First Annual Belgianfest

The Washington Beer Commission is presenting a brand spankin new beer festival, "Belgianfest," showcasing a wide variety of Belgian style beers on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010, at Georgetown Studios' Engine Room, located in South Seattle.

There will be more than twenty Washington breweries on hand serving many classic Belgian brews, as well as some very unique adaptations. The event will showcase beer styles including Tripels, Dubbles, Saisons, Wits, Abbeys and Lambics. All of the beers will be brewed using Belgian yeast. In all, more than 50 Belgian style beers will be on tap.

2010 Belgianfest will host two sessions on the 23rd, noon to 4pm and 6pm to 10pm. Admission is $30 in advance and $35 at the door, and includes a tasting glass and ten 4oz tastes. Separate tickets are required and space is limited, with only 400 tickets available for each session. Get your tickets here. This is a 21+ only event.

In addition to the festival, The WBC has partnered with the Corson Building to present a Belgian beer dinner scheduled for the week leading up to the festival. The Corson Building is a renowned restaurant located in the Georgetown neighborhood known for its innovative cuisine using fresh local ingredients. Stay tuned for further event details.

Belgian beer expert, Stu Stewart of “Belgian Beer Me!” will also be attending Belgiannfest. Track him down and ask any and all questions Belgium-and-or-beer-related. “Belgian Beer Me!” offers Belgian beer appreciation classes in Seattle and organizes Belgian beer tours every year.

“Give a Pint, Get a Pint” Blood Drive

Stone Brewing Co. is hosting a two-day blood drive in partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank on December 22nd and 23rd. The blood drive will take place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on both days, and donors will be rewarded with a Stone Brewing Co. pint glass and Arrogant Bastard Ale Brownies, baked locally by Amore Cheesecake Company.

88 donors have signed-up so far to participate in the blood drive, which is nearly three times the average for San Diego Blood Bank events. 70 appointments were filled within 9 days, leading the Blood Bank to add 18 more slots and increase their staffing on both days. They will now be able to accommodate a new donor every 5 minutes!

According to the Blood Bank, the holiday season is both the most difficult time of year to find blood donors and when supplies of blood are most needed, making the record turn-out at Stone all the more significant.

The call to action was sent to Stone's 16,000 Facebook fans and 10,000 Twitter followers about the blood drive. Following the message, appointments filled rapidly.

Since donors are specifically advised not to drink alcohol after their appointments, Stone is excited that so many of its fans are willing to come out and support an important cause, even if they have to abstain from drinking afterwards.

Black Raven Brewing Co. New Beer Release

Black Raven released yesterday the second beer in their holiday barrel aged series. Bourbon Barrel Aged Possum Claus is a Tamerlane Brown Porter that has been aged in a bourbon barrel with toasted pecans and Sorachi Ace whole leaf hops. They only produced three kegs of this beer, so they will not be filling growlers or kegs; stop by the Raven's Nest Taproom at Black Raven Brewing Co. to taste.

Holiday Ale Festival Re-Cap

Over 18,000 people attended this year's 14th annual Holiday Ale Festival, which took place Dec. 2 through Dec. 6 at the Pioneer Courthouse Square. This year featured more than 60 winter craft beers during its five-day run, all of which were either created for the event, or were rare or vintage beers not readily available in the state.

The festival's opening day - a Wednesday - exceeded expectations, with more than 2,500 in attendance. According to festival manager Preston Weesner, "Wednesday is the new 'must attend' day. We credit the increase to the eight rare beers we tapped that were only available on that particular day."

The sky bar, introduced last year to alleviate crowds in the main tent, was again popular with festival-goers who climbed a maze of scaffolding to arrive at the venue. Two fundraisers for the Children's Cancer Association were deemed a success - the Crater Lake Soda Garden, which offered complimentary root beer for designated drivers and accepted tips for donation, and a coat and bag check that ran at capacity much of the time. The monies raised by both projects were matched by the festival, bringing in more than $2,500 for the charity.

The Belgian Beer and Brunch, an auxiliary event held on the Sunday of the festival, sold out, with more than 120 people sampling prestigious beers and noshing on pastries, meats and cheeses.

The People's Choice winner, determined by the beer that sold the most kegs, was the Holiday Ale Festival/Hair of the Dog's commemorative Jim '09, a blended beer that featured Hair of the Dog's Doggie Claws, Adam, Fred from the Wood and Blue Dot, along with an English brown ale, a German bock and an American strong ale, plus a bit of Cantillon St. Lamvinus, Scaldis Noel, Corsendonk Christmas Ale and Orval.

Deschutes Brewing's Lost Barrels of Mirror Mirror and Rock Bottom Brewing's Blitzen came in second and third. Other buzz beers of the festival included Cascade Brewing's Sang Noir (my personal favorite) and New Belgium Brewing's Lips of Faith series (the Lychee was awesome!); both breweries are well-regarded for their sour beers, and their offerings introduced many attendees to the current sour beer/wild ale movement.

Black Raven Brewing Co. New Beer Release

The Bourbon Barrel Aged La Petite Mort is the latest seasonal release from Black Raven Brewing. A rare bird indeed, there are only three kegs in existence. This is BR's sold out summer seasonal "La Petite Mort - Belgian Strong Abbey Brown" that has been aged for five months in a bourbon barrel.

The beer was previewed at the Washington Winter Beer Festival and walked away with first place in the People's Choice awards.

ABV: 8.8%

Due to the rare and limited quantity, BR will not be filling growlers. Available only at the Raven's Nest Taproom at Black Raven Brewing Company, you best get there and get some before it's gone!

Naked City Taphouse Opens Brewery

After 13 months of hard labor, Naked City Taphouse finally gives birth to a beautiful baby brewery!

Naked City was fueled from a mutual love of beer by the owners who both have a long history of brewing. Don and Donald can’t imagine a better job than serving beer, talking about beer, and tasting beer day after day. They are very grateful to the community for their overwhelming support through the process of building the new establishment and allowing them to follow their dreams. Naked City offers a setting where the experienced beer enthusiast as well as craft beer novice can relax and enjoy a great beer.

Naked City Brewery & Taphouse
8564 Greenwood Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98103

Naked City Beers:
Yankee Drifter: A light ale brewed with pilsner and honey malts and German Tettnanger hops. A refreshing change of pace for this time of year!

Hoptari 664: A fresh-hop harvest ale brewed with Pale, Rye, Wheat and Light Munich malts, flaked oats and Amarillo bittering hops. 50lbs of experimental wet hops were added to the hop back. Thanks to Chris Miller from Snipes for sharing the fresh hops straight from Yakima!

The Big Lebrewski: A White Russian Imperial Stout aged on Kahlua-soaked oak. This beer is already being well-received at festivals. As it continues to age, it is getting better and better and better!

Bing: An English Style Old Ale made with Lyle’s Black Treacle Syrup and then “dry-hopped” with Washington cherries, cinnamon, star anise and cloves. Definitely enough to keep you toasty warm during the cold days of December!

COMING SOON… Hoptrocity: An Imperial Rye IPA brewed with Pale, Rye, Munich, Wheat, Crystal malts and Black Barley and Cascade, Centennial and Amarillo Hops.

Sierra Nevada Celebrates Craft Beer Pioneers

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is marking 2010 with a year-long celebration of the trailblazing brewers who helped transform America into the world’s most exciting brewing nation.

This coming year is the 30th anniversary for Sierra Nevada, and they're teaming up with the founders of the movement to benefit select charities and beer drinkers across the country.

March of 2010 will see the first of four beers in a series of collaborative projects with America’s craft-brewing pioneers: Fritz Maytag of Anchor Brewing; Jack McAuliffe, founder of New Albion Brewery; and authors, homebrewers, and beer advocates Fred Eckhardt, and Charlie Papazian. Together, this group is credited as ‘the men who launched a thousand breweries;’ and without them, our current day craft-beer-renaissance might never have happened.

“We wanted to pay tribute to the original pioneers who helped me and hundreds of others get started,” says Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman. “Few people in the craft-brewing world have accomplished more than these guys, and we thought it might be fun to get the original crew together and make something special.”

The project will begin where craft brewing started—Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco. Maytag bought the historic brewery in 1965, and his vision for American beer changed everything. This month, these pioneers gathered at Anchor to catch up, reminisce about craft beer’s beginnings, and share their vision for the project.

The beers will be released periodically throughout the year, starting with the first release in March, and continuing until Sierra Nevada’s 30th Anniversary on November 15. These limited-release 750ml cage-and-cork bottles will be available at select retailers and beer-centric bars.

And these beers will be much more than a tribute - proceeds from the project will go to benefit select charities chosen by the four pioneers.

A lot has changed in the generation since Grossman first met these brewing pioneers. When Sierra Nevada first opened its doors, there were less than 50 breweries in the United States. Today, there are more than 1,500 craft breweries in operation, and American brewers lead the world in variety of styles, innovation, experimentation, and quality.

Follow this collaboration of pioneering brewers at www.sierra30.com.

Beermongers "Holiday Bottle Snatch" TOMORROW

HOLIDAY BOTTLE SNATCH

The Beermongers
SE 12th and Division Portland, OR
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Come to The Beermongers and stock-up for the holidays. For every dollar you spend between 4-9pm tomorrow, Forest Products Solutions will match it in a contribution to the Oregon Food Bank—up to $600.
Contribute to Oregon’s hunger-relief agencies, support a new small business, and enjoy some holiday beers!

Portland Brewers Gose Tasting Event

What is "gose," you might be wondering? Gose beer is a characteristically sour beer due to the presence of lactobacillus bacteria. Traditionally brewed Goses often fall within the 4-5% ABV range and give off a strong citrus and herbal zest, and a saltiness initially derived from the hard water where it originated in Germany.

On Monday, December 21st, join Brewpublic and Victory Bar as they present the Portland Brewers Gose Tasting.

Come try four different Gose beers brewed locally in Portland, including one-off seasonals that have never been on tap together before.

This special Gose tasting will include three of Cascade's seasonal interpretations: the Lipschmacker Summer Gose, the Autumn Gose and the new Winter Holiday Gose. Also on tap will be Upright Brewing's Gose.

Where: Victory Bar on 3652 SE Division St.
When: Monday, December 21st, 2009, 6 PM - 9 PM

Alex Ganum and Gerritt Ill of Upright Brewing and Ron Gansberg and Curtis Bain of Cascade Brewing will be in attendance. Enjoy Victory Bar's handmade pretzels and mustard, and get to be one of the first to experience the Pacific Northwest's Gose revival beers.

Bridgeport Brewing Releases Highland Ambush

BridgePort Brewing Company, Oregon's oldest craft brewery, is launching its newest beer in the Big Brew Series, Highland Ambush, on December 17. This brandy snifter beer lends itself to fireside chats with its heavy body and malt driven palate. In keeping with the Scottish appetite for whiskey, this brew was aged partially in fresh bourbon barrels from the distillery at Makers Mark.

First brewed in the 80s as a special beer for the BrewPub at BridgePort, Highland Ambush is making its triumphant return more than 20 years later. Stuart MacLean Ramsay, then pub manager, conceptualized the brew to pay homage to his Scottish heritage. This year’s Highland Ambush takes inspiration from the original ale using NW pale ale malt along with a Scottish crystal and roast malt. The hopping rate of Highland Ambush has been toned down to help highlight the complementing vanilla from the American oak bourbon barrels and caramel-toffee malt nuances. Reddish-Brown in color, Highland Ambush will warm the coldest of toes and noses this holiday season.

BridgePort’s Highland Ambush Scotch Ale Stats:
IBU’s: 40 ABV: 6.8% Color: Reddish-Brown
Ingredients: Pale and Carmel Malts. UK Golding Hops.
Description: This beer will have a rich malt taste complementing vanilla flavors from the American oak barrels along with a bitterness attributed to the UK Golding hops.

New Brewer Joins Chuckanut Brewery

Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen in Bellingham, WA has hired Seattle-ite, Kevin Davey, as the newest Chuckanut brewer under the leadership of brewmaster, Will Kemper. Kevin has studied brewing science at Chicago's Siebel Institute and at Germany's Doemen's Institute (specializing in German style beers) in Munich, and has been a full time homebrewer, beer lover, and plumber.

Kemper is excited to have Kevin join his brew team and looks forward to utilizing his plumbing knowledge as the brewery prepares to expand for the first time since opening in 2008. Kevin has brewed in Seattle with Big Al Brewing and considers brewing with Chuckanut his "dream job."

Chuckanut Brewery is happy to have Kevin join their brew team. He will be introduced at their next Brewer's Night, Wednesday, December 9th at 7:30pm

Hosted in the bar area of the "Kitchen", the brewers will highlight 3 Chuckanut Brewery beers, discussing the process of brewing and the key ingredients of each unique beer. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers after the discussion of beers. Customers will receive a ticket for a door prize with purchase of highlighted beer. No Cover Charge. 21 years of age required.

Stella Artois Launches Global Campaign

Stella Artois, the best-selling Belgian beer in the world, is launching a global campaign asking adult consumers to help the Atlantic Rainforest, one of the most endangered habitats in the world.

“Send a Card, Save a Tree” encourages adults around the globe to visit www.stellaartois.com and send a specially created, 3D augmented reality digital holiday card. In return for every free card that is e-mailed, Stella Artois will secure the future of a rainforest tree located in the threatened Atlantic Rainforest, until the target of one million eCards sent and one million trees saved is reached.

“Stella Artois was originally brewed as a premium beer for the holiday season,” said Ricardo Marques, global marketing manager, Stella Artois. “This time of year is about giving and we encourage beer lovers to share good wishes with each other for a great cause.”

Stella Artois is partnering with World Land Trust, a leading global environmental organization, to purchase and protect more than 1,500 hectares of rainforest. The Atlantic Rainforest is a top priority for conservationists worldwide and 93 percent of the land has already been lost.

The one million trees Stella Artois aims to save are located in Argentina’s Misiones Province in a vital land bridge connecting two national parks in neighboring Brazil and Paraguay. Wildlife in the area includes jaguar, puma, ocelot, lowland tapir, giant otter, more than 500 species of birds and thousands of plant species.

Progress of the campaign will be tracked via a sustainably sourced tree that will light up in stages marking 100,000 trees saved, until the target figure of one million eCards is achieved. The tree comes from a forest accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council, which ensures the forest the tree is being sourced from is not under threat. Additionally, for every tree cut down, three more are planted. The tree is at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London and will be available to view remotely via a webcam at www.stellaartois.com.

Band Frontman Launches New Beer

Michael "Whip" Wilton, legendary guitar player and founder of the multi-platinum and Grammy nominated band, Queensryche, is launching a new beer, "Whip Ale" at a local event this December.

Whip Ale is a locally brewed pale ale; Michael researched the ingredients, put the recipe together himself, and it's being brewed by award-winning Lazy Boy Brewery in Everett, Washington.

Whip Ale will be available to the public for the first time on Friday, December 11th at Valhalla in Kirkland, WA. Michael will be in attendance at the event, where five of the top bands in the Northwest will be playing:




- Kevin Hoffmann (of Outshined, Rattlesnake Suitcase)
- Dirty Hollywood (the NW's ultimate Motley Crue experience)
- Midnight Idols
- Hairmageddon (80s rock tribute)
- Guns of Nevada

The event is 21+ only, starts at 7:30pm, and is free!

Valhalla: 8544 122nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98304

Whip Ale will be available for sale in 2010.

Sierra Nevada Introduces Glissade Golden Bock

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has announced the release of Glissade Golden Bock as its newest seasonal beer. Glissade celebrates the slow slide of winter into spring with a full-bodied beer that is delicately balanced, yet bold enough to brace against the last cold nights in the foothills of the Sierras. Glissade will be available in 6-packs, 12-packs, 24-ounce bottles, and on draft starting in January, 2010.

“We have been making versions of bock beers for our local fans for years, and with every release we get people clamoring for us to make it more widely available. Spring for us is the season for bocks, so we finally decided to do it,” said brewery founder Ken Grossman. “Glissade is something new for us—and something different from the other bock beers out there. We’re using the best German malts we can find, together with interesting and flavorful European hops.”

This zealous consumer demand inspired the brewery to make a change to its seasonal lineup. Glissade will be replacing the brewery’s ESB (Early Spring Beer) and will add an interesting new dimension to the popular seasonal offerings.

Glissade Golden Bock is the brewery’s take on the traditional pale bocks of Germany. The beer is remarkably mellow, with layers of subtle malt flavors and a more restrained sweetness than many of its continental cousins. Glissade emphasizes layers of malt, with flavors reminiscent of freshly-baked bread and toasted nuts held in perfect balance by a touch of spicy and floral European hops. This delicate balance helps the beer slide across the palate and welcomes another sip.

2010 marks the 30th anniversary for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Glissade is the first step into this auspicious year, which promises to be filled with events, celebrations, and specialty beer releases.

American Homebrewers Association Launches New Website

The American Homebrewers Association, established in 1978, is proud to introduce the launch of their all-new, completely interactive, educational website devoted to the hobby of homebrewing: HomebrewersAssociation.org.

Features of the new website include:
AHA Forum: An online discussion group for all topics homebrewing-related. Within the first few days of the website launch, more than 6,000 participants had registered and more than 3,500 posts were listed.

Homebrewopedia: A wiki-based resource, allowing homebrewers from around the world to share their recipes and brewing knowledge. Medal winning recipes from past National Homebrew Competitions can also be found here, allowing others to learn from the best.

Pimp my System: The AHA is proud to give homebrewers the opportunity to show off their elaborate and creative brewing systems. Homebrewers are encouraged to post entries in the Homebrewers Bio area on the AHA Forum, where systems are selected to be featured each month.

Brewer of the Week: Homebrewers have great stories to tell, and the AHA is proud to share them with the community. Brewers can post a bio about themselves in the Homebrewers Bio area on the AHA forum, and several will be chosen each month to feature.

Club Profiles & Resources: These pages contain articles geared towards helping homebrew clubs with events and management as well as a section on homebrew Club Profiles. Clubs can post a description and photographs to share and several will be featured each month.

Deschutes Brewery Chef's Challenge

Join Deschutes Brewery for an Iron Chef-style beer pairing competition featuring seven chefs from Portland’s top restaurants, competing to prepare the best dish and beer pairing. A panel of five celebrity judges will decide which combination is the tastiest and most artfully prepared, and a People’s Choice Award will also be given. This is a fundraiser for Morrison Child and Family Services.

Competing Chefs to include:

Kurt Spak - Alba Osteria
Pascal Chureau - Fenouil
Cathy Whims - Nostrana
Adam Berger - Ten 01 and Tabla Mediterranean Bistro
Paul Bachand - Farm to Fork
Jeff Usinowicz & Jill Ramseier - Deschutes Brewery Portland Pub

WHEN: December 14th, 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Deschutes Brewery, Portland Oregon

PRICE: $75 per ticket, seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased here.

Laughing Planet Cafe and Fearless Brewing Raise Money for Endangered Chimps

Raise a Glass. Save a Chimp.

It’s as easy as sipping a pint of Fearless Brewing Company’s limited edition Baati Brown Ale at any Laughing Planet Café in Portland and Eugene during the month of December. Brewed exclusively for the chimpanzee benefit, Baati Brown Ale is named for one of the chimps housed at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center in West Africa. Laughing Planet Café will donate 100% of net proceeds from sales of Baati Brown Ale. When the beer is purchased in a pint beer glass, custom designed with a chimp logo, Laughing Planet will discount the beer price. Pint glasses, t-shirts, calendars and ceramic mugs with Baati’s image will also be available for purchase throughout December at all locations.

A champion for orphaned and abused chimpanzees and a former Beaverton veterinarian, Dr. Sheri Speede will make a rare U.S. appearance at Laughing Planet Café on December 16th to share stories of her work at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, which she founded in 1999. As a benefit for her center, and for In Defense of Animals-Africa, Speede will show what is happening to the chimp population in Africa, which has decreased 75% in the past 30 years, and how she risked her own life to rescue more than 66 chimps. The event is free and open to the public at Laughing Planet Café, 4110 SE Woodstock Blvd. beginning at 5 p.m. Come meet Dr. Speede and stay for dinner, followed by a slide show at 7 p.m. Laughing Planet will donate 20% of food sales to the Rescue Center the night of the event, along with the proceeds from custom designed chimp merchandise available throughout December.

“If I wasn’t peddling sustainable burritos in Oregon, I would join Sheri in Africa to help her save more chimps,” said Richard Satnick, founder and Chief Burrito Officer at Laughing Planet Café. “As a graduate student in anthropology, I lived with these amazing animals and studied their behavior and communication. Sheri’s a remarkable warrior for these animals and I am proud that Laughing Planet and the community can come together to help protect our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.”

Chimps Smile for the Camera
In partnership with In Defense of Animals – Africa, which Sheri Speede founded, Laughing Planet Café produced a 2010 calendar illustrated with black and white close-up photographs of a dozen chimps rescued by Dr. Speede and her team. The calendar is available for purchase throughout December at each Laughing Planet Café with all proceeds going directly to the Rescue Center.

Meet The Brewer!

On Tuesday November 17th Green Dragon presents Meet the Brewer with Oakshire Brewing.

Featured beer are:
* Ill-Tempered Gnome – Winter Ale
* Overcast: Espresso Stout
* Watershed: India Pale Ale

Dark Dragon: the Green Dragon Barley Wine

As promised, the highly-anticipated third release in the series of Green Dragon brews will take place Wednesday, November 18th at 5:00pm.

Dark Dragon is an American Barley Wine which was brewed on the Green Dragon’s 1 barrel, nano-brew system.

Dark Dragon is brewed with 15 ingredients: Maris Otter, Golden Promise, Pale, Munich, Carastan, Caravienne, Crystal 60, Chocolate and Special B Malts; Amarillo, Magnum and Cascade Hops; Roasted Barley, Corn Sugar and American Ale Yeast. Dark Dragon is simply described as robust, well-balanced and dangerous. Specifications are 86 IBU, 24º Lovibond, and 18.9º Plato. Dark Dragon is dedicated to the Green Dragon Founders Club.

Like its two predecessors, there are only 2 quarter barrel kegs of Dark Dragon which amounts to a scarce 140 pours. Tickets for a 12oz glass at the premiere pour are being sold now and are available at the Green Dragon. They are limited to one per person.

A portion of the proceeds from Dark Dragon will be donated to the Oregon Brew Crew.

Dark Dragon Barley Wine will be poured from one of the “Back 30” taps located behind the new bar on the cooler wall. These taps are home to Green Dragon brews, beers from Oregon nano breweries, Meet the Brewer beers and seasonal themed beers like Winter Ales.

Additional Green Dragon beers are being brewed by Oregon Brew Crew members Josh Blender, John Heasley, Scott MacDonald and Patrick Miller. The styles are: Irish Red Ale, Russian Imperial Stout, Chocolate Stout and a Porter. Mark your calendars now because the next premier pour will take place Wednesday November 25th at 5:00pm.

The Northwest Loses Another Beer Legend

I discovered more sad news today when I called Derek Wilmot of Dick's Brewing to send him our condolences for the loss of Dick Young.

Brian Sollenberger of Diamond Knot Brewing passed away on October 31st. Though my contact with Brian was limited to funny quips in email conversations, it saddens me greatly to know that we've lost yet another member of our brewing community.

Our hearts and thoughts are with the Dick's Brewing and Diamond Knot families.

The Second Annual Big Chill

Put on your bowling shoes and stocking caps for the 2009 “Big Chill" at Grand Central Restaurant and Bowling Lounge, taking place this Friday, November 13th.

This second-annual event, a celebration for the upcoming snow season, will kick off at 9 pm and keep patrons toasty all night long with cold Brrr, the winter seasonal ale from Widmer Brothers Brewing.

The night will include music from 94/7 FM and Grand Central's new DJ, Clint Kuper, as well as a fashion show on the bowling lanes with the best in winter gear from U.S. Outdoor Store, including looks from Airblaster, Bond, Bonfire, Burton, DC, Holden, Oakley, Volcom, 686, and more.

The event will also feature custom snowboard design entries from the 94/7 Snowboard Design Competition and one lucky designer will leave with a customized Revolution snowboard, a 2009/2010 Season Pass to Mt. Hood Meadows, and a $50 gift certificate to U.S. Outdoor Store.

Snow-junkies can also get their pictures taken at the Big Chill photo booth or warm up with a sample of cold Brrr, after it makes its way down the Brrr ice luge.

The evening will be filled with plenty of Widmer Brothers Brrr and tons of prizes! Admission to the Big Chill is free. A 2009 commemorative mug is also free when purchasing a Brrr Seasonal Ale for $3.50, while supplies last.

Grand Central Restaurant and Bowling Lounge is located at 839 SE Morrison Ave., Portland, OR 97214.

The Green Dragon Releases "Gouden Draak"

The Oregon Brew Crew is ready to unveil Gouden Draak, the second beer in the series of Green Dragon brews. The tapping will take place this Wednesday, November 11th at 5:00pm!

Gouden Draak or “Golden Dragon” is a Belgian Golden Ale and the second beer brewed on the Green Dragon’s 1 barrel, nano-brew system.

Gouden Draak is brewed with 6 ingredients: 2 Row Pilsner and Caravienne Malts; Styrian Golding Hops, Orange Peel, Invert Sugar and Belgian Ale Yeast. Gouden Draak, while uncharacteristically dark for the style, has excellent Belgian attributes from the yeast with a hint of orange and a relatively dry finish. Specifications are 32 IBU, 7º Lovibond, and 16.8º Plato. Gouden Draak is dedicated to Oregon Homebrewers.

Like the Finally! IPA, there are only 2 quarter barrel kegs of Gouden Draak which amounts to a scarce 140 pours. Tickets for a 12oz glass at the premier pour are being sold now and are available at the Green Dragon. They are limited to one per person.

All proceeds from Gouden Draak will be donated to the Oregon Brew Crew.

Green Dragon Gouden Draak will be poured from one of the “Back 30” located behind the new bar on the cooler wall at the Green Dragon. These taps are home to Green Dragon brews, beers from Oregon nano breweries, 'Meet the Brewer' beers and seasonal themed beers like Wet Hop and Winter Ales.

Additional Green Dragon beers are being brewed by Oregon Brew Crew members Josh Blender, John Heasley, Scott MacDonald and Patrick Miller. The styles are: American Dark-Strong Ale, Irish Red Ale and Russian Imperial Stout. Mark your calendars now because the next premier pour will take place Wednesday, November 18th at 5:00pm.

Lompoc says, "La'chaim!"

Every year, Lompoc Brewing releases more than a half-dozen Christmas beers around the first of December. This year, the brewers are excited to brew a beer in honor of Hanukkah as well.

Dubbed "Eight Malty Nights," the Chocolate Rye beer will be brewed tomorrow, November 10th. Rabbi Bradley Greenstein from the Congregation Neveh Shalom will be present to bless the mash and deliver a toast.

The beer will be released on the first day of Hanukkah, Dec. 11.

Silver City Brewery Helps Feed Kitsap Families in Need

From November 2nd through Thanksgiving eve (November 25th), Silver City will act as a collection point for Central Kitsap Food Bank donations. Silver City will issue a Free Dessert card to the person or family donating each bag of non-perishable food items brought through their doors.

Central Kitsap food bank’s mission is “To help those in need.” The Central Kitsap Food Bank began as a church pantry in Tracyton, WA in 1989, moving to its current location next to Central Kitsap High School in Silverdale in 1992. They are a local, independent food bank and partner with seven local food banks and several hot meal programs to maximize the generous donations from the community.

In 2008, CK Food Bank served 463,790 pounds of food to 20,207 individuals in 6,143 households. In 2007, the food bank became the contact agency for a federal food program called Commodities Supplemental Food Program; as such, they served and/or delivered 30+ pounds of additional food to 275-300 low-income seniors and children each month.

Please join Silver City in supporting this worthy Food Bank and bring your donations in for a FREE Dessert. During this time of year CK Food Bank would appreciate the following NON PERISHABLE items:

Stuffing Mix
Canned Yams and Sweet Potatoes
Gravy (canned or packets)
Instant Potatoes
Chicken or Turkey Broth
Cranberry Sauce
Monetary Donations

For info about the food bank please go to: http://www.ckfoodbank.org/

For a more info about Silver City Brewery please go to: www.silvercitybrewery.com

Firestone Walker Releases “13”

Firestone Walker Brewing Company announced the release of their much anticipated anniversary beer, “13.” This annual release will go on sale for the first time at noon on November, 14th at the Firestone Walker Brewery in Paso Robles and the Firestone Walker Taproom Restaurant in Buellton.

Firestone’s anniversary series, a unique blend of barrel aged beers, has become quite a phenomenon each year as beer fans from all over the U.S. seek out this special limited release. In years past releases have sold out at the brewery in just a few weeks and these beers have garnered a hefty price tag in the market.

“These unique barrel aged beers have really changed the public’s perception of beer,” says Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “The care and time that went into this blend is more akin to wine than beer,” he added.

Brynildson again enlisted the help of Paso Robles area wine makers to assist in the blending of several barrel-aged beers into the final product. Barley wines, imperial stouts and an imperial brown are just a few of the beers making up the final blend. Many of the component beers have spent over 2 years aging in a combination of retired bourbon, rye, and wine barrels. This process contributes unique and one-of-a kind flavors not typically found in beer.

The anniversary release will be available to select accounts in limited quantities throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington and Oregon later in November. Only 1,000 cases of this vintage beer were made and Firestone Walker co-founder David Walker doesn’t expect it to last long.

“Our anniversary beers have become somewhat of a phenomenon. Each year beer fans make the pilgrimage to the brewery to get this limited release and before we know it, it’s gone,” said co-founder David Walker.

Oakshire Brewing to Release Winter Seasonal

Oakshire Brewing Company of Eugene, Oregon has released their newest seasonal beer, Ill-Tempered Gnome, throughout the state of Oregon on draft and in 22 ounce bottles. This winter seasonal is a complex brown ale with an underlying American hop punch. At 6.8% abv, the Gnome provides bitter, roasty, chocolate, pine resin, citrus, dark fruit, coffee and sweet flavors all in one glass.

“Ill-Tempered Gnome is a wonderful winter warmer. We used 6 specialty malts and 5 different American hops to craft this big, yet very approachable Northwest-style brown,” explains Brewmaster, Matt Van Wyk.

According to Jeff Althouse, Co-Founder of Oakshire brewing, “We are very excited to release a third beer in bottles. Bottles of Watershed IPA and the award-winning Overcast Espresso Stout have been very well received and we are pleased to introduce Oregon to a third member of the Oakshire family.”

Ill-Tempered Gnome will be available in Oregon throughout the winter months. The Oakshire team will be on hand at The Beer Stein on Wednesday, November 4th from 6-8pm to give patrons a sample of the new beer. You will also find the crew in Portland on November 12th for their Beer Belly dinner at Eastburn, and November 17th at The Green Dragon for their "Meet the Brewer" event.

Dick Young of Dick's Brewery Dies at 56 years old.

I had the opportunity to meet with Dick a number of months back at their newly expanded brewery in Centralia, Washington. He was a great guy with a hilarious sense of humor, and he'll be missed dearly.

Please visit The Chronicle website to read more.

The ART of Beer - Artwork Contest for Cellar Reserve Beer Labels 2010

The Grand Teton Brewing Company and the Teton Arts Council invite all artists to participate in "The Art of Beer," an artwork contest for inspiring labels and promotion of Grand Teton Brewing Company’s 2010 Cellar Reserve beers.

In past years, the employees of Grand Teton Brewing Company have collaborated on label design. This year, however, the brewery decided to call upon artists for inspiration and insight. Artists are requested to submit artwork that depicts “Life in the Tetons” to the Teton Arts Council by October 23rd, 2009. Up to four submitted artworks may be selected and incorporated into the label designs of the Cellar Reserve beers. The winning artwork will be selected for its creativity, originality, artistic quality, and reflection of the theme.

“All of us at Grand Teton Brewing are thrilled to work with artists who create artwork that evokes the natural beauty of this area which we all love and cherish. We are looking forward to seeing the creative ways that the artists represent Life in the Tetons,” said Rob Mullin, Brewmaster and C.O.O. of Grand Teton Brewing Company.

The 2010 Cellar Reserve beers will be released approximately one specialty beer during each quarter of the year. These specialty beers have large format labels on a 1-Liter (33 oz) bottle with a ceramic flip-top lid and a “neck hanger” card.

For the winning artists, an artist bio will be featured on a card, approximately the size of a business card hung around the neck of the bottle. The winning artists may expect wide promotion since these specialty beers are distributed in at least 14 states around the United States with production sizes ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 bottles of each specialty beer. The winning artists will also be promoted on the Teton Arts Council website including a link to the artists’ website. Artists may also be featured on the Grand Teton Brewing Company website and other commercial promotion materials.

Although past label designs were primarily computer generated, this artwork contest is open to artists of all mediums. The judges expect to see a wide range of entries such as paintings, sketches, photographs, computer-enhanced photographs, and yes, computer-generated images. Grand Teton Brewing Company decided too that the winning artwork would inspire the names of the specialty beers. So the artists are truly being given a chance to show their creative interpretations.

“We think this is a great opportunity for artists to showcase their work in a unique format,” said Christine Leusch, Executive Director of Teton Arts Council, “It gives artists an opportunity to have their work seen by a broader audience and in a different format.”

The contest is open to any artist who is a member of the Teton Arts Council. There are no additional contest fees. Each artist may submit up to four (4) pieces to the contest.
Check www.tetonartscouncil.com for contest rules and membership. Deadline for contest submission October 23, 2009. Winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony November 7, 2009

For more information contact the Teton Arts Council at 208-354-4278.

Oskar Blues Brings 43 Taps Of Beer Soaked Southern Culture To Longmont, CO

Oskar Blues’ new down-home beer joint celebrates beer culture with 43 craft taps, Southern-inspired BBQ & soul-saving live music. “This is an authentic craft beer bar right down to the keg based fountains” says owner Dale Katechis. An in-house smoker, named “the Midnight Toker,” stoked with local apple wood turns out slow smoked North Carolina style BBQ pork, spare ribs, beer-can chicken, salmon and turkey. Home Made Liquids & Solids is scheduled to open Monday, October 12th.

Oskar Blues has worked with Eco Cycle (www.ecocycle.org), a local environmental company, to create a zero-waste kitchen that will feature gluten free & vegetarian inspired dishes served next to Oskar Blues favorites such as the “Silo Burger.”

Jason Rogers, a veteran of the Colorado culinary scene, will oversee all kitchen efforts at Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids & Solids. Rogers most recently was executive chef at the JW Marriott at Cherry Creek hotel in Denver, and before that was culinary director at Jill’s Restaurant in the St. Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder. He also has worked in Aspen and on the East Coast and was twice invited to cook at the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s Beard House in New York City. “I’m fired up to work with Oskar Blues to create a menu that’s on par with our craft beer, which has challenged the public perception of what to expect out of a canned beer.” adds Rogers.

In April of 1997 Dale Katechis opened Oskar Blues Cajun Grill in the small Rocky Mountain foothills town of Lyons, CO. Known for its southern hospitality & blues music, the funky restaurant quickly added quality craft beer to the equation in 1999. In 2002, Dale looked to regionally distributing his craft beer as a way to keep the Oskar Blues name in the public eye during the slower winter months of the now fully functioning brew-pub. He was approached by Cask Brewing Systems (www.cask.com) about an affordable canning line for craft brewers. “We thought the idea of our bold, hoppy pale ale squeezed into a little can was hilarious. It made us laugh for weeks.” adds Katechis. Seven years later a genre bending regional craft brewery has come to life and now supplies boundary busting canned beer to 25 states. Bringing the marketing strategy full circle, Oskar Blues is now opening a beer bar to offer their community and fans of the Longmont brewery’s 3-dimensional canned beers a place to hang their hats & celebrate beer culture, right in the heart of Colorado beer country.

Hood River Hops Fest Tomorrow!

--Killer Beers, Food, Art, Music in the Heart of the Gorge
--Final Beer List Includes 33 Flavors of Fresh Hop Goodness
--More Tents!

Fall is here, which means it's time for some hoppy harvest beer! Fresh Hop beer, to be sure! The 6th Annual Hood River Hops Fest will feature a cornucopia of more than 50 delicious brews from 28 Northwest breweries, including 33 Fresh Hop beers. In addition to the flowing suds, Hops Fest features live music all day, local food and art vendors, and a Kids Zone to keep the young ones happy. It's a great downtown party with fun and frolic for everyone.

For those who don't know, Fresh Hop beer is made during the short window of hop harvest every year, with straight-from-the-vine hops. Instead of the usual process of immediately drying and sending baled hop cones to cold storage, the fragile fresh hops are taken straight to the brewery and, in most cases, tossed into a brew that very same day. Fresh hops possess a whole range of aromatics, flavors and resinous textures that are often changed during drying. Northwest brewers have made harvest time their own Fresh Hop Extravaganza, and Hops Fest is the first place to check out all the special brews.

And new this year: More Tents! They've doubled the tent order for this year's Hops Fest. Come rain or shine, they'll have you covered.

The 6th Annual Hood River Hops Fest runs from Noon to 9pm this Saturday, October 3rd in the Downtown Lot (enter at 5th & Cascade) in Hood River, Oregon. Free admission; $5 mug purchase required for sampling; $1 tokens for 4-ounce samples. Minors welcome until 6pm when accompanied by an adult.For more info, visit www.hopsfest.com.


The Beer List:

Fresh Hop Beers:
Amnesia "Fresh Hoppalata"
Astoria "Hoptimus 2.0" Imperial IPA
Big Horse " Vernon the Rabbit Slayer" Imperial IPA
Big Horse "The Strange" Hemp Ale
Bridgeport "Hop Harvest Ale"
Cascade Lakes "Fresh Hop Pale Ale"
Deschutes "Fresh Hop Mirror Pond" Pale Ale
Deschutes "Hop Trip" Pale Ale
Double Mountain "Killer Green" Fresh Hop IPA
Double Mountain "Fresh Vienna "
Ft George "Cohoperative Ale"
Full Sail "Lupulin Ale" ( Crystal )
Full Sail "Lupulin Ale" (Cascade)
Hopworks "Sodbuster" Pale Ale
Laurelwood "Hop Bale" Pale Ale
Laurelwood "Organic Goodness" Pale Ale
Lucky Lab "The Mutt" Ale
Lucky Lab "Das Moot" Pilsner
MacTarnahan's "Fresh Hop MacTarnahans" Ale
New Old Lompoc "Harvest Man" Red Ale
New Old Lompoc "Fresh Hop Crystal Wheat"
Ninkasi "Nugg E. Fresh Wet Hop Ale"
Oakshire "Fresh Hop Harvest Ale"
Pelican "Elemental Ale"
Rock Bottom "Hoodwinked Integrity-Style Ale"
Rock Bottom "Octoberfist"
Roots "Hoppopotamus"
Rogue "Chatoe Rogue First Growth Wet Hop Ale"
Sierra Nevada "Harvest Ale"
Three Creeks "Santiam Harvest" Farmhouse Ale
Upright "Fresh Hop of Bel Air" Saison-style Ale
Walking Man "Fresh Hop IPA"
Widmer "Hopturnal Emission"

Other Beers:
Amnesia “Copacetic” IPA
Astoria “Bitter Bitch” Double IPA
Bridgeport “Hop Czar” Imperial IPA
Cascade Lakes "Kolsch"
Elliott Glacier “Gnarl Ridge Double Dry-hopped IPA”
Elliott Glacier “Belgian Espresso Stout”
Everybody's “IPA”
Everybody's “Common Ale”
Ft George “Divinity”
Full Sail “Nate's Ubergehopft Fest Bier”
Hopworks “7 Grain Survival Stout”
Lazy Boy "Big Trouble" Imperial IPA
Lazy Boy "Red Head" Imperial Red
MacTarnahan's “Humbug'r Winter Ale’
Oakshire “Overcast Espresso Stout”
Pelican “Doryman's Dark” Ale
Three Creeks “Desperado Imperial IPA”
Upright “Four”
Walking Man “Hoptoberfest”
Widmer “w'10” Black IPA

Live Music Schedule:
Noon - 2pm : traditional German "Oompah" band!
2:30 - 4pm : blues legend Norman "The Boogie Cat" Sylvester
4:30 - 6:30pm : Geno Michaels and Soul City
7pm - Close: local rockers Speedqueen Underground


Hood River Hops Fest is a benefit for the Downtown Business Council of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors include Amerititle; Andrew’s Pizza; Bob Stone AutoCenter; CH2MHill; The City of Hood River; Columbia River Insurance; Crazy Pepper Cantina; Double Mountain Brewery; Full Sail Brewing; Gorge Networks; Hood River Bagels; Hood River Hotel; Hood River County Commission on Children & Families; Hood River Supply; Mt. Hood Meadows; Oregon Bounty; Oregon Brewers Guild; and Your Rental and Party Center.

Also be sure to check out the next two stops on the Fresh Hop Tastival series, sponsored by Oregon Bounty and the Oregon Brewers Guild:

Sat Oct 10: Oaks Park. Portland, noon-9pm
Sat Oct 17: Downtown Eugene noon-9pm

For more info on these events, visit www.oregonbeer.org/fhbt09.

Celebrate October With Microbrews and Brats at the Palace Ballroom

On Friday, October 30 from 5- 8 p.m., Tom Douglas Restaurants’ Palace Ballroom will be transformed into Oktoberfest heaven for this Beer and Brats event. The brainchild of Warren Peterson, Tom Douglas Restaurants’ newly appointed “beer czar” and roving chef, Beer and Brats showcases some of his favorite West Coast microbrews, and bratwurst from Seattle’s top sausage purveyors.

Guests will have the opportunity to taste German-inspired microbrews and meet the brewers from Big Al Brewing (White Center), Baron Brewing (South Park), Maritime Pacific Brewing (Ballard), Elysian Brewing Company (Capitol Hill), Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (Chico, Calif.) and Deschutes Brewery (Deschutes, Ore.).
A selection of bratwurst will be provided by Isernio’s Sausage (Beacon Hill), Cascioppo Brothers Meats (Ballard), Bavarian Meats and Uli’s Famous Sausage (Pike Place Market), Da Pino (Ravenna). The bratwurst offerings will also include handcrafted sausages by Tom Douglas Restaurants chefs—“beer czar” Warren Peterson, Palace Kitchen’s Brian Walczyk, and Dahlia Lounge’s Brock Johnson.

Tickets are $34 per person, including tax, and must be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets, please contact Christy at (206) 448-2001 or christinal@tomdouglas.com.

For more information about Tom Douglas Restaurants, please visit here and follow Tom Douglas Restaurants on Twitter @TDRcreampuff.

Pike Celebrates 20 Years of Brewing Craft beer

By the time Rose Ann and Charles opened their own brewery, they had the experience of working with some of the World's greatest breweries including Samuel Smith, Ayinger, Orval, Pinkus, Lindemans, and Traquair House, which together, represented over 2,000 years of brewing experience.

The Finkels identified the potential for a world class brewery in Seattle that was capable of brewing beer equal to, or even exceeding, the standards of the World's classics. The first keg of Pike beer, Pike Pale Ale, was tapped by Ayinger owner and head brewer, Braü Franz Inselkammer. Franz, the president of the Bavarian Brewing Association, proclaimed the English style beer to be as "balanced, malty, and delicious; like fresh bread, ideal for the harvest season." Over the ensuing 20 years, first in the original brewery on Western Avenue, and now in a beautiful multi-level, gravity flow, steam heated brewery and brew pub, Pike has introduced what many describe as classic ales, including Pike XXXXX Extra Stout; 1989, Pike IPA in 1990 (Roger Protz's choice of one of the 300 beers to try before you die); Pike Old Bawdy Barley Wine, 1991 and soon to be included in the revised edition of the same book; in 1992, Pike Kilt Lifter (N.W. Brewing News Reader's Choice, Best Scotch Ale, 2006, 2007 and 2008); Cerveza Rosanna (named for Rose Ann Finkel) and Auld Aquaintence, in 1993; Pike Weisse in 1998; Naughty Nellie Golden in 1999; Pike Tandem Double in 2006; Monk's Uncle Tripel in 2007; Pike Entire Wood Aged Stout, 2008; and now, as a special treat, just for our 20th birthday, Pike Tripel Kriek, a tripel that was fermented with Brettanomyces yeast, along with the addition of 60 pounds of local organic Bing cherries per cask that were added at the peak of Washington State cherry season in June 2009. Since then, the cuveé has been aging in Washington State Cabernet wine casks. XXX Kriek will be available on draft at the pub and at Brouwers Sour Beer Festival during Seattle Beer Week 2010.

In addition to their standard lineup (plus Tripel Kriek), Pike will also be releasing its other oak aged beer, Pike Entire 2009, in time for their anniversary. Entire is a blend of Pike XXXXX Extra Stout and a Pike imperial stout (high gravity) aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels for 7 months.

Join the Pike family to celebrate their 20th birthday on October 17th at 5p.m.

He'Brew Beer Turns 13!

America's smallest, biggest and most award-winning Jewish (and now Sideshow Freak) Beer Company, Shmaltz Brewing celebrates its 13th year of delicious beer and delicious shtick with the special release of JEWBELATION BAR MITZVAH: their 13th Chosen Beer in 13 years of Shmaltz. Brewed with 13 malts, 13 hops and soaring to 13% alc, Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah will be nationally available in 22 oz. bottles and a very limited amount of draft for select bars beginning October 1, 2009.

This winter, HE'BREW will pit Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah along with other Chosen Beers against national holiday beer luminaries in their annual challenge "Chanukah vs. Christmas: The Battle Royale of Beers" in NYC, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, Connecticut, Baltimore and additional cities t.b.a.. Designed by Shmaltz's Art Director Matt Polacheck, Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah's artwork incorporates consumer submitted Bar/Bat Mitzvah photos culled from Shmaltz's recent national photo contest.

Oktoberfest in Downtown Medford

Live music and the best in German beers will make downtown Medford come alive this Saturday, October 3rd during the 1st Annual Southern Oregon Oktoberfest from Noon to 6 PM at 410 East Main Street.

The event celebrates German beers, and local Oktoberfest style seasonals. Over 20 beers will be available for sampling including beers from Ayinger, Erdinger, Paulaner, Widmer, Walkabout, and more. Minors accompanied by adults are welcome to the event.

“Because hundreds of people enjoyed our BeerFest this past June we decided to have another downtown event to celebrate Fall,” explains Chris Dennett of Bear Creek Beers. “This a great opportunity to sample some fabulous beers, save money, and have fun.”

Cost is $10 per person and includes three tasting tokens, a commemorative pint glass, and live accordion music. German food will also be available. The Southern Oregon Oktoberfest is being sponsored by KBOY of Radio Medford and Bear Creek Beers.

Alpenfest

Table Rock Brewpub and Grill Presents Boise’s Official Oktoberfest on October 10th, 9:30am to 7:00pm. Come Rain or Come Shine!

Ann Morrison Park Boise, ID • Free Admission

Pancake Breakfast from 9:30am to 11:00am

Live Music, Great Food, Beer and Games!

To Benefit The Boise Nordic Foundation.

From the Team That Brought You Boise BeerFest!

October Music Schedule for Doyle's Public House

Visit www.doylespublichouse.com for details.

Grand Teton Brewing to Get Energy From Yeast

Grand Teton Brewing Company was notified September 30th by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it was awarded a grant to turn its brewing yeast into energy. New equipment to be installed at the brewery will harness the energy created during fermentation to heat water for brewing.

During busy summer months, Grand Teton Brewing Company's yeast generates an average of 129,000 BTUs per hour through the fermentation process. This Rural Energy Assistance Program (REAP) grant will allow Grand Teton to recover much of that energy to heat water used for brewing and cleaning. This should save the brewery the equivalent of 2,550 gallons of diesel fuel per year at current production rates.

"The best thing about an energy recovery project like this is that it will grow with us," said Brewmaster and C.O.O. Rob Mullin. "The more we brew, the more oil we'll save. This is just phase one. After monitoring the efficiency of this project, we'll look at solar panels to provide additional heat for our brewing water."

Benefit for Brian Redman Tomorrow

This past weekend, Brian Redman, a bartender at Doyle's Public House in Tacoma, WA, passed away. Doyle's is holding a memorial/benefit for him tomorrow, Friday, October 2nd. The big tent is being rolled out and over 12 bands will be playing tribute to Brian. They are asking for a $5 donation at the door. There will be a Taco Truck in the parking lot for late night eats. So many members of the Tacoma community have stepped forward with generous donations to make this event possible.

Doyle's is establishing an endowment for music with Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. They are asking for either cash donations directly to this fund or items to be used for the raffle on the day of the event. After funeral expenses are covered all donations will go towards the endowment. All items & checks may be dropped off at Doyle's.

Checks may also be mailed to: The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, 950 Pacific Avenue - Suite 1220 - Tacoma, WA 98402

Oakshire Brewing Wins Medal at GABF

The Oakshire Brewing Company recently claimed a silver medal at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival Competition.

“It’s a great thrill to be recognized for our hard work. And to win with one of our year-round beers is equally exciting as we can continue bringing this high quality local beer to our many Overcast fans.” says Matt Van Wyk, brewmaster at Oakshire.

This silver medal is the first national award for Oakshire Brewing and the first in Eugene since 2003 when local Bier Stein owner Chip Hardy brought home a gold while at West Brothers Brewery. This medal is Van Wyk’s 10th at GABF and fifth straight year medaling. Previously he brewed for Flossmoor Station Brewing Company in Flossmoor, Illinois.

Oakshire was recognized in the coffee beer-style category for Overcast Espresso Stout a dark ale crafted with locally roasted and cold pressed organic espresso beans. Oakshire is a 2,000 barrel microbrewery located in Eugene, OR that specializes in brewing quality hand crafted ales in small batches and distributes throughout the state of Oregon.

Chuckanut 2009 Small Brewpub of the Year

Chuckanut Brewery claimed the title as America’s Best Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year 2009, winning four medals: two gold and two silver at the 28th Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colo.

Chuckanut Brewery is the first brewery in the history of the Great American Beer Festival competition to win a Small Brewpub of the Year award with all Lager Style Beers.

Chuckanut Dunkel - Gold medal in the European Style Dunkel Category

Chuckanut Vienna Lager - Gold medal in the Vienna Style Lager Category

Chuckanut German Pilsner - Silver medal in the German-Style Pilsner Category

Chuckanut Schwarzbier - Silver medal in the German Style Schwarzbier Category

The Great American Beer Festival is the largest and most prestigious competition for American craft beers. This year’s competition featured 3,308 beers from 495 breweries. A panel of 132 professional judges from 10 countries, worked over a three-day period during the week of the festival, to award brewers prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals in 78 beer categories, establishing the best examples of each style in the U.S.

These awards are among the most coveted in the beer industry and heralded by the winning brewers. Brewmaster Will Kemper and Head Brewer Josh Pfriem specialize in making quality driven, consistent, well-crafted traditional German lagers and English ales.

2009 GABF Results

The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) Competition continued its record setting ways, crushing last year's entries by 16%. GABF remains the largest commercial beer competition in the world with 3,308 entries.

Colorado and California typically dominate the competition each year for the most medals won by each state, with Colorado breweries and brewpubs coming out ahead for 2009.

The top five medal winning states were: CO (45), CA (39), OR (22), WA (13), PA (12).

The GABF competition attracted 132 international beer judges from ten countries. Award-winning brewers received prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals in 78 beer categories, establishing the best examples of each style in the U.S.

2009 Brewery and Brewer of the Year Awards:
Large Brewing Company and Large Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Coors Brewing Company, Golden, CO; Dr. David Ryder

Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Crosby & Baker Ltd.
Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, MD; Robert Malone

Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Microstar Keg Management
Dry Dock Brewing Company, Aurora, CO; Dry Dock Brewing Team

Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Brewers Supply Group
Pizza Port Carlsbad, Carlsbad, CA; Pizza Port Brew Guys

Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
Chuckanut Brewery, Bellingham, WA; Will Kemper

The most competitive category was American Style India Pale Ale with 134 entries. The gold medal went to Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA for Union Jack for the second straight year. The second most hotly contested category was Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer with 110 entries (up from 79 in 2008). The gold medal went to Arcadia Brewing Co., Battle Creek, MI for Cereal Killer Barleywine.

Great American Beer Festival 2009 Statistics:
457 breweries in the festival hall
2,100 beers served at the festival
49,000 attendees (includes brewers, volunteers and ticket holders)
3,000 volunteers
495 breweries in the competition
3,308 beers judged in the competition
78 categories judged + Pro-Am category
132 judges from ten countries
Average number of competition beers entered in each category: 42
Category with highest number of entries: 134, American Style India Pale Ale

Brewpublic Turns 1 Year Old

Celebrate Brewpublic's 1 Year Anniversary with a special event at one of Portland's best craft beer bars, Saraveza (1004 N. Killingsworth, PDX, OR).

Join them Friday, October 9th for a stellar line-up of world class beer.

What will be pouring:
*Lagunita's Fresh Hopped Mystery Brew (Lagunita's Brewing, Petaluma, California)
*Caldera Ginger Pale Ale (Caldera Brewing/Ashland, Oregon)
*Hitachino Nest XH Shocyu Sake Barrel-aged Strong Ale (Kiuchi Brewery/Naka, Ibaraki, Japan)
*Sierra Nevada Chico Estate Harvest Ale (Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, California)
*Urthel Hop-It Belgian IPA (De Leyerth Brouwerijen, Ruiselede, Belgium
*Lucky Labrador Pavlov Port Barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout (Lucky Lab, Portland, Oregon)
*Schneider Hopfen-Weisse Weizenbock (Private Weissbierbrauerei G. Schneider & Sohn GmbH, Kelheim, Germany w/Brooklyn Brewing, Brooklyn, New York)
*Upright Turkey on Rye Chili Brew (Upright Brewing, Portland, Oregon)
...and more!

There will also be giveaways, cake, and a special video art installation by artist, Matthew DiTullo.

Cascade Brewing takes Gold and Silver medals at 2009 GABF

Cascade Brewing continued its winning ways at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition, taking home the top two medals in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer category: a gold medal for Bourbonic Plague and a silver for Vlad the Imp Aler. A total of 45 beers were entered in the class.

GABF award winners were announced Saturday in Denver, Colorado.

Brewmaster Ron Gansberg, production brewer Curtis Bain and brewery owner Art Larrance were all in attendance for the announcement, and were thrilled with the outcome.

"It's accreditation and acknowledgment of what we're doing across the broad field of our industry at this moment," explained Gansberg, who has developed a reputation for pioneering the Northwest Sour Beer Style. "Assessing these beers is a very serious endeavor for the judging panel and it's completely altruistic. There's no agenda: it's about tasting beers and selecting the best."

Added Gansberg, "The brewing industry is vibrant and always changing, but at that moment, when they were judged, our beers were considered the finest in their field."

The gold-medal winning Bourbonic Plague is a Belgian Spiced Double Porter aged for more than six months in bourbon barrels filled with dates. A wild-yeast blended beer, Vlad the Imp Aler is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale derived from a blend of oak barrel-aged 23- and 25-degree Plato sour blonde quadruppel, sour bourbon barrel tripel and sour strong spiced blonde.

The GABF medal wins in the sour category reinforce Cascade Brewing's mission to create full-bodied, sophisticated barrel-aged Northwest sour beers. Beer lovers in Portland have long recognized Cascade Brewing as a brewery to watch as it creates masterful sour beers through yeast and barrel-aging under the direction of Gansberg.

This marked the second year Cascade Brewing has entered the GABF; in 2008, it took home a Bronze medal for its Cascade Kriek, a Flanders Style Red Ale re-fermented with a sweet blend of fresh whole northwest cherries.

GABF is the largest commercial beer competition in the world with 3,308 entries. This year's competition attracted 132 international beer judges from 10 countries. Award-winning brewers received prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals in 78 beer categories, establishing the best examples of each style in the US.

Cascade Brewing was in stellar company, joining 21 other Oregon craft breweries with its medal wins!

Sampson Joins the ECB Team

President David Stark of Eugene City Brewery has formally appointed Nate Sampson to the brewer position in his cabinet. After spending the last 22 years studying and working in the field of microbiology, Nate realized his true passion in this world; brewing. Nate started home brewing in 1992 and became the President of the Cascade Brewers Society in Eugene. The society meets once a month in the Tiki room at the Eugene City Brewery and now Nate has become the brewer of his home brewing stomping grounds. In his previous life Nate was a sponsored amateur skateboarder and a semi-professional pilot. Nate’s best friend in the entire world is his 10 year old daughter, Rhiannon.

The Eugene City Brewery’s award winning ales include 200 Meter Ale, Honey Orange Wheat, and Triple Jump.

200 Meter Ale
2009 World Beer Championships — Silver
2009 New Zealand International Beer Awards — Bronze
2009 Australian International Beer Awards — Bronze

Honey Orange Wheat
2008 World Beer Championships — Silver
2008 Australian International Beer Awards — Bronze
2008 U.S. Beer Tasting Championships — Pacific N.W. Champ

Triple Jump
2009 World Beer Championship — Gold
2008 U.S. Beer Tasting Championships — Pacific N.W. Champ
2008 New Zealand International Beer Awards — Best in Class; Silver
2008 North American Beer Awards — Silver

Meet the Brewer!

Join the kids from Block 15 tomorrow at the Green Dragon (928 SE 9th, PDX) and get your beer on!

SeaPort Offers a Direct Flight to Yakima for Fresh Hop Fest

For one weekend only, SeaPort Airlines will be transporting “Hop Heads” direct to Yakima for the 7th Annual Fresh Hop Ale Festival.

On October 3rd, SeaPort Airlines will offer a direct flight from their private PDX terminal to Yakima, WA making the Fresh Hop Ale Festival more accessible to the Portland Metro area. SeaPort Air will deliver festival-goers on Saturday, October 3rd from PDX at 2:30pm direct to Yakima and bring them back to Portland on Sunday, October 4th at 11:30am. The cost is $298 roundtrip, subject to a $3.60 Federal Segment Fee.

“I’ve attended this festival and look forward to it every year,” says Kent Craford, President of SeaPort Airlines. “The only thing better than attending the Fresh Hop Ale Festival is avoiding the drive home!” Nothing celebrates the superior taste of craft beer better – and the fact that Yakima produces 77% of the US hop crop – than the 7th Annual Fresh Hop Ale Festival.

For a brew to be considered a “fresh hop ale” for the festival competition, it must be produced with hops that were picked no more than 24 hours prior to brewing. Brewers then bring their freshly brewed kegs of beer to the fest, where an expert panel of judges, selects first, second, and third place Fresh Hop Ales. Festival-goers also vote, with their taste buds, and a “Most Pours Award” crowns the crowd favorite.

Come to the source: Saturday, October 3, 2009, 6pm-11pm (21 and over only, ID required) at the Millennium Arts Plaza downtown Yakima. Tickets are $30 in advance, or $35 at the gate. Hilton Garden Inn room packages are available by calling 509.454.1111. All festival proceeds benefit the Allied Arts of Yakima Valley (est. 1962) – a nonprofit organization dedicated to the coordination and promotion of arts events and programs in the valley.

1st Annual Beer Can Derby

The Greenwood Pub Association presents the 1st Annual Beer Can Derby to benefit Northwest Harvest. Join the fun on Saturday, October 3rd at Naked City Brewery & Taphouse in the Greenwood Neighborhood (8564 Greenwood Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98103)

To enter the race: Entry fee is one can of food. Contestants design and construct race cars, which must contain at least one recognizably whole and uncrushed beer can. Please pre-register with Rachaal Steele (rachaal@nakedcitybrewing.com, 206.838.6299) to insure entry.

For Full Tournament Rules visit: here

Sponsored by New Belgium Brewing and Oskar Blues Brewing

The Greenwood Pub Association (GPA) is proud to announce the 1st Annual Beer Can Derby to benefit Northwest Harvest and to celebrate Great Beer in north Seattle. All profits go directly to Northwest Harvest.

GPA was founded to celebrate and promote great food, craft beer, and community involvement in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood.

Beer Northwest Pairing Dinner

TASTE may be known for its “all northwest” wine program with awards from the Washington Wine Commission, but they also support the local microbrew community.

This fall they'll be celebrating this relationship with a Northwest beer dinner on October 21st in collaboration with Beer Northwest Magazine.

Featuring signature brews from Pike, Dick’s and Elysian Brewing Companies, the menu will include TASTE’s signature “flight and bites” (3 bites perfectly paired with 3 tastes of beer) to start, followed by two entrees and a sweet to finish; a steal at only $60 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Details:
Beer Dinner | featuring Pike Pub and Brewery, Dick’s and Elysian Brewing Companies
Oct. 21, 6 p.m. reception; 6:30 p.m. dinner
$60 per person
Space is extremely limited. Call 206-903-5291 or email here to reserve.

Menu: flight & bites
Pizzette | lemongrass salumi, coconut crème, basil
Dick’s Bavarian Style Hefeweizen

Sweet corn grits | caramelized onions, peanut butter, fried sage
Pike Monk’s Uncle Tripel Ale

Fried calzone | italian sausage, provolone, tomato-fennel ketchup
Elysian Loser Pale Ale

Seared scallop | sweet, sour & spicy pickle
Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA

Brown butter gnocchi | house-foraged chanterelles, cream
Dick’s Silk Lady Belgian Style Golden Ale

Warm chocolate doughnettes | stout panna-cotta cappuccino
Pike Entire Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout

Lompoc Brewing Hosts End of Summer Brewers BBQ

Tickets are on sale now for Lompoc Brewing's End of Summer Brewer's BBQ, a laid-back brewers dinner featuring a five-course menu served family style and paired with select barrel aged Lompoc beers. The event will take place Oct. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Sidebar, Lompoc's new tasting room located at 3901A N. Williams, as well as inside the brewery. Lompoc's staff of brewers will be onsite to mix and mingle. Tickets are limited in number and cost $50.

The menu begins with pineapple and lime glazed tuna and black tiger prawn skewers paired with Summer Sunset Saison. The dry and earthy Belgian style saison is brewed with imported Pilsner malt. Its explosive citrus aroma comes from a late addition of fresh grapefruit rinds along with whole black peppercorns and candied ginger for a hint of spice (5.8% ABV, 15 IBU).

The second course of grilled vegetable caponata is coupled with Smoked Gold, a twist on the brewery's popular Fool's Gold that includes the addition of beechwood smoked malt for a subtle note of wood smoke (4.6% ABV, 16 IBU).

Course three features Cape Town lamb with a spicy sweet mint sauce, served with Barrel Fermented C-Note. Lompoc's best selling beer is 100% fermented in a vintage white English oak barrel for pine and caramel flavors with a touch of oak at the finish (6.9% ABV, 100 IBU).

The fourth course of Memphis style baby back ribs is paired with Bourbon Barrel Aged LSD, a deep mahogany strong ale crafted with seven specialty malts and aged in Bourbon barrels for three months, then cellared for an additional 10 (6.9% ABV, 58 IBU).

The final course is smoked stuffed pears with a Monster Mash caramel sauce, paired with Lompoc's Halloween seasonal, Monster Mash. An imperial porter, Monster Mash is a dark ale with strong chocolate and roast flavors and a touch of red fruit (8% ABV, 50 IBU).

Tickets must be purchased in advance by Sept. 30. Click the button below to buy now, or call 503.288.3996 for more info.

Call for Volunteers!

The Green Dragon is looking for volunteers to help out with the First Annual Mini Beer Fest at THIS WEEKEND.

If you have some time you would like to donate, and you are OLCC certified (with license) give Grant a shout at: 503.551.8505

In addition to being a part of this brand new event, you will be thanked for your time with Rogue and Green Dragon products.

Kitsap County's Top Chefs Show Off Sept. 15th

While local culinary artists show off their considerable talents at a sumptuous harvest feast on Sept. 15, its guests will be also served up some local music and fun during the Peninsula Local Food Chef Showoff, an evening filled with food, presentations, displays, and resources on how to connect young farmers, and every day residents with our fast-disappearing farmland.

Keynote speakers include:
Nash Huber of Nash's Organics in Sequim. Huber, the American Farmland Trust's 2008 "Farmer of the Year" is a nationwide leader of and advocate for the preservation of farmland.

Kate Dean formerly of Mt. Townsend Creamery. Dean, renowned for her fabulous, high quality local artisan cheeses, has become well-known for her efforts in structuring creative ways of connecting young farmers with landowners.

Details:
Peninsula Local Food Chef Showoff
Tuesday, September 15, 4-10 p.m.
President's Hall, Kitsap Fairgrounds,
1200 NW Fairgrounds Road, Bremerton
Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
Order on line www.LocalFoodChefShowoff.org

Purchase in person at:
Monica's Waterfront Bakery and Cafe, 3472 NW Byron Street, Old Town Silverdale, WA; 360-698-2991

Hi-Lo’s Café, 2720 15th St., Bremerton, 360-373-7833; C.J.’s General Store, 1417 Park Ave, Bremerton, 360-479-2708

Pheasant Fields Farm, 13274 Clear Creek Rd NW , Silverdale, 360-697-6224

CBParkshore, 4235 SE Mile Hill Dr., Port Orchard, 360-871-2332

This event is open to the public and all ages are welcome.

Belgian Beer Me! Last Call for October Tours

Always wanted to drink your way through Western Europe? Belgian Beer Me! has two trips this October that still have room.

• The Best Damn Farmhouse Ale Tour of Belgium & France, Oct. 12-17, 2009, Six Days, Five Nights --$1495 land only, $325 single supplement.

• The Lonely Monks Trappist Tour of Belgium & the Netherlands, Oct. 17-27, 2009, Ten Days, Nine Nights -- $2695 land only, $325 single supplement.

While both tours have themes, travelers will experience a wide range of Belgian beer styles during the tours.

Deadline to sign up is Sept. 10, 2009. Please visit Belgianbeerme.com for details.

Brewpublic One Year Anniversary

Brewpublic.com celebrates their one year anniversary with two events featuring one-of-a-kind craft beers, art and giveaways. These two special events were planned with the beer geek in mind.

Brewpublic One Year Anniversary Party
Friday October 9, 2009
Saraveza (1004 N. Killingsworth, PDX)
Brewpublic kicks off a spectacular weekend at Saraveza with a special hand selected one-of-a-kind brew from Lagunita's cellars as well as other unique pours. There will also be a raffle, and giveaways. This special event will also feature a video art installation dedicated to craft beer by Matthew DiTullo.

Brewpublic Killer Beer Fest
Saturday October 10, 2009
Bailey's Taproom (213 SW Broadway, PDX) 4PM-Midnight
On this special night during Portland's Fresh Hop weekend, Brewpublic has curated a line-up of never-tasted-before beers from the Pacific Northwest. Barrel-aged brews, Belgian-style specialties, and other one of a kind and one-off brews from Cascade Brewing, Double Mountain, Fort George, Big Horse, Standing Stone, Block-15, Deschutes, Beer Valley, Lucky Lab, Laurelwood, Lompoc, Amnesia, Pyramid, Seven Brides, Ninkasi, Upright, Vertigo, Oakshire, Hopworks, Rock Bottom, and more. Most of these beers will not be available again; they will be offered in 10 oz and 20 oz imperial pints, as well as sample trays.

Green Dragon Mini Beer Fest Rescheduled

Due to scheduling conflicts, the dates for the Inaugural Mini Beer Festival have changed from August 29th & 30th to September 19th & 20th.

On Saturday September 19th from 11:00am to 9:00pm and Sunday September 20th from 11:00am to 7:00pm, the city of Portland will close down SE 9th Street between SE Belmont and SE Yamhill for the 1st Annual Mini Beer Fest. The event will feature 30+ independent Oregon-based breweries that brew no-more-than 1,000 barrels per year, providing festival goers with exciting, hardto-find beers.

Each brewer will bring 2 different styles of beer with them to pour during the Mini Beer Fest. Some of the breweries include:

* Alameda Brewing Co. * Calapooia Brewing Co. * Klamath Basin Brewing
* Fort George Brewery * Block 15 Brewery * Fearless Brewing
* Hair of the Dog Brewing * Vertigo Brewing * Three Creeks Brewing
* Fanno Creek Brewing * Upright Brewing * 10 Barrel Brewing
* Old Market Pub * Seven Brides Brewing * Wet Dog Cafe
* Eugene City Brewery

Attendees will be able to take their favorite beers home with them in bottles, growlers and kegs to go. If the beer is not enough to keep cool, tours of the Green Dragon’s 1,040 square foot, glow-in-the-dark cooler will be held hourly. Other activities include:

12:00 to 5:00 - Dog Wash
12:00 to 4:00 - Washers Tournament
11:00 to 9:00 - Free Pinball
11:00 to 9:00 - Free Shuffleboard

Mini Beer Fest is 100% dog-friendly and owners are encouraged to bring their companions
with them. A portion of the proceeds from the Mini Beer Festival will benefit the Portlandbased
Pixie Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing animal adoption in a
nurturing environment and affording access to spay and neuter services for everyone.

With a $10.00 paid admission, each attendee will receive 5 taster tickets. Additional tickets will be sold for $1.00 each.