Saturday, November 15, 2014

Lompoc Brewing To Reopen The Renovated Sidebar

One of my favorite tasting rooms, the Sidebar is about to reopen after a month long remodel. See info below.


Lompoc Brewing to reopen its renovated Sidebar Barrel Tasting Room

PORTLAND, Ore. – Lompoc Brewing is reopening its Sidebar Barrel Tasting room at 4pm on Thursday, Nov. 20 following a month-long remodel. The new and improved Sidebar, located at 3901 N Williams Ave, now features a glass roll up door that lets in natural light and allows passers by to see inside the cozy bar. It will also allow for extended seating and fresh air in the warmer seasons.

“We really wanted to open up the space to let people see what we do in here,” said Lompoc owner Jerry Fechter. “Sidebar has always been a showcase for our beers, but not everyone knew what happened behind the mural. The new space has a friendly, approachable feel that perfectly complements our North Portland neighborhood.”

Sidebar's lineup of six taps has expanded to an even dozen: 11 Lompoc beers and one rotating cider. The tap list, which will change up to twice weekly, will include both Lompoc’s mainstay ales and lagers and its seasonal and barrel aged specialty beers. There will also be a rotating cheap beer in a can for $2. The tasting room continues to offer cocktails as well. Sidebar is for ages 21 and over.

“At Lompoc, we sidestep stylistic constraints and instead use an artisanal approach best highlighted at our Sidebar location,” explained head brewer Bryan Keilty. “Thinking outside the barrel, we use Kentucky Bourbon, Oregon Whiskey, and Northwest wine barrels to age and ferment our beer, in addition to locally-sourced fruit projects.”

Sidebar regulars will appreciate the addition of a couple of booths, more TVs for soccer and basketball viewing, expanded days and hours, and the implementation of a menu featuring small plates and shareables. The menu, designed by Lompoc corporate chef Mike Parmenter, ranges from Argentinean sliders, mole pork soft tacos and wild mushroom flatbread to the pub’s popular Buffalo wings, nachos and truffle fries.

Sidebar opens at 4pm every Tuesday through Sunday, closing at Midnight Tuesday through Thursday, 1am Friday and Saturday, and 11pm SundayThe popular space remains available to rent for meetings and private parties. For more information, visit www.lompocbrewing.com or call 503-288-3936.

McMenamins Kris Kringle Winter Warmer

Kris Kringle, McMenamins Winter Warmer Ale has been released on draft and in 22oz bottles at all McMenamins pub locations now through December 24th.


 
This traditional yuletide ale with bold malt complexity is the perfect brew to enjoy at McMenamins pubs during the holiday months, possibly after a successful tree hunting expedition with friends and family!
The 2014 version of Kris Kringle is a hearty and robust ale with a big and bold malt complexity as well as an intense and flavorful hop profile. This “winter warmer” highlights the rich, toasty, aromatic and chocolaty malt flavors as its very sturdy foundation. Generous amounts of five different hop varieties were added in five different additions, which delivers a magnificent and massive hop assault.
Kris Kringle will be available at all McMenamins locations from Nov. 14 through Dec. 24
Malts: Pale Ale, Munich, Wheat, 15L & 120L Crystal, Chocolate
Hops: Chinook, Cascade, Centennial, Perle, Sterling
OG: 1.068  TG: 1.015  ABV: 6.84%  IBU: 77  SRM: 15




Fremont Brewing B-Bomb Release Party

The popular Bourbon Barrel Aged Abominable Ale from Fremont Brewing will be released on Friday, November 28th. See details below.


Fremont Brewing will be hosting a release event for 2014 Bourbon Barrel Aged Abominable on Friday, November 28th from 5-9pm in the Urban Beer Garden (1050 N 34th St). In addition to having Bourbon Abominable on tap and available for purchase in 22 ounce bottles, there will be five infusions flowing! Be sure to join the party by 7pm when a Fremont brewer will discuss the history of B-Bomb, key ingredients and statistics, the barrel aging and blending process, and how the beer changes with age. 

Beer Details:
DESCRIPTION: Lovingly referred to by Fremonters as B-Bomb, this year’s release was aged in 12 and 15 year old American Oak bourbon barrels and is a blend of 24 and 12-month old barrel strength Abominable Ale. Each barrel contributes a different note and combining each barrel to create a coherent tone is a distinct art and true pleasure.
DOWN & DIRTY: 2-Row Pale, Chocolate, Roast, Carafa-2, Munich, and Dark Crystal Malts with Columbus, Wilamette, and US Goldings hops.
ABV: 11.0%

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Bridgeport Brewing Takes Home Gold From European Beer Star


Trilogy 3 Brewers’ Class earns international recognition for beer created in collaboration with students from Oregon State University
Press Release:
PORTLAND, Ore.—  BridgePort Brewing Company, Oregon’s oldest craft brewery, announced today that Trilogy 3 Brewers’ Class, the final beer in Bridgeport’s 30 year anniversary series, won Gold at The European Beer Star award. Conceived as a sessionable brown ale, Trilogy 3 Brewers’ Class was jointly designed by students enrolled in the Fermentation Science Program at Oregon State University, program director Dr. Thomas Shellhammer, and BridgePort brewmaster Jeff Edgerton.

“As an Oregon State alum, I jumped at the opportunity to partner with these students to create Trilogy 3 Brewers’ Class,” comments BridgePort Brewmaster, Jeff Edgerton. “When we were coming up with ideas for the beer, I couldn’t help but think about how the future of brewing in Oregon, and in the United States, was likely in that room. We’ve known it was a world-class beer all along the way, but it’s great to be validated by a committee of international experts.”


(From L to R) Jeff Edgerton, Brewmaster with BridgePort Brewing Company, is joined by the students that worked on Trilogy 3 as well as Program Director, Dr. Thomas Shellhammer.
This year’s European Beer Star tasting competition held in Gräfelfing, Germany attracted 1,613 entries, from 42 countries. Judged by a 105-person jury consisting of master brewers, beer sommeliers and recognized beer experts; each beer was judged based on color, aroma, taste aroma profile and general impression. 


Research Brewery and Pilot Plant Manager for the OSU Food Science Department, Jeff Clawson (left center) accepts the award alongside  Ryan Howe (right center) , a Post-Baccalaureate student working on his second BS degree in Fermentation Science and (of, course) one of the students that helped design Trilogy 3.
BridgePort fans still have a chance to try Trilogy 3 Brewers' Class on its own or in the Voter's Box Variety Pack alongside the other two contenders. Fans have had the chance vote for their favorite beer in the Trilogy Series over the past months and a winner will be announced in late November. For more information, visit www.bridgeporttrilogy.com.

About European Beer Star
European Beer Star was held for the eleventh time this year, sporting a reputation for being one of the most important beer competitions worldwide. For more information and a complete list of medal recipients, visit www.european-beer-star.com 

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Growlers Hawthorne supports area homebrewers, sponsors Amateur Brewers Challenge and serves up winning keg

Press Release:
PORTLAND, Ore. – Growlers Hawthorne, in conjunction with Portland U-Brew, staged its first Amateur Brewers Challenge this past summer in an open competition for a Northwest style IPA. The amateur brewing team of Gabe Sainz and Robb Stangland won the contest.

A keg of their winning recipe will be tapped at Growlers Hawthorne, 3343 SE Hawthorne Blvd, on Sat., Nov. 22 at 3pm. The growler fill station will be offering free samples of this award-winning beer along with complementary snacks.

Stangland, a social worker, is a Portland native, while Sainz, whose day job is hardwood lumber sales, considers himself a wide-ranging "Citizen of America." The duo has been brewing beer for just over six years and has designs on ultimately going professional with their craft. Although their winning recipe is proprietary, they allow that the Northwest IPA is made with a Marris Otter base malt flavored with a heaping hop bill of Mosaic and Citra.

A second tapping will be held at a future date at Portland U-Brew. For more information, visit Growlers Hawthorne at www.growlers.net or call 503-628-8000.

About Growlers Hawthorne
Growlers Hawthorne is Portland’s first dedicated, single purpose growler fill station, focusing solely on the growler experience by providing a dedicated place where fresh craft beer is sold in a distinctive package at a competitive price in an environmentally-friendly way. The family-owned business offers 40 rotating taps of craft beer, cider and sometimes mead and braggot. It fills growlers and growlettes with 64oz and 32oz pours. Growlers Hawthorne is open daily from Noon to 9pm. For more information, visit www.growlers.net.
 

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Kells Brewery announces partnership with Portland Trail Blazers


New taproom introduces Kells handcrafted ales to thousands of basketball fans and craft beer lovers alike

PORTLAND, Ore. – Nov. 12, 2014 – Kells Brewery at 210 NW 21st Ave. has announced a partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers that introduces the Irish brewery’s handcrafted beer to thousands of Blazer fans and craft beer lovers alike.

The local family-run restaurant and brewery has recently installed a taproom on the 300 level of the Moda Center; craft beer lovers can also find Kells beers throughout the stadium at select locations, and pre- and post-game at Dr. Jack’s, located just across the concourse from the southwest entrance.

“We chose to install a taproom in the Moda Center because, as locals, we are longtime devoted fans of the Trail Blazers,” explained Kells Brew Pub manager and lead brewer Garrett McAleese. “We are looking forward to the exposure that the partnership will bring to our beer.”

There are currently six beers on tap at the Kells Tap Room at the Moda Center, including Kells Irish Red, IPA, Lager, Pale, Fresh Hop (seasonal) and Stout. Kells has also announced plans to bottle its popular Kells Irish Red in 12-oz bottles, which will be available in early 2015.

Kells has already supported the Blazers for a number of years with its double-decker bus, transporting legions of fans to and from the games.

Kells Brewery recently won the Willamette Week Beer Pro/Am People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice award for its Boom Roasters Coffee Milk Stout, a collaboration between homebrewer Natalie Baldwin and Kells head brewer Dave Fleming that will also be served at the upcoming Holiday Ale Festival in Pioneer Courthouse Square Dec. 3 through 7.

In addition to the Moda Center taproom, Kells beers can be tasted at Kells Brew Pub in NW Portland, and at Kells Irish Pub at 210 NW 21st Ave. in downtown. For hours and additional information, visit www.kellsbrewpub.com or call 503-719-7175.
 
 

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Breakside Brewing Releasing La Tormenta and Imperial Red

The last bottle release of 2014 for Breakside Brewing is La Tormenta. Breakside Brewing will also be releasing a winter draft only Imperial Red. See press release.



Portland & Milwaukie, Oregon - Innovative and award winning brewers at Breakside Brewery present their final bottle release of 2014 - "La Tormenta", a love letter to Northwest-style sour ales and citrus fruit forward hops. Also Breakside is excited to release "Imperial Red" a brand new winter draft-only seasonal that combines the delights of huge hop bombs with a big malty body that finishes smooth.

La Tormenta - dry-hopped Sour Ale
Our final bottled release for the 2014 brew year is an experimental sour ale made with a unique blend of citrusy, tropical and fruity hops. Bracing-yet-balanced sour notes combine beautifully with West Coast hop flavor in this sweet and tart ale. This beer was one of our most popular small batch offerings earlier in the year, and we're excited to re-release it as a light and beguiling alternative to classic winter beers. Notes of blueberry, guava, grapefruit, and lemongrass are offset by a juicy acidity, medium body, and a moderate sweetness from caramel malt.
 
 

Stats: 7% Abv. 22 IBU.
Malts: Two Row, German Acidulated and Vienna Malts, Crystal 20L
Hops: Amarillo, Equinox, Simcoe, Citra
Suggested Food Pairings:
Panna cotta with preserved fruits and coconut; Pork belly and watercress salad; Duck chawan mushi; Carolina-style pulled pork; New Orleans-style BBQ prawns; Blackened catfish with grits.

Package Type:
50L and 1/2 BBL Draft; 12/22oz Bottle
Available: November 2014 - January 2015
 
La Tormenta Release parties:
November 19th 5-7pm at ABV Public House, 23588 NW Clara Ln, Hillsboro, OR 97124
November 20th at The Beermongers, 1125 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
December 5th at Bottleworks, 1710 N 45th St #3, Seattle, WA 98103

Breakside Imperial Red:
This draft-only release is a hop-forward beer designed to satisfy as the weather turns cool and the rain sets in. This Double Red Ale is truly an Imperial Red IPA: clean caramel malt sweetness provides a backbone for huge hop flavor and aroma provided by classic American hops like Simcoe and Amarillo. You'll get big notes of pine, orange, resin, and lemongrass from those hops, and the beer finishes clean and dry. The body is big and smooth, and a touch of warmth from the elevated alcohol level makes this beer a robust and satisfying offering for early winter. Cheers!
 
 

Stats: 8% Abv. 93 IBU.
Malts: Two Row, British Maris Otter and Crystal, German Carafa
Hops: Columbus, Amarillo, Simcoe, Cascade.

Suggested Food Pairings:
Beef tri-tip with hazelnut romesco; Moroccan-style lamb tagine; Stroganoff with chanterelle mushrooms and crispy beef tongue; Garlic roasted chicken with cilantro gremolata; Classic Thanksgiving dinner dishes; Duck leg confit with papardelle and mushroom ragou.
Package Type:
50L, 1/2 and 1/6 BBL Draft
Available: One-Off for November 2014
 
Imperial Red Release party:
November 14th at Hop Haven, 2130 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232

Monday, November 10, 2014

Burnside Brewing releases Permafrost Winter Ale

Tonight at Burnside Brewing is the release of Permafrost Winter Ale. Make your way to the brewpub tonight at 6pm for food pairing specials, giveways, and the first tapping of Permafrost.




Portland, OR - As the days get shorter, nights get colder but you can always count on Burnside Brewing's Permafrost Winter Ale to get you through the season.

Permafrost Winter Ale is Burnside Brewings original winter elixir. It’s a Northwest ale brewed with 7 different malts and copious amounts of hops designed to give this warming brew a complex body and unique fruity juicy hoppiness throughout. You won’t want to just sip this beer but you should.

Available now in Oregon via Maletis Beverage in 22oz bottles, draft in 1/2 barrel and 1/4 barrel kegs.

Permafrost as all Burnside ales is unfiltered. This requires and increased time commitment but pays dividends in depth, character, and flavor profile of our offerings.

Malts: Melanoidin, Crystal 120L, Carafa 2, Honey Malt, Pale Malt, Crystal 30-37 & Vienna Malt
Hops: Amarillo and Meridian, Galena hops for bittering
Stats: 8.3% ABV 77 IBU’s

Permafrost Release Party
TODAY November 10th 6pm
Burnside Brewing Co. 701 E. Burnside Portland, OR 97214
Featuring the first Permafrost tapping of the season plus food pairing specials and giveaways.

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Vote For Your Favorite Trilogy Beer From Bridgeport Brewing

 
2014 is the 30th Anniversary of Bridgeport Brewing. 30 years in anything is impressive, but 30 years in the brewing world is quite the achievement.  For its 30th year,  Bridgeport Brewmaster Jeff Edgerton created the Trilogy series, three very different beers.  Now that the end of the year is coming up quick they are asking fans to pick their favorite of the trilogy line and then vote online here, or on Instagram (post with #BPTrilogy1, #BPTrilogy2 or #BPTrilogy3).
Emily and I both personally liked Trilogy #1 and voted for it to go into year round production. If you haven't voted yet and have tried all three of the beers, make sure to vote. If you haven't tried all three get down to the store and pick them up and give them a try and then vote.



Clear disclosure: Samples of the Trilogy Series were sent to Freshpints.com. Thanks Bridgeport.
the brewery is celebrating its 30th anniversary. To honor the occasion, they’ve introduced BridgePort Trilogy, a series of three limited edition beers. Fans are encouraged to check out all of them, and vote for the one they like the best. The beer with the most votes will then go into regular production and join BridgePort’s core lineup of regular releases next year. - See more at: http://philly.thedrinknation.com/articles/read/13607-Beer-Review-BridgePort-Brewing-Companys-Trilogy-Series#sthash.BWO2wEyT.dpuf
the brewery is celebrating its 30th anniversary. To honor the occasion, they’ve introduced BridgePort Trilogy, a series of three limited edition beers. Fans are encouraged to check out all of them, and vote for the one they like the best. The beer with the most votes will then go into regular production and join BridgePort’s core lineup of regular releases next year. - See more at: http://philly.thedrinknation.com/articles/read/13607-Beer-Review-BridgePort-Brewing-Companys-Trilogy-Series#sthash.BWO2wEyT.dpuf
the brewery is celebrating its 30th anniversary. To honor the occasion, they’ve introduced BridgePort Trilogy, a series of three limited edition beers. Fans are encouraged to check out all of them, and vote for the one they like the best. The beer with the most votes will then go into regular production and join BridgePort’s core lineup of regular releases next year. - See more at: http://philly.thedrinknation.com/articles/read/13607-Beer-Review-BridgePort-Brewing-Companys-Trilogy-Series#sthash.uNLcpErx.dpuf
the brewery is celebrating its 30th anniversary. To honor the occasion, they’ve introduced BridgePort Trilogy, a series of three limited edition beers. Fans are encouraged to check out all of them, and vote for the one they like the best. The beer with the most votes will then go into regular production and join BridgePort’s core lineup of regular releases next year. - See more at: http://philly.thedrinknation.com/articles/read/13607-Beer-Review-BridgePort-Brewing-Companys-Trilogy-Series#sthash.uNLcpErx.dpuf