Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Tuesday, the 15th of May (halfway through the month already!). As usual I’ll be periodically updating this post so check back often for the latest updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get it posted.
Belmont Station (Portland): Today is the premier of the “Three Ring Circus” collaboration beer that Ninkasi‘s Jamie Floyd brewed with the Homebrew Chef Sean Paxton as well as Speakeasy Brewing and Schmaltz Brewing (yesterday I’d reported this as an “event” but it’s really a beer). Jamie Floyd will be on-hand to tap this keg (and reps from Speakeasy and Schmaltz will be there with beers too) from 5 to 8pm. The beer itself is a true “circus” beer, a “nut brown ale brewed with dulce de leche, popped corn and peanuts”!
Cascade Brewing (Portland): Tonight’s Tap It Tuesday event (starting at 6pm) is Live Red, a “NW style sour red ale that was aged for four months in Bourbon barrels. Dark red wine, raisins and red grape skin aromas are noticed up front. Sweet red grapes and caramel with hints of hazelnuts roll across the palate. Bright red currants and cherries linger in the finish. There is no fruit or spicing in this beer, it’s just a double red aged on oak. 6.5 % ABV, $6 per glass.”
And, for anyone who was waiting for some special bottle releases from Cascade this week, only Sang Noir will be out; the Figaro isn’t ready to go yet (which is both a risk and a benefit from aging sour beers—they take longer but they’ll be better in the end).
Since I had written up my review of Seven Brides Brewing a week ago, it occurred to me that I also have tasting notes for one of their beers—Frankenlou’s IPA. I had written a short note on the brewery review:
Fruity and a touch of apricot which is a nice touch (it reminds me of Boneyard Beer’s Zwickelmania IPA sample after only 1 day of fermentation). Imperial IPA character with nice tropical fruit notes.
But earlier this year I had picked up a bottle to try so I can write up a more comprehensive review. Looking over those notes now, it’s apparent I liked the draft version better than the bottled (though the bottled version isn’t bad), but then very often draft (fresh) is better than bottled in most cases.
Frankenlou’s IPA is their first IPA, and they wanted to make a “hop monster” (hence the play on the name); it turned out to be 7% alcohol by volume and a whopping 105 IBUs (calculated).
Appearance: Clear, brown-copper color, tan head that has a tint of orange to it.
Smell: Some green hop character, and lots of crystal malts giving it a sweet toffee nose.
Taste: Big earthy bitterness that’s woody and grassy, and drowns out the other characters (malts)—it’s not 105 IBUs though, not really. [Often what's calculated doesn't match actual levels, particularly with high amounts of hops and alcohol.] A bit muddled, I can’t distinguish what hops are in here except to say “earthy” ones.
Mouthfeel: Medium-to-full bodied, with a chewy feel to it (Imperial IPA-ish).
Overall: I suspect hopheads will like this beer, but I’d look for a cleaner handling of the hops myself. Drinkable!
Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a good Mother’s Day yesterday, whether you were celebrating FredFest, taking mom out to eat, or whatever! And with another beautiful day on tap, here’s the Oregon beer news for Monday the 14th. As usual I’ll be periodically updating this throughout the day, so check back often for the latest updates. And if you have news to share please contact me so I can get it posted.
Deschutes Brewery (Portland) has their Collage Beer Dinner in Portland tonight at Wildwood Restaurant: celebrating the release of their first collaboration beer (Conflux #1) with Hair of the Dog Brewing with an amazing menu pairing not only with Collage but also with each of the four constituent beers that make up the Collage blend: The Dissident, The Stoic, Fred, and Adam—each specially aged in different barrels. Tickets are $85 (with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Oregon Food Bank), and there are 10 left—if you want reservations you can contact Special Events Director Shelly Jones at 503.225.0130 or shelly@wildwoodrestaurant.com.
The Bend Collage Beer Dinner is this Friday the 18th, with a slightly different menu but the beers are the same. Tickets are also $85 (benefitting NeighborImpact of Central Oregon) and there look to be 30 tickets remaining—so don’t wait!
(And, the general brewery release for Collage is tomorrow, Tuesday the 15th.)
Here’s the Oregon beer news for Friday, May 12 (and the weekend). As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post thoughout the day, so check back often, and if you have news to share please contact me—I’m happy to get that posted!
Breakside Brewery (Portland) is celebrating their 2nd Anniversary Block Party tomorrow, pretty much all day (from 1 to 7) with live music, food specials, amazing beers, “celebrity” chefs and much more! Cost is $15 for a glass and 5 drink tickets for the outside tent. If you’re in/around Portland, this is on your must-do list for tomorrow!
And Sunday, the 13th, is FredFest! Your chance to drink with Fred Eckhardt to celebrate his birthday and enjoy some amazing beers—Lisa Morrison has posted an incredible beer list! Tickets are $60 and it looks like there are still some available; and it takes place at Hair of the Dog on Yamhill from 2 to 6pm. Be there!
Here’s the news in beer from around Oregon for Thursday, the 10th of May. As usual I’ll be updating this post periodically throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news. If you have news you’d like to share, please contact me and I can get it posted.
Oakshire Brewing (Eugene) has a big pub crawl going on tonight for Eugene Beer Week, starting at 6pm and going to… whenever! “Meet the Oakshire Team at Hot Mama’s Wings at 6p- then join us as we bike to Cornucopia’s Maize Lounge (7p), Max’s Tavern (8p), The Webfoot (9p), Rennie’s Landing (10p), and ending at Wild Duck Cafe (11p). See you there!” This would be a blast and you get to hang out with some of the Oakshire folks—win-win!
This Sunday, May 13th (and Mother’s Day) is FredFest! One of those premier Portland events that celebrates writer Fred Eckhardt. “What started as a small surprise 80th birthday party for world-renowned beer writer Fred Eckhardt is coming back around in its seventh year as one of the most anticipated beer events of the year. Attendees will be treated not only to a rare assortment of hand-selected beers, but also light fare cooked in beer and a birthday cake — complete with a round of “Happy Birthday” — just for Fred. Cheeses, chocolate, candy and even cereal will be offered in abundance so attendees can experience some of Fred’s famed beer-and-food pairings.” Tickets are $60 and it looks like there are still some available; and it takes place at Hair of the Dog on Yamhill from 2 to 6pm.
Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Tuesday, the 15th of May (halfway through the month already!). As usual I’ll be periodically updating this post so check back often for the latest updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get it posted.
Since I had written up 
