ambers, Reds, Belgians and everything else that is UnIPA.







Barrel-Aged Beer Seminar

Date: June 13th

Time: 6-9pm

Location: Widmer Brothers Banquet Room, 955 North Russell Street Portland, OR 97227

Location Website: http://widmerbrothers.com/

Cost: TBA

Description: Returning from last year a seminar on barrel-aged beers MC’d by Breakside Brewery Brewmaster Ben Edmunds and presented by the Widmer Brothers. A panel of brewing experts that includes Mitch Steele, Brewmaster at Stone Brewing, Matt Van Wyk from Oakshire Brewing, Ben Edmunds and Widmer’s Doug Rehberg who will present both blended and unblended versions of the breweries upcoming ‘Kill Devil’ a rum barrel-aged Imperial Brown Ale. Attendees will get to sample from multiple extremely rare barrel-aged beers from each brewer.







Portland Beer Week Beer & Food Pairing Seminar

Date: Thursday, 6.14.12

Time: 6:30

Location: Wildwood Restaurant & Bar

Location Website: http://wildwoodrestaurant.com/

Cost: $50 (gratuity included)

Description: Four chefs including Aaron Barnett (St. Jack), Nathaniel Price (Grain & Gristle), John Gorham (Toro Bravo), and Paul Kasten (Wildwood) will pair up with brewers Alex Ganum (Upright), Ben Edmunds (Breakside), Charlie Devereux (Double Mountain), and Nick Arzner (Block 15) to present eight food/beer pairings and lead a discussion of the topic. Contact Shelly Jones (shelly@wildwoodrestaurant.com // 503.225.0130) for seats.







Middle A Middle L Trivia & Blind Taste Test

Date: Friday 6/15/12

Time: 7:00pm

Location: The Beer Mongers

Location Website: http://www.beerconnections.com/

Cost:

Description: Test your general and beer knowledge at Trivia Night. PRIZES for Trivia winners. Alameda, Amnesia, Laurelwood, Lompoc and Lucky Lab have some of the best neighborhood brewpubs around town. Identify their beers and be eligible for prizes.







Brewers Summer Games

Date: Saturday June 16th

Time: TBA

Location: TBA

Location Website: TBA

Cost: TBA

Description: Back from a 3 year hiatus the Brewers Summer Games an industry competition for charity and brewfest in one will be back this year. Details coming soon.







Double Mountain & Spirit of 77’s Timbers BBQ

Date: June 17th

Time: 3-7pm

Location: Spirit of 77, 500 Northeast Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Portland, OR 97232

(503) 232-9977

Location Website: http://www.spiritof77bar.com/

Cost: Free

Description: Double Mountain takes over the taps for a special Timbers viewing party featuring a big BBQ and lots of prizes. whole animals pig lamb.


Monday, April 2, 2012

Commons Biere de Garde Bottle Release at Cheese Bar on Wednesday April 4th




Press Release:  We're really excited to announce our first 7 barrel batch bottle release. Our Biere de Garde was inspired by the farmhouse beers brewed in Northern France and our friend Steve Jones, Proprietor and Cheesemonger at Cheese Bar in Portland, Oregon. When Steve was lamenting about the dearth of food friendly Biere de Gardes in our area we took that as a cue to develop a beer that would fill the gap. Traditionally, Biere de Garde was brewed in Winter and early Spring while the climate was cooler, then garded (lagered) during the cool months, and reserved for consumption during the summer. This beer offers a soft and clean, malt forward flavor with a reserved hop profile. 

On Wednesday, April 4th, we'll be at Cheese Bar from 6-9PM to celebrate the release. Biere de Garde will be available on draft and Cheese Bar will have bottles at a discount on the night of the release. We'll also have bottles available for sale at our Tasting Room beginning this weekend. Hours are Friday 5-9PM and Saturday 4-9PM.

Also on Wednesday at Cheese Bar, beginning 7PM, our brewer, Sean Burke, will be spinning some of his favorite old country western records as part of Cheese Bar's Brewer DJ Night.

Biere de garde
ABV:        5.3%
IBU:          19
Malts:      Organic Pilsner, Light Munich, Vienna, Special B
Hops:      Magnum
Yeast:     Wyeast 1007 German Ale

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Portland Beer Week Celebrates the World’s Most Vibrant Beer Community


Portland Beer Week Celebrates the World’s Most Vibrant Beer Community
Inaugural event will be held August 19-28 in Beervana

 Portland Beer Week, a city-wide celebration of the vibrant local craft beer community in Portland, Oregon, will take place Aug. 19-28.  The week-long event will highlight the breweries, businesses,  people and, most importantly, the beer that have earned Portland its well-deserved reputation as Beervana.    
In its inaugural year, Portland Beer Week will include a series of events hosted throughout the week at beer-centric establishments all around town.  Featured events include beer festivals, tastings, out-of-the-ordinary pairings, special tappings, gastronomical experiences and the world premier of “The Love of Beer,” a documentary about the region’s women of craft beer.  
Widmer Brothers Brewing, one of Portland’s oldest and most-celebrated local craft breweries, has even brewed a special beer for Portland Beer Week.  The beer, a golden ale brewed with rose hips, unnoficially dubbed Rose City Hipster will first be available at the PDX Beer Week kickoff party on Friday, Aug. 19 at the Horse Brass Pub.  Other events include: 

  • Hopworks & Double Mountain Beer Brunch at Spirit of 77 (8/20) Brewers behind two of Oregon’s best breweries Hopworks Urban Brewery and Double Mountain have teamed up with Spirit of 77 chef and PDX Beer Week to concoct an epic individually priced beer brunch pairing menu available for one day only.


  • Beer Ice Cream’s at Salt & Straw (Daily Monday-Friday) Albera street’s acclaimed ice cream auteurs have teamed up with PDX Beer Week to design 5 different Ice Cream’s.


  • “The Love of Beer” Premier at the Bagdad Theater (8/20) A documentary celebrating women in the craft beer industry. Featuring $3 beer specials from Deschutes Brewery and Bend Brewing and a panel of some of the most prominent women in Oregon craft beer speaking before the film.


  • Coaliton Brewing’s One Year Anniversary Party (8/20) This all day celebration extravaganza has all the hallmarks of what Coalition Brewing is all about: Cheap Happy Hour priced beers, Cornhole Tournament, Live Music and specials from the Grilled Cheese Grill. To top it off they will be releasing a special small batch Cascadian Dark Ale.


  • Washington Brewers Night at Bailey’s Taproom (8/21) A special Sunday evening event featuring beers and breweries never available in Oregon before. Meet-the-Brewers and try the beers from Washington’s best: Elysian, Naked City, Odin, Big Al and Sound Brewing.


  • Beer & Sushi Pairing at Roscoe’s (8/22) Taplister and Behind the Pint have teamed up with Roscoe’s and Miyamoto Sushi to design a special beer and sushi pairing menu.


  • CDAbe Festival at Belmont Station (8/22) A benefit for beer writer  Abram Goldman-Armstrong to help pay medical bills featuring an extensive lineup for the style he helped create: Cascadian Dark Ales.


  • Brewers Burger Brawl at The Hop and Vine (8/23) 5 of Portland’s best Brewers go head-to-head with their own burger recipes and one of their breweries beers in a battle to see who is the Brewer Burger Champion! Participating breweries: Hopworks, Burnside, Upright, Breakside and Laurelwood.


  • Barrel-Aging Beer Panel at Hopworks Urban Brewery (8/24) Breakside Brewer Ben Edmunds MC’s a panel of brewmasters skilled at the art of barrel-aging beer. Sit in and listen to the talk and ask  your own questions of these masters while being served a selection of their finest barrel-aged brews. Featuring: Ben Love (Hopworks), John Harris (Full Sail) and Nick Arzner (Block 15) and more TBA.


  • Breakfast Beers Night at Breakside Brewery (8/25) Brewers will tap a Breakfast Stout with coffee and a Whiskey for Breakfast Porter. Additionally a special breakfast menu will be presented for the evening and there may be a few more tricks up brewers sleeves.


  • California Brewers Night at Apex (8/26) One of Portland’s premiere taphouses plays host to many of the best breweries and beers of California. Try a selection of beers not available in the state of Oregon and meet many brewers and representatives including Stone Brewing Vice President, Sierra Nevada and for the first time in the state Ballast Point, Magnolia, Telegraph, Craftsman and Beachwood BBQ Breweries. Plus many other fan favorites.


  • Mighty Mites - Session Beer Festival at Coalition Brewing (8/27) Jeff Alworth of popular local beer blog Beervana has teamed up with Coalition Brewing and PDX Beer Week to explore the underrated wealth of creativity and flavor of session beers (beers of 5%abv or less).


  • Ninkasi Brewers Brunch at East Burn (8/28) Brewers dinners are common but what happens when you take the same concept and apply it to Brunch? Beer Week organizers approached Ninkasi Brewing’s Jamie Floyd and the fantastic team at East Burn to take on just such a challenge and they have came up with 3 outstanding brunch plates and beer pairings. Tickets are $30.


  • Closing Street Party at Bazi Bierbrasserie (8/28) During the Hawthorne Street Fair PDX Beer Week and new european/belgian inspired bier bar Bazi Bierbrasserie will be closing off 32nd  street to set up an outdoor beer garden featuring many of Oregon’s best Belgian-styled beers including offerings from: Double Mountain, Upright Brewing, Beetje Brewing and Full Sail as well as ALL 5 beer ice creams from Salt & Straw and the beers they were made from including: Breakside Brewing’s IPA, Hopworks ESB, Ninkasi’s Oatis, Upright’s Engelberg Pils and Burnside Brewing’s Sweet Heat. All-Aged street party!


The complete list of more than 24 events (and more still being added) can be found at: www.pdxbeerweek.com 
Event-goers and participants are encouraged to share their Portland Beer Week experiences using the #pdxbw Twitter hashtag or on the event’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pdxbeerweek.  
All of Portland’s breweries, beer bars, restaurants and other beer-focused businesses are invited to participate in Portland Beer Week.  For more information about Portland Beer Week or to participate as an event host or sponsor, contact Ezra Johnson-Greenough at info@pdxbeerweek.com or 503-757-6936.

Portland Beer Week would not be possible without these sponsors:

Google Places, the new local recommendation engine that connects people with the places they love.

Yelp: User Reviews and Recommendations of Top Restaurants, Shopping, Nightlife, Entertainment, Services and More at Yelp.

Beer Connoisseur Magazine: Beer Culture Defined. Delve into the world's premier beer magazine as it explores beer culture both in America and abroad. 

Columbia Distributing is one of the nation’s largest malt beverage, wine and non-alcoholic distributors. Our success is based on the fact that we never lose sight of delivering what’s really important—quality products, timely service, and a genuine concern for our customers needs. 


Friday, May 6, 2011

Press Release: North American Organic Brewers Festival Announced


NAOBF Logo

North American Organic Brewers Festival to serve up more than 50 organic beers,  
cider and kombucha at the nation's most earth-friendly beer festival  

With a motto to "Drink Organic, Save the Planet, One Beer at a Time," the North American Organic Brewers Festival will host its seventh annual event June 24 through 26 at Portland's Overlook Park.  More than 18,000 beer lovers are expected to gather at the event, billed as the nation's most earth-friendly beer festival.
NAOBF 
Designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living, the NAOBF serves up more than 50 organic beers from 34 different breweries around the nation. There's also an organic cider and an organic kombucha.  Styles run the gamut from Belgian Whites to Cascadian Darks, offering something for every palate.  There's also live local music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits, a soda garden with complimentary Crater Lake Root Beer for minors and designated drivers, and a children's area.  The NAOBF is a family friendly event, and minors are welcome with parents.  

Festival attendees sample beer from reusable and compostable cornstarch glasses made from domestically grown corn by a zero-waste, solar-powered company. Onsite composting and recycling stations are provided for festival waste and are supervised by recycling czars.  Food vendors are required to use compostable cutlery and plates and employ sustainable practices. Electricity needs are met with a combination of biodiesel and solar generators. Volunteers wear organic cotton and hemp t-shirts, and all event signage is reusable.

Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission into the event is free.  The purchase of a $6 reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece.  A full glass of beer or cider costs four tokens and a four-ounce taste costs one token; select beers cost double tokens.  Patrons receive a $1 discount toward the tasting glass with a validated MAX ticket, a ticket from the onsite bike corral, or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank. The festival benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and the Oregon Food Bank.
   
Why an organic beer festival?  Studies show that the world's population currently consumes 30% more natural resources than the Earth's ecosystems can replenish. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, commercial agriculture is accountable for 70% of the pollution in our country's rivers and streamsGenetically modified ingredients can be found in nearly every grocery store.  The NAOBF believes that education and exposure leads to awareness, and awareness can translate to passion.  If everyone becomes passionate about sustainability, as a whole we can make the planet a cleaner and healthier place for all of us to habitat.  If the conversation starts with an organic beer, that's even better!   

For more information visit naobf.org.

Friday, April 29, 2011

A Few Weekend Events

Another Friday leading into very beery weekend! I almost let the week pass me by again without posting about some of the events happening around the area.



First up Roscoe's is having their monthly Beer Summit today April 29th, beginning a 4 pm. This month will feature 14 different Oregon made Belgian-Style beers.  Some of the breweries featured will be: Oakshire Brewing (Frederic's Lost Arm), Hopworks Urban Brewery (Muscles from Brussels), Boneyard Brewing (Whitshack Wit), Upright Brewing (Rose City Seven), Laurelwood Brewing,
Deschutes, Prodigal Son (Neuer Morgan), Fort George, Double Mountain,
Cascade Barrel House, Beetje, and many more.



PCTBB 2010
Speaking of Belgian beers the 5th Annual Portland Cheers To Belgian Beers is being held tomorrow Saturday, April 30 noon to 9 pm. at Metalcraft Fabrication (Metalcraft makes brewing systems and tanks for brewers in Oregon and beyond). Located at 723 N Tillamook St. This year's featured Belgian yeast is Wyeast 3787 Trappist High Gravity. This is usually one of my favorite springtime festivals and I'm really looking forward to this event. Find all the information including the list of the beers and a map to the event at the Oregon Brewer's Guild website. Hope to see you there!














Oregon Garden Brewfest 2010
And last but not least, the Oregon Garden Brewfest is also this weekend in Silverton, Oregon Friday, April 29th, 2011 - 4pm - 11pm and Saturday, April 30th, 2011 - noon - 11pm. For more details go to The Oregon Garden website.

My wife and I attended the festival last year and had a really nice time. The festival beer list is mainly Northwest oriented but also features beers from around the country and a few international beers as well. The best part is when you need a break from drinking beer (and the crowd) you can go outside (weather permitting) and enjoy a walk in the beautiful Oregon Garden! It makes for a great time.


And that's just few events this weekend! There are many more events in the coming weeks now that "festival season" is upon us. Have fun and choose wisely.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

HOPWORKS URBAN BREWERY CELEBRATES THIRD ANNIVERSARY




HOPWORKS URBAN BREWERY CELEBRATES THIRD ANNIVERSARY
Portland’s Sustainable and Organic Brewpub Offers Specials All Day on March 30

Founder and Brewmaster Christian Ettinger




PORTLAND, Ore. – As a thank you to loyal customers and craft beer enthusiasts, Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) is celebrating its third anniversary by offering $2 pints, food specials and 20 percent off all HUB merchandise on Wednesday, March 30.



Over the last three years, Hopworks has grown into one of Portland’s most popular and successful brewpubs. And coming later this summer, the brewery will open its second location, Bike Bar, on North Williams in Portland. Located in the net-zero energy Eco-Flats building, Bike Bar will be more of the same great organic beer and locally-sourced food featuring two beer gardens for socializing and watching the bikes on Williams roll by.

BikeToBeerFest


Last year marked the second BikeToBeerFest, featuring bands like Hillstomp and Boy Eats Drum Machine, as well as numerous local bike builders and the amazing Flatlanders BMX trick riders.  The festival drew more than 4,000 fans to HUB’s back parking lot for beers, bikes and bands. BikeToBeerFest returns for its third year on September 17 to again raise money for Sunday Parkways and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance while delivering more of the same great entertainment.

Other notable achievements for Hopworks Urban Brewery:
-       Last year HUB expanded distribution into both British Columbia and the Seattle market.
-       Hopworks produced 6,500 barrels of beer, roughly more than 1.6 million pints of beer.
-       For the fourth consecutive year, Hopworks was named the Best Brewpub in Oregon by Northwest Brewing News.
-       HUB Organic Lager was named the “Best Draft Beer in the World” by Men’s Journal magazine.
-       Hopworks purchased water restoration certificates from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to offset all of its annual water use, restoring 1.8 million gallons of water to the Deschutes River.
-       HUB recently broke ground on a brewery expansion to bring in additional fermenters and increase annual brewing capacity to more than 10,000 barrels a year.

HUB is located at 2944 SE Powell Blvd. and is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. For more information, please visit Hopworks online at www.HopworksBeer.com or follow on Twitter @HopworksBeer.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Laurelwood Celebrates 10 Years

Portland's first certified organic brewery, founded in March 2001 by Mike De Kalb and Cathy Woo-De Kalb, Laurelwood has grown from its original 7 barrel Laurelwood Public House & Brewery. In 2007 Laurelwood relocated to the former Sylvia's Dinner Theater (5115 NE Sandy Blvd.) and upgraded to a 15 barrel brewery to help keep up with growing demands. In 2009 they opened a new pub in Battle Ground, WA that includes a 2 barrel "Nano" brewery to allow experimentation on new and innovative beer recipes. Laurelwood is also represented at PDX Airport on Concourses A and E as well as at Portland's Rose Garden Arena. During this time they have sold the original location and shuttered the NW pub.


On Friday, March 18th Laurelwood will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary from 5-11pm at their Sandy location. The party will feature Live Music, $2.50 Pints, and Family Fun. The party is sponsored by Taplister who just announced an In App upgrade that will allow users to view beer ratings and descriptions from RateBeer.com.

Laurelwood will also be releasing 2 new beers to the public: The "Big O" Organic Pale Ale and Imperial Workhorse IPA. I was fortunate to attend a preview of these beers and must say that Laurelwood is following their reputation of producing solid NW beers.
"Big O" on the right, Hop Monkey on the left

The Organic Pale Ale will be replacing the Hop Monkey in their year round lineup. I had a chance to try both of these beers side by side. They are nearly identical in appearance but the Organic Pale drinks smoother with less overpowering hops and seemed more attenuated. These factors create a better balance than the Hop Monkey and create a sort of Cascadian Session Ale. Laurelwood also brought 1 of the 3 experimental Pales that they brewed to develop the new recipe to last week's Meet the Distributor night at Bottles. That beer was again a little more assertive than the final product which features a mellow smoothness that is highly quaffable.

On another end of the spectrum is the Imperial Workhorse IPA. The original gravity was bumped up from 17º Plato to 19.5º Plato resulting in an ABV of about 9.5%. To balance this out, the hops were increased to contribute about 15 more IBUs over the standard Workhorse. This beer contains plenty of hops presenting a firm bitterness and a pleasant resinous character. The malts provide a good balance with some sweetness coming through. I overheard mention that no hop extract was used but that some hop pellets were ground up before use in hopes of better utilization. Not as cloying as this year's Green Mammoth but also lacking some of the over the top aromatics of that brew, this fits in nicely between that and their standard IPAs.

Another new beer that they had on tap was a Mexican Mocha (which I was told tastes eerily similar to an actual Mexican Mocha). Brewed with South American specialty malts, cinnamon, coffee, cocoa nibs, and Serrano peppers, this deep amber brew was quite impressive. The nose consisted of chocolate with a hint of the Serranos, and malty sweetness. The taste followed with initial sweetness followed by the cocoa and a hint of heat and spices as it rolls off the tongue.

 Laurelwood will also be bottling the Hooligan Brown Ale just in time for our local Football club's inaugural MLS season (that's the Portland Timbers in case you've been under a rock). Other new bottles to look for this coming year are the Organic Pale Ale and Stingy Jack Pumpkin Ale.