Received: Portland Cider RazzBerry

Received: Portland Cider RazzBerry

One nice thing about having samples delivered: I don’t have to go out and risk coronavirus infection to get beer. Or cider, in the case of today’s arrival: Portland Cider Company RazzBerry. RazzBerry features loads of bright raspberries combined with Northwest-grown apples, a touch of lemon zest, and juicy Hood … Continue reading

Received: SweetWater Brewery Mexican lager and hard seltzer

Received: SweetWater Brewery Mexican lager and hard seltzer

Late last week among other beer sample arrivals was a pair of cans from Georgia’s SweetWater Brewery: 420 Strain Insane OG Mexican Lager, and Lime Haze Hydroponics Seltzer. Of the 420 Strain, SweetWater says: We turned to a couple true OGs for this collab: Cypress Hill’s B-Real and his Insane … Continue reading

Received: Double Mountain Wickson Crab Cider, 2020 edition

Received: Double Mountain Wickson Crab Cider, 2020 edition

Arriving just before the weekend: the 2020 edition of Wickson Crab Cider from Double Mountain Brewery. As the name implies, this one is made from crab apples to “impart a wonderful earthiness and incredible aromas of ripe honeydew and Meyer lemon.” I’d also received a bottle of this last year, … Continue reading

Received: Modified Theory mixers in three flavors

Received: Modified Theory mixers in three flavors

Modified Theory is the new, non-Deschutes-branded venture from Deschutes Brewery, billed as a “crafted hard bevy” intended for use as a cocktail mixer or other lifestyle drinks, and all three flavors arrived this week in a specialty “mixology” package. Along with a can of each flavor, there’s also a mixing … Continue reading

Kells Irish Festival in Portland canceled this year in response to COVID-19

Kells Irish Festival in Portland canceled this year in response to COVID-19

News from Portland today announcing the cancellation of Kells Irish Festival this year amid concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak: The McAleese Family –– Gerard, Lucille and Garrett McAleese –– has issued the following statement regarding the Kells Irish Festival: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are complying with new state … Continue reading

Block 15 Maple – Robust Maple Porter

Block 15 Maple – Robust Maple Porter

Block 15 Brewery, based in Corvallis, Oregon, is one of the best and probably most underrated (and under the radar?) breweries in the state. The brewery consistently puts out a wide range of beers across all styles, from classics to experimental IPAs to incredible sour and wild beers. I have … Continue reading

Received: New Holland Lightpoint – redux

Received: New Holland Lightpoint – redux

This week a second package from New Holland Brewing arrived, with the brewery’s Lightpoint Functional White Ale. Only this time, instead of crowlers, I got four cans along with a Lightpoint sweatshirt and—get this—a sweat/headband. (Fully in keeping with the lifestyle, functional, low-cal theme of the beer!) Also a note … Continue reading

City Roots Evergreen Farmhouse Cider

City Roots Evergreen Farmhouse Cider

Nordic farmhouse yeast: not just kveik for IPAs anymore! That’s because it was used to ferment Evergreen Farmhouse Cider, the first winter seasonal offering from Massachusetts’ City Roots Cider (the cider making side of Harpoon Brewery). This cider gets the full sahti-like treatment, not only fermented with Nordic yeast but … Continue reading