Friday, June 26, 2015

Lagunitas Brewing Releases Citrusinensis Pale Ale

Lagunitas Brewing has a new seasonal release hitting the shelves & draft now called Citrusinensis Pale Ale....Thanks Lagunitas for giving us the phonetic version of (SIH-TRUH-SIH-NEN-SISS) to help pronounce the name, because I'm pretty sure we will all butcher the name when asking for a pint or telling friends about it.
See the press release below from the folks at Lagunitas Brewing Co

Courtesy of Lagunitas Brewing Co
Press Release:
LAGUNITAS CITRUSINENSIS (SIH-TRUH-SIH-NEN-SISS… does that help?) PALE ALE  - AN ALE BREWED WITH NATURAL BLOOD ORANGE FLAVORS

We’re happy to announce the release of our CitruSinensis Pale Ale… we took some fresh Sanguinello Blood Oranges , juiced ‘em (without heat AKA sans pasteurization) and threw the juice into a wheatier version (with white wheat and Torrified wheat) of our New DogTown Pale Ale. The end result? A refreshingly hopped pale-ish ale (with some of our favorite danky hop varietals like Warrior, Simcoe, & Equinox) with the added bonus of a huge citrus-y burst!

The CitruSinensis Pale Ale is part of our 2015 #OneHitterSeries, which  is our way of sharing some of the Fine Ales, Mystery, & Romance that we brew in Petaluma, Calif. & Chicago, Ill. They’re unique, strange, Highly limited, and brand-spankin’-new Lagunitas one-offs that let us welcome you into our curious little world. Word.
Courtesy of Lagunitas Brewing Co
Lagunitas Brewing
Lagunitas Brewing Twitter
Lagunitas Brewing FB
Lagunitas Brewing YouTube
Lagunitas Brewing Instagram

Two New Beers On The Way From Iron Horse Brewing

The folks at Iron Horse Brewery are set to release two new beers. One called Disruptor IPA which they are releasing for their 9th Anniversary Ale.....a big congrats to the folks at Iron Horse for 9 years, and a Dutch style beer called Koytus. See the press release below for details.

Courtesy of Iron Horse Brewery
 Iron Horse Brewery Announces the Release of Two New Beers, Coincidentally, Just In Time for the 3rd Quarter.


The seasonal offerings are new formulations of water, malt and hops.


ELLENSBURG, WA  (June 24, 2015) Iron Horse Brewery is introducing two new handcrafted, locally made craft brews to the marketplace,  Koytus, a dutch-style koyt and Disruptor, a brand new beer style, they are calling IPA.  “Both of these beer styles are very rare, in fact, we believe we might have invented a new style,” said Greg Parker, owner and gm of Iron Horse Brewery.  “You won’t believe what happens when you put a boat load of hops in the boil, after the boil, and during fermentation.  You get this rich bitterness and floral aroma the world has never known until now.  This will disrupt your mind and senses; convenient pun intended,” commented Parker.

Courtesy of Iron Horse Brewery
The Anniversary Ale - Disruptor IPA
As Iron Horse Brewery’s 9th anniversary ale, they wanted to do something completely different.“We want to alter the taste buds of craft beer drinkers everywhere. We want to reimagine the craft beer market place, which is why we are pleased to introduce to the world, a one of a kind beer style, called IPA,” said Jared Vallejo, marketing director of Iron Horse Brewery. “Based upon a relatively unknown process called dry hopping, Disruptor IPA is an intricately produced, deliciously amazing beer with just the right bitterness,  staggering aroma and is built on a solid malt backbone, giving it balance throughout the beer drinking session,” commented Vallejo.   

“I agree,” commented Ross Chalstrom,  Interloper of Press Release Quotes.

Courtesy of Iron Horse Brewery
What’s a Dutch-style Kuit?
According to the Brewer’s Association guidelines, “Dutch-style Kuits (Kuyt, Koyt) are gold to copper colored ale. Chill haze and other haze is allowable. The overall aroma character of this beer is grain emphasized with a grainy-bready accent. The distinctive character comes from the use of minimum 45% oat malt, minimum 20% wheat malt and the remainder pale malt.”  According to Tyson Read, head brewer at Iron Horse Brewery, “Koyt - it’s a flavorfulass beer made with oat malt.  We increase hopping over traditional standards to bitter it up a tad.  That’s what it is.”

Beer Nerd Details
Name: Koytus
Style: Dutch Kuit/Koyt
ABV: 5.8%
IBU: 22
Hops: Bravo, Centennial, Delta
Package: 22oz Bottles
Other: made with 45% oat malt, hopped up a touch, clarified with a centrifuge, and hugged by a giant platypus.

Beer Nerd Details
Name: Disruptor IPA
Style: A brand new style called IPA
ABV: 6.99%
IBU: 55
Hops: Apollo, Bravo, CTZ
Package: Draught & 22oz Bottles
Other: 5 pounds of hops per bbl of beer, this thing is loaded.  It will disrupt your senses.

Release and Availability
Both Koytus and Disruptor will hit the market in the beginning of July and will be available in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and Oregon.

The release has been in the works for at least 9 days with placement secured at several of the major chain grocery retailers as well as independent grocers and beer retailers. Consumers hoping to get their hands on either beer can use Iron Horse Brewery’s Beer finder for exact locations. The Beer Finder can be found here: http://ihor.se/beerfinder

About Iron Horse Brewery
Iron Horse Brewery, centrally located in Ellensburg, WA, has been producing hand crafted ales since 2007.  Iron Horse is owned by father-son team Greg and Gary Parker.   With 33 employees and a recent expansion, enabling IHB to double its brewing capacity, they plan to produced over 18,000 bbls in 2015. To learn more about the brewery or to simply take a break from really talkative co-worker go to www.ironhorsebrewery.com.






Thursday, June 25, 2015

HOPWORKS URBAN BREWERY RELEASES THREE ROTATING SEASONAL BEERS


Its been a busy couple of months for Hopworks Urban Brewery with recent releases the HUB Cider and the Organic Totally Radler. Today Hopworks Urban Brewery announces the release of three rotating summer seasonals, Pig War IPA, Ace of Spades imperial IPA, and IPX Single Hop Ale. See press release Below for details.

Courtesy of Hopworks Urban Brewery 
Portland, OR - Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) today announced the release of three rotating summer seasonals - Pig War White IPA, Ace of Spades Imperial IPA, and IPX Single Hop Ale: Simcoe. Pig War is available in four-packs of 16 oz. cans, and all three beers are available in 22 oz. bottles, and on draft, throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Courtesy of Hopworks Urban Brewery
 Pig War White IPA
For this White IPA, HUB uses Hard Red Spring Wheat grown on the brewery’s estate farm on San Juan Island. This specialty grain imparts tart flavors, medium body and a signature wheat beer haze. Organic Northwest hops add layers of fruity, citrus-like flavor and crisp bitterness. A truly refreshing twist on a summer favorite. The name Pig War commemorates the confrontation in 1859 between American and British authorities over San Juan Island. Plato: 14, IBU: 60, ABV: 6% 

Courtesy of Hopworks Urban Brewery
Organic Ace of Spades Imperial IPA
This hopped out beast has a blend of NW hops added at every point: mash tun, first wort, kettle, hop back and dry hop. All this green goodness results in a beer with a huge citrus hop aroma, flavor, and a deep, clean bitterness. Organic Ace of Spades won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival and Best In Show at the 2014 North American Organic Craft Beer Competition. Plato: 19, IBU: 100+, ABV 8.6%

Courtesy of Hopworks Urban Brewery
IPX Single Hop Ale: Simcoe
“IPX Simcoe” is the latest release in HUB’s single hop series, which has continued to be an educational celebration of hops for nearly three years. This release contains Simcoe hops that are both Organic and Salmon-Safe Certified from Loftus Ranches, a sustainable producer of hops in Yakima, WA. The hop is a well-known and popular hop for bittering and has aromas of citrus and pine. The single hop ale series highlights signature aromas and flavors of specific hop varieties. Each beer in the series is light-bodied with a dry, malt character and contains the same base recipe with the same finishing hop schedule. 60 IBUs and 6% ABV.

About Hopworks Urban Brewery
Hopworks Urban Brewery, a certified B Corporation, strives to revolutionize and inspire the brewing industry with practices that drive quality, protect the environment and improve the community we live in. Utilizing organic malts and a combination of locally-sourced organic and Salmon Safe hops, the company’s 20-barrel brewery produces 16,000 barrels of beer a year for HUB’s two brewpubs and for distribution throughout the Northwest. In 2015 Hopworks expanded its range of sustainably-made offerings with HUB Hard Cider and will open its third pub at the Pine St. Market in Downtown Portland. HUB is 100% renewably powered and “cradle to gate” carbon neutral. Visit Hopworks online at hopworksbeer.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.


Jameson Collaborates with Five Local Craft Breweries across the US

On Tuesday, Jameson® Irish Whiskey Announced its next phase of its Jameson Drinking Buddies program. Five US Breweries will collaborate with Jameson to create a limited edition beer using Jameson Whiskey barrels. Pretty Cool that local Pacific Northwest brewery Hilliard's Beer from Seattle, was one of the five breweries asked to participate. See the press release information below.

JAMESON® IRISH WHISKEY ANNOUNCES DRINKING BUDDIES COLLABORATION WITH FIVE AMERICAN CRAFT BREWERIES  
Courtesy of Jameson® Irish Whiskey
Jameson Collaborates with Five Local Craft Breweries across the US to Create Limited Edition
Beers Aged in Jameson Whiskey Barrels

NEW YORK, NY – (June 23, 2015) Jameson® Irish whiskey announces today the next phase of the Jameson Drinking Buddies program, highlighting distinct craft beer collaborations with American breweries. Continuing on last year’s successful collaboration with KelSo Beer Company of Brooklyn, Jameson is partnering with five local breweries from across the US who exemplify devotion to the spirit of their neighborhoods and share Jameson’s passion for craft & quality in the beer they produce.

The five breweries from across the US include – Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in New York, Deep Ellum Brewing Company in Dallas, Great Divide Brewing Company in Denver, and Hilliard's Beer in Seattle. Jameson invited each brewery to the distillery in Ireland, and then sent them home with Jameson Whiskey barrels to create a limited edition beer inspired by both their experience in Ireland, and their own unique neighborhood.

Showcased in a video series, being released over the coming weeks on JamesonNeighborhood.com, is the story of each partner brewery in the Drinking Buddies program. From visiting the Jameson distillery in Ireland, to becoming buddies with the whiskey distillers, the series sheds light on each brewer’s Drinking Buddies experience. Following the distillery visit, the brewers returned home to their neighborhood breweries with Jameson barrels, where the episodes chronicle the beers they ultimately brewed.

“The breweries involved share Jameson’s passion for craftsmanship, quality, and creativity,” said Sona Bajaria, Director, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Pernod Ricard USA. “With the creation of these locally brewed Jameson-inspired beers, our goal is to pay homage to the spirit of each brewery’s neighborhood.”

Courtesy of Jameson® Irish Whiskey


Brewery
Beer Name
Overview
Imperial Irish Ale
-   Color – Rich mahogany-hue
-   Aroma – Ripe fig and toffee notes
-   Flavor – Light vanilla, molasses, black cherries and a distinct peppery finish. The beer has an indulgent, yet subtle sweetness, full body, and warming linger.
-   ABV – 15.0%
Trans-Atlantic Red
-   Color – Deep auburn with highlights of red
-   Aroma – Rich and malty, with hints of chocolate and citrus fruit
-   Flavor – Deep and rich, with a big malt backbone, chocolate and coffee flavors and restrained hop character.  The Jameson barrels lend a layer of complexity that is highlighted by vanilla and toasted oak.
-   ABV – 7.0%
Local Legend - Jameson Edition
-   Color – Deep black
-   Aroma - Notes of vanilla and caramel, hints of licorice
-   Flavor - Rich mouthfeel from the flaked barley, notes of dark chocolate and roasted grains as well as an uncommon smoothness.
-   ABV – 6.0%
The Smoothness
-   Color – Dark
-   Aroma –Whiskey notes, chocolate, oak and leather
-   Flavor – Dark, smooth lager that has a velvet/silky mouth feel that accentuates roasted malt, vanilla and oak. It has a medium malt backbone that makes for a very balanced quaffable lager that highlights the characteristics of the Jameson barrels.
-   ABV – 8.5%
Jameson Whiskey Barrel Sour
-   Color – Chestnut
-   Aroma – Citrus, spiced wood, and a light sweetness
-   Flavor – Kettle-soured Saison with tart, lemony notes from the Belgian yeast and lactobacillus.  Flavors of caramel, vanilla and charred oak imparted by the barrels.
-   ABV – 5.5%


For more information on these unique collaborations, videos detailing the partnerships and tasting notes on the five specialty beers, please visit JamesonNeighborhood.com.

TASTE RESPONSIBLY.
JAMESON® Irish Whiskey.  40% Alc./Vol. (80 Proof).  Product of Ireland.©2015 Imported by John Jameson Important Company, Purchase, NY 

About Pernod Ricard USA®
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs a workforce of nearly 19,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).

The company’s leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avión™ Tequila; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek®, Kenwood® Vineyards and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

Pernod Ricard USA is based in New York, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

McMenamins Celebrates Oregon Craft Beer Month


McMenamins will be celebrating Oregon Craft Beer Month all month long in July. A returning tradition, each week in July, all Oregon locations offer happy hour prices all day on select brewing styles. McMenamins Passport holders will earn a stylized stamp for ordering the corresponding brew style

Weekly Happy Hour Specials ($4 a pint) & Passport Stamps:
 
Courtesy of McMenamins

 Half-price beer isn’t the only offering in July. Other key events include: 

Monday July 27th  -“It all starts with beer” - This documentary shows why Portland catapulted ahead in the craft beer revolution.
Movie screening and panel discussion 
Mission Theater
6pm doors, 7pm event  $7
Advance tickets available
 
July 9th - Pioneers of the Brewpub Bill
Listen to the original beer pioneers speak about Oregon Craft Beer history at the Mission Theater. .
"Pioneers of the Brewpub Bill" with Brian McMenamin, Dick Ponzi, Art Larrance, Kurt WIdmer and Fred Bauman and hosted by John Foyston. Showing BEERVANA movie after the discussion.
6 p.m. doors; 7 p.m. event * Free * All ages welcome

July 12th - 30th Anniversary of the Brewpub Bill
In July 1985, the Brewpub Bill was passed, paving the way for the establishment of not just McMenamins brewpubs, but brewpubs around the country. To celebrate, all McMenamins beers will be available for $4 at any location on July 12, including those in Washington. Passport holders can earn a special stamp on this day as well.

McMenamins One Millionth Keg
In just thirty short years, McMenamins will have brewed one million kegs of beer by this July. More information to come.

Bottling Sunflower IPA
Starting July 1, limited edition bottles of dry-hopped Sunflower IPA will be made available for purchase through July at all McMenamins locations. Grab your 22-ounce bottle of this tribute to the evolution of Oregon craft beer while you can as it’s a limited batch!
Courtsey of McMenamins

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Hop Hands:The Beer Pannier Kickstarter Live Now

Courtesy of Hop Hands
We've all been there....struggling to carry a growler full of beer while also struggling to ride your bike, or walk and hold a leash while walking an energetic dog, or maybe you've got kids and need both hands to walk with them....well check out this cool new growler carrier that will hopefully fix those issues called Hop Hands that two local Portland Beer lovers are hoping to get funded via Kickstarter.

Courtesy of Hop Hands
Rather than trying to give you the information on the Hop Hands:The Beer Pannier, please read the well written statement from Emily Damen and Jenna Forstrom about Hop Hands:The Beer Pannier and what it can do for you. For more pictures and information on the Hop Hands:The Beer Pannier go check out their Kickstarter page which is live now.

Hop Hands:The Beer Pannier

Many beer enthusiasts ride bicycles- whether for commuting, exercise, or just for fun. Here in Portland, we have seen a few too many cyclists struggling to find ways to carry their growlers from breweries or bottle shops, to their final destinations. We have personally experienced the awkwardness of trying to carry a growler in a backpack, or attempt to fit a growler in a traditional pannier along with expensive computers, work clothes, or groceries. With Hop Hands, we remove these burdens to help you get your growler from point A to point B safely and easily, and with comfort and style.

Hop Hands mission is to deliver quality beer transportation products, which encourage environmentally friendly choices and help give back to the community. Hop Hands is a simple growler carrying devices that straps onto a bike, or can be carried by hand. Unlike other growler transportation products, Hop Hands is adjustable to fit multiple sizes and styles of bicycles. Our product does not require any permanent fixture to a bicycle, thus providing more flexibility to the customer.

Don’t have a bicycle? No problem! Hop Hands is a great way to carry your growler over your shoulder when your hands are full with dog leashes, blankets, and food- like ours often are!

Hop Hands is made with a heavy-duty canvas, and lined with neoprene to help insulate and protect the growler. Since Hop Hands is adjustable, it can carry 750mL wine bottles or 22oz bombers, as well as growlers. Just cinch down the side straps to adjust Hop Hands to other bottle sizes.

Own a brewery or bike shop? We can screen print your logo directly onto our product. Hop Hands makes a great gift for beer and bike fans or customers!

Not only does Hop Hands encourage environmentally sustainable transportation, but we also give back to the local community. Hop Hands plans to donate a portion of each item sold, to BridgeTown Inc, a Portland nonprofit that exists to develop and sustain relational environments that create movement within groups and individuals to demonstrate love and generosity lived out in the world. BTown Inc creates relational environments that provide Relief, Mobilization and Transformation. For more information about this nonprofit, visit their website at www.bridgetowninc.org

Courtesy of Hop Hands
 Hop Hands will be hosting a launch party at Growler Guys in SE Portland on this Wednesday from 6-10pm. Event information


Hop Hands Kickstarter
Hop Hands
Hop Hands Twitter
Hop Hands FB Page
Hop Hands Kickstarter FB Page


Crux Celebrates 3 Years With Cruxapalooza 2015

Congrats to the folks at Crux Fermentation Project on their upcoming 3 year anniversary. You can't have an anniversary without a party, so Crux is throwing Cruxaplooza 2015 on June 27th from 11:30am to 10:00pm, see details below.
Courtesy of Crux Fermentation Project

It's Cruxapalooza time!


Three years ago, Crux Fermentation Project was founded in pursuit of the next great beer.  The brewery itself was built by a community of beer lovers. And that community continues to grow.
We can’t tell you how much we love seeing you all in the Tasting Room and on the patio, at bottle release events across the Northwest, and saying hi on social media.
So this party is for you! Please come help us celebrate our 3rd anniversary with live music, tasty food, cool shirts, and of course, great beer.
CRUXAPALOOZA 2015
Saturday June 27
11:30-10
at
Crux Fermentation Project
50 SW Division St., Bend, Oregon 97702
RSVP at Facebook
Please consider carpooling or cycling.

SPECIAL ONE-OFF [BANISHED] BEERS:
1. Golden Sour—Crooked Stave Collaboration
2. Bretted Peaches and Pears Saison
3. Viognier Sour
LIVE MUSIC LINEUP:
12:30-2  Second Son, Country/Folk
2:30-4  Three D, Light Soul/ Funk
4:30-6  Phil Friendly Trio, Rockabilly/ Roots
6:30-8  2nd Hand Soldiers, Reggae/ Rock/ Funk
8:30-10:00  MOWO, Hip Hop / Unclassifiable


Crux Fermentation Project Twitter
Crux Fermentation Project Instagram

Oregon Garden Brewfest Recap

Courtesy of Oregon Garden Brewfest
Father’s Day weekend brings record crowds to 11th annual Oregon Garden Brewfest
Beer lovers and families alike take advantage of a beautiful weekend with beer, live music, games and more

SILVERTON, Ore. — The 11th annual Oregon Garden Brewfest enjoyed vigorous crowds at this past weekend’s event, with just over 8,200 beer lovers in attendance over the three-day weekend. Beer lovers came from all over the Northwest to sample from 136 handcrafted beers, ciders and mead, and enjoy live music in a beautiful setting.

“We changed the festival date from its traditional late April weekend to Father’s Day this year to take advantage of nicer weather and showcase the Garden in bloom,” explained Mary Ridderbusch-Shearer, event manager. “The move was welcomed by many, who liked seeing the Garden in a warmer setting and enjoyed the chance to spend some quality time with the fathers in their life. What Dad wouldn’t want to go to a beer festival on Father’s Day?”

The Oregon Garden Brewfest took place under twinkly white lights in the Frank J. Schmidt Pavilion on the grounds of the Oregon Garden, with spillover in an outdoor tent. Attendees were welcome to explore the 80 acres of botanical gardens with drinks in hand. Crowds squeezed together to enjoy the music of a dozen regional bands on Friday and Saturday evenings, including 
headliners Water Tower and Ural Thomas & The Pain.

The People’s Choice – determined by votes cast at the festival – was from local Salem Ale Works with their Hootenanny Honey Basil, a pale blond ale nicely balanced by the addition fresh basil and honey. Styles ranged from ambers to Belgians to stouts; fruit beers and radlers were also very popular this year.

On Sunday, more than 1,500 attendees visited, many with children who took advantage of the complimentary craft: making their Dad a wooden coaster burnished with the Oregon Garden logo. Others played games in the sun, including shuffleboard, skee-ball and foosball, all set up in the Garden.

Many attendees wisely took advantage of Brewfest packages at the Oregon Garden Resort located immediately above the festival grounds. A Moonstone Hotel property, the Oregon Garden Resort offers 103 rooms overlooking The Oregon Garden and is only a short walk from the festival venue.

Auxiliary events included the fourth annual Brewer’s Tasting Dinner held at the resort on the eve of the festival. The six-course tasting featured small plates paired with beers from six Northwest breweries. Brewing industry members mingled with craft beer aficionados at the intimate event, which featured a short introduction by each of the brewers about that particular beer prior to it being served.

The 12th annual Oregon Garden Brewfest will take place June 17 through 19, 2016. To stay informed, visit www.oregongarden.org/events/brewfest/

ABOUT THE OREGON GARDEN
The Oregon Garden offers more than 80 acres that showcase the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest with more than 20 individual themed gardens and related attractions. The mission of The Oregon Garden is to welcome and inspire all visitors with an appreciation for the extraordinary ecology of the Pacific Northwest, and to provide a meaningful educational experience for gardeners of all skill levels and ages. The Oregon Garden offers memberships that help support new improvements and visitor programs. Visit www.OregonGarden.org or call (503) 874-8100 for more information.