Laurelwood Rolls Out Moose and Squirrel

Note the big Laurelwood bottles to the right. These hold the coveted Moose & Squirrel Russian Imperial Stout the brewery released recently in 1-liter bottles. Here is what Laurelwood has to say about them:

For this year's Limited Release, we've bottled one of our most requested seasonal beers- Moose and Squirrel Russian Imperial Stout. These screen printed, hand-dipped 1 liter bottles will only be available at our pubs for a limited time.

Dark as night, thick and rich. Big roast coffee flavors dominate this beer. Russian Imperial Stouts were first brewed for the Russian royal court. Today, this is one of our most anticipated winter releases. 8% ABV

M&S is also available on draft at 51st and Sandy Blvd.

Buzzsaw Brown to kick off the New Year

Deschutes Brewery’s first seasonal release of the year, Buzzsaw Brown, honors the historic heritage of the brewery’s hometown of Bend, Oregon. The town’s history extends back to when workers spent long, hard days in the sawmills on the banks of the Deschutes River.

Buzzsaw Brown creates a tasty encore to the brewery’s winter seasonal, Jubelale. This will be Buzzsaw Brown’s third year as part of Deschutes’ strong seasonal line-up that also includes Cinder Cone Red and Twilight Ale. This remarkable brown ale is chestnut in color with a slightly sweet, biscuit-like flavor. Buzzsaw Brown is a highly drinkable beer that is rewarding for any occasion.

“Buzzsaw Brown is one of my favorite beers,” says Deschutes Brewery Brewmaster Larry Sidor. “The unique combination of the finest European and American malts makes it a very flavorful beer that pairs well with a wide variety of foods.”

Deschutes Brewery and Public House Head Chef Matt Neltner recommends pairing Buzzsaw Brown with Meatloaf and Malted Mashed Potatoes or your favorite Veggie Burrito.

Buzzsaw Brown will be available in 6-packs, 12-packs and on draft in 12 western states from January through March.

Check out Photography from Beer Northwest's own Annalou Vincent!

A few months ago, Annalou Vincent, Art Director for Beer Northwest magazine, had the honor of accompanying Matthew Brynildson - Brewmaster for Firestone Walker Brewery - to England to document his participation in the JD Wetherspoon's International Real Ale Festival. He was one of four brewers from around the world that was selected to brew a guest batch of beer in England for the festival, and Annalou was there to capture the shots, drink good beer, and soak up Jolly Old!

Starting this Friday, December 5th at 6pm, and for the entire month of December, Annalou will be showcasing some fine art shots along with a slide show from her trip to Europe at the Green Dragon in Portland, Oregon. As well, Firestone's DBA, Pale 13, and one of their limited kegs of UNION JACK will be on tap. Roll on down to the Dragon and support our fellow Beer Northwest co-hort, good art and good beer!

Lompac Has SIX New presents for you!

It's that time of the year for the annual Winter seasonal release frenzy from the brewers at Lompoc Brewing Co (N. Portland) and the New Old Lompoc Brewing Co. (N.W. Portland). This year's SIX seasonal Winter beers are now available throughout the Lompoc Empire, EXCEPT Brewdolph, which is a Holiday Ale Festival exclusive. Visit New Old Lompoc (N.W.), Hedge House (S.E.), Oaks Bottom Pub (S.E.), and the 5Q (N.) Portland locations to get your hands on the good stuff!

Blitzen (Holiday Ale)
Dry-hopped, spiced Golden Ale
5.0% ABV
This beer is the house Fool’s Golden Ale that was dry-hopped and spiced with coriander, and dried orange peel in the bright beer tanks.
Golden color, spice and orange aroma, with a balanced malt and hop finish.

C-son’s Greetings
Imperial C-note (Imperial Pale Ale)
8.0% ABV
Brewed and dry-hopped with all seven C-named hops (Cluster, Columbus, Challenger, Chinook, Crystal, Cascade, and Centennial)
Deep copper color, piney, citrusy, floral, resinous aroma and full hop flavor, rich caramel malt finish with an endless developing hop presence.

Jolly Bock
Strong Amber Lager
7.0% ABV
This cold fermented lager was brewed with a generous amount of Munich malt to develop the deep color and rich malt flavor.
Amber-russet color, malty flavor, balanced spicy hop bitterness, with a warming alcohol finish.

Old Tavern Rat
Imperial/double L.S.D (Aged Dark Barley Wine)
9.0% ABV
This ale was brewed last January and was cellared for 10 months prior to its release.
Deep mahogany –brown color, rich and complex malty flavor with enough hop bitterness to help balance the warming alcohol finish.

Holiday Cheer
Vanilla Porter
7.0% ABV
This robust Porter was infused with fresh vanilla beans.
Dark reddish-brown color, rich malty flavor with hints of vanilla, bourbon, honey and roasted malt.

Brewdolph (Available at Holiday Ale Festival ONLY)
Belgian-style Strong Ale
8.8% ABV
This beer was brewed with malted barley, flaked oats, malted wheat, and raw honey. The Belgian yeast strain used during fermentation produces a spicy clove flavor and aroma.
Reddish brown color, clove/spice aroma, malty and honey flavor on the finish.

Bridgeport releases Ebenezer Ale

BridgePort Brewing Company spreads holiday cheer with the release of their favorite winter beer! A smooth, complex ale derived from four different roasted malts and a blend of local and imported hops, Ebenezer Ale is a delightfully full-bodied elixir that can transform the mood of any scrooge. Marking the ninth brewing year for this festive, holiday classic, BridgePort’s Ebenezer Ale is on tap at BridgePort’s brewpub + bakery, BridgePort Ale House and at restaurants throughout the Portland and Seattle area. BridgePort’s Ebenezer Ale can also be found at select retail grocery stores in Oregon and Washington while supplies last.

Beer Industry Recognizes 75 Years of Post-Prohibition Brewing

On Dec. 5, brewers, beer importers, and industry suppliers will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the national repeal of Prohibition.

The positive economic impact of Prohibition's repeal was felt virtually immediately. More than 50,000 jobs were produced nationwide in brewing and related industries during the height of the Great Depression, and $25 million in economic activity was generated across the country in just the first 48 hours following repeal. Since that time, the beer industry has grown exponentially into an economic force for America's farmers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.

Directly and indirectly, the beer industry employs approximately 1.7 million Americans, paying them almost $55 billion in wages and benefits. The industry pays over $36 billion in business, personal and consumption taxes, including $5.2 billion in excise taxes and $6.2 billion in sales, gross receipts, and other taxes. In addition to this positive economic impact, the repeal of Prohibition also ushered in a new era of responsibility in how alcohol is regulated and consumed.

"The past 75 years powerfully demonstrate that a healthy beer industry strengthens the American economy," said Beer Institute President Jeff Becker. "Looking forward, fair tax policies are essential to ensuring that brewers and beer importers can continue making significant contributions across the nation."

Today, the beer industry is burdened with an excessively high and regressive beer tax that unfairly hurts manufacturing employees and hits lower- and middle-income consumers hardest. Since the federal beer tax doubled in 1991, approximately 60,000 Americans lost their jobs in brewing, distributing, retailing, and related industries.

Rolling back the beer tax increase would provide a much-needed shot in the arm to the nation's struggling economy and help stimulate job growth. Additionally, a healthy and prosperous beer industry provides important revenue that helps fund many local projects such as new schools and roads.

"From coast to coast, our members stand united as we celebrate this important milestone," added Becker. "Together, we have built a strong record of growth and responsible community involvement, and that is something in which we can all take great pride."

Brewers and beer importers spend millions of dollars annually on numerous civic and community programs around the country. These include alcohol abuse prevention efforts, corporate philanthropy, and environmental initiatives. For more information on these programs and the industry's economic contributions, visit www.beerservesamerica.com.

House Spirits' 3rd Annual Holiday Booze Bazaar!

House Spirits Distillery, makers of Aviation Gin, Krogstad Aquavit and Medoyeff Vodka will be hosting it's 3rd Annual Holiday Booze Bazaar with a gaggle of other great vendors. These vendors will be sampling their wares as well as selling them in the on-premise store.

The Details:
3rd Annual Holiday Booze Bazaar
Saturday, December 13th, 2008, 1pm-5pm
Free to the public, 21 and over
Hosted by House Spirits Distillery

2008 Vendors:
Sub Rosa Spirits (makers of the great Tarragon Vodka and Saffron Vodka)
Ransom Spirits (outstandingly crafted local grappas and port)
Absinthe Marteau (locally-made super yummy Green Fairy)
Imbibe Magazine (Portland published go-to for all things drinkable)
Joyas de Panama Cigars (importer of delicious, organic and sustainable Panamanian cigars)
Xocolatl de Davíd (2 words: BACON CARAMELS!)
Fraga Farm Goat Cheese (wonderful artisan cheese from Sweet Home, ORE.)
Oregon Cheese Guild (they're over a dozen Oregon cheesemakers strong!)

This event marks the long awaited release of the APOTHECARY line, to be sold exclusively in our on-premise store. The APOTHECARY line will consist of small batch, limited quantity liquors and liqueurs that come in handy 375ml bottles. We have a few items to be released, one being OREGON OUZO, that we'll be tasting at the event. The Booze Bazaar will also herald the opening of the store on Saturdays from 12/13/08 forward, hours TBA.