Night of the Living Ales and DAY of the Living Ales returns for Halloween

Portland's premiere Halloween and Craft Beer extravaganza - Night of the Living Ales - comes together over two days this year kicking off with an adults -only fete on Halloween night October 31st and continuing with an all-ages friendly fall and pumpkin fest during the day November 1st.

Night of the Living Ales
Friday October 31st 6pm - Midnight 21+
7th & E. Burnside, Portland, Oregon

Advanced Tickets Here

Night of the Living Ales on Halloween features the amazing acrobatics of the Wanderlust Circus and music from DJ Pippen as well as costume contests and a Jim Beam hosted cocktail bar. Tickets are available now for $20 and include 2 drink tickets and also at the door starting at 6pm.
NOTLA will feature special rare beers and ciders like a special Pumpkin Stout with roasted peppers and smoked malts from Burnside Brewing and an award winning Belgian beer with Pears from Pelican Brewery as well as more approachable "Couch" light lager.

Day of the Living Ales

Saturday November 1st 11am - 6pm ALL-AGES

7th & E. Burnside, Portland, OR

The day of the living ales features more unique beers on tap both for fans of pumpkin ales and those not. We will be pouring extremely rare kegs like 10 Barrel Brewing's Jamaican Me Pumpkin and Neapolitan as well as exclusive like "Bloody Orange" from Hi-Wheel Wine & Mead. Meanwhile for the kids there will be a face painter from Noon to 4pm and a coloring contest. Also look for pumpkin pie and a full food menu in the Burnside Brewing Co. pub.

1. Burnside: The Dapper Skeleton - pumpkin ale
2. Burnside: Dapper Skeleton Stout - a special stout version of our chili infused and smoky pumpkin ale
3. Burnside Brewing: Couch - lager
4. Pelican Brewery: Poire Du Pélican - Belgian-style with Pears
5. Oakshire: Big Black Jack - chocolate pumpkin stout
6. Hi-Wheel: Bloody Orange - a fizzy wine with flavors of Mandarin.
7. 2 Towns Cider: Cidre Bouche
8. Pelican: Bochabock - a doppelbock with 150lbs of roasted bocha squash
9. 10 Barrel: Jamaican Me Pumpkin - Rum barrel-aged Pumpkin Strong Ale.
10. 2 Towns Cider: Cidre Bouche
11. 10 Barrel: Neapolitan - Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla.

Night of the Living Ales
Burnside Brewing Co
Wanderlust Circus

Brewers announced, tickets on sale for Holiday Ale Festival

19th annual event offers one of the nation’s finest gatherings of winter beers

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oct. 28, 2014 – Tickets are now on sale for the 19th annual Holiday Ale Festival, taking place Dec. 3 through Dec. 7 at Pioneer Courthouse Square in the heart of downtown Portland. The popular event will feature 53 big, bold ales in the main festival, plus another two dozen rare, vintage and specialty beers that will be tapped at various times throughout the event — including a vintage draft J. W. Lees 2009 Harvest Ale barleywine to be tapped at the start of the event.

This year’s participating breweries are 10 Barrel, 13 Virtues, 2 Towns, Alameda, Baerlic, Base Camp, Bear Republic, Burnside, Cascade, Coalition, Deluxe, Deschutes, Dick's, Dogfish Head, Drakes, Eel River, Elysian, Ex Novo, Fearless, Feckin, Finnriver, Fort George, Gigantic, Gilgamesh, Golden Valley, Hopworks, Kells, Lagunitas, Lompoc, Mazama, McMenamins Edgefield, Migration, Natian, Nectar Creek Honeywine, New Belgium, Ninkasi, No-Li, Oakshire, Old Town, Payette, Portland, Rock Bottom, Rogue, Rusty Truck, Santiam, Seven Brides, Sixpoint, Slanted Rock, Stickmen, Stone, Vertigo, Viking Braggot and Widmer. (For a complete list of beers, visit http://holidayale.com/the-beers-standard-release.php; a list is also pasted in below.)

What makes this festival standout from other similar events is the beer selection: the festival works with every brewery involved to make sure they send a beer that has either been made or blended specifically for the event, or is a rare or vintage beer that isn't commonly tapped in the state, underscoring the event's reputation as one of finest gathering of winter beers anywhere in the nation. These top tier breweries are supported by some of the nation’s most passionate beer appreciators who have the good fortune to be able to celebrate all their favorite breweries in one location.

A small sample of the lineup includes Cascade Brewing’s Gingersnaps, a NW style sour blend of red, spiced red and spiced quad ales aged in Bourbon and rum barrels for up to two years on spices; Eel River’s Gargantua II, an imperial strong ale aged on Bourbon vanilla beans and blended with a strong ale aged in Jack Daniels barrels for six months; Dogfish Head’s Rasion d’Etre, a Belgian-style brown ale brewed with beet sugar, raisins and Belgian-style yeast that is rarely seen in the Northwest; and Stone Brewing Liberty Station’s New Desecrator, a black barleywine with nearly the same profile as Stone Old Guardian, but surrounded by de-husked darkness.

Beer alternatives include two ciders: 2 Towns Bourbon Barrel Aged Nice & Naughty, a specialty cider fermented with dark meadowfoam honey and aged in Bourbon barrels with spices; and Finnriver Stone & Pome Cider, a Bourbon barrel aged plum and peach cider. There is also a Triple Brett barrel aged sour session mead from Nectar Creek Honeywine, and Aurora Amber Braggot from Viking Braggot Co, with juniper berries, spruce tips and local blackberry honey.

To enter and consume beer, the purchase of an entry package is required. Advance ticket packages are available now through 11:00am PST on Dec. 3 at http://holidayale.com/advance-tickets.php; advance general admission tickets cost $35 and include the tasting mug, 14 taster tickets and express entry all five days. Advance VIP tickets cost $80 and include the tasting mug, 30 taster tickets, bottled water, access to VIP lines (including special tappings), VIP only vintage bottles and/or draft, and express entry all five days. (Express re-entry requires a wristband and the 2014 mug, and is subject to the festival's capacity.) Door prices are the same, but do not allow for expedited entry.

A full mug of beer costs four taster tickets, and a taster costs one ticket. Certain limited release and special tappings may not be available in full mug pours, or may cost double tickets. Additional beer tickets can be purchased for $1 apiece. Previous years’ mugs will not be filled.

Designated drivers in a party of two or more may purchase a designated driver wristband for $10, which includes Crater Lake Root Beer or bottled water for the duration of the stay (DDs are not allowed to consume alcohol).

Holiday Festival hours are 11am to 10pm Wednesday through Saturday, and 11am to 5pm Sunday. To avoid the lengthy lines that often accompany beer festivals, the recommended days for attendance are Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. The Holiday Ale Festival is for ages 21 and over.

Attendees stay warm and dry under clear-topped tents that cover the venue. Gas heaters create a cozy ambiance beneath the boughs of the region's largest decorated Christmas tree. In addition to beer tasting, the festival also features meet the brewer events, a root beer garden, food vendors, beer pairings with cheese, event merchandise and a coat and bag check that raises funds for the Children's Cancer Association. For more information, visit www.holidayale.com.

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2014 BEER LIST

10 Barrel Brewing Co., TBA, Double Black Ale with Black Licorice
13 Virtues Brewing Co., Barrel-Aged MAX Stout, Imperial Stout
2 Towns Ciderhouse, Bourbon Barrel Nice & Naughty, Cider
Alameda Brewing Co., Admiration IPA, American IPA
Baerlic Brewing Company, The Great Bear, NW Red Ale aged on Beechwood
Base Camp Brewing Company, Dunkelrauch Weizenbock, Imperial Grätzer
Bear Republic Brewing, Do You Want to Build A Snowman?, Golden Barrel Aged Blend

Burnside Brewing, Jingleberry, Imperial Stout aged on Fresh Cranberries
Cascade Brewing, Gingersnaps, NW Style Sour Strong Ale
Coalition Brewing, Big Maple, Imperial Maple Porter
Deluxe Brewing Company, Dunkel the Halls...With Beer & Jolly, Dunkel Bock
Deschutes Brewery, Scarlet Flame IRA, India Red Ale
Dick's Brewing Company, Black Friday Stout, Imperial Stout
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Dogfish Head Raison d'Etre, Belgian-style Brown Ale
Drake's Brewing Co., Jolly Rodger 2014, Imperial Coffee Stout
Eel River Brewing, Gargantua II, Whiskey Barrel Vanilla Imperial Strong Ale Blend
Elysian Brewing Company, Knock on Nelson, IPA with Nelson Sauvin
Ex Novo Brewing Co., TBD, Mexican Chocolate Baltic Porter
Fearless Brewing Company, Ichabod, Pumpkin Ale, Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Feckin Brewery, Top O' The Feckin' Mornin', Imperial Espresso Milk Porter
Finnriver Farm & Cidery, Finnriver Stone & Pome Cider, Barrel Aged Plum and Peach Cider
Fort George Brewery and Public House, Santa's Dinner Jacket, Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Red Ale
Gigantic Brewing, Red Rider BB Gun, Saison with Cranberries
Gilgamesh Brewing, Eastside Bandit, Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter
Golden Valley Brewery, Pinot Noir Barrel-Aged Tannen Boom, Barrel-Aged Belgian-Style Strong Ale
Hopworks Urban Brewery, The Incredible Abominable of the Enchanted Barrel Forest, Barrel Aged Imperial Winter Ale
Kells Brew Pub, MIC Stout AKA Boom Roaster, Milk Imperial Coffee Stout
Lagunitas Brewing Company, Scare City, Wheatwine
Lompoc Brewing, Pinot Noir Barrel Aged Cheval de Trait Belge, Belgian Strong Ale
Mazama Brewing Co., Noel Rouge, Imperial Wit
McMenamins Edgefield Brewery, Lord of Misrule, Rum Barrel Aged Habanero
Migration Brewing, Frankie Claus, Belgian Imperial Stout
Natian Brewery, Irish Water, Imperial Golden Ale
Nectar Creek Mead, Triple Brett, Barrel Aged Sour Session Mead
New Belgium Brewing Company, La Folie, Sour Brown Ale
Ninkasi Brewing Co, Doppelbock, Doppelbock

No-Li Brewhouse, Whiskey Barrel Aged Winter Warmer, Winter Warmer

Oakshire Brewing, Prestidigitation, White Chocolate Milk Stout
Old Town Brewing Company, Bluth's Original Chocolate Banana Hefeweizen, Chocolate Bavarian-style Hefeweizen
Payette Brewing Company, Bandito, IPA with Agave and Tequila Soaked Oak Chips
Portland Brewing, 2014 Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout, Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry Stout with Coffee
Rock Bottom, Yul Brynner, Santo Poco style Strong Ale
Rogue Ales, BIG ASS BARREL Maple Doppelbock, German Style Doppelbock
Rusty Truck Brewing Co, Santaweizen, Weizenbock
Santiam Brewing, Golden Sultan, Belgian Golden Strong
Seven Brides Brewing, The 503, Barleywine
Sixpoint Brewery, Lump of Coal Porter, Robust Porter
Slanted Rock Brewing Company, Cordial Tease, Spiced Winter Ale
Stickmen Brewery & Skewery, Big Chocolate Banana, Dunkelweizen
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station, New Desecrator, Black Barley Wine
Vertigo Brewery and Taproom, Busted Head Red, Imperial Red Ale
Viking Braggot Company, Aurora, NW Amber Braggot
Widmer Brothers Brewing, Frosty The Munchieman, Porter

Beer Mail:Ninkasi Brewing's Venn and Oktoberfest

A couple of weeks back freshpints.com received beer mail from Ninkasi Brewing. Samples included Venn, a Dortmund-style lager from Ninkasi's Prismatic Lager series and Oktoberfest, a Festbier Lager, from Ninkasi's Seasonal release series.

Since it's more fun to share samples than just sample alone, I tried to gather local friends to share the Venn and Oktoberfest....but it was not to be, as everyone was too busy to gather for beer....I know...crazy. So instead, last weekend my parents had a little get together with some family and I decided, perfect occasion! We'd do a little family-style beer mail sampling.

Being the type of person I am and therefore wanting to control how I shared the samples, I actually packed in my own set of eight tasting glasses. I'm convinced this made a positive difference, though the beer is good regardless of serving vessel.

Samplers this time included my mom and dad, my aunt and uncle visiting from Seattle, my brother and his girlfriend up from Corvallis, and Emily and me of course.

First sample was the Oktoberfest. This one got great reviews from our "tasting panel."  It was a crisp fall day, we were eating chili and cornbread, and this was a very fine accompaniment.  It was nice and malty but not too sweet with a nice very mild hop flavor as well.

Next we broke out the Venn.  This is a great Lager, very light and clean, well balanced.  This was also popular with our crew, who noted, slight citrus and grassy hop aroma and slightly bready or biscuit and citrus and grassy flavor's. It's very drinkable and mellow; it would be easy to enjoy a few.

Oktoberfest Stats

Style: Festbier Lager

Series: Seasonal Release Series

Available: Sept.-Oct. 2014

ABV: 5.9

IBU: 25

Starting Gravity: 1058

Malt: Pilsner, Carahell, Cara Munich

Hops: Sterling, Willamette, Tettnang

Packaging: 22-ounce bottles, 12-ounce bottles, draft

Distribution: Oregon; Washington; Idaho; Montana; California; Alaska; Nevada; and Vancouver, British Columbia
URL: http://www.ninkasibrewing.com/oktoberfest

Description: To celebrate the harvest, we decided to brew a beer dedicated to the tradition of Oktoberfest. Using Pilsner malt and hops grown in the Northwest, this beer is our way of toasting to the great bounty that our area brings us. Cheers!

Tasting Notes: Our Oktoberfest has a slightly higher ABV than most Bavarian-style lagers, followed by a more prolific aromatic hop profile. With a deep copper color, this lager has a toasty malt flavor and a dry finish with earthy, grassy hop notes.

Food Pairings: Chicken, Duck, Rabbit, Pork, Potatoes, Spaetzle, Salads, Caramel Sweets and Cookies

Venn Stats

Style: Dortmund-Style Lager

Series: Prismatic Lager Series

Available: Sept.-Dec. 2014

ABV: 5.1

IBU: 25

Starting Gravity: 1050

Malt: Pilsner, Vienna, Carahell, Acidulated

Hops: German Magnum, German Hersbrucker

Packaging: 12-ounce bottles, draft

Distribution: Oregon; Washington; Idaho; Montana; California; Alaska; Nevada; and Vancouver, British Columbia

URL: http://www.ninkasibrewing.com/venn

Description: Venn is the definition of balance, where American craft meets European tradition. First brewed in 19^th century Dortmund, Germany, the hallmark of the style is its sophisticated symmetry. Brilliantly marrying a perceptible Noble Hop bitterness with a rounded, sweet malt flavor, Venn is golden in color, clean and harmonious.

Tasting Notes: The hallmark of this Dortmund-style lager is the balance between perceptible Noble Hop bitterness and rounded malt flavor; making it deliciously easy to drink.

Food Pairings: Sausages, Spaetzles, Trout, Fondue, Potato Salad

 

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Born Yesterday On Its Way From Lagunitas Brewing

Born Yesterday, a new Fresh Hop Pale Ale from Lagunitas Brewing, is shipping as I type this. Expect to see it at limited tap houses and bottle shops in California, Oregon, and Washington tomorrow (10/27/14). Born Yesterday is a version of the Dogtown Pale ale that will use fresh unkilned wet hops. Once Born Yesterday is bottled and kegged, Lagunitas will ship the product to store shelves or bars within 24 hours.

Information sent to freshpints.com from Lagunitas about Born Yesterday is below. Lagunitas is also sending freshpints.com some samples of Born Yesterday - we're excited to try this unique, (very) fresh hop pale! Our beer was born today, so we'll have it tomorrow and will post about it in the very near future.  (Thank Lagunitas for sending some our way - we've been looking forward to this release since BBC14 in August!)

The Announcement:

IT’S A BEER:
Born Yesterday Pale Ale
WHAT?
It's a newborn version  Pale Ale (New DogTown Pale), with a fresh addition.  wet, un-kilned virgin hops—with all their oils intact—10lbs per barrel
Then bottled and delivered the result within 24hrs.
FRESH HOPS USED:
Wet Amarillo, wet Mosaic and Wet Equinox (Wetquinox) picked on the Sept. equinox.
All hops are from our farmer friends up at Carpenter Ranch, Loftus and Perault.
PEDIGREE:
An preemie version of Born Yesterday beer won first place at the Yakima Fresh Hop Ale Festival.
AVAILABILITY:
Ridiculously limited 6packs and draft in California, Oregon and Washington.

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The Bastards are Coming: 2014 Double Bastard Ale and Lukcy Basartd Ale Released Today

Press Release:
ESCONDIDO, CA– Feeble palates beware: The Bastards are coming. Starting today, 2014 Double Bastard Ale and Lukcy Basartd Ale will descend upon an unsuspecting nation in 22-ounce bottles and on draft at select retailers, restaurants and bars. Not to be wasted on the tentative or weak, both beers are reserved for Worthy souls with the ability to comprehend and appreciate these refined forms of “Liquid Arrogance.” They are amazing specimens to be relished, revered and respected.

Fizzy yellow beer drinkers should simply stay home…with their mothers.

Originally created to honor the one-year anniversary of Arrogant Bastard Ale—itself an over-the-top ale that led to the establishment of the now widely recognized American Strong Ale beer category - Double Bastard was first released November 1998 and has since been released on an annual basis. The beer debuted as the amped-up evil uncle of its already aggressive predecessor, with the bottle warning: “This is one lacerative muther of an ale.”

First unleashed upon the world in November 2010, Lukcy Basartd Ale was created to celebrate every form of Arrogance for Arrogant Bastard Ale’s (lucky) 13th anniversary by blending Arrogant Bastard Ale, Double Bastard Ale and OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale, and then dry-hopping the result to the hilt. The LB has been making a brief appearance every other year since.

While Lukcy Basartd Ale should be consumed right away and without delay when it’s at its brash freshest, the massive Double Bastard Ale can be massively enjoyed sooner, later, or whenever you damn well please, as it may be properly cellared for months or even years.

2014 Double Bastard Ale Quick Facts
Name: 2014 Double Bastard Ale
URL: arrogantbastard.com/doublebastard/
Stats: 11% ABV, IBUs – CLASSIFIED
Availability: Limited three-liter bottles, Arrogant Bastard Box, 22-ounce bottles and draft, beginning October 27
Hops bill: CLASSIFIED
Distribution: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA and Puerto Rico
Find this beer: find.stonebrewing.com

 

Lukcy Basartd Ale Quick Facts
Name: Lukcy Basartd Ale
URL: arrogantbastard.com/lukcybasartd/
Stats: 8.5% ABV, IBUs – CLASSIFIED
Availability: Arrogant Bastard Box, limited 22-ounce bottles and draft, beginning October 27
Hops bill: CLASSIFIED
Distribution: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA and Puerto Rico
Find this beer: find.stonebrewing.com/

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