Big Mountain Breaks Boundary, Becomes Year-Round Brew

Courtsey of Alaskan Brewing Co

JUNEAU, Alaska (April 13, 2016) – In response to the popularity it garnered in the Boundary Range Hop Pack, Big Mountain Pale Ale will become Alaskan Brewing Company’s newest year-round offering. The Pale Ale is an expression of bright and bold hop flavors, in a crushable and refreshing beer that is great for all occasions.

“This beer is all about refreshment and a burst of flavors from a couple of superstar hops,” said Alaskan Head Brewer Rob Day. “We brewed it to be dry with a fairly light malt profile in order to bring the hop flavors forward.”
Simcoe and Mosaic are the featured hops in Big Mountain, and their intensity and complexity are undeniable in this brew. Hints of tropical fruit complement the resinous pine and berry taste and aroma.

Day said Pale Ales are an exciting category, because they can bring a great amount of hop flavor and aroma, without the high bitterness levels typical of India Pale Ales.

With Big Mountain breaking out of the Boundary Range Hop Pack, it leaves room for a new beer in that package, and Alaskan has filled the bill with Ridge Hop IPA – a single-hop beer featuring the Azacca hop from Australia. Azacca has a citrus and piney character, but also adds a complexity of grassiness. Ridge Hop IPA is now available in the Boundary Range Hop Pack and not available elsewhere.

The name and label of Big Mountain pay tribute to the amazing landscape in which Alaskan Brewing makes beer – with massive mountains all around us – and to the adventurers who seek to journey into that landscape to climb, ride and ski the steepest chutes and most radical lines.

Alaska is home to North America’s biggest mountain, Denali at over 20,000 ft., and also Mt. St. Elias, Mt. Foraker, Mt. Bona, Mt. Blackburn and Mt. Sanford, all over 16,000 ft. in elevation. Near the brewery, in the outer coast ranges of the Southeast panhandle, Big Mountain climbing and riding is how athletes describe the most extreme terrain.

Big Mountain Pale Ale will be available in stores and taps throughout the 18 states where Alaskan Brewing distributes. Big Mountain will be sold in bottles and on draft.

For more information, check out Alaskan Brewing’s website at www.alaskanbeer.com.

PortlandPerks discount tickets now available for 11th annual Cheers to Belgian Beers Festival

Courtesy of the Oregon Brewers Guild

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers festival, which showcases up to 70 Belgian-style beers brewed by Oregon craft brewers using the same single yeast strain, has announced a link for PortlandPerks advance discount tickets. The 11th annual event is scheduled for June 2 and 3 at The North Warehouse at 723 N. Tillamook St. Hours are 1pm to 9pm on Friday and 12pm to 8pm on Saturday.

Discount tickets are on sale now at GetMyPerks, which is offering two tasting glasses and 16 drink tickets for $28 ($40 value), while supplies last. Drink packages at the door will cost $20 for a souvenir glass and eight drink tickets. The event is for ages 21 and over.

This year’s featured yeast strain is Imperial Yeast B45 Gnome, a yeast that creates crystal clear Belgian ales in a short amount of time. Gnome produces peach and apricot esters with a Belgian phenolic character that can be manipulated through temperature. It pairs well with hops, while also complementing malt and caramel characters.

To ensure the diversity of the yeast strain, as well as show off the creativity of Oregon craft brewers, the color and strength of each brewery’s beer is determined by a dart throw. More than 80 breweries took part in this year’s dart throw, held on Jan. 16 at The Evergreen, the private event space at the Loyal Legion. Depending on where the dart landed on the board, a brewer was directed to brew a Belgian-style beer that will be either light or dark in color, with amber as the midpoint; and either lower or higher in alcohol, with six percent being the baseline. Four breweries hit a bullseye, meaning they get to choose their color and strength.

Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers takes place inside The North Warehouse as well as outside in the tented parking lot. Food is available from Urban German Grill. Street parking is available, but limited. Attendees are encouraged to take public transportation — the TriMet Bus Line 35 stops one block away and the Yellow Max Line stops two blocks away — or ride their bike, with complimentary bike parking available.

The festival is seeking volunteers, who receive a glass, 8 drink tickets, a t-shirt and free admission after their shift. An OLCC servers permit is not required to participate as a volunteer server at this event. To sign up, visit  https://www.events-connect.com/ctbb/volunteer.

Cheers to Belgian Beers is produced by the Oregon Brewers Guild and sponsored by Boelter, Imperial Yeast and the Portland Mercury. Follow @OregonCraftBeer on social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, #ctbb17.

About the Oregon Brewers Guild

The Oregon Brewers Guild is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the state’s craft brewing industry and the common interests of its members. Founded in 1992, the Oregon Brewers Guild is one of the nation’s oldest craft brewers associations. The Guild comprises 159 brewing companies, 118 associate/supplier members and more than 3,950 enthusiast members known as S.N.O.B.s (Supporters of Native Oregon Beer). To learn more, visit OregonCraftBeer.org.

Website: http://oregoncraftbeer.org/ctbb/

Social Media: @OregonCraftBeer - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1732694283687999/

Hashtag: #ctbb17

McMenamins Seasonal Black Cherry Cider Returns

Courtesy of McMenamins

While the rest of the country has been enjoying warm temperatures and sunshine, spring in the Pacific Northwest has been a rough one. With all of the rain, overcast skies, high winds and below 60 degree temperatures, it can be hard to believe that we’ll ever experience nice weather again.

But there is hope! And it’s in the color of crimson. The return of McMenamins Black Cherry Cider is the prefect reminder that summer is almost here. This McMenamins seasonal uses a tradition dry apple cider base and adds a generous amount of sweet black cherry juice from local growers. The result is a seamlessly blended sweet and tart concoction that is a perfect pairing for late spring days. Available now through July at all of McMenamins pubs and properties. 

 Coming up in May, McMenamins will celebrate their 25^th anniversary of producing cider! To mark this DIY milestone, fans are invited to a one-day celebration at Edgefield on Friday, May 19 to taste cider fondue and enjoy discounted prices on cider pints and growlers fills. It’s a cherry on top of Black Cherry Cider! 

Omission Brewing Launches Ultimate Light Golden Ale: A 5 Carb, 99-calorie Craft Beer

Courtesy of Omission Brewing Co

The brewers behind America’s favorite crafted-to-remove-gluten beers launch Omission Ultimate, for people who want a lighter beer without sacrificing great taste

PORTLAND, Ore. – April 11, 2017 – Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale is a nationally available light craft beer specially crafted to remove gluten. A mere 99 calories and 5 carbs per 12-ounce beer, Omission Ultimate Light is the perfect choice for beer drinkers who are looking for a lighter option but still want to enjoy the full flavor of a delicious craft beer. Like all Omission beers, Ultimate Light Golden Ale is brewed with traditional beer ingredients and crafted to remove gluten.

“Consumers have a lot of choices when it comes to craft beer, but there aren’t many options if you’re looking for something that’s low in calories and carbs but still high in flavor,” said Joe Casey, Brewmaster, Omission Brewing Co. “We wanted to create a craft beer that gave active consumers a better-tasting option and one with the additional benefit of being crafted to remove gluten.  Omission Ultimate Light is an incredibly versatile beer that delivers the complete craft beer experience without weighing you down.”

At just 4.2 percent ABV, Omission Ultimate Light is a sessionable golden ale with a distinctive hop aroma and flavor and a clean finish that leaves you wanting more. While Ultimate Light can be enjoyed year-round, its low alcohol content, super-light calorie-carb combo, and golden hue make it a perfect beer for summer.

Founded in 2012, Omission Brewing Co. is the first craft beer brand in the U.S. focused exclusively on brewing great-tasting beers with traditional beer ingredients, including malted barley, that have the benefit of being specially crafted to remove gluten. Ultimate Light joins an award-winning, best-selling lineup of beers crafted to remove gluten that includes Omission IPA, Omission Pale Ale and Omission Lager.

Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale will be available nationally in six-packs of 12oz bottles. For additional information on Omission Brewing Co., visit omissionbeer.com and follow Omission on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale

Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale is smooth and easy drinking, and full of flavor. Citrusy hops and a clean finish at just 99 calories and 5 carbohydrates give active lifestyle drinkers the perfect choice to turn to when reaching for a beer, whether post-workout, at home or out on the town. Plus, like all Omission beers, Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale is crafted to remove gluten, making it the ultimate light beer.

Per 12 Fl. Oz. – Calories: 99, Carbs: 5g, ABV: 4.2% Protein 1.5g, Fat: 0g

About Omission Brewing Co.

Founded in 2012, Omission Brewing Co. is the first craft beer brand in the U.S. focused exclusively on brewing great-tasting beers with traditional beer ingredients, including malted barley, that are specially crafted to remove gluten. Each batch of Omission Beer is tested independently using the R5 competitive ELISA test to ensure that it contains gluten levels below the U.S. FDA gluten-free standard of 20ppm or less. Omission's line up of beers is the most awarded within the gluten reduced segment, and includes Omission Lager, Omission Pale Ale, Omission IPA and now Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale.

Full Sail Brewing Releasing New Exit 63 Blonde Ale

Courtesy of Full Sail Brewing Co

Hood River, Oregon – April 11, 2017 – The perfect blonde is from Hood River. Approachable and easygoing, Full Sail’s new Exit 63 Blonde Ale is 100% real. Full Sail has been sustainably brewing authentic craft beer using locally sourced ingredients since 1987, and Exit 63 Blonde Ale – in sunny, take-anywhere cans – is no exception.

“Exit 63 is a celebration of this place we call home,” says Full Sail Brewmaster Jim Kelter. “From our brewery just off Exit 63 in Hood River, OR, comes this easy drinking Blonde Ale brewed with pale rye malt, Northwest grown barley, and Cascade, Mt. Hood, and Glacier hops.” 

Inspired by that sense of place, Exit 63 is brewed with water from glacier-fed springs off the slopes of Mt. Hood, and Northwest-grown barley and hops from the fields of Yakima and Willamette valleys. Golden blonde in the glass and smooth on the palate, this ale evokes the brighter and warmer days of summer. Subtle notes of spice and a light body define this easy-drinking beer. 

Light and refreshing but never boring, this American blonde is like sunshine in a can whatever the weather. Exit 63 Blonde Ale is available year-round in aluminum, 12 oz. cans in 6-packs, 12-packs and on draft. 5% ABV, 16 IBUs. 

Courtesy of Full Sail Brewing Co

About Full Sail Brewing Company

Perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the mighty Columbia River’s epic wind and kite surfing and the snow-capped volcanic peak of Mt. Hood, Full Sail is a true craft-brewing pioneer. Since 1987, Full Sail has been pouring pure Mt. Hood water, local ingredients and responsible processes into each and every pint. Full Sail’s brews and sustainable practices have garnered more than 300 national and international awards, including 150 gold medals and Beverage World’s “Craft Brewer of the Year” distinction. From Full Sail Amber and IPA to Session Lager and bourbon barrel-aged beers, Full Sail consistently strives to brew complex, balanced and ridiculously tasty beers. Learn more at www.fullsailbrewing.com.