Liberate Your Taste Buds with Hopworks Secession Cascadian Dark Ale

North American Organic Brewers Festival organizers joined forces with Hopworks Urban Brewery to brew a revolutionary Cascadian Dark Ale, dubbed Secession, which debuted at the NAOBF June 26-28th in Portland’s Overlook Park.

Secession is characterized by an alliance of militant Northwest hop flavors as powerful as Cascadia’s coniferous forests, and roasty malts as black as the rubber boots Cascadians don from September to June, (and brewers wear year round).

Secession is brewed in the emerging Cascadian Dark Ale style, often mistakenly called Black IPA. Pioneered by brewers in Newport, Oregon and Victoria, BC the style has been gaining traction across Cascadia and further afield. NAOBF organizers Abram Goldman-Armstrong, a homebrewer since 1995, and Izaak Butler who has helped him brew many 10-gallon batches of CDA, teamed up with Hopworks Brewmaster Christian Ettinger and Assistant Brewmaster Ben Love to brew 20 barrels of Secession on Hopworks’ biodiesel-fueled brewkettle. Secession is a classic example of this truly indigenous Cascadian beer style, bountifully hopped with Nugget, Magnum, Centennial, Atahnum, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops from first wort to the fermenter. Its 70 units of bitterness are offset by a roasty character from organic chocolate and Carafa malts, with a hint of caramel lurking in the forest of hop flavors.

A Cascadian Almanac:
Boundaries: Cascadia stretches from the redwood forests of Northern California to the craggy coastal islands of northern British Columbia and east to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Flag: a Douglas Fir rampant on a horizontal tri-color of Blue, white, and green
Official Animal: Chinook salmon. Official Tree: Western Red Cedar National Costume: Rubber boots, blue jeans, tshirt, hoodie. Carhartts, polar fleece, and gortex also figure prominently in Cascadian attire.

Cascadia (defined by the Seattle-based Sightline Institute):
Named for the Cascade Mountains -- and for the cascading waterfalls that pepper the region -- Cascadia is bound together by salmon and rivers, by snowcapped mountains and towering forests. The region's population exceeds 16 million; its economy is larger than Russia's; and its land area is larger than France, Germany, and the United Kingdom combined.
The people of Cascadia share not only geography but also an aspiration: to live well in their place. Slowly and gradually, Cascadia is realigning its economy and way of life so that both people, and the natural system that support and enrich their lives, can thrive.

With its natural beauty, 30% of the world’s hops and some of the most innovative beers on the planet, Cascadia is well worth toasting. So raise a glass of Secession that we might, as Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1813, “see a free, great, and independent empire on the banks of the Columbia River.”

BEER SOCKS!

Who doesn't love funky socks? These retro, 70's-inspired Beer socks are super stretchy, super comfy, and 100% Made in the U.S.A. The socks are designed to fit both women AND men - up to men's foot size 13.5, and reach to the knee on everyone 5'2" - 6'2" in height.

They are available for sale for $9.95 in a number of places, including online through www.rocksocks.net, as well as at The Red Light in Portland.

Erica Easley, Owner of Rock Socks resides in the Northwest. Support local, support beer!

Taplister.com Public Launch Party July 6th!

Taplister.com, Portland’s newest online craft beer resource, announces the official launch party for Taplister.com, the world's first live beer search engine based off of Twitter.

To celebrate the creation of this new service, Taplister.com will be throwing a launch party on Monday July 6th, 7pm at the EastBurn (1800 East Burnside Portland, OR 97214).

EastBurn will be offering $10 pitchers of beers and Taplister.com will be giving away craft beer swag as well as demo-ing their website and free iPhone app called Beer Signal. This will be an event that craft beer fans will not want to miss. As an added bonus, Hopworks Urban Brewery and Upright Brewing will be bringing special beers and the brewers themselves will be in attendance to talk about their beers.

About Taplister.com: Taplister.com of Portland, OR was founded in February 2009 by tech and beer geeks, Kerry Finsand, Scott Wray, Ken Baer & Kevin Scaldeferri. With the singular goal of creating a community resource that helps you find what craft beers are on tap in Portland, Oregon. Beer Fans can visit the site and search to see where their favorite beers are on tap, and mobile users can download the free iPhone app called Beer Signal or use the mobile version of Taplister.com to search for their favorite beers. In addition, Taplister.com has installed Pubcams at EastBurn & Saraveza that displays a live feed of their tap boards on Taplister.com.

The "Declaration Cocktail" - Just In Time For Independence Day

Declaration Cocktail
by James MacWilliams, Canlis Restaurant, Seattle

I read somewhere once that while writing the Declaration of Independence our forefathers drank eight barrels of beer, wine and spirits. They consumed more alcohol and with less discrimination than we do today. The average was eight ounces of alcohol per person per day. With breakfast they drank beer and wine, with dinner it was claret and cognac. And they drank rum all the time. Beer replaced water even for kids.

So with the thought that July 4th is really a celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th 1776 (since, after all, Independence was won on July 2nd) and that for two days Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton and a crew of others drank and debated, and were most likely stupefied by the time it was over, I give you the Declaration Cocktail. To be consumed like you have wooden teeth.


And when you have finished two or three of these true American libations and inspiration has struck, toast this fine and proud land!

The Drink:
In 12 oz glass, mug or boot pour
· 1oz Pyrat rum. Any fruity rum will do but we did commit mutiny after all.
· .75oz Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey. High proof and spicy.
· .75oz brown sugar syrup
· 6oz Ale. I like something malty with some body. Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale is my choice, is close to beer Jefferson might have brewed himself.

Don Your Gown, Pints for Prostates Comes to Town!

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer affecting men in the United States and every year, over 200,000 new cases are diagnosed within the U.S. alone. Rogue Ales is reaching out to men through the universal language of beer by hosting 7 events for Pints for Prostates, a campaign developed to reach men with information about PSA testing and prostate health screening.

Pints for Prostates was created to raise the awareness of men about prostate cancer and the need for regular health check-ups. The campaign supports the efforts of Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a not for profit group founded and governed by prostate cancer survivors that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer.

On Friday July 24th Pints for Prostates, along with founder Rick Lyke, will find its way to Rogue Distillery & Public in Portland, OR for a special fundraiser during the Oregon Brewers Festival. Clad in Doctor’s attire, Rogue pub staff will host a day of events including:

* 11:00am - special Pints for Prostates firkin tapping
* 12:00pm - a latex glove donning contest happens at the top of every hour for prizes
* 5:00pm - a toast from Pints for Prostates founder Rick Lyke
* 12pm to 6pm - proceeds from all pints purchased will be donated to Pints for Prostates

Pub guests can also show their support by wearing their Prostate cancer awareness wristband that will be provided by Rogue. Local prostate screening information and Pints for Prostates apparel will also be available.

“Rogue Ales embraces the idea of communicating with men over a pint of ale. The Pints for Prostates campaign appealed to us because it uses a friendly way to get an important health message to men,” said Brett Joyce, President of Rogue Ales. “We hope every man in Rogue Nation listens to the message and asks their doctor for a PSA test.”

All funds raised through the Pints for Prostates campaign go directly to Us TOO International, a 501(c)3 group recognized by Charity Navigator for its effectiveness and efficiency as a charity organization. Founded in 1990, Us TOO is based in a suburb of Chicago and has 325 local chapters. One in six men is at risk of developing prostate cancer during their life time. Approximately 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year.

More information about the Pints for Prostates campaign can be found here.

Seattle By Foot Adds New Tours to its Popular Coffee Crawl

How is beer brewed? Why did the Sonics really move to Oklahoma? What movie was filmed at the Space Needle? Answers to these and many more questions flow freely on several new walking tours offered by Seattle By Foot, the company best known for Seattle’s Original Coffee Crawl.

Seattle’s beer is almost as famous as its coffee; on the Seattle Pub Crawl, participants can enjoy tastings at local bars and breweries, observe the brewing process and learn about beer from Seattle and around the world. They will even visit the city’s oldest taverns where Nirvana once played and one of the best Irish pubs in the country, while knowledgeable tour guides share some of Seattle’s lesser-known but highly entertaining history.

For a pub crawl with a twist, Sports on Tap is a press pass to a one-of-a-kind touring experience. Starting June 12, award-winning sportswriters Art Thiel (seattlepi.com) and Jim Caple (ESPN.com) provide a personal tour of sports history in Seattle and all sports in general. They’ll take participants to three popular sports bars near Safeco Field and Qwest Field, provide the inside scoop on the local teams, tell some amazing stories (including the one about the legendary local columnist who gave new meaning to the term deadline) and answer questions over some great beer.

Later this summer, Seattle By Foot will debut the Seattle By Foot City Tour for those who want more of Seattle’s history, culture and amazing sights. Groups will learn about the history of landmarks like Pike Place Market and a lot more while taking in stunning views of the city.

Those who can’t get enough of a good thing are encouraged to come see what the buzz is all about on the Original Seattle Coffee Crawl. This was Seattle’s first tour devoted entirely to coffee and encourages tour-goers to explore the city through its most famous beverage. The Coffee Crawl is an entertaining walking tour that highlights Seattle’s coffee culture and history in a fun and easy walk with stops at some of the city’s most acclaimed coffee houses.

All tours start in easy to find locations near Pike Place Market; Sports On Tap starts near Safeco Field. Prices range from $19 to $29 depending on the tour. Alcohol is not included in the price of the Pub Crawl and Sports on Tap tours. Tour dates, times and additional details are available on www.seattlebyfoot.com. Individuals and groups can also purchase tickets by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 800.838.3006.

Take Seattle By Foot and experience the best the Emerald City has to offer!

Wanted: Four Adventurous Recruits For Alaskan Coastal Expedition

Alaskan Brewing Co.’s Coastal CODE opens the door for new ideas to maintain a healthier Pacific Coastline; consumers now have the opportunity to embark on an Alaskan adventure by submitting ideas to maintain a healthier Pacific Ocean.

With ideas as simple as cutting the plastic rings on a six-pack of soda, or as grand as inventing a biodegradable beverage bottle, the four individuals with the topmost suggestions will join the Coastal CODE in Yakutat this fall for the 2009 Alaskan Coastal Expedition.

The four chosen “CODE Keepers,” will embark on a weeklong journey of Alaskan adventures including sustainable fishing and surfing, hosted by Alaskan Brewing Co., Alaska Airlines and Wend Magazine. They will learn about the impact of marine debris and how to make a difference for their own local coastlines, while helping preserve the shores of Alaska by leading a multi-day beach cleanup.

Applicants can submit ideas on the Coastal CODE Web site, Facebook or Twitter. All submissions are due by July 1, and chosen finalists will be asked to submit a formal application further explaining their ideas.

“There are so many untapped ideas out there; ways we can make a big difference with relatively small changes,” explains Alaskan Brewing Co. co-Founder Marcy Larson. “We hope to discover some of those innovative projects by making it easy for people to share them.”

This will be the Coastal CODE’s second expedition to cleanup the shores of Yakutat, Alaska. Last year’s “CODE Keepers” cleaned up 2,500 pounds of debris from a 2.5-mile stretch of beach, witnessing firsthand the effects of marine debris on Alaska’s expansive coastline and the challenges of cleaning up one of the most remote areas in the world.

The 2009 Alaskan Coastal Expedition will head to Alaska on September 14 and culminate in the Coastal CODE’s home port of Juneau, Alaska with a fundraising concert and cleanup activities for International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19.

Coastal CODE is a registered nonprofit founded by Alaskan Brewing Co. in 2007. Alaskan Brewing donates one percent of proceeds from its Alaskan IPA to the Coastal CODE initiative, providing grants to groups for the cleanup and preservation of Pacific Ocean and its coastlines. For more information, visit www.CoastalCODE.org.