Beer West is coming!

Beer West is coming January 2011!

After three fantastic years as Beer Northwest, we are changing our name to Beer West and taking the plunge into California. You can expect more of the same great coverage we've been bringing you for three years, only there will be more of it. Beer West will debut with the Winter 2011 issue, out in January. The new Beer West website will go in January with even more features, enhanced content, updated blog (I realize we've been neglecting this one lately as we've been expanding), chat forums, and more. We can’t wait!

Welcome "O'Dark:30," the new Spring Seasonal from Oakshire Brewing

Oakshire Brewing Company of Eugene, Oregon released their newest Seasonal Beer, O’Dark:30, a Cascadian Dark Ale, Friday, March 5th. O'Dark:30 is a style that has, until recently, been called "Black IPA" for both it’s color and hop bitterness, flavor and aroma. However, the movement has taken hold, and is now called Cascadian Dark Ale.

“The challenge with designing a beer like this is balance,” explains Brewmaster Matt Van Wyk. “The challenge is creating a black color with only a hint of roast and chocolate flavors while still letting the Pacific Northwest hops shine through. We think we’ve come up with something that all beer fans will enjoy.”

And what of the unique name? “O'Dark:30 is that time of morning that is so early and so dark that the actual time is irrelevant," according to Jeff Althouse, Founder of Oakshire brewing, “It's a unique and fun name that honors the many brewers, including ours, who often wake up early to start the brew day."

O’Dark:30 (6.3%abv, 70 IBUs) will be available throughout Oregon in both draft and 22 oz bottles. Brewmaster Matt Van Wyk will be in Portland on Friday, March 12th at 5PM at The Eastburn and Monday, March 15th at Belmont Station to debut O’Dark:30, which will also be featured at the Spring Beer and Wine Festival on April 1st and 2nd in Portland.

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 18-19 at the Granary District, 845 NE 5th Street in McMinnville. The event will benefit Habitat for Humanity and locally related Habitat projects.

The event will kick off Friday, June 18, from 3-10 p.m. and continue Saturday, June 19, from noon-10 p.m. Admission is $5 for those 13 and older and $1 per taste token. For more information, call 503-472-9637 or go to www.oregonbrewsandbbqs.com.

ExBEERience!

The 4th annual ExBEERience will be held THIS SATURDAY, March 13, 2010 at Redhook Brewing Company in Woodinville from noon to 4 PM. The event, sponsored by the Cascade Brewers Guild home brewing club, will feature commercial brewers, home brew samples, food, and the recognition of award winners from both the 2010 Cascade Brewers Cup home brewing competition and the annual awards from the Washington Homebrewers Association. Brewers scheduled to pour at the event are Alaskan Brewing, Baron/3 Skulls, Big Al, Black Raven, Firestone Walker, Fremont Brewing, Georgetown, Issaquah Brewhouse, Kona, Lazy Boy, Odin, Powerhouse, Redhook, Trade Route and Widmer. Proceeds benefit Childhaven, a non-profit to benefit abused and neglected children.

Entry is $20 in advance, $25 at the door and includes entry, lunch and 9 beer tokens. Additional tokens available to purchase on site; ATM available. Advance tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/98927.

Beer Classes from Oregon Beer Odyssey

Oregon Beer Odyssey will be offering beer appreciation classes in Portland!

From the Press Release:
"Beginning March 20, 2010, Oregon Beer Odyssey (OBO) will offer classes, tastings, and events designed to promote beer appreciation and education. Classes will be held at sites around Portland, including notable bottle shops such as The Hop and Vine, the Wine and Spirit Archive, Saraveza, Bailey’s Taproom and The Beer Mongers.

In March and April, class topics will include Oregon Beer Odyssey’s signature, introductory class Tasting and Talking About Beer, and one entitled Great Beers of the Northwest. Future classes will include style-specific workshops and overview courses on the great beers of Belgium, Germany, England, Scandinavia, and Italy. Oregon Beer Odyssey's full class schedule is available on its website and on Facebook.

According to founder and co-owner Ben Edmunds, “we hope to teach people to be able to talk about the flavors they discover in beer and to introduce people to beers and styles of beer that they otherwise might not know. Our classes are targeted at everyone from the beer knowledgeable to beer novices.”

Starting in April, Oregon Beer Odyssey’s will be headquartered at the corner of SE 12th and Division, in the same building as The Beer Mongers and across the street from soon-to-open beer bar Apex."

Brewpublic Presents Portland's first ever Meet-the-Brewers Pub Crawl!

This will be an outstanding event! Come out and support the brewers, and Brewpublic!

From the Press Release:
"Brewpublic is pleased to announce The Division Street BREWPUBLICRAWL, the first Meet-the-Brewers pub crawl in Portland, Oregon. This event is happening on March 20, 2010 (Saturday); we're kicking the thing off at Victory Pub (SE 37th and Division) at Noon. They've agreed to open early this day just for this event."

Eight brewers will be showcasing their Cascadian-brewed beers at 4 pub stops:
12pm: Victory Bar with Hopworks Urban Brewery and Double Mountain Brewery
1:30PM: New Old Lompoc Hedge House with Lompoc
3:00PM: Bar Avignon with Full Sail and Fort George
4:30PM: The BeerMongers with Walking Man, Barley Browns, and Beer Valley

For more details, check out the BREWPUBLIC events page: http://brewpublic.com/events

Calling all Homebrewers!

Enter the Sasquatch Brew Festival Homebrew Competition!

The national competition is made possible with the sponsorship of NW Legends, and the generosity and hard work of the Cascade Brewers Society. It is also sanctioned by the BJCP, recognizing the most outstanding home-brewed beers produced by amateur brewers.

Entries must be received by Eugene City Brewery by May 1.
Please Ship to: 844 Olive St. Eugene Oregon 97401.

Judging will take place on May 8, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each of the following categories and their sub-categories. The "Best of Show" prize is tuition and lodging for HopUnion’s Hop School (the winner will be responsible for transportation and incidental expenses).

Category 8: English Pale Ale
Category 10: American Ale
Category 14: IPA
Category 18: Belgian Strong Ale
Category 19: Strong Ale
As well as the “Glen tribute Beer”
The idea of the “Glen Tribute Beer” is to brew a beer that Glen might have brewed and most certainly would have enjoyed.

For more information, winners list for 2009 and entry forms, visit www.sasquatchbrewfest.org