North American Organic Brewers Festival organizers joined forces with Hopworks Urban Brewery to brew a revolutionary Cascadian Dark Ale, dubbed Secession, which debuted at the NAOBF June 26-28th in Portland’s Overlook Park.
Secession is characterized by an alliance of militant Northwest hop flavors as powerful as Cascadia’s coniferous forests, and roasty malts as black as the rubber boots Cascadians don from September to June, (and brewers wear year round).
Secession is brewed in the emerging Cascadian Dark Ale style, often mistakenly called Black IPA. Pioneered by brewers in Newport, Oregon and Victoria, BC the style has been gaining traction across Cascadia and further afield. NAOBF organizers Abram Goldman-Armstrong, a homebrewer since 1995, and Izaak Butler who has helped him brew many 10-gallon batches of CDA, teamed up with Hopworks Brewmaster Christian Ettinger and Assistant Brewmaster Ben Love to brew 20 barrels of Secession on Hopworks’ biodiesel-fueled brewkettle. Secession is a classic example of this truly indigenous Cascadian beer style, bountifully hopped with Nugget, Magnum, Centennial, Atahnum, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops from first wort to the fermenter. Its 70 units of bitterness are offset by a roasty character from organic chocolate and Carafa malts, with a hint of caramel lurking in the forest of hop flavors.
A Cascadian Almanac:
Boundaries: Cascadia stretches from the redwood forests of Northern California to the craggy coastal islands of northern British Columbia and east to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Flag: a Douglas Fir rampant on a horizontal tri-color of Blue, white, and green
Official Animal: Chinook salmon. Official Tree: Western Red Cedar National Costume: Rubber boots, blue jeans, tshirt, hoodie. Carhartts, polar fleece, and gortex also figure prominently in Cascadian attire.
Cascadia (defined by the Seattle-based Sightline Institute):
Named for the Cascade Mountains -- and for the cascading waterfalls that pepper the region -- Cascadia is bound together by salmon and rivers, by snowcapped mountains and towering forests. The region's population exceeds 16 million; its economy is larger than Russia's; and its land area is larger than France, Germany, and the United Kingdom combined.
The people of Cascadia share not only geography but also an aspiration: to live well in their place. Slowly and gradually, Cascadia is realigning its economy and way of life so that both people, and the natural system that support and enrich their lives, can thrive.
With its natural beauty, 30% of the world’s hops and some of the most innovative beers on the planet, Cascadia is well worth toasting. So raise a glass of Secession that we might, as Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1813, “see a free, great, and independent empire on the banks of the Columbia River.”
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
BEER SOCKS!
Who doesn't love funky socks? These retro, 70's-inspired Beer socks are super stretchy, super comfy, and 100% Made in the U.S.A. The socks are designed to fit both women AND men - up to men's foot size 13.5, and reach to the knee on everyone 5'2" - 6'2" in height.
They are available for sale for $9.95 in a number of places, including online through www.rocksocks.net, as well as at The Red Light in Portland.
Erica Easley, Owner of Rock Socks resides in the Northwest. Support local, support beer!
Taplister.com Public Launch Party July 6th!
Taplister.com, Portland’s newest online craft beer resource, announces the official launch party for Taplister.com, the world's first live beer search engine based off of Twitter.
To celebrate the creation of this new service, Taplister.com will be throwing a launch party on Monday July 6th, 7pm at the EastBurn (1800 East Burnside Portland, OR 97214).
EastBurn will be offering $10 pitchers of beers and Taplister.com will be giving away craft beer swag as well as demo-ing their website and free iPhone app called Beer Signal. This will be an event that craft beer fans will not want to miss. As an added bonus, Hopworks Urban Brewery and Upright Brewing will be bringing special beers and the brewers themselves will be in attendance to talk about their beers.
About Taplister.com: Taplister.com of Portland, OR was founded in February 2009 by tech and beer geeks, Kerry Finsand, Scott Wray, Ken Baer & Kevin Scaldeferri. With the singular goal of creating a community resource that helps you find what craft beers are on tap in Portland, Oregon. Beer Fans can visit the site and search to see where their favorite beers are on tap, and mobile users can download the free iPhone app called Beer Signal or use the mobile version of Taplister.com to search for their favorite beers. In addition, Taplister.com has installed Pubcams at EastBurn & Saraveza that displays a live feed of their tap boards on Taplister.com.
The "Declaration Cocktail" - Just In Time For Independence Day
Declaration Cocktailby James MacWilliams, Canlis Restaurant, Seattle
I read somewhere once that while writing the Declaration of Independence our forefathers drank eight barrels of beer, wine and spirits. They consumed more alcohol and with less discrimination than we do today. The average was eight ounces of alcohol per person per day. With breakfast they drank beer and wine, with dinner it was claret and cognac. And they drank rum all the time. Beer replaced water even for kids.
So with the thought that July 4th is really a celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th 1776 (since, after all, Independence was won on July 2nd) and that for two days Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton and a crew of others drank and debated, and were most likely stupefied by the time it was over, I give you the Declaration Cocktail. To be consumed like you have wooden teeth.
And when you have finished two or three of these true American libations and inspiration has struck, toast this fine and proud land!
The Drink:
In 12 oz glass, mug or boot pour
· 1oz Pyrat rum. Any fruity rum will do but we did commit mutiny after all.
· .75oz Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey. High proof and spicy.
· .75oz brown sugar syrup
· 6oz Ale. I like something malty with some body. Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale is my choice, is close to beer Jefferson might have brewed himself.
Don Your Gown, Pints for Prostates Comes to Town!
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer affecting men in the United States and every year, over 200,000 new cases are diagnosed within the U.S. alone. Rogue Ales is reaching out to men through the universal language of beer by hosting 7 events for Pints for Prostates, a campaign developed to reach men with information about PSA testing and prostate health screening.
Pints for Prostates was created to raise the awareness of men about prostate cancer and the need for regular health check-ups. The campaign supports the efforts of Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a not for profit group founded and governed by prostate cancer survivors that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer.
On Friday July 24th Pints for Prostates, along with founder Rick Lyke, will find its way to Rogue Distillery & Public in Portland, OR for a special fundraiser during the Oregon Brewers Festival. Clad in Doctor’s attire, Rogue pub staff will host a day of events including:
* 11:00am - special Pints for Prostates firkin tapping
* 12:00pm - a latex glove donning contest happens at the top of every hour for prizes
* 5:00pm - a toast from Pints for Prostates founder Rick Lyke
* 12pm to 6pm - proceeds from all pints purchased will be donated to Pints for Prostates
Pub guests can also show their support by wearing their Prostate cancer awareness wristband that will be provided by Rogue. Local prostate screening information and Pints for Prostates apparel will also be available.
“Rogue Ales embraces the idea of communicating with men over a pint of ale. The Pints for Prostates campaign appealed to us because it uses a friendly way to get an important health message to men,” said Brett Joyce, President of Rogue Ales. “We hope every man in Rogue Nation listens to the message and asks their doctor for a PSA test.”
All funds raised through the Pints for Prostates campaign go directly to Us TOO International, a 501(c)3 group recognized by Charity Navigator for its effectiveness and efficiency as a charity organization. Founded in 1990, Us TOO is based in a suburb of Chicago and has 325 local chapters. One in six men is at risk of developing prostate cancer during their life time. Approximately 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year.
More information about the Pints for Prostates campaign can be found here.
Pints for Prostates was created to raise the awareness of men about prostate cancer and the need for regular health check-ups. The campaign supports the efforts of Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a not for profit group founded and governed by prostate cancer survivors that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer.
On Friday July 24th Pints for Prostates, along with founder Rick Lyke, will find its way to Rogue Distillery & Public in Portland, OR for a special fundraiser during the Oregon Brewers Festival. Clad in Doctor’s attire, Rogue pub staff will host a day of events including:
* 11:00am - special Pints for Prostates firkin tapping
* 12:00pm - a latex glove donning contest happens at the top of every hour for prizes
* 5:00pm - a toast from Pints for Prostates founder Rick Lyke
* 12pm to 6pm - proceeds from all pints purchased will be donated to Pints for Prostates
Pub guests can also show their support by wearing their Prostate cancer awareness wristband that will be provided by Rogue. Local prostate screening information and Pints for Prostates apparel will also be available.
“Rogue Ales embraces the idea of communicating with men over a pint of ale. The Pints for Prostates campaign appealed to us because it uses a friendly way to get an important health message to men,” said Brett Joyce, President of Rogue Ales. “We hope every man in Rogue Nation listens to the message and asks their doctor for a PSA test.”
All funds raised through the Pints for Prostates campaign go directly to Us TOO International, a 501(c)3 group recognized by Charity Navigator for its effectiveness and efficiency as a charity organization. Founded in 1990, Us TOO is based in a suburb of Chicago and has 325 local chapters. One in six men is at risk of developing prostate cancer during their life time. Approximately 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year.
More information about the Pints for Prostates campaign can be found here.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Seattle By Foot Adds New Tours to its Popular Coffee Crawl
How is beer brewed? Why did the Sonics really move to Oklahoma? What movie was filmed at the Space Needle? Answers to these and many more questions flow freely on several new walking tours offered by Seattle By Foot, the company best known for Seattle’s Original Coffee Crawl.Seattle’s beer is almost as famous as its coffee; on the Seattle Pub Crawl, participants can enjoy tastings at local bars and breweries, observe the brewing process and learn about beer from Seattle and around the world. They will even visit the city’s oldest taverns where Nirvana once played and one of the best Irish pubs in the country, while knowledgeable tour guides share some of Seattle’s lesser-known but highly entertaining history.
For a pub crawl with a twist, Sports on Tap is a press pass to a one-of-a-kind touring experience. Starting June 12, award-winning sportswriters Art Thiel (seattlepi.com) and Jim Caple (ESPN.com) provide a personal tour of sports history in Seattle and all sports in general. They’ll take participants to three popular sports bars near Safeco Field and Qwest Field, provide the inside scoop on the local teams, tell some amazing stories (including the one about the legendary local columnist who gave new meaning to the term deadline) and answer questions over some great beer.
Later this summer, Seattle By Foot will debut the Seattle By Foot City Tour for those who want more of Seattle’s history, culture and amazing sights. Groups will learn about the history of landmarks like Pike Place Market and a lot more while taking in stunning views of the city.
Those who can’t get enough of a good thing are encouraged to come see what the buzz is all about on the Original Seattle Coffee Crawl. This was Seattle’s first tour devoted entirely to coffee and encourages tour-goers to explore the city through its most famous beverage. The Coffee Crawl is an entertaining walking tour that highlights Seattle’s coffee culture and history in a fun and easy walk with stops at some of the city’s most acclaimed coffee houses.
All tours start in easy to find locations near Pike Place Market; Sports On Tap starts near Safeco Field. Prices range from $19 to $29 depending on the tour. Alcohol is not included in the price of the Pub Crawl and Sports on Tap tours. Tour dates, times and additional details are available on www.seattlebyfoot.com. Individuals and groups can also purchase tickets by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 800.838.3006.
Take Seattle By Foot and experience the best the Emerald City has to offer!
Wanted: Four Adventurous Recruits For Alaskan Coastal Expedition
Alaskan Brewing Co.’s Coastal CODE opens the door for new ideas to maintain a healthier Pacific Coastline; consumers now have the opportunity to embark on an Alaskan adventure by submitting ideas to maintain a healthier Pacific Ocean.With ideas as simple as cutting the plastic rings on a six-pack of soda, or as grand as inventing a biodegradable beverage bottle, the four individuals with the topmost suggestions will join the Coastal CODE in Yakutat this fall for the 2009 Alaskan Coastal Expedition.
The four chosen “CODE Keepers,” will embark on a weeklong journey of Alaskan adventures including sustainable fishing and surfing, hosted by Alaskan Brewing Co., Alaska Airlines and Wend Magazine. They will learn about the impact of marine debris and how to make a difference for their own local coastlines, while helping preserve the shores of Alaska by leading a multi-day beach cleanup.
Applicants can submit ideas on the Coastal CODE Web site, Facebook or Twitter. All submissions are due by July 1, and chosen finalists will be asked to submit a formal application further explaining their ideas.
“There are so many untapped ideas out there; ways we can make a big difference with relatively small changes,” explains Alaskan Brewing Co. co-Founder Marcy Larson. “We hope to discover some of those innovative projects by making it easy for people to share them.”
This will be the Coastal CODE’s second expedition to cleanup the shores of Yakutat, Alaska. Last year’s “CODE Keepers” cleaned up 2,500 pounds of debris from a 2.5-mile stretch of beach, witnessing firsthand the effects of marine debris on Alaska’s expansive coastline and the challenges of cleaning up one of the most remote areas in the world.
The 2009 Alaskan Coastal Expedition will head to Alaska on September 14 and culminate in the Coastal CODE’s home port of Juneau, Alaska with a fundraising concert and cleanup activities for International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19.
Coastal CODE is a registered nonprofit founded by Alaskan Brewing Co. in 2007. Alaskan Brewing donates one percent of proceeds from its Alaskan IPA to the Coastal CODE initiative, providing grants to groups for the cleanup and preservation of Pacific Ocean and its coastlines. For more information, visit www.CoastalCODE.org.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Standing Stone Pulls the Cork on Bottled Wine
In a move to support a local winery, as well as to reduce the use of packaging, Standing Stone Brewing Co. recently tapped its first keg of wine made by Wooldridge Creek Winery. The first batch of wine, a red variety made with Tempranillo grapes, has been specially kegged for Standing Stone by Greg Paneitz and Kara Olmo, winemakers with Wooldridge Creek Winery.
In addition to the Tempranillo, Standing Stone is now also “tapping” a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay, all from Wooldridge Creek Winery.
“We have been on a mission to reduce or eliminate packaging for years.” said Alex Amarotico, Co-owner and Operator of Standing Stone Brewing Co. “Paneitz and Olmo, were the first to entertain our request to put their wine in our reusable stainless steel kegs!”
The restaurant and brewery installed a complete tapping system that uses pure nitrogen to push the wine, without adding carbonation, from the keg to the glass. Standing Stone’s brewer and wine steward, Adam Benson says “this ensures we will never have a corked bottle of this wine.” The nitrogen pressurization means “the wine will stay in its same state from a full keg to the last drop”.
The added benefits are zero glass to recycle, no corks, no foil or plastic caps, no cardboard cases, and less space taken for storage. Amarotico said “we are expecting to pour the equivalent of 84 cases of these wines in the next year, that’s over a 1,000 bottles worth, or over a half ton of glass, 100 pounds of paper products (mostly cardboard cases), and 16 pounds of cork, all while making for a better product.”
Currently there are a handful of restaurants, mostly in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Atlanta that offer wine served in this way. This makes Standing Stone the first and only restaurant in Southern Oregon (actually all of Oregon maybe) to offer high quality wine on tap!
Wooldridge Creek winery is owned by Ted and Mary Warrick and located in the Applegate Valley, with fruit first planted in the 1970’s. They have 56 acres and 12 varieties, and produce approximately 2,500 cases a year.
Standing Stone Brewing Co. is a restaurant and brewery located in Ashland, Oregon, that is devoted to sustainable practices and supporting local producers.
In addition to the Tempranillo, Standing Stone is now also “tapping” a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay, all from Wooldridge Creek Winery.
“We have been on a mission to reduce or eliminate packaging for years.” said Alex Amarotico, Co-owner and Operator of Standing Stone Brewing Co. “Paneitz and Olmo, were the first to entertain our request to put their wine in our reusable stainless steel kegs!”
The restaurant and brewery installed a complete tapping system that uses pure nitrogen to push the wine, without adding carbonation, from the keg to the glass. Standing Stone’s brewer and wine steward, Adam Benson says “this ensures we will never have a corked bottle of this wine.” The nitrogen pressurization means “the wine will stay in its same state from a full keg to the last drop”.
The added benefits are zero glass to recycle, no corks, no foil or plastic caps, no cardboard cases, and less space taken for storage. Amarotico said “we are expecting to pour the equivalent of 84 cases of these wines in the next year, that’s over a 1,000 bottles worth, or over a half ton of glass, 100 pounds of paper products (mostly cardboard cases), and 16 pounds of cork, all while making for a better product.”
Currently there are a handful of restaurants, mostly in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Atlanta that offer wine served in this way. This makes Standing Stone the first and only restaurant in Southern Oregon (actually all of Oregon maybe) to offer high quality wine on tap!
Wooldridge Creek winery is owned by Ted and Mary Warrick and located in the Applegate Valley, with fruit first planted in the 1970’s. They have 56 acres and 12 varieties, and produce approximately 2,500 cases a year.
Standing Stone Brewing Co. is a restaurant and brewery located in Ashland, Oregon, that is devoted to sustainable practices and supporting local producers.
Put On Your Gown, Pints for Prostates Comes to Town
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men in the United States and every year, over 200,000 new cases are diagnosed within the U.S. alone. And for the second year in a row, Rogue Ales is reaching out to men through the universal language of beer by hosting 7 events for Pints for Prostates, a campaign developed to reach men with information about PSA testing and prostate health screening.
Pints for Prostates was created to raise the awareness of men about prostate cancer and the need for regular health check-ups. The campaign supports the efforts of Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a not for profit group founded and governed by prostate cancer survivors that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer.
Pints for Prostates will find its way to the Green Dragon in Portland, OR on Saturday June 20th, the day before Father’s Day. Clad in Doctor’s attire, pub staff will host a full day of events including a special firkin tapping at 11:00am, a latex glove contest every hour and Kobe Bleu Ball food specials for the entire day. Pub guests can show their support by wearing their Prostate cancer awareness wristband that will be provided by Green Dragon. Local prostate screening information and Pints for Prostates apparel will also be available!
“Having a brand like Rogue involved in the campaign will help us reach more men in their late 30s and early 40s, when statistics show they often skip regular physicals and avoid doctor’s offices,” said Rick Lyke of Charlotte, NC., a 47-year-old cancer survivor who founded Pints for Prostates earlier this year after successful prostate surgery. “The beer community is coming together to support Pints for Prostates and we’re going to be able to reach millions of men with a life saving message.”
All funds raised through the Pints for Prostates campaign go directly to Us TOO International, a 501(c)3 group recognized by Charity Navigator for its effectiveness and efficiency as a charity organization. Founded in 1990, Us TOO is based in a suburb of Chicago and has 325 local chapters. One in six men is at risk of developing prostate cancer during their life time.
More information about the Pints for Prostates campaign can be found at
www.ustoo.org/pints
Pints for Prostates was created to raise the awareness of men about prostate cancer and the need for regular health check-ups. The campaign supports the efforts of Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a not for profit group founded and governed by prostate cancer survivors that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer.
Pints for Prostates will find its way to the Green Dragon in Portland, OR on Saturday June 20th, the day before Father’s Day. Clad in Doctor’s attire, pub staff will host a full day of events including a special firkin tapping at 11:00am, a latex glove contest every hour and Kobe Bleu Ball food specials for the entire day. Pub guests can show their support by wearing their Prostate cancer awareness wristband that will be provided by Green Dragon. Local prostate screening information and Pints for Prostates apparel will also be available!
“Having a brand like Rogue involved in the campaign will help us reach more men in their late 30s and early 40s, when statistics show they often skip regular physicals and avoid doctor’s offices,” said Rick Lyke of Charlotte, NC., a 47-year-old cancer survivor who founded Pints for Prostates earlier this year after successful prostate surgery. “The beer community is coming together to support Pints for Prostates and we’re going to be able to reach millions of men with a life saving message.”
All funds raised through the Pints for Prostates campaign go directly to Us TOO International, a 501(c)3 group recognized by Charity Navigator for its effectiveness and efficiency as a charity organization. Founded in 1990, Us TOO is based in a suburb of Chicago and has 325 local chapters. One in six men is at risk of developing prostate cancer during their life time.
More information about the Pints for Prostates campaign can be found at
www.ustoo.org/pints
Beer Lovers Celebrate Sustainably at NAOBF
With the world’s largest selection of organic beer, the North American Organic Brewers festival June 26-28th is a celebration of the earth. This year the festival is powered by a combination of solar panels, waste vegetable oil and biodiesel generators. The event benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, the Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Tilth, and Willamette Riverkeeper.
Sustainable Celebration
Since its inception in 2003 NAOBF organizers have been striving to make the event as sustainable as possible. The event is located on the MAX light rail line, and aims to be car-free, providing on-site bike parking, and offering a discount for attendees who arrive via MAX. In 2008 the NAOBF introduced a 100% compostable corn-based tasting glass, and through partnering with the City of Portland’s Event Recycling Program and Cloudburst Recycling were able to provide composting facilities on site for the cups and all food waste from the event, diverting 4 cubic yards of material from the landfill. Glass, compostables, and cardboard are source-separated with help from the event’s volunteer “Recycling Czars.”
In 2007 and 2008 biodiesel generators powered the event’s music, cash registers, and food vendors. This year the music and beer coolers will be powered with 100% vegetable oil thanks to a partnership with Green Drop Garage, a local company dedicated to vegetable-oil engine conversions and eco-friendly car care. Imagine Energy, a local solar power-company is setting up solar panels on site to run the cash registers and ATM. A biodiesel generator provides power for the food vendors.
The Brews
The North American Organic Brewers Festival is proud to feature beers from around the world brewed with organic ingredients. From the crisp lagers from Lammsbraeu and Pinkus in Germany to Dupont’s spicy Foret saison from Belgium, to coffee stout from Wisconsin, to good old Northwest IPAs, there are a great diversity of beers to taste at the event. The majority of the beers are brewed right here in Cascadia, by brewers in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. A number of the beers are brought into the state exclusively for the NAOBF. Local organic brewers pour favorites and reserve beers at the event, and many other local brewers including Pelican, Lucky Lab, and Widmer, brew special beers for the event.
For more information visit www.naobf.org
Quick Facts
WHAT: North American Organic Brewers Festival-The World’s Largest Organic Beerfest
WHEN: June 26-28th, 2009, Friday and Saturday 12-9pm, Sunday 12-5pm
WHERE: Overlook Park, 1301 N. Fremont St. at Interstate Ave. MAX Yellow Line to Overlook Park stop
WHY: To promote sustainable living and celebrate organic beer.
HOW MUCH: Admission is free, to sample beer a $6 compostable tasting glass is required, a four-ounce sample is $1, and a full pint is $4. A $1 discount off the tasting glass is given for either 3 cans of organic food, or a valid Tri-Met ticket.
Sustainable Celebration
Since its inception in 2003 NAOBF organizers have been striving to make the event as sustainable as possible. The event is located on the MAX light rail line, and aims to be car-free, providing on-site bike parking, and offering a discount for attendees who arrive via MAX. In 2008 the NAOBF introduced a 100% compostable corn-based tasting glass, and through partnering with the City of Portland’s Event Recycling Program and Cloudburst Recycling were able to provide composting facilities on site for the cups and all food waste from the event, diverting 4 cubic yards of material from the landfill. Glass, compostables, and cardboard are source-separated with help from the event’s volunteer “Recycling Czars.”
In 2007 and 2008 biodiesel generators powered the event’s music, cash registers, and food vendors. This year the music and beer coolers will be powered with 100% vegetable oil thanks to a partnership with Green Drop Garage, a local company dedicated to vegetable-oil engine conversions and eco-friendly car care. Imagine Energy, a local solar power-company is setting up solar panels on site to run the cash registers and ATM. A biodiesel generator provides power for the food vendors.
The Brews
The North American Organic Brewers Festival is proud to feature beers from around the world brewed with organic ingredients. From the crisp lagers from Lammsbraeu and Pinkus in Germany to Dupont’s spicy Foret saison from Belgium, to coffee stout from Wisconsin, to good old Northwest IPAs, there are a great diversity of beers to taste at the event. The majority of the beers are brewed right here in Cascadia, by brewers in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. A number of the beers are brought into the state exclusively for the NAOBF. Local organic brewers pour favorites and reserve beers at the event, and many other local brewers including Pelican, Lucky Lab, and Widmer, brew special beers for the event.
For more information visit www.naobf.org
Quick Facts
WHAT: North American Organic Brewers Festival-The World’s Largest Organic Beerfest
WHEN: June 26-28th, 2009, Friday and Saturday 12-9pm, Sunday 12-5pm
WHERE: Overlook Park, 1301 N. Fremont St. at Interstate Ave. MAX Yellow Line to Overlook Park stop
WHY: To promote sustainable living and celebrate organic beer.
HOW MUCH: Admission is free, to sample beer a $6 compostable tasting glass is required, a four-ounce sample is $1, and a full pint is $4. A $1 discount off the tasting glass is given for either 3 cans of organic food, or a valid Tri-Met ticket.
Monday, June 8, 2009
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.
Anthony Dell Cellars and Panther Creek will also be among the wineries.
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. 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.
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.
Anthony Dell Cellars and Panther Creek will also be among the wineries.
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. 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.
Chuckanut Brewery Takes Gold and Silver Awards
Chuckanut Brewery in Bellingham, WA has won both a Gold and Silver Award for their lager beers from the North American Beer Awards Competition held in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Taking the Gold was Chuckanut Dunkel in the Munich Dark category. The Silver award was given to Chuckanut Strong Bock in the Traditional Bock category.
The North American Beer Awards is a unique event sanctioned by the North American Brewers Association and provides an opportunity for beers to be judged by qualified judges against the best beers in the country. For more information on the North American Beer Awards visit the website at: www.northamericanbrewers.org
Open for less then a year and celebrating their first anniversary on July 18th, Chuckanut Brewery has brewed more than 30 different types of Ales and true Lager Beers. Six beers are on tap at Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen but the brewery provides beer to accounts around Bellingham, La Conner, Mt Vernon, and the Greater Seattle area. Chuckanut beer is only available in kegs and 'to go' in growlers at the Kitchen.
The North American Beer Awards is a unique event sanctioned by the North American Brewers Association and provides an opportunity for beers to be judged by qualified judges against the best beers in the country. For more information on the North American Beer Awards visit the website at: www.northamericanbrewers.org
Open for less then a year and celebrating their first anniversary on July 18th, Chuckanut Brewery has brewed more than 30 different types of Ales and true Lager Beers. Six beers are on tap at Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen but the brewery provides beer to accounts around Bellingham, La Conner, Mt Vernon, and the Greater Seattle area. Chuckanut beer is only available in kegs and 'to go' in growlers at the Kitchen.
Cask Night at Hales Ales Brewery & Pub!
Come down to Hale's Pub Wednesday, June 17th from 4-7PM for their first "Cask Night in the Gallery."
Here's your chance to taste beer as it was traditionally served for centuries in pubs across Great Britain and Europe. Cask conditioned beer finishes its fermentation right in the keg, or firkin. Dry hopped and hand pumped, cask beer, often referred to as "Real Beer," is smooth, fresh, full flavored and delicious.
They should know - Mike Hale was the very first brewer to introduce this traditional style of beer to the Northwest. Today many NW alehouses serve traditional cask beers, many in hand-pump engines assembled by Mike Hale himself.
Hale's "Cask Nights" will be held in the gallery of Hale's Pub the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month, beginning on June 17th.
Hale's is located at: 4301 Leary Way NW Seattle 98107, www.HalesAles.com
Friday, June 5, 2009
Shmaltz Brewing Company Wants Your Picture!
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.
Shmaltz Brewing turns 13 this year, which in Judaism marks the year of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the coming of age for a Jewish boy or girl. Shmaltz embraces this monumental occasion by inviting consumers to submit Bar/Bat Mitzvah photographs for potential inclusion on the label of Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah. The national contest runs from now until July 4, 2009; photos can continue to be submitted until Chanukah 2009 as all images will be posted on the Shmaltz website.
Shmaltz welcomes pictures of all Bar/Bat Mitzvah men and women (21+ only)! Bring on the braces, awkward suits, frizzy hair, '80s-tastic family portraits with Aunt Linda and Uncle Dan... and celebrate the day you became an adult. The "winning" photos in each of these categories will receive a HE'BREW Bar Mitzvah Gift Set and be featured on Shmaltz's website: "Best Hair," "Best Family Photo," "Most Awkward Moment," "Youngest-Looking Adult," "Funniest Shot," "Best-Dressed," "Best Braces," and "Best Dance Moves."
Shmaltz looks forward to laughing with you, not at you... Please send photos with your name, date and location of event to info@shmaltzbrewing.com. If you are on Facebook, join the group "The Jewbelation 13 Project," and check out some photos they've collected, post your picture, and become a fan of Shmaltz Brewing and HE'BREW Beer.
The national launch of Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah will take place at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO from September 24-26, 2009. This winter, HE'BREW will host special Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah parties in New York City and San Francisco, CA. Since its inception in 2004, Shmaltz's Jewbelation series has been touted by critics receiving top accolades including "5 Stars" from Celebrator Beer News, "Best Holiday Beer" by Pacific Brew News, and 2007's Jewbelation Eleven has a score of 97 out of 100 with Ratebeer.com. A recent issue of Beer Advocate (Volume II, Issue VIII) commented, "Today, Jeremy Cowan of Shmaltz Brewing Company is arguably making some of the best contract-brewed beers in America."
Seattle's Kress Supermarket Offers Neighborhood's Most Comprehensive Beer Selection
Kress IGA Supermarket, a full-service grocery store located in downtown Seattle, is offering one of the most comprehensive beer selections in the neighborhood. Kress IGA Supermarket’s selection is comprised of craft beers from every corner of the world including Belgium, Poland and New York, many of which can be hard to find in the Pacific Northwest.
Highlights from Kress IGA Supermarket’s beer selection:
· Aspall Cyder (www.aspall.co.uk/) – From Suffolk, England, Aspall Cyder has won more than 20 awards since 2000 including World’s Best Cider.
· Bear Republic (www.bearrepublic.com) – A Micro-brewery located in Sonoma County, Bear Republic is known for their hand selected ingredients producing such products as the award winning Hop Rod Rye.
· Duchesse de Bourgogne – The traditional Flemish red ale, Duchesse de Bourgogne is from the Verhaeghe brewery that was established in 1875 in the castle-farm in Vichte, West Flanders of Belgium.
· Iron City (www.ironcitybrewingcompany.com) – From Pittsburg, Iron City Brewing Company is known for their quality beers and lagers including Iron City, IC Light and Augustiner.
· Perla (www.stawskidistributing.com) – Brewed in Perla Lublin, Poland, Perla Chmielowa is considered to be one of the most popular beers in the region.
· Piraat – From Belgium, Pirrat Ale is known as a pirate beer and was brewed, according to Belgium’s history, to be taken out to sea.
· Southern Tier (www.southerntierbrewing.com) – Southern Tier Brewing Company of Lakewood, New York, has been in operation since 2004 and currently produces more than 12,000 barrels annually.
· Warka Okocim (O.K. beer) – Located in Poland, Okocim Brewery is one of the oldest and most renowned breweries in the country.
About Kress IGA Supermarket:
Kress IGA Supermarket is a full-service grocery store located in the heart of downtown Seattle at 1427 Third Avenue, just three blocks from the Pike Place Market. Offering a variety of products from iconic Seattle purveyors, as well as familiar national brands, Kress bridges the gap between local businesses and full-service supermarkets. Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Kress serves as a convenient lunchtime destination for downtown’s estimated 13,000 professionals and pedestrians, while also providing downtown’s growing number of residents a local grocer. For more information please call (206) 749-9500 or visit www.kressiga.com for more information.
Belgian-Style Tripel Next in Redhook Limited Release Series
Crafted with imported Belgian candy sugar, high quality European malts and a secret monastery yeast strain, the new Tripel Belgian-style ale from Redhook Ale Brewery will hit shelves for a limited time this summer.
“The limited release series is a lot of fun for us. On the heels of Double Black Stout, we experimented with this Tripel and brewed it in small batches, perfecting and balancing the strong flavors,” said Greg Deuhs, masterbrewer for Redhook Ale Brewery. “We stayed as close as possible to the Trappist methods pioneered by monks hundreds of years ago.”
Pouring a deep golden color, the Redhook Tripel offers a three-part flavor profile created during the brewing process: vanilla and clove in the first sip, followed by a slight pepper and cinnamon kick, and ending with a clean, smooth finish and more hints of vanilla.
The Tripel is a subtly sweet strong ale with a high carbonation level adding an effervescent quality akin to champagne. The fruity, spicy and warming characteristics balance with the soft malts to create an easy-to-drink yet complex brew, which earned a gold medal for the category at the 2008 North American Beer Awards. At 10.2% alcohol by volume, the Tripel is ready to drink now, but can also be cellared for up to two years to intensify the flavor.
Redhook brewers recommend pairing the Tripel with acidic foods such as sharp cheeses, olives, smoked pork, salmon and bittersweet dark chocolate.
The Redhook Tripel is available in 22 oz. bottles (SRP $7.99) and on draught in western states now, with limited national availability following in late June. The Tripel will be on shelves at specialty food stores and beer markets through September, or until supplies run out. Redhook will introduce another limited release in the fall.
“The limited release series is a lot of fun for us. On the heels of Double Black Stout, we experimented with this Tripel and brewed it in small batches, perfecting and balancing the strong flavors,” said Greg Deuhs, masterbrewer for Redhook Ale Brewery. “We stayed as close as possible to the Trappist methods pioneered by monks hundreds of years ago.”
Pouring a deep golden color, the Redhook Tripel offers a three-part flavor profile created during the brewing process: vanilla and clove in the first sip, followed by a slight pepper and cinnamon kick, and ending with a clean, smooth finish and more hints of vanilla.
The Tripel is a subtly sweet strong ale with a high carbonation level adding an effervescent quality akin to champagne. The fruity, spicy and warming characteristics balance with the soft malts to create an easy-to-drink yet complex brew, which earned a gold medal for the category at the 2008 North American Beer Awards. At 10.2% alcohol by volume, the Tripel is ready to drink now, but can also be cellared for up to two years to intensify the flavor.
Redhook brewers recommend pairing the Tripel with acidic foods such as sharp cheeses, olives, smoked pork, salmon and bittersweet dark chocolate.
The Redhook Tripel is available in 22 oz. bottles (SRP $7.99) and on draught in western states now, with limited national availability following in late June. The Tripel will be on shelves at specialty food stores and beer markets through September, or until supplies run out. Redhook will introduce another limited release in the fall.
Pints For Prostates Expanding Effort in 2009
Pints for Prostates, a campaign that uses the universal language of beer to encourage men to take charge of their health, is expanding its presence in 2009. The grassroots effort will appear at more than 20 events during the year and is increasing its pro-bono advertising blitz to reach more people.“Pints for Prostates is just a year old, but the campaign is starting to gain traction. We’re being contacted by people who want to help out by hosting events, donating ad space and getting involved in other ways,” said Rick Lyke, a 48-year-old Charlotte, N.C., marketing executive and drinks journalist who had successful prostate cancer surgery in April 2008. “The fact is that nearly 4,000 men a week in the U.S. hear the words ‘you have prostate cancer.’ The key for these guys is detecting the disease in its early stages when treatment is nearly 100 percent successful. That’s what Pints for Prostates is all about.”
In its first year Pints for Prostates reached approximately 25 million people through a combination of donated advertising, news articles, appearances at beer festivals, and coverage on websites and blogs. The campaign’s goal is generating awareness for PSA testing and regular checkups so that men can detect the illness before it has progressed.
All funds generated by Pints for Prostates benefit the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a charity that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer and their families. Us TOO was founded in 1990 and has a network of more than 300 local chapter support groups that help men dealing with the disease.
So far in 2009, Pints for Prostates has already held two events each in North Carolina and South Carolina, and one event each in California and Illinois. In the coming months the group has confirmed participation in the following events in the Northwest:
June 20th: Green Dragon Bistro Brewpub, 928 SE 9th Ave., Portland, Ore.
June 20th: Rogue Ales Public House, 748 SW Bay Blvd., Newport, Ore.
June 20th: Eugene City Brewery, 844 Olive St., Eugene, Ore.
June 20th: Issaquah Brewhouse, 35 W. Sunset Way, Issaquah, Wash.
June 20th: Rogue Ales Public House, 637 Union St., San Francisco, Calif.
July 2nd: Rogue Ales Public House, 100 39th St. (Pier 39), Astoria, Ore.
July 23rd-26th: Oregon Brewers Festival, Tom McCall Park, Portland, Ore.
July 24th: Rogue Distillery & Public House, 1339 NW Flanders, Portland, Ore.
Additional events are being booked and information will be listed shortly at www.ustoo.org/pints. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter.
“The growth of Pints for Prostates has been encouraging to watch,” said Thomas Kirk, President and CEO of Us TOO International, which is based in Downers Grove, Ill. “Our mission and program goal is to educate and empower men and their family members so men and their loved ones can take an active role in their health care. We are able to reach a whole new group of men with a critical health message. The more men we reach, the more lives will be saved.”
Portland's Cheers to Belgian Beers Raises $8,000 for Oregon Humane Society
On Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2nd, the Lucky Labrador Brewing Company raised more than $8,000 for the Oregon Humane Society at the 3rd annual Portland's Cheers to Belgian Beers. Portland's Cheers to Belgian Beers was hosted at the Lucky Labrador Beer Hall and drew more than 1,350 craft beer enthusiasts over the course of the weekend.
The Portland's Cheers to Belgian Beers festival started in 2007 as a celebration of Belgian style beers, with participating breweries all producing beer from the same strain of yeast. This year breweries created their own unique brews using the Wyeast 3822 Ingelmunster Ale strain. 2009 was the first year that all Oregon Brewers Guild members, including breweries outside the Portland Metro area, were eligible to participate in the festival.
After sampling all the Belgian style ales, attendees voted for their favorite in the "People's Choice Award," with top honors going to Portland's Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB). As the winner of the 2009 competition, HUB earns the right to host next year's event, select the yeast strain and choose the 2010 charity beneficiary.
"Year after year this event keeps growing and we're very excited to have raised more than $8,000 for the Oregon Humane Society," said Oregon Brewers Guild Executive Director, Brian Butenschoen. "Oregon Brewers Guild members across the state are committed to giving back to their communities and the Portland's Cheers to Belgian Beers event is a great example of how breweries fit into the social fabric of Oregon."
The Portland's Cheers to Belgian Beers festival started in 2007 as a celebration of Belgian style beers, with participating breweries all producing beer from the same strain of yeast. This year breweries created their own unique brews using the Wyeast 3822 Ingelmunster Ale strain. 2009 was the first year that all Oregon Brewers Guild members, including breweries outside the Portland Metro area, were eligible to participate in the festival.
After sampling all the Belgian style ales, attendees voted for their favorite in the "People's Choice Award," with top honors going to Portland's Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB). As the winner of the 2009 competition, HUB earns the right to host next year's event, select the yeast strain and choose the 2010 charity beneficiary.
"Year after year this event keeps growing and we're very excited to have raised more than $8,000 for the Oregon Humane Society," said Oregon Brewers Guild Executive Director, Brian Butenschoen. "Oregon Brewers Guild members across the state are committed to giving back to their communities and the Portland's Cheers to Belgian Beers event is a great example of how breweries fit into the social fabric of Oregon."
Horse Brass Pub presents the Premier Pour of Rogue's John John Dead Guy
For the past 6 months, Dead Guy Ale has been aged in Dead Guy Whiskey barrels and will be released June 6th at the Horse Brass Pub. Master Distiller John Couchot will be attending the premier pour, which is being held from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. John John Dead Guy is a collaboration of Brewmaster John Maier and Master Distiller John Couchot.
With only 12 kegs in existence, John John Dead Guy has limited availability -Draft Only.
Oakshire Brewing to Release Summer Seasonal
Oakshire Brewing Company of Eugene, Oregon will released their newest Seasonal Beer, Line Dry Rye, yesterday, June 4th. This summer seasonal is a crisp and refreshing pale ale brewed with 10% flaked rye and 10% malted rye.
“Line Dry Rye is an approachable but unique rye pale ale crafted with a touch of Oregon Blackberry honey,” explains Brewmaster Matt Van Wyk. “We wanted to a design a very sessionable summer beer, with a little bit of complexity from the 20% rye and local honey in the finish.”
And what of the unique name? According to Jeff Althouse, Co-Founder of Oakshire brewing, “Backyard clotheslines hung with laundry to dry, what a great symbol that summer has arrived. In the Willamette Valley, it seems there are only a few days a year we can actually line dry our clothes outside. Despite our short summers, we can all save money when we keep the dryer idle in the laundry room. The name Line Dry Rye just seemed to resonate with us.”
Line Dry Rye will be available in Eugene, Corvallis and Portland throughout the summer months, and will also be featured at the annual Sasquatch Brewers Dinner tonight in Eugene.
Brewers Association Poll Finds Quality of Beer Remains Priority Despite Economy
On Saturday, May 30, over 1,900 attendees enjoyed craft beer and food pairings from 68 craft breweries at the sold-out SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Beer Northwest was there, and it was awesome!
A post-event survey conducted by the Brewers Association finds that demand for quality beer remains high despite the economy. An overwhelming 91.4 percent of surveyed attendees said the economy has not affected the quality of beer they purchase. In addition, 98.8 percent of respondents cite "high quality" as their main priority when purchasing beer, as opposed to "low price" or "brand recognition."
"A total of 68 craft breweries, each small and independent, participated in SAVOR, the premiere beer and food pairing event in the U.S. These breweries are succeeding despite a number of challenges including access to market, rising cost of raw materials and ingredients, and tax issues on both the federal and state level—not to mention the economy," stated Charlie Papazian, President of the Brewers Association. "We're happy that interest in craft beer is so strong that SAVOR, as a second year event, sold out 8 weeks in advance."
Cheers to good beer!
New Belgium Sensory Specialist Visits Green Dragon
This Sunday, June 7th at 4:30pm out on the patio, The Green Dragon is proud to present Lauren Salazar, Sensory Specialist from New Belgium Brewing. She developed the sensory program from a basic production check to its present program and is responsible for all facets from design to implementation to re-engineering. Other areas of interest and fun at the brewery include brewery-wide flavor training, new product development, small/esoteric beer production and wood barrel project blender. Lauren is a judge at the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival.
Featured New Belgium Beers:
Biere de Mars Ale
La Folie Sour Brown Ale
Dandelion Ale
Trip II
Sunshine Wheat
The Green Dragon is located at 928 SE 9th Ave., Portland, OR
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