Full Sail Celebrates the Local Hop Harvest with 8 Pound Pale Fresh Hop Ale

Courtesy of Full Sail Brewing Co

 Magnum hops add a fresh, green character to this early-autumn brew

Hood River, Oregon – September 16, 2016 – Full Sail’s brewers wait with thirsty anticipation for each fall’s hop harvest and their chance to celebrate by brewing fresh hop beers. As soon as the hops are at their peak, the brewers head to the farm and select the best fresh hops, and rush back to the brewery. From the fields to the brewhouse in just a few hours, this year’s hop harvest has culminated in the ridiculously tasty Brewmaster Reserve 8 Pound Pale Fresh Hop Ale.

“As brewers we are always reliant on nature’s bounty, from the quality of the barley harvest to how the hops weathered through the Oregon summer, but no moment brings this relationship into sharper focus than our fresh hop beers,” says Full Sail Executive Brewmaster Jamie Emmerson. “When we brew with fresh hops, timing is everything. There’s such a small window to take advantage of these fresh hops. We need to get them to the brewery within hours of picking while their oils and resins are still at their peak as there are distinct flavors and aromas that you can only get brewing with fresh hops.”

Each hop variety reaches peak maturity at a different time during harvest, so each year’s brew is unique. This year’s fresh-hop harvest yielded big, juicy Magnum hops which add a slight anise note and a fresh, green character to 8 Pound Pale Fresh Hop Ale. Opening with aromas of lemon and spice, 8 Pound Pale has a golden orange hue with a thick frothy head and a full malty body.

“Every fall we look forward to brewing a fresh hop beer to celebrate the hop harvest,” says Full Sail Brewmaster Jim Kelter. “It takes five to seven times more hops to brew a fresh hop beer. We use eight pounds of fresh hops per barrel to brew this beer but it’s absolutely worth it.”

Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve series allows the brewmasters to put their creativity, innovation and passion into small, limited-release beers. These craft brews highlight the direct connection with Full Sail’s farmers, celebrate the art of barrel aging, and explore the effects of time. Over the years, Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve series has earned 18 gold medals. Some of our beers, like our fresh hop brews, are meant to be enjoyed just after harvest, intensely fresh from our farmers’ fields. Brewed in small batches, Brewmaster Reserve 8 Pound Pale Fresh Hop Ale is only available during harvest, late September through October, in 12 oz. bottles and draft. 5.6% ABV, 54 IBUs.

Courtesy of Full Sail Brewing Co

About Full Sail Brewing Company

Perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the mighty Columbia River’s epic wind and kite surfing and the snow-capped volcanic peaks of Mt. Hood, Full Sail is a true craft-brewing pioneer. Since 1987, Full Sail has been pouring pure Mt. Hood water, local ingredients and responsible processes into each and every pint. Full Sail’s brews and sustainable practices have garnered more than 300 national and international awards, including 150 gold medals and Beverage World ‘s “Craft Brewer of the Year” distinction. From Full Sail Amber and IPA to Session Lager and bourbon barrel-aged beers, Full Sail consistently strives to brew complex, balanced and ridiculously tasty beers. Learn more at www.fullsailbrewing.com.

McMenamins Celebrates 25 Years of Not Another Pumpkin Beer

Courtesy of McMenamins

On tap at all McMenamins locations Oct. 15 – Halloween, this dark, rich porter made with seven different malts has been a fall mainstay since it was first brewed 25 years ago at McMenamins Thompson Brewery in Salem, Ore.

Thompson Brewery head brewer Jen Kent has brewed Black Widow Porter for 10 years - Courtesy of McMenamins

McMenamins Black Widow Porter

Available: Oct. 15-31 at all McMenamins 54 locations in Oregon and Washington

Malts: Bairds Pale Malt, Great Western Munich, Great Western Flaked Barley, Great Western Wheat, Bairds 135/165L Crys­tal, Bairds Roast Material, Bairds Black Malt

Hops: Ultra (Bittering & Flavor)

Additional Ingredient: Licorice Root

ABV: 7.35%    IBU: 30   SRM: 38

Pre Release Events:

October 8

All day, all ages welcome, 21+ to drink

Widow’s Day at Thompson Brewery & Pub: Sample Black Widow Porter the weekend before it’s released at the brewery where it was created 25 years ago. Try a taster tray with Black Widow Porter, twists on the original and other unique small-batch beers.

October 15 – 16

10 a.m. – 10 p.m., all ages welcome, 21+ to drink

Widow’s Weekend at 23^rd Avenue Bottle Shop: Don’t miss the chance to sample and compare 2015 and 2016 Black Widow Porters brewed at Edgefield and taste as other variations on the legendary beer. Bottles of both 2015 and 2016 Black Widow Porter will available for purchase while supplies last.

Block 15 Brewing Releases Fall Bottled Offering - Autumn Farmhouse

Courtesy of Block 15 Brewing Co

Corvallis, OR — Today Block 15 Brewing Company released its early fall seasonal, Autumn Farmhouse, available bottled and on tap at bottle shops and beer bars around Oregon. Bottle- conditioned with honey from Queen Bee Apiaries, using Block 15’s custom-fabricated mixing tank, Autumn Farmhouse Ale is designed to be enjoyed both freshly bottled and cellared.

About Autumn Farmhouse Autumn Farmhouse Ale is a harvest celebration of Pacific Northwest regional farms, brewed with organic Northwest base malts, organic oats from Green Willow Grains, Willamette Valley hops, and honey from Queen Bee Apiaries. This locally-inspired ale features aromas of fruit and spice and a refining smoothness that balances a rustic hop finish.

Grains: Organic Pilsen, Organic Pale, Rolled Oats, Monastique, Cara Ruby Hops: Willamette Valley Sterling & Cascade Adjunct: Bottle-conditioned with local honey Yeast: Belgian Saison ABV: 7.4% FG: 1.004

Autumn Farmhouse is available in 500mL bottles featuring artwork from artist Patricia Smith.

About Block 15 Brewing Company
Offering unique hop forward ales, crisp lagers, barrel-aged rarities and one of the Northwest’s most extensive wild & sour programs, Block 15 produces a range of artfully crafted beers, brewed with a nod toward fresh ingredients and fresh thinking. Established in 2008, and brewer-owned from day one.

Montavilla Brew Works and Coin Toss Brewing Co. collaborate on Double IPA featuring Frosted Flakes

Tim Hohl (L) and Michael Kora (R) on brew day

 Native Detroit brewers team up for Michigan-themed craft beer

PORTLAND, Ore./OREGON CITY, Ore. – Who didn't grow up with frosted flakes for breakfast as a kid? Now enjoy the same goodness as part of “Catch A Tiger” Double IPA, a collaboration from Portland's Montavilla Brew Works and Oregon City's Coin Toss Brewing Co.

The one-of-a-kind 10 barrel batch features 25 pounds of Frosted Flakes cereal mashed with pilsner malt and five other specialty grains. Horizon, Cascade, Chinook, Idaho 7 and Simcoe hops give this big beer a bitter bite with aromas of citrus, pine and orange marmalade. The beer comes in at 7.2% ABV and 69 IBU. For those who are wondering, it’s GRRRRRRRRREAT!

Catch A Tiger will make its debut at Montavilla Brew Works, 7805 SE Stark St., on Sept. 16; and at Coin Toss Brewing, 14214 Fir St., on Sept. 18.

Michael Kora, Montavilla owner and brewer, and Tim Hohl, Coin Toss owner and brewer, both originally hail from Detroit and have been kicking around the idea of a collaboration beer using Michigan ingredients for some time.

“It’s my goal to eventually work with all the great brewers in Portland who have relocated from Michigan,” explained Kora. “Since Battle Creek, Mich., is home to Kellogg's, Frosted Flakes seemed like a fun opportunity to celebrate our shared Michigan roots.”

“Michigan has a pretty amazing craft beer scene of its own,” said Hohl. “As a couple of guys from Detroit, we wanted to give a fun nod to our home state while making a Northwest style IPA our customers would appreciate.”

The brewers would like to give a shout out to Dan Mills at Grocery Outlet of Oregon City for helping wheel an entire shopping cart full of cereal out of the store on brew day.

About Montavilla Brew Works 
Located at 7805 SE Stark St., Montavilla Brew Works is a 10 barrel capacity brewery/taproom that utilizes high quality brewing ingredients to produce time-honored, yet exciting beer styles. The brewhouse and taproom is situated in a beautifully remodeled auto service garage from 1922. Spacious yet remarkably intimate, this neighborhood haunt is full of lively locals, good conversation and a plethora of fresh-focused German-style lagers and Pacific Northwest-style ales. Learn more at www.montavillabrew.com.

About Coin Toss Brewing Company
Coin Toss Brewing Co. is committed to crafting the finest beers in honor of Portland’s illustrious history. The brewery offers a variety of signature brews available by the pint, growler or keg from its brewpub in Oregon City and on tap around town. The Coin Toss moniker is a nod to the fateful event that determined Portland’s name. Although Asa Lovejoy lost that toss to Francis Pettygrove, Coin Toss would like to reach through the years and tell him: Heads or Tails? It’s Beer. You Win!  Learn more at www.cointossbrewing.com.

Oskar Blues Brewery and Hotbox Roasters Hook Up Again For Hotbox Coffee Porter

Courtesy of Oskar Blues Brewery

Longmont, CO - Beer just got a caffeinated kick in the beans.

 

Oskar Blues Brewery and their in-house, coffee addiction-inspired Hotbox Roasters tag-team once again to pair roasted aromas, flavors and a frothy buzz together in Hotbox Coffee Porter. 

 

Hotbox Coffee Porter (6.4% ABV/30 IBUs) has a malted base extracted from English and German roasted and caramel malts, and is comprised of flavors like roasted nuts, crème brûlée, cocoa and caramel. Hotbox Roasters then crashes the party and infuses potent, cold-extracted coffee from Burundian and Ethiopian beans and deals old flavors and aromas of dark plums, chocolate and hints of blueberry.

 

"Hotbox wake-n-roast gets us rolling in the brewhouse day in and day out." said head of brewing operation's Tim Mathews. "Hotbox Porter shows that beer and coffee were meant to be together.  Digging in with Hotbox Roasters allowed us to develop a malt blend and a coffee blend that gel beautifully."

 

Hotbox Roasters is a ColoRADo craft coffee roaster specializing in the highest quality, fair-trade coffee beans available to coffee fiends nationwide (http://hotboxroasters.com/store/).  Hotbox currently offers eight different roasts from around the world and is constantly searching for premium beans to add.  Hotbox Roasters cans its freshly roasted beans using the Oskar Blues & Ball Corporation Crowler™, a one-use, recyclable can that is filled and seamed right on location at the Hotbox Roasters Dock in Longmont, ColoRADo.   An Oskar Blues Fooderies-driven Hotbox Roasters physical location will open at 3490 Larimer St., Denver, CO in fall 2016. This will be the first location for the Longmont-based craft coffee roaster and will open directly next to the upcoming craft casual CHUBurger location in the Denver RiNo neighborhood.  Stay tuned for 12oz. cans of Nitro Cold Brew from Hotbox Roasters yet this year.

 

Brought to you by the original craft beer in a can, Hotbox Coffee Porter is available nationally in four-pack, 12 oz. cans and draft from September through November.

 

Find your next brew and brew with our Beer Finder (www.oskarblues.com/beerFinder).

 

About Oskar Blues

 

Founded by Dale Katechis in 1997 in Lyons, Colorado, Oskar Blues Brewery launched the craft beer-in-a-can apocalypse with hand-canned, flagship brew Dale's Pale Ale. Today, Oskar Blues is one of the fastest growing breweries in the country and operates breweries in Longmont, Colorado and Brevard, North Carolina, while producing 192,000 barrels in 2015. The original canned craft brewery continues push innovation with the opening of their Austin, TX brewery in July of 2016 and creations like The Crowler while it distributes to all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., as well as parts of Canada, Sweden, the U.K. and Australia.

 

To keep up with all things Oskar Blues, visit http://www.oskarblues.com.

 

Courtesy of Oskar Blues Brewery

 

Ghost Runners Brewery Releases Pre-HOPtaine IPA

Courtesy of Ghost Runners Brewing

VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON - American runner Steve Prefontaine once said,  “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”. In response Ghost Runners Brewery presents their Mosaic hopped IPA, Pre-HOPtaine.  

 

Brewer Jeff Seibel designed the Pre-HOPtaine IPA recipe to showcase the magic of Mosaic hops.  “I started with a light drinkable grain bill and added lots of Centennial and late addition Mosaic hops,” Seibel explained. “Additional dry hopping presents Pre-HOPtaine as a medium to light bodied IPA with the distinct swagger of Mosaic hop aromas and flavor characteristics.”

Pre-HOPtaine IPA is available on draft at Ghost Runners Brewery tap room at 4216 NE Minnehaha Street Thursday through Sunday. Keg distribution is handled by Orcas Distributing in the Seattle Metro area, Alpha Distributing in SW Washington and Point Blank Distributing in Oregon.  

Style: India Pale Ale

OG 1.080

ABV 8.7%

IBU 58

Availability: Draft

Distribution: OR, WA

Courtesy of Ghost Runners Brewing

About Ghost Runners Brewery

Ghost Runners Brewery is an award winning craft brewery in Vancouver, Washington, founded in 2012. The running inspired brewery features handcrafted brews including 5K IPA Hydro Station IPA, Boston Irish Red Ale, Negative Split Stout, Strong Leg Stout, and Phantom Rojo Imperial Red . Every exceptional creation is handcrafted with high-quality grain and premium hops and distributed throughout the state of Washington and Oregon. For more information on Ghost Runners Brewery, please visit www.ghostrunnersbrewery.com or the company’s social media sites Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Southwest Washington Breweries Collaborate For Inaugural North Bank Beer Week

Courtesy of Will Smith of ZZoom Media

It’s 7:30am on a Monday morning. Do you know where your local brewer is?

On August 29th, there’s a good chance that the brewer you’re looking for was at Heathen Brewing in Vancouver, WA. As we approach North Bank Beer Week – the inaugural week-long celebration of SW Washington beer held Sept 22-30 – Loowit Brewing spearheaded an effort to assemble as many brewers as possible from the region north of the Columbia River spanning Long Beach, WA in the west to White Salmon, WA in the east.

It’s not clear how many brewers were expected to participate, but it’s clear that the turn-out was greater than anticipated. A total of 20 SW Washington brewers took part in a true collaboration. From 7:30am to 9am they trickled in with ingredients and bodies ready to pitch in on the brew. Grains were off-loaded from pickup trucks. Hops arrived in containers big and small. A keg of yeast emerged from the passenger seat of a small classic car.

Courtesy of Will Smith of ZZoom Media

What made this gathering even more unbelievable was that just 1 week prior, the idea was still a twinkle in the eye of Loowit co-owner, Devon Bray. On Monday, August 22nd, he’d reached out to Rodney Stryker, co-owner of Heathen Brewing, to see if there might be room on Heathen’s schedule to squeeze in a collaboration beer. With many of Clark County’s breweries producing beer at full capacity, it’s a rare opportunity that downtime in the schedule exists.

When Rodney confirmed the small window of time at Heathen's facility on the Monday just 1 week away, an email went out to all 30(ish) breweries that call SW Washington home. Fingers were crossed that 6 would show up on such short notice. Maybe 7 would respond to the affirmative. 8 would be a miracle.

None anticipated the overwhelming response.

The first step was to determine the style of beer to formulate a recipe upon. There were several ideas tossed about from a Belgian-style to a New England IPA to a pilsner or lager. But it was Fortside Brewing co-owner, Mike DiFabio’s suggestion that tallied the most votes. That leading vote-getter was a Dry-Hopped Imperial Oatmeal Brown Ale. A unique style chosen to highlight the uniqueness of the region's readily-available ingredients. The official name of the beer is still a matter being voted on among the brewers.

Loowit Brewer, Matt Freeland worked directly with Rodney at Heathen to dial in the recipe based on the suggestions of the extensive email chain and send out the detailed brewing description to the participants. Then the call to action was to show up with ingredients and man power on Monday morning.

If you brew it, they will come…

Even if mostly to drink coffee & beer and play cornhole on a Monday morning.

Courtesy of Will Smith of ZZoom Media

Full List of Collaborating Breweries:

Loowit Brewing

Heathen Brewing

Fortside Brewing

Rail Side Brewing

North Jetty Brewing

Brother Ass Brewing

Doomsday Brewing

Ghost Runners Brewery

Trap Door Brewing

Backwoods Brewing

Walking Man Brewing

54-40 Brewing

Ashtown Brewing

Trusty Brewing Co.

Everybody’s Brewing

Beerded Brothers

Old Ivy Brewery

Mill City Brew Werks

Mt. Tabor Brewing Co.

McMenamins on the Columbia

North Bank Beer Week kicks off September 22nd at 6PM at Kiggins Theatre with ‘Vancouver Breweries Unite 4 Give More 24!’ The doors open at 5PM for a FREE family-friendly event. 10 breweries have partnered with 10 charities to raise funds during the evening. Great Western Malting Co. has purchased every seat in the Kiggins Theatre to make this a no-cover event! There will be a screening of the CVTV’s “Brewcouver” 11-minute documentary on the history of Vancouver beer followed by the feature 1983 beer-lovers classic comedy, Strange Brew, starring Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas. Rated PG.

North Bank Beer Week continues with events around Clark County featuring SW Washington beer from North Jetty Brewing in the west to Everybody’s Brewing in the east and everything in between along the shores of the north bank of the Columbia River. Look for cornhole tournaments, trivia nights, beer releases, fresh hop events, Oktoberfest events and more from September 22nd-30th at www.NorthBankBeerWeek.com!

13th Annual Portland Fresh Hops Fest returns to Oaks Park Sept. 30 and Oct. 1

Courtesy of the Oregon Brewers Guild

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Fresh Hops Fest is a celebration of the annual hop harvest that takes place from mid-August to mid-September in Oregon. This year’s 13th annual event will take place Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way. Hours are 5pm to 9pm on Friday and 12pm to 8pm on Saturday. The festival features more than 60 Oregon craft beers made with hops that are freshly picked off the vine and used within hours of harvesting.

This year’s festival will feature more than 60 Oregon brewed fresh hop beers; the list of participants can be viewed at http://oregoncraftbeer.org/freshhopsfest/. Beers may run out; for the greatest selection, arrive on Friday or before 3pm on Saturday.

Admission to the event is free; in order to drink, it costs $20 for a souvenir glass and eight drink tickets. Advance tickets are on sale at http://www.merctickets.com/events/36688850/portland-fresh-hops-beer-fest; use code PFHF16 to save 10% off of tickets through 09/16/16 at 5pm. People who have purchased tickets to either the Handmade Beer + Bike Fest, the Willamette Week Beer Pro Am or The Wedge can receive $5 off the price of admission at the door (must bring previous event ticket; limit one discount per person). Additional tasting tickets are available onsite for $2 each, or four for $5. Event parking is free.

Food will be available from Monk’s Deli and the Urban German Grill. Vendors include the Timbers Army No Pity Van, the Oregon Hop Growers Association, Illustrated Playing Cards and Bottle Tap.

Minors are not allowed on Friday, but are permitted on Saturday until 5pm (Oaks Amusement Park rides will be open from 12pm to 7pm that day). Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed.

The festival is still seeking volunteers, which receive a glass, a t-shirt and a $5 food voucher, plus other perks. An OLCC servers permit is not required to participate as a volunteer server at this event. See details or sign up at www.ocb.events-connect.com.

The Portland Fresh Hops Fest is organized by the Oregon Brewers Guild, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the state’s craft brewing industry and the common interests of its members. Founded in 1992, the Oregon Brewers Guild is one of the nation’s oldest craft brewers associations. The Guild, which receives no state funding, comprises 156 brewing companies, 130 associate or supplier members and more than 3,900 enthusiast members or S.N.O.B.s (Supporters of Native Oregon Beer).

 

Website: www.oregoncraftbeer.org

Twitter: @OregonCraftBeer

Instagram: @OregonCraftBeer

Facebook: OregonCraftBeer

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/179373655804790/

Event Hashtag: #freshhops

No-Li Brewing launching Red, White & No-Li Pale Ale This Friday

Courtesy of No-Li Brewhouse

SPOKANE, USA… No-Li will launch Red, White & No-Li Pale Ale this Friday, Sept. 16^th. 

No-Li Red, White & No-Li Pale born out of the Red, White & No-Li Small Batch Festival that recognized and celebrated the men & women of Fair Child Air Force Base that serve and protect.  It recognizes a culture that gives and protects.  

Bob Pate of No-Li Brewhouse says, “The Red, White & No-Li recipe started with a Golden Ale and expanded with a bountiful Citra hopping in the kettle and dry-hopping.”  

Courtesy of No-Li Brewhouse

“The brewers nicknamed it Fruity Pebbles because of the enormous fruity aromatics and flavors that make you smile and this recipe makes me smile, says Bob.”

Red, White & No-Li Pale will be available in 22 oz. bottles and draft beer.  The first brew and keg allocation sold-out in one day. 

Red, White & No-Li Pale is an innovative seasonal rotation following Komrade Imperial IPA.

Courtesy of No-Li Brewhouse

About No-Li Brewhouse

Born & Raised in Spokane, Washington, No-Li Brewhouse is locally-owned and community-minded crafting Spokane-Style beers with No Boundaries: innovative beers brewed with locally-sourced ingredients. In addition to being named the 2016 Washington Large Brewery of the Year, NBWA 2015 National Brewer Partner of the Year, No-Li has won eighteen 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, or follow them on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @nolibrewhouse.

Fall into Your New Favorite Saison: Victory Brewing Company’s Selene Saison

Courtesy of Victory Brewing Co

The Celestial Sister to Helios Ale Makes Its Debut

Downingtown, PA, September 12, 2016 – Victory Brewing Company (Victory) introduces Selene Saison as the celestial sister to Victory’s Helios Ale. Selene Saison is a wild-fermented farmhouse-style dark saison brewed with extra delicious darkness. Available September 1, while supplies last, Selene’s outstanding combination of malts, hops and yeast culminate into a 7.5% ABV that’s sure to satisfy any seasoned Saison lover. Step into a crisp, new season with a victorious blend of chocolate and roasty flavors meeting the tip of your tongue.

This complex and captivating celestial ale captured its name from the Greek goddess of the moon, Selene, sister to the god of the sun, Helios. Selene delivers notes of chocolate and clove funk, while rye blends with herbal and spicy whole flower East Kent Goldings hops to produce a smooth finish. Two strains of Brettanomyces and Blaugies yeast bring the brew full-circle with localized variation that’s typical of a great Saison. Like Helios Ale, Selene Saison can be found on draft and is packaged in 750 ml bottles with artwork that mirrors Helios but has a moonlit, starry scene as an ode to its namesake versus a sun. Available throughout Victory’s 35 state distribution footprint, Selene retails at $9 depending on location.

Courtesy of Victory Brewing Co

“When we were dreaming up Selene Saison we had a great canvas in Helios Ale. Because Farmhouse-styles focus on individuality, we had a lot of creative license to make an enjoyable, yet completely unique, Saison. We wanted to showcase the dark side foil against the sunny side of Helios which resulted in a delicious, wild-fermented celebration of the season for all to enjoy,” says Bill Covaleski, Founder and Brewmaster of Victory Brewing Company.

Courtesy of Victory Brewing Co

About Victory Brewing Company 
Victory Brewing Company is a craft brewery headquartered in Downingtown, PA. Founded by childhood friends, Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, Victory officially opened its doors in February of 1996. Victory’s second state of the art brewery opened in February of 2014 in Parkesburg, PA to serve fans of fully flavored beers in 37 states with innovative beers melding European ingredients and technology with American creativity. Victory operates three brewpubs; the original Downingtown site, Victory at Magnolia in Kennett Square and Parkesburg featuring self-guided tours. In February 2016, Victory announced an alliance with Southern Tier Brewing Company under the parent company of Artisanal Brewing Ventures. To learn more about Victory Brewing Company please visit www.victorybeer.com.

Tick, Tick, Tick. It’s Time To Get Fresh IPA from Fort George

Courtesy of Fort George Brewing Co

September 8th, 2016 - Astoria, OR

The Northwest is a special place for craft beer enthusiasts and late summer is a very special season. Fresh hops are harvested only once a year – you can feel it when the air turns sticky. And at Fort George the moment those hops leave the bine, that brew clock for Fresh IPA starts ticking.

Logistically it takes the entire brewery to make Fresh IPA. Tanks need to be empty and waiting. All brewers are on standby, rested, and ready for around-the-clock brew cycles. The truck driver eagerly checks his phone for the call – the hops are being harvested.

After a quick round-trip from Astoria to Woodburn, OR and back, the block oozes with the aroma of over a ton of wet Amarillos. Brewing non-stop until the tanks are filled, no hop is spared and no moment is wasted.

Courtesy of Fort George Brewing Co

How Fresh is Fresh IPA?
Plucked from the fertile hop bines of the Willamette Valley, packed into the tanks at Fort George Brewery, and delivered to your local pubs and bottleshops all within a fortnight – Fresh IPA is as fresh as it gets. Brewed with wet Amarillos from Crosby Hop Farm, fresh hops mean bold and unblemished hop oils, the essence of the Pacific Northwest sealed into every can.

When you break the seal you should expect pungent notes of orange and grapefruit. Pouring a pale yellow with delicate white lacing, Fresh IPA will envelope your tongue in a tangerine wave, calmly ebbing as you await that next sip.

Courtesy of Fort George Brewing Co

Availability
Look for Fresh IPA in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho starting Thursday, September 15^th in 16-ounce 4-pack cans and on tap. 6.4% ABV – IBUs, who cares? Fort George is distributed exclusively in the Pacific Northwest.

Drink fresh, do not age, and buy it quickly. This limited release won’t last long.

Holiday Ale Festival comes of age, announces details for 21st annual event in downtown Portland

Courtesy of Holiday Ale Festival

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Holiday Ale Festival will officially come of age this year as it celebrates the 21st annual event, Nov. 30 through Dec. 4 at Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave. Known for assembling a prestigious lineup of winter beers, the festival will feature more than 50 specialty ales that have either been crafted specifically for the event or are hard-to-fine vintages, underscoring the event's reputation as one of finest gathering of winter beers anywhere in the nation.

Courtesy of Timothy Horn

Event 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.

Despite being held outdoors during one of the coldest months of the year, nearly 14,000 festival attendees stay warm and dry over the five-day festival 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 with rare beers, a root beer garden, food vendors, self-guided beer pairings with cheese, event merchandise and a coat/bag check and raffle.

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. This festival offers the brewers a chance to reward their fans with amazing holiday gifts in the form of one a kind beers. This year’s beer list will be announced in early October.

Courtesy of Timothy Horn

To enter and consume beer, the purchase of an entry package is required. Advance general admission costs $35 and includes the 2016 tasting cup and 14 taster tickets, plus expedited entry all five days with a print at home ticket. General admission at the door is the same price, but includes only 12 tickets and no expedited entry. Advance VIP packages cost $100 and include the tasting cup, 30 taster tickets, special VIP beer lines with little to no waiting, exclusive VIP only vintage beers, bottled water and express entry all five days (VIP tickets are limited to 250 and are not available at the door). All advance packages will go on sale in late September at www.holidayale.com.

Once inside the festival, a full beer costs four taster tickets, and a taster costs one ticket. Certain limited release and special tappings may not be available in full pours, or may cost extra tickets. Additional beer tickets can be purchased for $1 apiece. Previous years’ mugs will not be filled. Express re-entry requires a wristband and the 2016 tasting cup, and is subject to the festival's capacity.

Courtesy of Timothy Horn

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; the festival matches then quadruples the proceeds from all designated driver tickets, root beer garden, bag and coat check and raffle sales. All proceeds are given to the Children's Cancer Association’s MusicRx program, which delivers the healing power of music to children battling cancer and their families.

Courtesy of Timothy Horn

Returning to the event is the 13th annual Sunday Beer Brunch, taking place Dec. 4 from 11am to 1pm on the upper level of Pioneer Courthouse Square. The auxiliary event features European pastries, cured meats and artisanal cheeses to accompany an assortment of exclusive vintage draft and bottled beers not available at the festival itself, plus several special large format bottles to be shared during the event. Tickets cost $80 and will be available at www.holidayale.com in September. For more information about both events, visit www.holidayale.com.

Name: 21st annual Holiday Ale Festival

Venue: Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR

Dates: Nov. 30 through Dec. 4, 2016

Times: 11am to 10pm Wednesday through Saturday, and 11am to 5pm Sunday.

Tickets: http://holidayale.com/festfacts.php (ON SALE IN SEPT)

Website: http://holidayale.com

Twitter: @HolidayAle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolidayAleFest/

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1235179196516059/