SAVOR Rogue Ales in Washington D.C.

The Brewers Association will return to Washington D.C. for the second annual SAVOR - the premier beer and food pairing event in the United States. Savor offers reception-style samping of 35+ appetizers and 136 craft beers from 68 different breweries. The sold out event will take place in the National Building Museum.

Last year Rogue was selected as one of four dozen brewers to showcase their ales. Rogue Ales was selected to return this year as one of only three breweries from the Pacific Northwest.

The SAVOR event pairs the world’s best ales, porters, stouts and lagers with gourmet foods. Rogue’s Morimoto Imperial Pilsner was made with Iron Chef Morimoto using grains harvested by Grain Millers in Eugene, Oregon. Golden in color with a dry hop floral aroma and intense hop bitterness supported by a big malty backbone which culminates into a hedonistic mouthful. It will be paired with Hibachi Style Grilled Pacific Salmon Skewers.

Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar Ale is a nutty twist to a traditional European Brown Ale - fitting since Oregon is the hazelnut capital of the United States. Eugene homebrewer Chris Studach is on the bottle. It will be paired with Mini Steakhouse Style Grilled Sirloin Sliders.

SAVOR will also offer educational salons with live presentations from brewers, brewery owners, and journalists.

Rogue Ales is a proud supporter of SAVOR. For more information visit here.

The Ram Summer Beer is Back

Throughout the summer months, the Ram Restaurant and Brewery is featuring the brewers’ seasonal selection, Barefoot Wit Belgian-Style White Ale brewed by the on-site award-winning Ram brewers.

The Ram’s Barefoot Wit is an unfiltered wheat ale that is fruity, complex and easy to drink. It is the perfect refreshment for a lazy summer day and is great paired with many summertime foods including salads, ribs, grilled salmon and tuna.

The Barefoot Wit presents a delightful interplay of malt flavors with an underlying regimen of citrus, herbs and spices.

If summer has a favorite beer, her name is “Barefoot Wit.”
Enjoy the Barefoot Wit all summer long at the following Washington locations:
o Lacey-8100 C. Freedom Lane / (360)923-5900
o Lakewood-10019 59th Ave. / (253)584-3191
o Tacoma-3001 N. Ruston Way / (253)756-7886
o Puyallup - South Hill, 103 35th Ave. Se / (253)841-3317
o Puyallup - Sunrise Village, 10403 156th St. E. / (253) 445-1005
o Kent-512 Ramsay Way / (253)520-3881
o Seattle-2650 University Village Plaza Ne / (206)525-3565
o Northgate-401 NE Northgate Way

Wandering Aengus Ciderworks offers Draft cider in Oregon

Wandering Aengus Ciderworks has announced the release of its new draft cider as part of the company’s ongoing effort to introduce real hard cider to the craft alcohol consumers of Oregon.

Since 2005, Wandering Aengus Ciderworks has offered tastings at supermarkets and at Portland area farmers markets to introduce Oregonians to real hard ciders, which are virtually non-existent in the marketplace.

Real hard ciders are produced from blends of true cider apple varieties, which produce a complex and refreshing craft beverage without any additives or adjuncts. Most hard ciders available domestically are made from readily available and inexpensive dessert apples that produce a low alcohol and simplistic beverage and require added sugar, concentrates, colors, and/or flavors to make them palatable.

In early 2009, management at Wandering Aengus decided the only way to raise awareness of real hard cider is to start a cider draft program. Luckily around that same time, Green Mountain Cider of Vermont (producer of Woodchuck cider) purchased Wyder’s Cider of California and British Columbia. This merger resulted in several redundant pieces of equipment including Wyder’s spare kegging line and kegs; cider specific equipment available at a reasonable price. An eventful road trip to Kelowna, British Columbia and a few weeks of repair resulted in a professional kegging set-up.

Initially Wandering Aengus Draft cider will be available at brewpubs and pubs with a current cider tap. The first location to offer Wandering Aengus Draft cider is Ventis Café located in Downtown Salem, Oregon.

“There are no real hard ciders on draft in Oregon. But Oregonians want a craft product on tap that tastes great, is refreshing but complex, and is made from local organic ingredients; Wandering Aengus Draft cider hit all those points,” says James Kohn, Marketing Director for Wandering Aengus Ciderworks.

Wandering Aengus Draft Cider Description:
• Strong apple aromas with a light body and a long ginger spice finish.
• Pairings - barbeque, pork, turkey, sausage, or aged cheddar.
• True Cider Apples, 100% Organic from Oregon and Washington
• Gluten Free
• 6.8% alcohol, 1% residual sugars
• Cold fermented at 48˚F, 2 months, Racked and aged 3 months; all in Stainless Steel tanks
• Available in 6th Barrel (5.16 g) Sankey Kegs
• Batch 1 (Semi-Dry)-138 kegs 5/7/09
• Available through Point Blank Distributing (503-232-1668) and directly from Wandering Aengus Ciderworks (503-361-2400)

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Wandering Aengus Ciderworks crafts real hard ciders from true cider apple varieties grown organically on its orchards in Ashland, Oregon and Salem, Oregon and by a few select growers in the Northwest. True cider apple varietals are required to produce the depth of flavor, excellent structure and body, and delightful aromatics of real hard ciders. Founded in 2004 by Nick Gunn and Mimi Casteel, today Wandering Aengus Ciderworks is recognized nationally for producing the highest quality hard ciders available domestically. For more information, visit www.wanderingaengus.com or e-mail.

Oregon Brews and BBQs to benefit Habitat for Humanity

Oregon Brews and BBQs, an event celebrating Northwest breweries, food and music, will be held June 19-20 at the Granary District, 845 NE 5th Street in McMinnville.

The event will benefit Habitat for Humanity and locally related Habitat projects. McMinnville’s Habitat for Humanity, which completed its first home in 1993, broke ground on its 38th and 39th projects in April.

Oregon Brews and BBQs will kick off Friday, June 19, from 3-10 p.m. and continue Saturday, June 20, from noon-10 p.m. Designed as a family event, this year's Oregon Brews and BBQs will again feature a Kids Zone for children on Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m. Special pricing will be offered on Friday from 3-6 p.m., and on Saturday admission is free for men from noon to 2 p.m. in honor of Father’s Day.

“Our first event last year was such a success we have decided to expand it to two days, " said Marianne Mills, executive director of the McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity. “People understand the significant impact Habitat for Humanity has on the local community and want to support its family focus.”

Featured breweries include Heater Allen Brewing, Block 15 Brewery, Golden Valley Brewery, McMenamin’s, Alaskan Brewing Co., Bridgeport Brewing, Raccoon Lodge, Deschutes Brewery, Diamond Knot Brewery and Alehouse, Elysian Brewing Company, Mac and Jack’s Brewing Company, Rogue Brewery, MacTarnahan’s Brewing Company, Pyramid Breweries, Pike Street Brewery, Track Town Ales, Caldera Brewing Company, Full Sail Brewing and The Gambrinus Company.

Barbecue vendors include Billy Bob's Blowin' Smoke BBQ, Barker Q, Uncle Wally’s BBQ, Ribslayer To Go, Big Belly’s BBQ and Captain B’s BBQ.

Admission is $5 for those 13 and older and $1 per taste token for those 21 and older. ID is required. Souvenir mugs will be given to participants 21 and over. Tickets are available only at the gate on the day of the event.

North American Organic Brewers Festival Unveils Beer List for 2009

The world’s largest selection of organic beer will be poured at the North American Organic Brewers Festival June 26-28th in Portland’s Overlook Park. Festival organizers have just released this year’s beer list, with over 75 organic ales and lagers.

“I am impressed with the diversity of organic beers now being brewed,” said festival organizer Abram Goldman-Armstrong. “It’s a testament to the creativity and passion of organic brewers.”

The 2009 beer list may be viewed on the festival website.

Last year the NAOBF drew 15,000 attendees and raised over $3,300 for charities. The NAOBF also collects food for the Oregon Food Bank, offering a $1 discount off the price of the festival’s compostable tasting glass, in exchange for three cans of organic food.

When the festival started in 2003, founder Craig Nicholls chose beneficiaries working on various aspects of sustainability. The NAOBF continues to support causes linked to the organic and sustainability movement; the Oregon Tilth, an organic certification body that conducts research on organic farming, and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society since agricultural chemicals are one the leading causes of cancer. The Oregon Food Bank promotes a better diet for those in need, through distribution of local organic food. Without water there would be no beer, so the NAOBF is partnering with Willamette Riverkeeper, which works to clean up Oregon’s arterial river.

In addition to the multitude of organic beers and ciders on tap at the event, the NAOBF showcases a wide array of sustainability-oriented vendors, live music, face painting for children, and local and organic food vendors. Perennial festival favorite Horn Of Africa features organic traditional Ethiopian and Somali cuisine, other vendors offer local pork sausages, soups, and organic juice and coffee.

The NAOBF uses compostable tasting glasses made from corn, which are collected on site along with all food waste for composting through help from the City of Portland’s Master Recycler Program and Cloudburst Recycling. Biodiesel generators and solar panels provide electricity for the event. The NAOBF encourages responsible transportation choices as well, extending a one-dollar discount on the tasting glass to attendees who take MAX light rail (which stops at Overlook Park). On site parking is provided for bicycles, but not for cars.

Deschutes and Tommy O's Beer Pairing Dinner

Tommy O's Pacific Rim Grill (4101 S.E. 192nd Ave. Vancouver, WA) is hosting a beer pairing dinner at 6:00 PM on May 18th featuring Deschutes Chef Jeff Usinowiez, Tommy O’s Chef Joseph Anderson, Deschutes Pastry Chef Jill Ramseier, and Deschutes Brewmaster Cam O’Connor.

Beers will be paired with food courses inspired by flavors of the Pacific Rim:
- Pomegranate miso soup with hibiscus marinated prawns, baby bok choy, local spring asparagus, and shitake mushrooms. Paired with: Red Chair Ale

-Dum Sum Trio: duck confit spring roll, kung pao calamari, veggie samosa. Paired with: Green Lakes Organic Ale

-Seared sea scallop with an uni cream sauce, warm soba noodle salad, ahi tuna wonton, wasabi tabiko. Paired with: Cinder Cone Red Ale

-Miso braised short ribs with kabocha squash puree, odon asian vegetables and a sake/Mirror Mirror reduction sauce. Paired with: Mirror Mirror

-Key Lime Charlotte with a Key Lime Mousse and Almond Cake with tropical fruit Accents.

Tickets are $55 dollars and guests will take home their very own Deschutes goblet. Space is very limited, for reservations call 360.892.2484.

Deschutes Mirror Mirror Arrives at Full Throttle Bottles!

After waiting months for the beer to age in the barrel, Full Throttle Bottles has received delivery of the 2009 Deschutes Mirror Mirror. This oak-aged barley wine has been in production at the brewery for more than a year.

The Mirror Mirror is extremely complex with high viscosity and multiple layers of flavor. At only 30 IBU's, it has a rich malt base with hints of raisin and oak tinged with the slightest citrus hop aroma. At 11% Alc. by volume, this is a huge beer.

Mirror Mirror is Deschutes' next release in their Reserve Series, which includes such beers as The Dissident, Black Butte XX, and The Abyss.

The brewery recommends that it be consumed after April 2010. Don't wait until then to buy it, though, this beer may be heavy, but it will move fast!

Full Throttle Bottles is located at: 5909 S. Airport Way, Seattle, WA

Sno-Kona's Pond Skim Results

On April 25th Kona held their 3rd Annual Pond Skimming competition at Mt. Hood Meadows, and the results are in! 122 people registered for the event, and 54 advanced to the final round.

1st Place: Jesse Graunitz “Keg Man,” from Kelso, WA won a trip for two to Hawaii!

2nd Place: David Hendrickson “Snowboarder who turned 180 degrees on the water before exiting the pond” from Portland, OR won the Kona "Ride in Style" package including a Kona longboard skateboard, Kona skimboard, 2 Kona beach chairs, & 2 Kona backpack coolers.

3rd Place: Bruce Kuper “King Kamehameha” from Hillsboro, OR won a $50 gift certificate to Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grill.

Other Awards included:
Best Splash: Asit Rathod “Ballerina on skis who took a 20 foot leap and front flip into the pool”

Best Splash Backwards: Evan Sargent “Skied the entire in run backwards – hit water and back somersaulted”

Best Impression Made by a Female: Christine Sanders - “Octo Mom Skier” and Paula Rada - “Octo Mom Snowboarder.”

Best Hawaiian Costume: Rob Adamowski “Luau BBQ Pig – worn on his head atop a serving tray with smoke exiting the pig” and Jimmy Malcarne “Outrigger Canoe – complete with 2 blow up doll paddlers” - Last year’s winner as Magnum P.I.

All of these folks won a $50 Mt. Hood Meadows gift card.

I am SO going to this next year!

Pyramid's Bold New Look

Pyramid is introducing a new look and injecting a fresh attitude into its family of craft ales and lagers.

The evolved brand position is their expression of the proud tradition of brewing great beer combined with the energy, activity and the community that is the essence of the cities where they brew and serve their collection of award winning offerings.

“As a craft pioneer, Pyramid is extremely passionate about our brewing and we are continually inspired by the cities where we brew, live and play everyday. We believe we have successfully distilled that enthusiasm into our beer and our new packaging,” said Mike Brown, President of Pyramid Breweries. “The robust craft beer businesscontinues to grow with new breweries and brands arriving everyday. To remain relevant in a landscape with greater variety, we believe we must constantly evolve our portfolio and Pyramid is committed to providing craft consumers with interesting beers and experiences that quench their thirst for adventure.”

Created with a “Windows of the World” theme, the updated packaging captures the recognizable Pyramid icons complete with bright new illustrations reflecting the active and dynamic urban environments Pyramid brews its variety of year round, seasonal, and specialty beers.

With the new packaging, Pyramid will introduce new names for two of its best selling ales:

- Pyramid Hefeweizen becomes Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen, an ale that is unfiltered like life itself.

- Pyramid Apricot Ale will boldly go where no fruit has gone before and become Pyramid Audacious Apricot Ale.

The new packaging began shipping in early April and is expected to reach stores shelves by the beginning of May.

Epic Trail Ale Beer Launch Party

Silver Moon Brewing Company in cooperation with the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance, the Tumalo Langlauf Club and the Central Oregon Trail Alliance are proud to announce the launch of "Epic Trail Ale" - a joint fundraiser and ongoing program to benefit human powered activities in Central Oregon.

To facilitate the launch of this great new ale, the three clubs will be holding their first ever joint fundraiser on Friday, May 8th from 6pm-close at Silver Moon Brewery: 24 NW Greenwood Av., Bend, Oregon.

Pint's, 22 oz. bottles and cases will be available for purchase during the evenings activities, which will include live music by the group Quincy Street and Laurel Braun, membership sign-up, raffle, silent auction and discussion of 2009 projects by all three groups.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the Epic Trail Ale will benefit trail development for BPTA, TLC and COTA.

Epic Trail Ale, a delightful, light Scottish ale conceived by the brewers at Silver Moon, will be available in 22 oz. bottles featuring artwork by local graphic artist Dave Caplan and will also be available by the pint at the Silver Moon Brewery.

To order your case(s) of (12) 22oz. bottles for $45.00, please go to cotamtb.com, bendpaddletrailaance.org or tumalolanglauf.com

"All trails lead to beer"