Firestone Walker Unveils Hellaciously Hopped "Inferos"

Courtesy of Firestone Walker Brewing Co

Paso Robles and Venice, CA: The third release in Firestone Walker’s Leo v. Ursus Chronology is Inferos—an unfiltered imperial rye IPA that is fiery in color, hellacious in hoppiness and loaded with spicy rye goodness.

Inferos (Latin for “underworld”) will be unveiled at all Firestone Walker locations this Saturday, and will roll into Firestone Walker’s national markets for a limited time starting next week. It is brewed with 4.7 pounds of hops per barrel and with a malt bill consisting of 25 percent rye.

“Inferos is a perfect example of how the Leo v. Ursus Chronology has turned our brewing team loose to push the envelope and explore new possibilities,” said Brewmaster Matt Bryildson. “The result is something entirely new from Firestone Walker, and a beer that is perfectly suited for that transition time between summer and fall.”

Inferos marks the third release in the Leo v. Ursus Chronology that was launched in March. The chronology is composed of limited one-off beers released on a quarterly basis. Inferos will land in different Firestone Walker markets at variable times in both draft and 16-ounce can (four-pack) formats. It will be available for a short period before yielding to the next release in the Leo. v. Ursus Chronology.

High on Rye

Inferos features five times the amount of rye malt compared to Firestone Walker’s previous foray into the rye beer universe, Wookey Jack.

“Rye is infamous for being a gummy grain and for causing sticky mashes,” Brynildson said. “We weren’t sure we could pull off a 25-percent rye malt bill, but we did some pilot batches at our Propagator brewhouse in Venice that gave us the confidence to go forward.”

He added, “Rye is known for its spicy or rustic grain characteristic in brewing and baking, and I think it really adds a distinctive personality to this beer.”

The remainder of the malt bill includes ESB from Gambrinus malting, as well as Weyermann Carafa malt. Carafa is a specialty malt that is roasted yet pearled (de-husked) prior to milling, allowing it to contribute deep color without making the beer notably roasty or astringent.

“Carafa malt allows us to get this rich reddish color without the beer becoming sweet and cloying,” Brynildson said. “So we get the color we want while maintaining a clean, dry canvas that allows the rye character to really pop.”

Experimental Journey

Inferos is massively dry hopped with Galaxy and other Southern Hemisphere hops to ratchet up the intensity scale.

“We’ve long been excited about this idea of brewing a heavily rye-infused beer, and then just hopping the hell out of it,” Brynildson said. “This was our chance.”

He added, “Inferos is our next step in the exploration and experimentation process afforded to us by the Propagator pilot brewhouse and the Leo v. Ursus Chronology. The door of possibilities is wide open.”  

Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a pioneering regional craft brewery founded in 1996 and located on the coast of California. Firestone Walker’s main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. The Barrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings. For more information: FirestoneBeer.com.

2nd Annual Portland Fresh Hop POP-UP Beer Fest Returns for 5 Days

Courtesy of the Fresh Hop Beer Fest

Portland, OR - Burnside Brewing Co., Portland Beer Week and Willamette Week present the 2nd annual Fresh Hop Pop-Up Beer Fest in Portland, Oregon this September 20 - 24th at 7th and NE Burnside Ave. This outdoor, partially covered beer garden features the freshest of Fresh Hop beer of the season using only undried hops picked from the bine and brewed with in under 24 hours. The Fresh Hop Pop-Up Beer Fest will feature ten taps (up two from last year) of rotating pacific northwest fresh hop goodness with daily special tappings and featured theme nights with some of the brewers.

In addition to over twenty fresh hop beers pouring over the 5-day pop-up fest, there will also be a special Oktoberfest-style beer garden food menu of specials from Burnside Brewing available outdoors at the fest at discounted prices. New to this year - an expanded covered tent and outdoor fire pits to keep warm during the cool fall breeze. There will be no cover charge to enter the pop-up beer garden and it's all-ages friendly but bring cash (no cards but there is an ATM across the street.) Fresh hop beers will be sold by the pint at only $3 a half pint and $5 for a full pint. No tasters.

What is Fresh Hop beer?

Fresh Hop beer is beer made with hop cones freshly picked and undried, used in the making of a beer within 24 hours of harvesting. Fresh hop beers can only be made during the annual late summer/early fall hop harvest and it's very difficult to obtain fresh hops if you are not located near a hop farm, most of which are in Oregon and Washington. With our close proximity to the hop farms, the Fresh Hop style of beer is mostly only available in the pacific northwest.

How are fresh hop beers different than others? Most beer uses kiln dried hops that are refrigerated for use over an entire year or more. The lupulin oils dry up and concentrate the bitterness but more subtle, fresher, greener and grassier notes are also lost. So the best fresh hop beer showcases those attributes.

 

Food Specials:

• Pretzel with cheese sauce  $4
• Potato salad  $4
• BBQ pulled pork sandwich with slaw  $6
• House made pickle  $3
• Bratwurst dog with stout kraut and fried onion  $6

Daily Specials/Beer List:

Portland Kickoff Night! - Wed. 9/20

Burnside Brewing:Fresh Hop Keller Couch Lager

Level Beer: Fresh Hop Double IPA

Breakside Brewery: Fresh Hop Simcoe IPA

Breakside: Fresh Hop What Rough Beast

pFriem Family Brewers: Fresh Hop Amarillo Pale

Portland Cider: Fresh Hop Cider

Ecliptic Brewing: Fresh Hop Altair Pale Ale

Flat Tail Brewing: DAM Wild Cuve'e Fresh (fresh hop sour)

Washington Night - Thurs. 9/21

Reubens Brews: Amarillo Fresh Hop IPA 

Fremont Brewing: Field to Ferment (Centennial)

Fremont Brewing: Field to Ferment (Amarillo)

Georgetown Brewing: Fresh Johnny Utah

Matchless Brewing: C.L.S. Centennial

Farmhouse Night - Fri. 9/22

Allegory Brewing: Fresh Hop Centennial Sour collab w/ Crosby Hop Farm

Allegory Brewing: Fresh Hop Amarillo Saison

Little Beast Brewing: Fresh Hop Fera

Little Beast Brewing: Fresh Hop Belgian Pale

Bend/Central Oregon Night - Sat. 9/23

Goodlife Brewing: Fresh Hop Descender IPA

Riverbend Brewing: Straight Outta Crosby

more tba

Kill the Keg Growler Fills - Sun. 9/24

$14 growler fills of everything all day!

WHAT: Fresh Hop Pop-Up Beer Fest

WHERE: 7th and NE Burnside, Portland, OR (Burnside Brewing's parking lot)

WHEN: Sept. 20 - 24th, 2017 11am - 9pm

COST: FREE

Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/FreshHopPopUpFest/

Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/freshhopfest/

Follow on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/FreshHopFest

More info and images at: www.fresh-hops.com

Oregon’s Hop Harvest Shines in Full Sail’s 8 Pound Pale Fresh Hop Ale

Courtesy of Full Sail Brewing Co

Farm to tank in three hours, 8 Pound Pale explodes with bright tropical notes

Hood River, Oregon – September 13, 2017 – Full Sail Brewing Co. is excited to release this year’s Brewmaster Reserve 8 Pound Pale Fresh Hop Ale, brewed with eight pounds of local, freshly harvested Centennial hops per barrel. Full Sail brewers Chris Davis and Greg Doss drove to B&D Farms in Saint Paul, Oregon on harvest day last month to procure fresh, wet hops from the field, immediately heading back to the brewery to work their magic on this small-batch brew that goes from farm to tank in three hours.

“This year’s 8 Pound Pale Fresh Hop Ale explodes with bright tropical notes,” says Full Sail brewer Greg Doss. “A blend of pale and wheat malts created a light golden base which we packed with Willamette Valley-grown Centennial Hops, only hours off the vine. Beautiful fresh-hop aromas of tropical fruit and citrus are complemented nicely with subtle malt notes. This refreshing beer is high on hop aromatics yet well balanced.”

Brewmaster Reserve 8 Pound Pale is a hop lover’s delight. Each fall, Full Sail brewers look forward to brewing a fresh hop beer to celebrate the hop harvest, using eight pounds of fresh hops per barrel. Each hop variety reaches peak maturity at a different time during harvest, so each year’s brew is unique. Be sure to try this batch of 8 Pound Pale before it’s too late!

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 26 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 available in limited quantities from late September until it’s gone - in Brewmaster Reserve 6-packs, 12 oz. bottles and draft. 5.6% ABV, 54 IBUs.

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 peak 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 more than 200 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.

 

Acclaimed Portland artist Aaron Trotter releases new Oregon Breweries deck in Illustrated Playing Cards series

Courtesy of Illustrated Playing Card

PORTLAND, Ore. – Local artist Aaron Trotter has announced the release of a new deck of Illustrated Playing Cards featuring Oregon breweries from Central Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge, the Oregon Coast, and the Willamette Valley. The first printing of 100 decks will debut at the Portland Fresh Hops Fest at Oaks Amusement Park, Sept. 29 from 5pm to 9pm and Sept. 30 from 12pm to 8pm.

Marking his seventh anniversary in the playing card business, Trotter's new deck expands on his original Portland Brewery Cards, reaching far beyond legendary Beervana to document the craft beer community and connect the dots of the Oregon Ale Trail. The 52 drawings span Central Oregon from Redmond to Bend; the Columbia River Gorge from Cascade Locks to Hood River; the Oregon Coast from Astoria to Newport; and the Willamette Valley from Hillsboro to Eugene.

Meant to inspire exploration – the deck includes a map, checklist, and Oregon beer facts – each card illustrates a different brewery, hand drawn by Trotter on site while tasting the beer. 

"Illustrated Playing Cards are made to be played, displayed, and used as a guidebook,” explained Trotter. He added, “The deck serves as a guide to discovery of the unknown, as well as a beer tour souvenir. And don’t worry: no beer was wasted in the making of these cards!"

The drawings were sketched with pen and ink on location in a succession of road trips over the last two years, then finished at Trotter's studio at 1627 NE Alberta St. The cards are digitally printed on cardstock in Portland; each box is signed and numbered by the artist. 

About Illustrated Playing Cards
First released in November 2010, Illustrated Playing Cards debuted with Landmarks of Portland, featuring famous signs and downtown icons. Other Portland-centric decks followed: Portland Breweries (2013), Secrets of Portland and Oregon Wineries (2014), and Old Portland (2016). Trotter hasn't drawn all the cities of the world yet, but that's his goal. In the last seven years he has sketched over 30 different cities (each collecting 52 drawings) from Los Angeles to New York, Paris, Tokyo and beyond. The Portland cards are available at Powell's or Made in Oregon. Other decks are available at select museums around the country including the Seattle Art Museum, Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles), Mob Museum (Las Vegas), Denver Art Museum, Guggenheim (NYC), and National Building Museum (DC). Trotter and his decks can be found at Portland Saturday Market every weekend near Skidmore Fountain or by chance at his cavernous art studio on Alberta St. Learn more at www.illustratedplayingcards.com. 

Portland Cider Co. releases Pumpkin Spice fall seasonal cider

Courtesy of Portland Cider Co

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Just in time for fall, Portland Cider Company has added Pumpkin Spice to its seasonal line of ciders. Full of all the spices found in pumpkin pie – including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and ginger – this cider is a delicious tribute to the flavors of fall.

"This is our homage to autumn here in the Northwest," said owner Lynda Parrish. “It features a stunning blend of spices that will remind you of a cool, crisp fall morning.”

Celebrating the Northwest's bounty, Portland Cider Co.’s seasonal ciders are inspired by local farmers and based on harvest times. Pumpkin Spice joins the seasonal bottle lineup that includes Pineapple, Strawberry, and Cranberry.

Made with 100 percent Northwest apples, Portland Cider Co.’s Pumpkin Spice Cider pairs well with apple or pumpkin pie, smoked chicken, roasted pork loin, and root vegetables. It comes in at 5.5% ABV.

Portland Cider Co.’s Pumpkin Spice Cider is available now through November in 22 oz. bottles and draft kegs. It can be purchased at Portland Cider Co.’s two taprooms and at select retailers in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado.

Courtesy of Portland Cider Co

About Portland Cider Company

Portland Cider Company was started in October 2012 by an Oregonian and a family of British expats with the mission of bringing cider, handcrafted in the English tradition, to the Northwest. It has two taproom locations: Portland Cider House at 3638 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214; and Taproom & Cidery at 8925 SE Jannsen Rd, Bldg. F, Clackamas, OR 97015. For more information, visit www.PortlandCider.com and follow @PortlandCider on social media.