"Beer Wars" One-Night Showing!!!

On Thursday, April 16th at 8pm, BEER WARS LIVE -- an exclusive one-night only event, will take audiences nationwide inside the billion dollar brewing business and reveal the truth behind the labels of your favorite beer! This special event will take place in more than 430 movie theatres nationwide, including 5 Oregon and 8 Washington theatres.

The evening will kick-off with the premiere of the groundbreaking documentary, “BEER WARS,” by filmmaker Anat Baron -- followed by a LIVE panel discussion (simulcast from Royce Hall in Los Angeles) with independent brewers and beer industry experts, and hosted by pundit, economist and actor Ben Stein.

Beer Wars is a true "David and Goliath story” – small, independent brewers who are shunning the status quo and creating innovative new beers as they challenge the corporate brewery behemoths. The story follows two of these intrepid entrepreneurs – Sam Calagione and Rhonda Kallman – battling the might and tactics of corporate America.

Tickets for this special one-night event are available at presenting theater box offices and at www.FathomEvents.com.
For a complete list of theater locations, please click here.

Oakshire Brewing Expands, Adds Brewmaster

Oakshire Brewing Company in Eugene, Oregon is nearing completion on a 2,000 sq. foot addition to its production brewery in Northwest Eugene. The additional space will allow for the immediate installation of three 30-barrel fermentation tanks arriving from Georgetown Brewing of Seattle on Thursday, April 2 - more than doubling Oakshire’s production capacity. According to Jeff Althouse, Co-Founder of Oakshire brewing, “the facility will also allow for the installation of eight significantly larger tanks, likely around 80 barrels each, over the next three years.” A barrel is 31 U.S. gallons or two full-size kegs.

How will Oakshire use this addition capacity? Bottled beer for starters. Since the company began operations in October 2006, they have only brewed draft beer for distribution to bars and restaurants in Eugene, Corvallis and Portland. The most popular styles, Watershed IPA and Overcast Espresso Stout will be available in 22-ounce bottles as early as July of this year. The company also plans to begin brewing a wide array of Seasonal and Limited Edition beer styles. For this, they’ve hired a nationally recognized Brewmaster.

Matt Van Wyk, formerly of Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery in Flossmoor Illinois, will join Oakshire as the company’s Brewmaster on Monday, March 30. Van Wyk is well known for his recipe-development skills across an impressive spectrum of beer styles, from Northwest India Pale Ales to Baltic Porters. He earned the prestigious Small Brewpub Company Brewer of the Year award at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival. Van Wyk’s brewing talent complements Oakshire’s production model perfectly.

“Instead of replacing our small fermentation tanks with larger tanks, we’ll keep them for our specialty beers,” says Althouse. The company’s fourteen-barrel brewing system, coupled with three fourteen-barrel fermentation tanks, will allow them to produce twenty-five kegs of any one Limited Edition beer style, at the very least. This allows Oakshire’s brewers to be creative by designing new beers on a regular basis, like many brewpubs. “Small is beautiful in any artisan trade, especially in artisan brewing,” muses Althouse.

Widmer Brothers Brewing is Celebrating their 25th Anniversary with $1.50 Pints

Widmer Brothers Brewing opened on April 2, 1984 - and to celebrate their quarter-life crisis the Widmer brothers are rolling back prices to what they were when the brewery began 25 years ago: $1.50 a pint.

Pints include all year-round Widmer selections (Widmer Hefeweizen, Drifter, Drop Top and Broken Halo), as well as special varieties available exclusively at the Gasthaus such as Alt, O’Casey’s Irish Stout on Nitro and the Collaborator Project’s Bike Town Brown.

Bask in the glory of how heavy your wallet feels from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. at Widmer Gasthaus Pub: 955 N. Russell, Portland, OR 97227

Going On Tap Today at Hopworks Urban Brewery!

Dubbel Suplex

Designed to honor the classic Trappist beers of Belgium, the organic Dubbel Suplex is a complex Abbey style beer. Brewed with six different organic malts and organic cane juice, the beer's multi-layered aroma features fruitiness reminiscent of raspberry and cherries, spicy coriander & pepper notes and a sweet toasted caramel malt aroma. The flavor is equally rich with a malty sweet, fruity flavor with effervescent carbonation and a smooth, warming alcohol finish. Made for the brewing cagematch known as Portland’s Cheers To Belgian Beers, this beer is sure to lay the Smackdown!

17.7 Degrees Plato 18 IBU 8.1% ABV

Check it out at Hopworks Urban Brewery: 2994 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR

Five Red Lompoc Ales, One Night

The Green Dragon presents "Meet the Brewer" with Lompoc tomorrow, Tuesday March 24th from 6pm-8pm, featuring John Berry and Brian Kielty of New Old Lompoc Brewing out of Portland.



The New Old Lompoc opened on May 6, 2000. But the Old Lompoc Brewery (as it was formerly known) has been producing handcrafted ales and lagers since December 1996, while the tavern has been open since 1993. The name originally came from the movie 'The Bank Dick' starring W.C. Fields and May West. Most of the movie took place in the 'Old Lompoc House', which was the local watering hole as well as a boarding house.

The Green Dragon is located at 928 SE 9th Ave. in Portland, OR.

10th Annual Washington Cask Beer Festival Line-Up

The Washington Beer Commission is proud to present the 2009 Washington Cask Beer Festival on Saturday, March 28th. This year the Festival celebrates its 10-year anniversary with 65 unique cask-conditioned beers on tap, the biggest beer lineup in its history. To stay true to the tradition of cask-conditioned beer the Festival requires brewers to naturally condition the beer in a firkin or other vessels without artificially introducing CO2. Poured by gravity the result is smooth ale with a thick dense head that brings out full flavor. The guests will face a tough challenge of choosing which beers to sample during the four hour sessions. It is especially a daunting task since the majority of beers are brewed in small batches exclusively for the Festival to showcase the brewers’ true creativity.

Some of the beers that will be poured at this year’s Cask Beer Festival include:

* Ten Squared Anniversary Reel Ale (Fish Brewing Co./Leavenworth Beers)- Ten different hops were used to give the unique character. Even at 100 IBU’s this hop monster stands on a sturdy malt foundation that imparts outstanding balance. This is an ’08-dated limited edition brewed last winter for a Valentine’s release. 10% ABV.

* Bosun's Black Bourbon Porter (Maritime Pacific Brewing Co.)- Dry-hopped and aged on bourbon infused oak. Rich chocolate and roasted malt flavors with subtle smoke overtones balance cherry and currant fruits and hints of vanilla.

* Apple/Cinnamon ESB (Diamond Knot Brewing Co.)- Diamond Knot’s standard ESB conditioned in the keg with apple cider, cinnamon sticks and slices of fresh apple.

* Super Chopp (Georgetown Brewing Co.)- Initially a hop-crisis induced experiment that was later refined, this is a kicked-up version of Chopper’s Red. High alpha Columbus hops add edge tot his malty red brew.

* Imperial Porter (Boundary Bay Brewery)- Commemorating Boundary Bay’s 3,000th batch this dark and delicious American style Imperial Porter is a true Northwest treat.

* Grey Sky Winter Rye (Port Townsend Brewing Co.)- A strong, dark winter ale brewed with 7 different kinds of malted barley plus whole and flaked rye. Generously balanced with several hop additions.

* Local Hero #2 Frauenbier's Special Bitter (Bitter)- Local Homebrewer Ken Frauenthal won a gold medal at a local homebrew competition last fall with this classic version of an ESB. Big Al Brewing was so impressed with the beer they invited Ken down to the brewery and brewed a batch on the big system. English Pale and Caramel malt combined with floral, aromatic English Hops create a smooth, balanced medium bodied beer.

In addition to the already massive beer list the special 10th anniversary event will also feature the Ten Herbert’s, showcasing ten different versions of the Herbert’s Legendary Cask Festival Ale brewed by different Washington breweries. The Herbert’s is a special beer that’s normally brewed collaboratively by a group of Washington brewers for the Cask Festival in honor of Bert Grant, a Northwest beer icon. Each year a different brewery hosts the brewing session and brew the beer based on the recipe that has been passed on from one host brewery to the next. This year only ten different breweries/collaborative teams brewed their own renditions of this classic Northwest style brew and guests will be able to try them side by side to compare them all.

Help Green The Pike Pub!

Celebrate Earth Day with lunch, happy hour and/or dinner at the Pike Pub on April 22nd, and 25% of all sales made that day - on everything - will go back into the store in the form of efficiency improvements, green upgrades, and the like. You, WE, can have an impact! The Greendrinks community, and our buying power, can reduce waste, provide efficiencies, and make a better planet - while enjoying a good beer & meal.

This is a huge commitment on the part of the Pike; rock it and show them that the community can affect significant positive change!

Craft Beer and Culinary Bites on St. Patrick’s Day at Palace Ballroom

Beer lovers can rejoice in a new tradition on St. Patrick’s Day by attending a tasting of local Washington artisan beers paired with perfectly poised bite size snacks prepared by Chef Warren Peterson at the Palace Ballroom on March 17th from 5pm-8pm.

Festivities will begin with a rousing performance by the Fireman’s Pipe and Drum Corps.
Most styles of small batch beers are meant to be enjoyed while young and fresh. Attendees can do just that as they also enjoy food pairings prepared by Chef Warren Peterson. Food selections will include pulled pork, espresso pudding and beef mole. Attendees will have the opportunity to move from table to table while talking to brewers and sampling food and beers. The participating brewers include: Scuttlebutt, Boundary Bay, Hale’s, Georgetown, Issaquah, Maritime, Pike, Baron and Big Al’s.

Tickets are $35.00 per person plus tax. For reservations contact Christy or call 206.448.2001. Picture ID will be required at the door.

Palace Ballroom/2100 Fifth Avenue/Seattle, WA 98121

Grand Teton Rolls out with a New Seasonal Program

Lost Continent Double IPA will be the first release of Grand Teton Brewing’s bi-annual seasonal beers.

Grand Teton Brewing Company will begin shipping Lost Continent Double IPA mid-April as the first of their two seasonal beers. Lost Continent will be available from May through the end of September. From October 1st through the end of March, Grand Teton Brewing will be offering Black Cauldron Imperial Stout. Both brews will be available in uniquely designed 4-packs (12oz bottles) and in ½-Bbl kegs.

Lost Continent Double IPA has three pounds of hops per barrel in the kettle and another pound per barrel of “dry-hops” added after fermentation, bringing this beer to 90+ IBUs. Starting with an original gravity of 22˚ Plato (1.088 SG), this is a full-bodied beer weighing in at 8.0% ABV. The hops provide citrusy, resinous spiciness, making this beer a great match for any bold food. Try it with prime rib, Cajun blackened pork or chicken, Thai, Indian or Vietnamese cuisine.

Grand Teton Brewing updated the name and image of their Double IPA to reflect the history of IPAs. The image on the bottle and 4-pack depicts an old nautical map, compass rose and fictitious “Lost Continent”.

India Pale Ales were originally brewed to quench the thirst of the British who occupied India in the 1700s. The higher gravity, heavily hopped ales could survive the long, arduous voyage (across the equator twice) through tropical waters where lighter, sweeter ales would spoil and sour. These IPAs soon became the choice beer for adventurers who had the curiosity to see what was over the horizon. As explorers raced to discover uncharted corners of the globe, many considered it necessary to bring IPAs with them.

Beer Belly Dinner

Meet, eat and drink with Captured By Porches brewer, Dylan Goldsmith on March 12th from 7pm-9pm at The EastBurn in Portland, Oregon. Cost is $25 per person. The EastBurn is located at 18th and E. Burnside. Visit their website for details, or call 503.236.BURN.

Sierra Nevada Introduces Kellerweis as Newest Year-Round Beer

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is pleased to announce the release of Kellerweis Hefeweizen into their year-round portfolio of beers. This is the second new year-round release from the brewery in 2009.

The name Sierra Nevada is synonymous with hops, and lots of them. Kellerweis is an exception to that rule, but no less exceptional.

Several years ago, the brewers began working with a unique Bavarian hefeweizen yeast strain unknown in this country. This amazingly flavorful yeast was so exciting that they began working on a recipe for a traditional German hefeweizen with the Sierra Nevada twist. Traditional hefeweizen is a style that seems deceptively simple, but in reality is devilishly complex. For years the brewers weren’t satisfied with the beer; something was missing. In a flash of inspiration, an epic trip was arranged. The brewers took a whirlwind tour through the legendary Bavarian wheat breweries to see what they were doing. It was there they realized the advantages of making wheat beer using the traditional system of open fermentation.

Sierra Nevada had been making a portion of their beer using the difficult and labor-intensive technique of open fermentation for years. Most modern brewery fermentation takes place in closed, stainless-steel tanks; this method is efficient, quick and clean. In closed tanks, however, the yeast doesn’t have the opportunity to coax as much complexity from the fermenting beer. Using shallow open fermentation, the yeast has space to build layers of flavors and aroma that would otherwise be impossible.

After seeing the technique in use in Germany, the inspiration to make Kellerweis in the open system took hold. The name is an homage to the German Keller, meaning cellar—the name breweries give to their fermentation systems, and weis, or weiss—the German name for “white” or wheat beer, hazy with suspended yeast.

Kellerweis is a light and refreshing beer with deep complexity of flavor. The yeast provides hints of fruit flavors and spices, including ripe banana and clove. This hazy-golden beer glows with suspended yeast creating a velvety texture. Sierra Nevada’s Kellerweis Hefeweizen will be available in 6-packs starting in early summer 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, will break ground on its 38th and 39th projects in April.

The event will begin 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 KidZone for children on Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m. Special pricing will be offered on Friday from 3-6 p.m. and Saturday, admission is free for dads from noon to 2 p.m. in honor of Father’s Day Weekend.

“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.”

Cost 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.

For more information go to www.oregonbrewsandbbqs.com.

Michelob Turns Up The WHEAT

Michelob Honey Wheat is the newest beer to join the growing Michelob collection. This hand-crafted filtered wheat ale, brewed with orange blossom honey from the groves of Florida and California, completes an all-wheat sampler pack created just for spring and summer.

The Michelob Brewing Co. Spring/Summer Sampler Pack, available beginning March 2, includes Michelob Honey Wheat, year-round favorites Shock Top Belgian White, Michelob Dunkel Weisse, and the spring seasonal Hop Hound Amber Wheat.

“When you’re sampling beers, always select the proper glass style and shape. This will enable you to enjoy the beer’s aroma and coloring – key parts of the tasting experience. With wheat beers, try a traditional tall, wide-mouthed glass.” ((See Beer Northwest Winter issue for help on choosing glassware of all sorts)).

The Michelob Spring/Summer Sampler Pack is available at grocery and convenience stores nationwide through September in 24-packs (six of each beer), 12-packs (three of each beer) and six-packs (two of each beer, Hop Hound Amber Wheat not included).

The results are in from the Chowder Challenge at the Fifth Quadrant!

If you missed out on the Chowder Challenge on Saturday, you well, MISSED OUT!

Winner of the coveted 2009 Chowder Cup: New Old Lompoc

There was a total of 326 votes, with more than half going to New Old Lompoc.
Rogue Ales took second. The Lompoc reclaimed the title that it originally
won in 2006; the Morrison Hotel took home the 2007 Cup.

The event raised $3,300 for Locks for Love.

Most Flavorful: Rogue Ales
Best with Beer: Hedge House
Most Authentic: New Old Lompoc

Congrats!

It's Beer O'Clock on KXL!

Join Lisa Morrison (a.k.a. "The Beer Goddess") Saturdays from 3pm-4pm on KXL 750AM and at www.kxl.com for Oregon and SW Washington's only hour-long radio show devoted to beer!

Podcasts are also available 24/7 at www.kxl.com


You can also follow Lisa and the "Beer O'Clock" on Twitter at Beer_Goddess and on Facebook for updates on the show!

Mt. Angel Oktoberfest Recognized for Its Philanthropy

Oktoberfest in Mount Angel received the 2008 Ovation Award for "Best Philanthropic Event in Oregon" at the annual convention of the Northwest Festival and Events Association held in Ocean Shores, Washington. Oktoberfest was specifically recognized for providing regional non-profits the opportunity to raise funds at the festival and for its long-established annual grant program.

This past year, the 50 food booths at Oktoberfest grossed $661,000.00 at the four day event. This was the largest gross sales ever recorded by the booths. Other groups earned money operating the parking lots, providing shuttle service from the lots to the festival and up to Mount Angel Abbey, assisting in traffic control and crowd management, operating the first aid station and performing a myriad of other tasks.

In May, fifty-seven worthy organizations in the region will share $115,150.00 through the festival’s annual grant Program. Since its inception Oktoberfest has distributed well over two million dollars to organizations in the Mid Willamette Valley.

Oktoberfest is the most important event of the year for the church, school, youth activities, volunteer firefighters, boy and girl scouts, service clubs and other organizations involved. Many generate most of their annual funds over the four day run of the festival.

Congratulations to all involved!

Rogue Nation Bails Out its Citizens!

In economics, a bailout is an act of loaning or giving capital to a failing business in order to save it from bankruptcy, insolvency, or total liquidation and ruin.

These days, you can’t turn the corner without hearing something about the crumbling economy and the planned bailout (biting my tongue on what I think about all of that). The United States government has allocated $787 billion to bail out the nation during this recession. But they aren’t the only nation taking action.

Rogue Nation has put together a bailout plan to aid Rogue Nation citizens during these difficult financial times, appropriately named the Rogue Nation Bailout Program (RNBOP).

Twice-a-day, at each of the embassies (read: Rogue locations), the Rogue Nation Bailout Program pays 100% of a customer(s) tab. Each unsuspecting person or group is randomly chosen, inducted into the Rogue Nation (if not already a citizen) and relieved of their debt to Rogue. Since the program was put into effect, Rogue has bailed out over 350 tabs.

Getting some Blog love...

Everybody loves some love, and we here at Beer Northwest are no different.

If you'd like to check out what other people have to say about us, go here.

We've also had a few bloggers review our Beer Pairing dinner. Check out what they had to say here and here.

Thanks for the shout outs!

Market of Choice launches new social website

Market of Choice has created a new website with enticing food for thought: blogs, recipes, customized specials, and interactive forums.

They’ve revolutionized the way people receive specials on their website. Instead of being bombarded with stuff you’ll never buy, you can simply pick your preferences. What you won’t see are all the things that don’t interest you. And I think that is rad.

They have blogs written by more than a dozen die-hard foodies, professional stewards and a registered dietician, including personal narratives and helpful information.

Be sure to check out their beer and wine blogs, authored by their very own stewards. In addition to blogs, they offer unique, interactive forums where people can continue the discussion with like-minded foodies by sharing recipes, cooking tips, baking blunders and more. Ask them a question, any question. Don’t be shy.

Go to www.marketofchoice.com and play around!

Oregon Brewers Guild Announces Firkin Festival 2009

On March 21st, Oregon's beer enthusiasts will gather to celebrate "real beer" at the 2009 Firkin Fest. This year's event has been expanded to two, three-hour sessions, giving 400 attendees the opportunity to experience cask beers from more than 20 of Oregon's finest breweries.

Firkin Fest 2009 is presented by Green Dragon Bistro and Brewpub and produced by the Oregon Brewers Guild (OBG).

What:
Two, three-hour tasting sessions with 20+ firkin beers from OBG member breweries, including: Bend Brewing Co., BridgePort Brewing Co., Deschutes Brewery-Portland Pub, Double Mountain, Eugene City Brewery, Full Sail Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Laurelwood Brewing Co., Lompoc Brewing Co., Lucky Labrador Brewing, Ninkasi Brewing Co., Pelican Pub & Brewery, Rogue Ales, Roots Organic Brewing Co. and Rock Bottom Brewery.

Entry to the festival includes a souvenir OBG tasting glass, eight beer tickets and two food tickets.

When:
Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Where:
Green Dragon Bistro and Brewpub, located at 928 SE 9th St., Portland, OR 97214.

How:
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Oregon Brewers Guild Brewery Members and S.N.O.B. members are eligible for a $5 discount.

Tickets can be purchased online at oregonbeer.org beginning today and will be picked up at will call - please bring an ID to collect tickets. Attendees must be 21 and over.

For more information please visit www.oregonbeer.org/ff09

Rhizomes Are Coming!

Spring is right around the corner and if you ever wanted to grow your own hops, now is the time to start thinking about planting. F.H. Steinbart's in Portland anticipates having them in around the week of March 16th . If the wind decides to blow just right, they'll be carrying the following varieties:

-Cascade
-Centennial
-Chinook
-Kent Golding
-Mt. Hood
-Magnum
-Newport
-Sterling
-Willamette
-Zeus

All Rhizomes will be $4.50 per cutting.

Call in to reserve as soon as you know what you what rhizomes you would like. Rumor has it supply will be limited this year. To reserve please call F.H. Steinbart's at 503 232-8793.

They can only hold rhizomes for 2 weeks after your pre-order arrives to the store, as they do not keep very well outside of the ground. Feel free to give them a call if you have any questions about hop growing or anything else beer or wine related.

The Trip; New Belgium and Elysian Brewing Release First Collaborative Beers

New Belgium Brewing of Fort Collins, CO. and Elysian Brewing of Seattle, WA. announced today details of their collaborative beer series, The Trip.

The two breweries joined forces in 2008 to share facilities, inspire creativity, and reduce environmental impact. New Belgium has successfully brewed and released several Elysian brands through the Fort Collins facility. The Trip series will be the first new beer recipe brewed collaboratively by both brewers.

The first in the series of four brews to be released throughout 2009 is Trippel IPA – a Belgian twist on a northwest version of India Pale Ale. This hoppy, strong ale brewed with a Belgian yeast strain will feature both brewer’s expertise and signature characteristics.

“The Trip is a symbolic and literal collaboration between our two breweries, combining New Belgium’s fondness for flavorful Belgian yeast strains with aromatic Elysian hops,” said Grady Hull, Assistant Brewmaster for New Belgium Brewing. “The fruity, fragrant presence of the yeast balances with the bright floral aroma of the hops.”

Trippel IPA will officially hit the Seattle and Portland markets in early March. A tapping party will occur at Elysian’s Capitol Hill brewery on March, 2nd. The second of the four beer series will be released in early May. The best of the best will win a wider release in both draft and bottle in select markets throughout New Belgium and Elysian territories.

Hops and Props an Aviation-Themed Craft Beer Tasting Event

Brewers will once again converge on The Museum of Flight in Seattle for the Museum's annual fundraising event "Hops and Props: An Aviation-Themed Craft Beer Tasting Event" on Saturday, April 18th from 7p.m.-10p.m.

Now in its seventh year, "Hops and Props" combines the Museum's exciting environment with the best of brews, music by the Dudley Manlove Quartet and catered food from Catering by McCormick and Schmick's. 50 breweries will be on hand, so inquiring guests can sample the finest examples of the brewers' art while expert brew masters answer their every question.

Tickets are $50 for Museum members, $60 for general admission and $30 for designated drivers. Tickets are available at the Museum Store and online here.

All attendees must be 21+ years of age—valid photo identification will be required at the door for entry.