Thursday, May 22, 2008

2008 Washington Brewers Festival lineup announced!



This year's festival promises to be bigger and better than ever with more than 200 beers from 60 West Coast Breweries.

Date and time:
June 13, 5-9pm, 21 and over only
June 14-15, 11am-8pm, all ages

Location:
Saint Edward State Park
14445 Juanita Dr. NE
Kenmore, WA

Beer List:

Alaskan Brewing Co www.alaskanbeer.com - Juneau, AK
Alaskan Summer Ale (Kolsh)
Alaskan Icy Bay IPA (IPA)


Alpine Brewing Co www.alpine-brewing.com - Oroville, WA
Alpine Pilsner (Pilsner)
Alpine Marzen (Marzen)
Alpine Lager (Lager)


Anacortes Brewery www.anacortesrockfish.com - Anacortes, WA
Mai-Oh-Mai Bock (Maibock)
Anacortes Cask IPA (Cask IPA)
Anacortes Hefeweizen (Hefeweizen)
Anacortes Pilsner* (Pilsner)


Anderson Valley Brewing Co www.avbc.com - Chico, CA
Boont Amber (Amber)
Summer Solstice (Cream Ale)
Hop Otten IPA (IPA)


Baron Brewing Co www.baronbrewing.com - Seattle, WA
Pils (Pilsner)
Schwarzbier (Schwarzbier)
Kolsch (Kolsch)
Hefe-Weisse (Hefeweizen)


Big E Ales www.ellersickbrewing.com - Lynnwood, WA
Honey Wheat (American Wheat)
Hoppy Red (ESB)
Porter (Porter)


Big Sky Brewing Co www.bigskybrew.com - Missoula, MT
Moose Drool (Brown Ale)
Big Sky IPA (IPA)
Trout Slayer (Ale)
Summer Honey (Seasonal Ale)


Big Time Brewery www.bigtimebrewery.com - Seattle, WA
Paxton's ESB (ESB)
Ave Rat Malt Liquor (Malt Liquor)
Ryenoceros (Rye)
Trombipulator* (Belgian Tripel)


Boundary Bay Brewery www.bbaybrewery.com - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Blonde (Blonde)
Inside Passage Ale (IPA)
ESB (ESB)
Scotch (Scotch)


Dechuteswww.deschutesbrewery.com - Bend, OR
TBA


Diamond Knot Brewing Co www.diamondknot.com - Mukilteo, WA
Summer Blonde (Blonde)
Industrial IPA (IPA)
Mystery Cask (Cask)


Dogfish Head Craft Brewerywww.dogfish.com - Milton, DE
60 Minute IPA (IPA)
Festina Peche (Berliner Weisse)
Palo Santo Marron (Brown)


Elliott Bay Brewing Co www.elliottbaybrewing.com - Seattle & Burien, WA
Organic Demolition Ale (Strong Pale Ale)
Organic Alder Smoked Coffee Stout (Stout)
Organic Hop von Boorian (Belgian IPA)
Organic Olde Burien 600 Malt Liquor (Malt Liquor)
Cask Organic Demolition Ale* (Cask Strong Pale Ale)


Elysian Brewing Co www.elysianbrewing.com - Seattle, WA
The Wise ESB (ESB)
Avatar Jasmine IPA (IPA)
Elysian Fields Wit (Belgian Wit)


Fish Tale Aleswww.fishbrewing.com - Olympia, WA
Fish Tale Organic IPA (IPA)


Flyers Restaurant & Brewerywww.eatatflyers.com - Oak Harbor, WA
Pacemaker Porter (Robust Porter)
Humbles Blonde Ale (Blonde Ale)
Catalina Common Lager (California Common)


Gallaghers' Where U Brewwww.whereubrew.com - Edmonds, WA
The Golden Nugget Blonde (Blonde)
The White Knuckle IPA (IPA)
The Nut House Brown (Brown)


Georgetown Brewing Co www.georgetownbeer.com - Seattle, WA
Manny's Pale Ale (Pale Ale)
Roger's Pilsner (Pilsner)
9 lb. Porter (Porter)


Hale's Ales Brewerywww.halesales.com - Seattle, WA
Aftermath Imperial IPA (Imperial IPA)
Hale's Kolsh (German Ale)
Cask Mongoose IPA* (Cask IPA)


HE'BREW Beerwww.shmaltz.com - Chico, CA
TBA


Hood Canal Brewerywww.hoodcanalbrewery.com - Kingston, WA
Dabob Bay IPA (IPA)
Big Beef Oatmeal Stout (Oatmeal Stout)


Iron Horse Brewerywww.ironhorsebrewery.com - Ellensburg, WA
Quilter's Irish Death (Imperial Sweet Stout)
Light Rail Ale (Blonde Ale)
Loco Red (Imperial Red)


Issaquah Brewhousewww.rogue.com - Issaquah, WA
Bullfrog Ale (American Style Wheat)
Menage a Frog (Belgian-Style Trippel)


Kona Brewing Co www.konabrewing.com - Kailua Kona, HI
Longboard Lager (Continental Lager)
Wailua Wheat (Passion Fruit Wheat Ale)


Lang Creek Brewerywww.langcreekbrewery.com - Marion, MT
Mandrin Hefe (Hefeweizen)
Fish on Summer Seasonal (Summer Pale Ale)


Laughing Buddha Brewing Co www.laughingbuddhabeer.com - Seattle, WA
Dragon King (Lager)
Pandan Brown Ale (Brown Ale)
Mango Weizen (Wheat Ale)
Ginger Pale Ale (Pale Ale)


Laughing Dog Brewing Co www.laughingdogbrewing.com - Sandpoint, ID
Dog Zilla (Black IPA)
Huckleberry Cream Ale (Fruit Beer)
Cask IPA (Cask IPA)


Lazy Boy Brewing Co www.lazyboybrewing.com - Everett, WA
Belgian Golden Ale (Belgian)
Welcome Back Armstrong
Chili Pepper Pilsner* (Pilsner)


Leavenworth Bierwww.fishbrewing.com - Olympia, WA
Leavenworth Blind Pig (Dunkel Weizen)


Mac & Jack's Brewing Co www.macandjacks.com - Redmond, WA
African Amber (Amber)
Mac & Jack's IPA (IPA)


Mad River Brewing Co www.madriverbrewing.com - Blue Lake, CA
Steelhead Double IPA (Imperial IPA)
Jamaica Red (Red/Amber Ale)
Steelhead Extra Pale (Pale)


Maritime Pacific Brewing Co www.maritimebrewery.com - Seattle, WA
Bootlegger Porter (Porter)
Keelhauler IPA (IPA)
Hell's Bock (Bock)
Reef Point Pils (Pilser)


McMenamin's Brewerywww.mcmenamins.com - Seattle, WA
Blueberry Weizen (Fruit/Hefeweizen)
Terminator Stout (Stout)


New Belgium Brewing Co www.newbelgium.com - Fort Collins, CO
Fat Tire (Amber)
Skinny Dip (Light Pilsner)
Mothership Wit (Belgian Wit)
Mighty Arrow (Pale Ale)


North Coast Brewing Co www.northcoastbrewing.com - Fort Bragg, CA
Brother Thelonious (Belgian Abbey)
Pranqster (Belgian Golden)


Northern Lights Brewing Co.- Spokane, WA
Crystal Bitter Ale (American Amber)
IPA (Northwest Style IPA)
Chocolate Dunkel (German Dark Ale)
Blueberry Crème (Fruit Beer)


Oskar Blues Brewerywww.oskarblues.com - Lyons, CO
Dale's Pale Ale (American Pale Ale)
Old Chub (Scottish Style Ale)
Gordon (Imperial Amber)


Pike Brewing Co www.pikebrewing.com - Seattle, WA
Pike Kilt Lifter (Scotch Style Ale)
Pike IPA (IPA)
Naughty Nellie (Golden Ale)
XXXXX Stout (Stout)
Monk's Uncle* (Belgian Tripel)


Port Townsend Brewing Co www.porttownsendbrewing.com - Port Townsend, WA
Hop Diggidy IPA (IPA)
Peeping Peater Scotch Ale (Scotch Ale)
Strait Stout (Dublin Style Stout)


Pyramid Brewerywww.pyramidbrew.com - Seattle, WA
Pyramid Hefeweizen (American Hefeweizen)
Pyramid Crystal Wheat (American Filter Wheat)
Pyramid Curve Ball (Blonde Ale)
Thunderhead IPA (IPA)


Ram Restaurant & Brewerywww.theram.com - Seattle, WA
Big Red IPA (IPA)
Belgian Wit (Belgian Wit)
Biere de Mars (Saison)
Butt Face (Amber)
Herbert's Legendary Cask Fest Ale* (Cask)


Redhook Ale Brewerywww.redhook.com - Woodinville, WA
Long Hammer IPA (IPA)
Blonde Ale (Blonde Ale)
Triplett’s Triple (Belgian Triple)


Rock Bottom Brewerywww.rockbottom.com - Bellevue, WA
Hop Bomb IPA (IPA)
Uberwit (Belgian Wit)
Lumberjack Red (American Red Ale)
Liquid Sun (American Light Lager)


Rogue Aleswww.rogue.com - Newport, OR
American Amber (Amber)
Imperial Younger’s Special Bitter (Imperial English Bitter)


Roslyn Brewing Co www.roslynbrewing.com - Roslyn, WA
Roslyn (German Style Dark Lager)
Brookside (German Style Pale Lager)


Schooner Exact Brewing Co www.schoonerexact.typepad.com - Seattle, WA
3 Grid IPA (IPA)
Gallant Maiden (Bavarian Hefeweizen)
Regrade (Pale Ale)
Raspberry Wheat (American Hefeweizen)
3 Grid Dry Hopped Cask IPA* (Cask IPA)


Scuttlebutt Brewing Co www.scuttlebuttbrewing.com - Everett, WA
Tripel 7 (Belgian Tripel)
Dry-Hopped IPA (IPA)
12 Year Anniversary Scotch Ale (Scotch Ale)


Sierra Nevada Brewing Co www.sierranevada.com - Chico, CA
Summerfest (Lager)
Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale (Harvest Ale)


Skagit River Brewerywww.skagitbrew.com - Mt. Vernon, WA
Sculler's IPA (IPA)
Washington Wheat (Wheat Ale)
Jenny's Scottish Ale (Scottish Ale)
Cask IPA* (Cask IPA)


Skookum Brewerywww.skookumbrewing.com - Arlington, WA
Woody's Oak (Oaked Pale Ale)
Amber's Hot Friend (Amber)
Mule (Ale)
Brown & Hairy (Porter)


Snipes Mountain Brewing Co www.snipesmountain.com - Sunnyside, WA
Extra Blonde (Blonde)
Sunnyside Pale Ale (Pale Ale)
Spring Seasonal (Light Lager)


Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Co www.fallsbrew.com - Snoqualmie, WA
Wildcat IPA (IPA)
Summer Beer (Pilsner (Alt Style)
Steam Train Porter (Porter)
Lemondipity (Lemon Grass Ale)
Cask Wildcat* (Cask IPA)


Stone Brewing Co www.stonebrew.com - Escondido, CA
Arrogant Bastard Ale (Strong Ale)
Stone Pale Ale (Pale Ale)


Two Beers Brewing Co www.twobeersbrewery.com - Seattle, WA
20:20 Blonde Ale (Blonde)
Immersion Amber Ale (Amber)
Crooked Belgian Style Wit Ale (Belgian Wit)


Water Street Brewing Co www.waterstreetbrewing.com - Port Townsend, WA
Queen Nina's Imperial IPA (Imperial IPA)
Big Pahtty (Imperial Red)
Beth's Honey Ale* (Honey Ale)


Widmer Brothers Brewing Co www.widmer.com - Portland, OR
Widmer Hefeweizen (American Hefeweizen)
Drop Top Amber Ale (American Amber)
W '08 Crimson Wheat (Dark Wheat Beer)

Visit washingtonbeer.com for more details.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Oregon Distillers Unite in Guild

We know this isn't exactly craft beer news, but we here at Beer Northwest like our craft distilled spirits just as much as our microbrews. We are happy to note, therefore, the formal creation of the Oregon Distillers Guild.

This guild, according to the Portland Business Journal, consists of 16 Oregon craft distillers. It was formed with seed money and is in the early stages of getting guild identification off the ground to let the distilled spirits drinking masses know about its existence.

"We're ready to focus our energies to grow the industry here," said Lee Medoff, guild president and owner of Portland-based House Spirits, in a statement published in the Business Journal. "With more micro-distillers than any other state, we've reached critical mass. The PDC funding will jump-start the guild to promote Oregon spirits, provide resource connections and improve the business environment for distillers here in Portland and throughout the state."

One of the best ways to connect with the distillers, apart from visiting their respective distilleries, is to hit the annual Great American Distillers Festival. There is no published date we can find as of yet but we'll let you know.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Calapooia Brewing Co releases "Hop Crisis IPA"


Calapooia Brewing Co in Albany, OR has come out with one answer to the hop shortage--use more hops!

According to a press release sent out by Calapooia: What is surprising is that rather than a slimmed-down, paler and weaker IPA, the "Hop Crisis IPA" actually contains almost double the amount of hops than in their best-selling Yankee Clipper IPA. “Hop Crisis IPA” contains 26 pounds of hops per 6-barrel (12 15.5 gallon kegs) batch. “We couldn’t find hops to make our other specialty IPA (Simcoeä hops for Calapooia’s Simco Springs IPA), so we decided to make a new one with whatever we could find,” Mark Martin, brewmaster and co-owner explained. “I think we must have the last 2 pounds of Nuggets in existence, and we were able to buy some organic Hallertauer from New Zealand. We mixed those with some Willamettes we had, and rather than just make a regular IPA, we decided to go all-out.”

“The name refers more to the ‘stone soup’ quality of the hop schedule, than to the quantity of hops. I thought it was very clever – until I saw the bill for the hops!” laughs Laura Bryngelson, co-owner and President of Calapooia Brewing Co. “But Mark is a great brewer and knows what he’s doing, both in the brewery and out in the market place. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. This is a great beer poised to be released at a great time. Too bad we can only make 2 batches of it!”

Hop Crisis IPA will be released in Calapooia’s brewpub on May 1st, and in very select area bars shortly thereafter.

Calapooia Brewing Co. is located on the corner of N.E. Hill St. and Water Ave. in Albany, Oregon.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Some Fresh Brew News

So we've got a few random bits of brew news to pass your way as you get ready to enjoy what will hopefully be a wonderful Pacific Northwest weekend. You'll fine word of some new ales from Rogue and Full Sail, including some special small batch goodness:
  • Rogue Ales recently brewed up something called Mom Ale, according to Portland-based Willamette Week. This ale, also known to some as MoM Hefeweizen, is described by Rogue as "a refreshing, unfiltered fusion of wheat and Northwest Harrington malts, coriander, ginger, and Saaz hops in the Belgium style." The beer is done up in tribute to the late founder of Mo's Restaurants, which does some damm fine clam chowder. Here's to Mo.
  • Full Sail is back with LTD 02, according to the company's most recent newsletter. It's the same recipe as before and only available for a limited time.
  • Speaking of Full Sail, another tidbit is news of its Prodigal Sun IPA coming in June. It's part of the brewery's Brewmaster Reserve series and is described as "a strong hop flavor and bitterness. Pale, Caramel, Honey and Munich malt give this beer a solid malt character." It will be on draught and and in 22 ounce bottles through September.
  • And yet more Full Sail - John Foyston, beer scribe for The Oregonian, reports the Hood River brewery is set to come out with a small batch draft beer as part of its new Brewer's Share series. These beers, which will come out about every six weeks, look to be pet projects for the Full Sail brewers. The first one, "Extra Special Barney" (ESB), will be on tap, it looks like, May 12th.
  • Shout outs to Foyston and Jeff Alworth over at Beervana for noticing our new blog...and John, check out our links section. We don't think you are evil...much :)

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Potty Humor


A shot of the new Deschutes Brewery--one of it's unique nooks and crannies...they were salvaged from NY. The urinals, not the boys.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Online Beer Auction Benefits Michael Jackson


Fresh from the presser sent out by Lisa Morrison:

PORTLAND, Ore. — Beer aficionados across the nation will be reaching for their wallets this weekend when rare beers and vertical collections will be highlighted at the first-ever FredFest Online Beer Auction.

The auction starts at 3 p.m. PDT Friday, May 9 and begins to wrap up at 3 p.m. PDT Sunday, May 11. The auction is designed to run concurrently with FredFest 2008 -- a celebration of the 82nd birthday of Fred Eckhardt, the Dean of American Beer Writers, which is taking place May 10 at Hair of the Dog Brewing Co., in Portland.

"FredFest started as a surprise 80th birthday party for Fred, but is coming back around in its third year as a fundraiser in the memory of fellow beer scribe and friend, Michael Jackson," said FredFest co-organizer Lisa Morrison.

Each year, Eckhardt is asked to choose a charity for FredFest. This year, he chose Parkinson's Resources of Oregon, a local affiliate of the National Parkinson Foundation. Jackson had been battling complications from Parkinson's disease when he died last summer.

The first-ever FredFest online auction was the brainchild of Hair of the Dog owner Alan Sprints, Ben Love of Hopworks Urban Brewery and Matt Maples of Liquid Solutions bottle shop.

Here is a sampling of some of the lots up for auction:

~Hair of the Dog Dave 1994 (375 ml)
~Hair of the Dog Adam #1 1994 (12 oz.)
~Full Sail Old Boardhead Vertical: 1998 & 1999 (12 oz.), 2001-2007 (22 oz.)
~Pike Old Bawdy Vertical: 1996-1998, 2006-2007 (12 oz).

~AleSmith: Old Numbskull (750 ml), Grand Cru (750 ml), Horney Devil (750 ml)

~Lost Abbey: Older Viscosity (375 ml) Angel’s Share (375 ml), Lost and Found (750 ml)
~Rodenbach Alexander 1991 (330 ml) and Rochefort 10 1999 (330 ml)

~Westvleteren 12 1997 (11.2 oz.)
~Anchor Brewing Commemorative Michael Jackson's 60th Birthday Beer (1.5 L)

Other breweries included in the auction are Avery, Midnight Sun, J.W. Lees, Big Time, Fish Tale -- and more. An entire list of auction items and more details can be found at: www.liquidsolutions.blogspot.com.

Captured by Porches Brewing Fundraiser-May 10


Help support one of Portland's newest (and smallest) craft breweries--Captured By Porches. This Saturday, May 10, CBP's brewer and owner, Dylan Goldsmith, will be hosting a party with local bands and a variety of CBP beer to help raise funds for his new brew pub, opening soon in St. John's (5909 NW Saint Helens Road). Enjoy the sounds of Schicky Gnarowitz, Hey Tiger, Deadpan Pariah, andMcDougall. Be there or be square.

Party is at Liberty Hall, 311 North Ivy Street, Portland. Doors 7pm, bands 8pm. $3 cover; 21 and over.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Deschutes Opens in the Pearl!

The good folks over at Deschutes are now ready to open their Portland Pearl District location. We are happy to bring you the full details of this great beer event courtesy of the little Deschutes press elves:

DESCHUTES BREWERY OPENS NEW PEARL DISTRICT LOCATION

Deschutes Brings Award-Winning Beers to Portland’s Brewery Blocks

(May 1, 2008 – Bend, OR) The new Deschutes Brewery and Public House in Portland opens May 2nd, 2008. The first Deschutes Brewery facility to open outside of the brewery’s hometown of Bend, Oregon, the brewpub is located in the heart of Portland’s buzzing Pearl District and will open just in time to celebrate the brewery’s 20th anniversary on June 27th. Great food and beer brewed on-site take center stage at the pub, perfectly blending Bend’s relaxed and casual atmosphere with Portland’s lively beer culture.

“Traditionally, European pubs were gathering places for all members of the community,” says Deschutes Brewery Founder and President Gary Fish. “We want to create an environment that is as welcoming to families as it is for people looking to relax with a beer after work.”

After searching numerous locations, the new home for the Portland pub was found in a 10,000 square foot space at the corner of NW 11th Avenue and Davis Street. The building, formerly an auto body shop, was built in 1919 and has been meticulously redesigned by the renowned local Emmons Architects team. Great pains have been taken to ensure the building’s original features are kept intact and the new design maintains its historical integrity. The original wood beamed ceiling remains undamaged and additional massive reclaimed old growth timber beams salvaged from a variety of local projects are seeded throughout the interior spaces, appearing as mantle pieces, tables and the main bar.



Decor
Although the exterior of the building remains largely unchanged, the painted scrollwork that formerly advertised the services available at the auto-shop now lists Deschutes Brewery’s diverse selection of beers. Located on Portland’s iconic streetcar line, the brewery is ideal for people watching, both in the restaurant and from the outdoor seating area during the warm summer months.

In keeping with Deschutes’ goal of quality food and beer in a comfortable environment, the Portland pub is designed as a Northwest interpretation of a Scottish pub. Traditionally, Scottish pubs are small, intimate spaces adorned with photos and artifacts collected from patrons over the years. These same elements are mirrored in the decor of the new Portland location. A large, crimson wall separates the main dining room from the brewery and kitchen and is adorned with picture frames of various colors and sizes. Some frames are windows into the kitchen and brewery, while others house pictures, mirrors and even televisions.

An expansive space, the interior dining room will seat 190, with the bar accommodating an additional 56, and 24 outdoor dining seats available in the summer. The large dining room is dominated by four timber frame cubes that divide the space into smaller dining areas reminiscent of Scottish pubs. A wooden gate with scenes of Oregon wildlife, carved by renowned Sisters, Oregon chainsaw artist J. Chester Armstrong, encloses each smaller dining area.

Beer
The Kaspar Shulz brewhouse, hand-selected by Deschutes Brewmaster Larry Sidor, was manufactured in 1994 and features a hand-hammered copper exterior and stainless steel interior. The brewhouse will quench Portland patrons’ thirst with an estimated annual production capacity of about 4,200 barrels. The brewery will produce all the traditional Deschutes year-round beers and seasonal offerings, as well as a selection of experimental brews developed by brewer Cam O’Connor that will be exclusive to the Portland pub.

Food
The food at the Portland pub will remain true to the style of the Bend Brewery and Public House, taking traditional pub food to the next level by offering favorites from the Bend pub like the Brewery Corned Beef Reuben, Buffalo Ravioli and Brewery Fish and Chips, along with new menu items like Smoked Caribbean Wings, Obsidian Stout Braised Beef, and Hop-Infused Cheesecake with Black Cherry Sauce that are exclusive to the Portland location. “We want people who have visited our Bend pub to find all the things they love, but also a new selection that fits with Portland’s burgeoning culinary climate,” says executive Chef Jeff Usinowicz.

Not to be outdone, the high quality beers at the pub will be matched by the high standards of the food. All menu items will be made from scratch including house-made breads, sauces and house-cured meats. All specials will be accompanied by beer pairing suggestions.

Appetizers $5 - $13; Sandwiches $9 - $12; Entrees $11 - $25

In addition to using sustainable, natural and organic products whenever possible, the pub will participate in recycling and composting programs. Spent hops and grains from the brewing process will be collected and given to a local cattle farmer for cattle feed and compost; the beef raised on these spent grains will then be purchased by the brewery and used in the pub kitchen. Other environmentally friendly features include an energy capturing system in the brewery that reclaims heat, which is used to pre-warm the wort on its way to the kettle. Energy Star rated kitchen equipment and HVAC systems reduce the pub’s overall energy consumption.

Community Involvement
During its 20-year history, Deschutes Brewery has remained committed to building strong ties with the local community. “One of Deschutes’ core values is, ‘sharing our success with the community,’” says Deschutes Brewery Founder and President Gary Fish. This is a tradition the Portland pub has continued by celebrating its opening in partnership with Oregon Trout, an organization that is not afraid to think big when tackling the very real, very challenging issues facing the quality of water in Oregon's rivers. The brewery recognizes the value of healthy rivers - after all, it takes healthy waters to make great beer. On April 26, the pub hosted a sold-out preview event that raised $12,000 for Oregon Trout.

“We have been part of the Portland community for nearly 20 years now and this pub will definitely reinforce our role in the community,” says Fish.

The Deschutes Brewery and Public House is located at 210 NW Eleventh Ave. Reservations are accepted for parties of eight or more by calling (503) 296-4906.

Hours:
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily Dinner: 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. daily.