Friday, April 24, 2015

New 12 Tap Tower at 13 Virtues Brewing

courtesy of 13 Virtues Brewing Co
13 Virtues Brewing adds new 12-tap tower
Brings total number of beers available to 23

Portland, OR – April 24, 2015 – Today 13 Virtues Brewing officially opens its new 12-tap tower in its Sellwood/Moreland location, bringing the total number of its own beers available at all times to 23.

Upon expanding the brewhouse in the Spring of 2013, 13 Virtues held hours for a separate tasting room overlooking the brewhouse since December of 2013. Many customers’ favorite beers, such as Patience Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout, were not always available. Demand for the vast variety of styles brewed by David Vohden has increased since his 2014 GABF® Silver medal win for Woozy Weizenbock, necessitating the additional taps up front.

In addition to a guest cider tap, the 23 beers 13 Virtues will be pouring initially include: Sellwood Lager; Milwaukie’s Better Pilsner; You Down With OPP? Orange Peel Pale; 45th Parallel IPA; Rip City Red; Cold Spice Habañero Rye; ’77 Stout; Oberlinerweisse; Wit or Witout; Saisonnalisa; Mr. Bigglesworth Belgian Pale Ale; Blue-Eyed Belgian Blonde IPA; Maggie Maibock; Limberjack IPL; Double Paradiddle Imperial IPA; 21st Anniversary Double Red Ale; Rainy Day CDA; Oscar the Rauch; Schwarzberry; Baltic Porter; Woozy Weizenbock; MAX Stout Imperial Stout; and 2014 Whiskey Barrel-Aged MAX Stout.

Steve Moore opened Philadelphia’s Steaks & Hoagies in 1987, and in 1994 became the 14th licensed brewery in the state of Oregon. In September of 2014 the Sellwood/Moreland location was rebranded as 13 Virtues Brewing Company.

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Brass Monkey, a New Summer Seasonal from No-Li Brewhouse

THAT FUNKY MONKEY, INDEED.
No-Li Puts a Craft Beer Twist on a Classic Drink for a New Summer Seasonal
 
Courtsey of No-Li Brewhouse  
Spokane, WA (4/24/2015) Grab your sunglasses and prepare to bask…because No-Li’s new Expo Series seasonal is summer in a 22oz bottle!  Hello, Brass Monkey. Many know a Brass Monkey to be a good ol’ fashioned 40 of malt liquor mixed with orange juice.  What’s not to like, right?  Well No-Li Brewers Damon Scott and Carey Fristoe have taken this idea to a whole new level to bring the world a craft beer Brass Monkey – a strong ale brewed with orange peel for an explosion of citrus flavor.

“Malt liquor and orange juice gives you some sweet notes, a little tanginess and a creamy mouthfeel.  We wanted to exaggerate and highlight all of those qualities in craft beer form,” says Fristoe, as he explains the reason behind the diverse malt bill and use of sweet and bitter orange peel.

Damon Scott adds, “Seven pounds of orange peel is used in each batch – six pounds of sweet and a pound of bitter.  We wanted to go big this year.”

That you did, gentlemen.  That you did.

Veteran beer writer, Rick Bonino, sampled a freshly tapped keg at the No-Li Brewhouse pub and described Brass Monkey as having some “juicy sweetness in the middle, then [finishing] dry with some orange pith and hop bitterness. Only slightly boozy, it’s deceptively drinkable for its ABV.”

Now available in 22oz bottles and on draft, Brass Monkey is sure to be the bold, balanced, refreshing citrus summer brew you’ve been waiting to enjoy under the hot summer sun. 
Cheers!

About No-Li Brewhouse
Born & Raised in Washington’s Inland Empire, No-Li Brewhouse is an internationally award-winning brewery, crafting Spokane-Style beers with No Boundaries: innovative beers brewed with locally sourced ingredients. No-Li has won fourteen international awards, including a gold medal from the 2012 Great American Beer Festival.  For more information about the beers, brewery and the pub, visit:
www.nolibrewhouse.com.
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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

11th Annual North America Organic Brewers Festival

Courtesy of North American Brewers Festival  

North American Organic Brewers Festival
announces new dates and adds import bottle garden
Eco-conscience beer festival will serve up more than 50 organic beers, ciders & meads

PORTLAND, ORE – April 23, 2015 – The world’s only organic brewers festival, the North American Organic Brewers Festival will celebrate its 11th years with a new date: the event has moved away from its traditional June weekend to August 13 through 16 at Overlook Park in North Portland. Event hours are Noon to 9pm Thursday through Saturday and Noon to 5pm Sunday.

“Another beer promoter chose to move his Portland beer festival to our June date,” explained event founder Craig Nicholls. “Since we share the same pool of volunteers, and in many cases attendees, we opted for another date to benefit both events. The good news is August gives us a much better chance of drier summer weather!”

The NAOBF encourages brewers and beer lovers to “Drink Organic, Save the Planet, One Beer at a Time.” Designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living, the festival serves up 50 organic beers and ciders from more than 30 different breweries. Some of the breweries are certified organic, but most brew a one-off organic batch just for the event. Styles run the gamut from Ambers to Belgians to Wild Ales, with a bit of everything in-between. (A complete list of participating breweries in included at the bottom of this release.) The event also offers live local music, organic food and sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits in a beautiful park setting.

This year’s event will also feature an exceedingly rare opportunity to sample draft beer from Pinkus, the world’s first certified organic brewery. Along with Pinkus Ur-Pils and Münster Alt on draft, the festival is introducing the Merchant du Vin Organic Bottle Garden, featuring 11 bottled beers and cider from Pinkus in Germany and Samuel Smith’s from Yorkshire, England.

“When Samuel Smith’s opened in 1758 and Pinkus in 1816, chemical fertilizers and pesticides didn’t exist – all beer was organic,” stated Tom Bowers, district manager at Merchant du Vin. “Viewing the beer world from this historic perspective, these brewers chose to become the trailblazers of organic brewing for the modern era. By including Samuel Smith’s and Pinkus in this year’s festival, NAOBF has expanded the opportunity for festival goers to not only experience amazing beers from the world’s original organic brewers, but to taste history.”

Admission into the NAOBF is free. The purchase of a $7 reusable, compostable cornstarch cup is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece. A full cup of beer costs four tokens and a taste costs one token; select beers and ciders may cost double tokens. Patrons receive an extra token with a validated Tri-Met ticket or a ticket from the Hopworks Bike Corral (one discount per person).

The NAOBF is a family friendly event, and minors are welcome with parents. A kids area offers art activities, face painting and a root beer garden with complimentary Crater Lake Root Beer for minors (and designated drivers).

The NAOBF is known as the most earth-friendly beer festival on the planet. Festival attendees sample beer from reusable and compostable cornstarch cups made from domestically grown corn by a zero-waste, solar-powered company. Electricity needs are met with biodiesel generators. Volunteers receive organic cotton t-shirts (returning volunteers can wear past T shirts and get extra tokens instead). Food vendors are required to employ sustainable practices, and onsite composting and recycling stations are provided for festival waste and are supervised by recycling czars.

The NAOBF encourages responsible drinking and urges patrons to take advantage of the MAX Light Rail; the Yellow Line Overlook Park Station is adjacent to the festival. Attendees can also take advantage of the Hopworks Bike Corral, where volunteers watch over bikes for free (donations are appreciated and support the BC to Baja Bicycle Odyssey).

Why brew organic? Today's agriculture relies heavily on chemicals and often causes erosion and depletion of soil nutrients through loss of biomass. Organic farming is a growing industry that reduces erosion, pollution, and water shortages by using natural methods to fertilize crops and to fight pests and disease. A well-established organic farm can often produce higher yields than a conventional farm. Organic farming is typically more labor intensive and provides more agricultural jobs per acre than conventional farming. Workers on organic farms are also safe from the health hazards of working with pesticides and herbicides. Using organic ingredients to make beer produces a beer with the highest possible purity and also supports the small but growing industry of organic farming.

For more information about the NAOBF, visit naobf.org

2015 Participating Breweries
13 Virtues Brewing Co.
Agrarian Ales
Alameda Brewing Company
Beau's All Natural Brewing Co
Bison Organic Beer
Coin Toss Brewing
Eel River Brewing
Falling Sky Brewing
Finnriver Farm & Cidery
Fish Brewing Company
Fort George Brewery
FOTM Brewing Co
Gilgamesh Brewing
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Kells Brew Pub
Lakefront Brewery, Inc
Lompoc Brewing
Loowit Brewing Company
McMenamins Concordia
McMenamins Crystal
McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse
McMenamins Edgefield
Natian Brewery
Nectar Creek Mead
Ordnance
Pinkus
PINTS Urban Brewery
Reverend Nat's Hard Cider
Riverbend Brewing
Samuel Smith’s
Thirsty Bear Brewing Co.
Two Kilts Brewing Co.
Uinta Brewing Company
Vagabond Brewing
Viking Braggot Company
Widmer Brothers Brewing

Old Town Brewing and Maletis Beverage Partner to Expand Brewery Operation


Courtesy of Old Town Brewing Co

Award Winning Portland Brewery Signs with Oregon Distributor and Plans for Growth
Portland, Ore. – (April 22, 2015) Old Town Brewing ® (OTB®), a locally owned and operated Portland brewery, announced today its partnership with Oregon distributor, Maletis Beverage. Joining the well-known distributors roster will bring OTB’s award winning beers to bars, restaurants and retail locations throughout the Portland market starting in May. In anticipation of increased demand, the brewery is expanding its operations to include five additional 15 BBL fermenters and three 21 BBL brite tanks, more than doubling the brewery’s production ability.
“Joining forces with a respected distributor like Maletis Beverage is an incredible opportunity for us to share Old Town® beers across the region, and we couldn’t be more thrilled,” said Adam Milne, owner of Old Town Brewing. “This is a real turning point for our brewery, and we’re excited to see what the future will bring.” 

Owner Adam Milne, Old Town Brewing Co
While self-distributing, OTB focused its efforts on perfecting sessionable, craft beer that reflects the unique city of Portland and its people. This labor of love brought the brewery an unprecedented four national and international awards since they began brewing in late 2011 - two from the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) ® and two from the World Beer Cup®.
“Maletis is excited to add Old Town Brewing to our craft beer offerings,” said Rob Maletis, owner of Maletis Beverage. “OTB has a unique history within the Portland beer market and the team is well known and respected in the local and national craft beer community. We’re looking forward to supporting the brewery’s continued growth across the Pacific Northwest.”


Courtesy of Old Town Brewing Co
When owner Adam Milne decided to transform what was Old Town’s second location into a brewery in 2011, his vision was to create a different beer drinking experience for Portland’s enthusiastic craft beer community, one that encompassed the city’s unconventional flare and cultured history. OTB’s use of locally sourced ingredients and flavors and delivery of craft beer by bike perfectly captures the spirit of Portland.

"Old town is a reflection of its surroundings,” Milne added. "We live in a community fueled by the energy of the most creative and adventurous people, and we try to capture that energy into every beer we brew."

About Old Town Brewing Co.
Old Town Brewing (OTB) opened in northeast Portland, Ore., in 2011 with an emphasis on crafting its beer to reflect the spirit, values, history and personality of Portland and the Northwest. OTB is the first brewery in the country to deliver beer and pizza by bike straight to consumers, rain or shine. Reclaimed materials were extensively incorporated into the design of the LEED Gold brewery, evoking an atmosphere of Northwest authenticity and sustainability.

Owner Adam Milne opened OTB to complement his Old Town Pizza® location in Portland’s historic Old Town neighborhood. A devoted Old Town Pizza customer since celebrating his ninth birthday at the restaurant, Milne purchased Old Town Pizza from the original owners, the Accuardi family, in 2003. For more information visit www.otbrewing.com and www.oldtownpizza.com
Courtesy of Old Town Brewing Co






OId Town Brewing Awards to date:
  • GABF 2014, Silver, Sun Dazed, German-Style Kölsch category
  • GABF 2013, Gold, Cents and Sensibility, Fresh Hop category
  • World Beer Cup 2014, Sun Dazed, German-Style Kölsch category
  • World Beer Cup 2014, Bronze, Paulie’s Not Irish Red, Irish Style Red Ale category
About Maletis Beverage
Maletis Beverage is a fourth generation family owned and operated beverage distributorship servicing the greater Portland and Southwest Washington area. The company was recently honored with the Craft Beer Distributor Recognition Award by the Brewers Association, which recognizes beer distributors that go above and beyond to market, promote and sell craft beer. Founded in 1935, Maletis Beverage is proudly celebrating its 80th anniversary.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Stone Brewing Co. Releases Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0

Courtesy of Stone Brewing Co

ESCONDIDO, CA (April 20, 2015) – In June 2002, Stone Brewing Co. introduced the world's first full-time brewed and bottled West Coast double IPA, Stone Ruination IPA. Massively hopped and aggressively bitter, it helped spark the ever-growing desire among legions of craft beer fans for over-the-top hop flavors and aromas. Fast-forward 13 years, new brewing techniques and hops exist to spark inspiration. Stone Co-founders Greg Koch and Steve Wagner decided it was time to utilize this new inspiration and reimagine Stone Ruination IPA. Beginning today, Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0 will start arriving in 12-ounce six-packs, 22-ounce bottles and on draft at retail outlets, bars and restaurants in markets where Stone beers are sold.

Courtesy of Stone Brewing Co

Hop growers are always developing new and experimental varietals, and Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele incorporated some of the brewing team’s favorites while revamping this venerable recipe. Additionally, Steele and company implemented contemporary techniques such as “hop-bursting,” where large late hop additions focus on extracting hop aromas and flavors rather than creating additional bitterness. Hop bursting has proven successful with a number of Stone Brewing's IPA varieties, so it was a no-brainer that this method would be employed along with others (we can’t share everything) for Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0.  

“In this case, the exit of one beer and the entrance of a new one is simply a rebirth,” explains Stone CEO and co-founder Greg Koch. “Developing this recipe was a great challenge for Mitch and the brewing team, but it gave us the opportunity to look at some of the knowledge we’ve acquired from the past 13 years and incorporate it into a beer that originally helped spur a hop revolution. Of course, we made sure to maintain the two most important traits of Stone Ruination IPA. It’s massively hoppy and massively bitter!”

Courtesy of Stone Brewing Co


Thanks to a recipe calling for purely pale malt grain, the beer showcases a vibrant hops bill comprising six different varietals. As with the original Stone Ruination IPA, Centennial hops remain the star in both the brewing and dry-hop stages. Magnum and Nugget hops provide a hefty dose of standout bitterness. Citra, Simcoe and Azacca hops, all relative newbies (not to mention some of the most highly sought-after hops on the market), were added to the new recipe to provide the bountiful tropical fruit and resinous pine aromas. Combined, the rich tapestry of hops results in a taste profile rife with citrus, melon and tropical fruit flavors. 

To fully enjoy the copious amounts of hops coaxed, squeezed and packed into this double IPA, it should be consumed by the “enjoy by” date printed on the bottle neck. Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0 is proof that such a masterful “Liquid Poem to the Glory of the Hop” should not be limited to only a single stanza.

Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0 Quick Facts:
Name: Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0
URL: Stonebrewing.com/Ruin
Stats: 8.5% ABV, 100+ IBUs
Availability: 12-ounce bottles in six-packs, 22-ounce bottles and draft, beginning April 20
Hops Bill: Centennial, Citra, Magnum, Nugget, Simcoe, Azacca
National Distribution: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, 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
International Distribution (coming soon): Australia; Alberta and British Columbia, Canada; Japan; Singapore; Sweden; and United Kingdom

About Stone Brewing Co.
Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in 1996, San Diego-based Stone Brewing Co. is the 9th largest craft brewer in the United States. Stone has been listed on the Inc. 500 | 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies list 10 times, and has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate magazine twice. The multi-faceted company will be the first American craft brewer to own and operate its own brewery in Europe, and is also building a production brewery and destination restaurant in Richmond, Virginia. Brewing at both locations is anticipated to begin late 2015. Known for its bold, flavorful and largely hop-centric beers, Stone has earned a reputation for brewing outstanding, unique beers while maintaining an unwavering commitment to sustainability, business ethics, philanthropy and the art of brewing. For more information on Stone Brewing Co., please visit stonebrewing.com or the company’s social media sites: Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and The Stone Blog.

4th Annual Oregon Garden Brewers Tasting Dinner

Oregon Garden Brewer’s Tasting Dinner offers 
the ideal way to kick off its Brewfest weekend

SILVERTON, Ore. — The Oregon Garden will kick off this year’s Oregon Garden Brewfest, presented by Venti’s Café, with the 4th annual Brewer’s Tasting Dinner. The popular event will take place on June 18, the eve of the festival, at 7pm at the Oregon Garden Resort. There are a limited number of tickets available to the public at $50; tickets and more information are available at www.oregongarden.org.

The Brewer’s Tasting Dinner serves six courses, each featuring a small-plate paired with a unique beer from one of six selected breweries. This year’s featured breweries include Buoy Beer Co, Crux Fermentation Project, Ex Novo Brewing Co, Ecliptic Brewing, Vagabond Brewing and Wild Ride Brew.
Representatives from each of the breweries give a presentation about their beer during the dinner, which is attended by brewers participating in the festival, industry insiders and beer aficionados.

A special overnight package is available at The Oregon Garden Resort, a Moonstone Hotel Property located just steps away from the festival, that includes tickets to the Brewer’s Tasting Dinner and a three-day ticket to the Brewfest, starting at $239. Packages can be booked at www.oregongardenresort.com
or by calling 503-874-2500.

Located in the historic town of Silverton, just an hour’s drive from the Portland metropolitan area, the Oregon Garden Brewfest will take place Father’s Day weekend, June 19 through 21 and will feature 70 breweries pouring 140 beers, ciders and meads from throughout Oregon and across the country. There’s also live music on two stages and a variety of food vendors. The festival is held indoors, but attendees are welcome to explore the 80-acre botanical garden with beer in hand.

The Oregon Garden Brewfest is for ages 21 and over on Friday and Saturday; minors are welcome all hours on Sunday. Admission ranges from $15 to $50; all admission packages include a souvenir tasting glass and a number of tasting tickets. Parking at The Oregon Garden is $5 per car; free shuttles are available from various locations in Silverton.

The Oregon Garden Brewfest is presented by Venti’s Café and sponsored by The Gallon House, The Oregon Lottery, Beer Connoisseur Magazine, The Beer Growler, Pepsi and The Oregonian/Oregon Live. For more information about the event, visit www.oregongarden.org/events/brewfest.