and reflects on the crafty transformation of the beer business From a beer lover’s perspective, the last 20 years have been like “manna from heaven.” Pike was founded in 1989, only a decade after the first “micro” brewery in this century opened in the U.S. For the first time in more than 100 years, an increasing number of Americans were given a break from lager and were introduced to top fermented beers. Enthusiasts were now … Continue reading →
21st Amendment Brewing out of San Francisco—they of the (formerly) Watermelon Wheat fame that is always a hit at the Oregon Brewers Festival—began canning two of their beers just under a year ago, and it was fairly recently that they started distributing in Oregon. I found them both at The Brew Shop here in Bend and decided to start with their IPA—Brew Free! or Die IPA. (The Watermelon has a similarly punny name.) BFoD is … Continue reading →
Earlier this month canned beer received some prominence when it was featured in a story by NPR: Craft Beer In A Can? A Gutsy Move Is Paying Off. It focuses primarily on Alaska but also touches on Oskar Blues Brewing (who has become the defacto poster child for canned craft beer, I think). It dovetails nicely into Canned Beer Week and has a few interesting tidbits about beer in Alaska to boot. But [beverage distributor … Continue reading →
Full Sail Brewing Company is proud to announce the release of their latest Brewmaster Reserve Beer, Vesuvius Belgian Golden Ale. First brewed four years ago on August 24th, the beer was named after Mount Vesuvius that erupted that same day, in 79 A.D. According to Full Sail Brewmaster John Harris, Vesuvius is brewed in the Belgian Golden Ale style. These beers are known for being light in color, but strong in flavor and alcohol. The … Continue reading →
During last year’s Canned Beer Week, I spent some time focusing on Oskar Blues Grill & Brewery as they were the first microbrewer to can their beer beginning in 2002. In addition to informally interviewing Marty Jones, their Marketing Director, I also did (post-Week) reviews of three of their beers: Dale’s Pale Ale Old Chub Gordon At the time, Oskar Blues beers weren’t available in Oregon at all, Marty graciously sent me the three to … Continue reading →
