Fort George 3-way Collaboration with Reuben’s Brews & Great Notion Releasing June 2017

Courtesy of Fort George Brewing Co

[Astoria, Oregon] Fort George’s 3-Way IPA has become a signal for the start of summer. Once a year Fort George extends an invitation to two breweries, chosen for their mastery in the art of IPAs. The goal is to come together, exchange knowledge, forge lasting friendships, and along the way create an IPA that everyone is excited to drink. That collaboration is then brewed, packed into a brilliant new 16-ounce can, and sent out for the pure enjoyment of the Pacific Northwest.

This year’s 3-Way IPA collaboration has been in development since last year. The owner/brewers from Reuben’s Brews (Seattle, WA) and Great Notion Brewing (Portland, OR) traveled out to the far-northwest tip of Oregon in early November. As is tradition, guests were treated to the completely unique Astoria experience. While details of that night remain hazy, everyone was up and ready to meet the following morning.

Beta Batches - Courtesy of Fort George Brewing Co

Day two is when the real heavy lifting began. Hidden away among the aging barrels in the Lovell Building at Fort George, all three parties sat down to sample beer and pitch recipe ideas for this year’s 3-Way IPA. The general style was agreed upon: juicy, light in color, juicy & fruit-forward, extra juicy, with oats and wheat for a smooth, juicy mouthfeel. Hop varieties were recommended. Yeast strains were discussed. Each suggestion was offered with a corresponding beer sample. Trays and trays of glassware went back and forth from the Lovell Taproom until the meeting table was an obstacle course of crowlers and cans.

At the end of the day a consensus was reached. Azacca, X331 (now called Strata), Mosaic, and Citra were picked for the hop additions. And with months until the release date, multiple test batches were scheduled utilizing a variety of yeasts. Throughout the Beta IPA test batch process, seven small batches were brewed with hands-on participation from everyone. Copious notes were sent after every batch: subtle adjustments to temperatures, dry-hopping schedules, cuts in malts, can we make it more hoppy, CAN WE MAKE IT MORE JUICY?!? The participation among collaborators was unprecedented, and each batch was a chance to learn, refine, and perfect another pint.

Now it is mid-May and the fermenters are filling. This fruit-forward haze of Azacca, X331, Mosaic, and Citra hops plays on a balanced bassline of malt with a wicked unfiltered keytar solo. 3-Way IPA 2017 is a juicy collaboration that strikes a smooth, electric gold riff on a Vermont style. Look for 3-Way IPA releasing in Astoria for Memorial Day Weekend and throughout the Pacific Northwest beginning June 1st. Join all three collaborators at the following 3-Way IPA release parties:

Astoria 3-Way IPA Trolley Tour

When: Thursday, May 25th from 6pm to 9pm

Where: 39th Street Riverwalk Trolley Stop in Astoria

What: Your trolley ticket buys a tour on Old 300 for a private night along the Astoria Riverwalk including stops for hop-forward pints from Reuben’s, Great Notion, and Fort George. The final destination is the Captain’s Suite at Pier 39 for the absolute freshest 3-Way IPA you will ever get, canned only hours before at Fort George Brewery.

How: Tickets are $30 and space is limited. Reserve your seat at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fort-george-3-way-ipa-2017-release-party-ipa-trolley-tour-tickets-34286541970.

Portland 3-Way IPA Release Party

When: Friday, June 9th from 6pm to 9pm

Where: Alberta Street Pub, 1036 NE Alberta St.

What: Join Fort George, Reuben’s, and Great Notion as they kick-start Portland Beer Week. Live music from Portland supergroup Boys II Gentlemen plus plenty of taps from the collaborators including 3-Way IPA.

How: No cover. Robot costumes are optional, but highly recommended.

Seattle 3-Way IPA Release Party

When: Saturday, June 10th from 5pm to 9pm

Where: Reuben’s Brews, 5010 14th Ave. NW

What: Reuben’s hosts the 3-Way IPA festivities, and they’ll have plenty of Great Notion and Fort George on tap along with 3-Way IPA. Live music mix from DJ Draft Punk.

How: No cover with a chance of a laser lightshow.

For more information about Fort George’s 3-Way IPA go to: fortgeorgebrewery.com/3-way. Available at Pacific Northwest venues starting June 2017 -- drink fresh and keep those cans cold-stored.

Full Sail and Session Win Seven World Beer Awards

Courtesy of Full Sail Brewing

From classic Session Lager to innovative Blood Orange, Full Sail wins best of the U.S.

Hood River, Oregon – October 4, 2016 – The Olympics may be over but Full Sail Brewing is still helping the U.S. bring home gold. The brewery won seven best of the U.S. medals at this year’s annual World Beer Awards, the international competition that uses a blind tasting system to choose the very best beers across the globe.

Session Premium Lager – which has 22 gold medals to its name already – won U.S. Best Helles/Münchner. Full Sail Blood Orange Wheat took home gold for U.S. Fruit & Vegetable Flavored Beer, Hop Pursuit IPA won silver for U.S. Pale Beer-IPA, Full Sail Classic IPA won silver for U.S Pale Beer/Golden, Session Black won U.S. Best Dark Lager, Session Cream won the U.S. Best Cream Ales category, and Session IPA took bronze for U.S. Pale Ale.

“We don’t brew our beers to win medals but it sure is fun when we do!” says Full Sail Executive Brewmaster Jamie Emmerson. “We love making world-class beer here in the small town of Hood River, and we’re incredibly proud of our broad variety of balanced beers taking home medals from this year’s World Beer Awards. Now you be the judge.” 

Over the years, Full Sail’s passion and commitment have earned the brewery more than 300 medals and awards (more than 150 of them golds) at national and international competitions and tastings. Be sure to try these ridiculously tasty award winners for yourself.

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.

GoodLife Brewing Hosting The 3rd Annual Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival

Courtsey of COWBF

BEND, OR (Thursday, November 5, 2015)  – GoodLife Brewing Company is hosting the 3^rd Annual Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival in the GoodLife Biergarten on Saturday, December 12^th, 2015 from 1pm-9pm. Last years festival had 22 breweries involved, and this year we are hoping to have all of the Central Oregon breweries, both new and old. This will be an annual event held the second Saturday of December at GoodLife Brewing, and we look forward to growing it in the years to come. We are happy to announce Bigfoot Beverages as our Title Sponsor for 2015.
COWBF is a fundraiser for the Central Oregon Brewers Guild, COBG, which works to bring outside awareness to Central Oregon by focusing on our local craft beer culture, with a mission to drive tourism and commerce to Central Oregon, as well as surrounding Oregon communities. COBG is composed of people working at Central Oregon breweries and was formed to give Central Oregon beer a united voice.


GoodLife Brewing’s Owner/Operator, Ty Barnett, said “It’s a great feeling to know that our small city is producing some of the best beer in the NW, and how best to celebrate our growing beer culture than to get us all together and work to give Central Oregon beer a voice. Forming a Brewers Guild in our region opens up marketing possibilities that can directly impact Central Oregon. The more people that know what is happening in Central Oregon, the more people will visit and drive commerce to the city.”

COWBF is a showcase for seasonal and specialty beers brewed in celebration of the holiday season. Admission to COWBF will be $10.00 and attendees will receive a commemorative COWBF glass, as well as 4 drink tickets. Each additional ticket will cost $1.00. The festival will be in a heated tent, and there will be food carts available on-site.

Courtsey of GoodLife Brewing CO

About GoodLife Brewing Company:
As brewers of hand crafted ales, we are outdoor enthusiasts who look forward to sharing our craft beers that are most balanced and of the highest quality. GoodLife Brewing Company has been making award-winning beer since 2011 in its home of Bend, Oregon. GoodLife’s adventurous ales are Descender IPA, Mountain Rescue Dry Hop Pale Ale, Sweet As Pacific Ale and a selection of seasonal beers. In addition to making beer, GoodLife enjoys giving back to the community by supporting many local and national non-profit organizations. Play hard, live easy and enjoy GoodBeer for GoodLife! For more information, visit www.goodlifebrewing.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Oakshire Brewing's Single Batch Beer Fest Returns October 24th

Courtesy of Oakshire Brewing

EUGENE, OR - Mark your calendars: Oakshire Brewing is putting on another amazing beer fest to remember! On Saturday, October 24^th, from 11am to 9pm, join Oakshire for the 2015 Single Batch Fest at the Public House in Eugene.  This year’s line up again features breweries from all over the Pacific Northwest, showcasing their rarest, unique, one-off creations - including many fresh-hopped and pumpkin beers and other seasonal favorites. Live music and a selection of food carts will complement this incredible beer lineup. Craft brewing fans will not want to miss it! Keep posted to social media for updates.

About Oakshire Brewing: Oakshire Brewing of Eugene, OR, was founded in October 2006 with the goals of brewing the highest quality craft beer while providing exceptional customer service. Oakshire has become regionally and nationally recognized for consistently brewing fresh, unique and delicious beers in Oregon's lower Willamette Valley. The name Oakshire represents our core values: Strength, like the enduring oak; Independence, which fuels our innovation; and Community, remembering our place within the whole. The Oakshire Brewery is located at 1055 Madera Street and Oakshire’s Public House is located at 207 Madison Street, both in Eugene, OR.

Oakshire Brewing 
Oakshire Brewing Twitter 
Oakshire Brewing Facebook 
Oakshire Brewing Instagram

Ecliptic/Wicked Weed/Stone Points Unknown IPA Released Today

Courtesy of Stone Brewing Co

A Barrel-Aged Beer LITERALLY Unlike Any Other: 

Ecliptic/Wicked Weed/Stone Points Unknown IPA

 

ESCONDIDO, CA (May 11, 2015) — In recent years, barrel-aged beers have become some of the world’s most coveted creations. Crafting them typically involves sequestering heavy stouts or barley wines in whiskey barrels for long periods of time. It’s a straightforward and successful method utilized by many in the brewing industry. But sticking to “straightforward” isn’t what Stone Brewing Co. is about…especially when it comes to Collaboration beers. Starting today, fans can look forward to a truly unique West Coast imperial IPA blended with a Belgian-style tripel that was aged in reposado tequila barrels previously used to mature red wine. That limited offering, Ecliptic/Wicked Weed/Stone Points Unknown IPA, (made possible with the help of two renowned craft breweries) will start arriving in 22-ounce bottles and on draft to select retailers in markets where Stone beer is sold.
 

Courtesy of Stone Brewing Co

Craft beer enthusiasts have a quartet of noteworthy brewers to thank for this one-of-a-kind brainchild, starting with Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele. When considering who to team with for the latest Stone Collaboration, he looked to two polar-opposite points spanning the American brewing landscape—Portland, Oregon and Asheville, North Carolina. Like Stone’s San Diego County home, these locales are considered hotbeds of craft beer ingenuity, thanks in part to the respective contributions of John Harris from Ecliptic Brewing, and brothers Luke and Walt Dickinson of Wicked Weed Brewing. The former held court as one of the Pacific Northwest’s best and longest-tenured brewers for a quarter century before opening Ecliptic, while the latter are the creative duo behind one of North Carolina’s most experimental, buzzworthy brewing outfits. These brewing powerhouses from points far removed joined forces to take this collaborative recipe to points unknown.

“I don’t think I could have asked for a more talented and fun group of collaborators to work with,” said Steele. “John is one of my oldest friends in the industry, and I really respect the ingenuity Luke and Walt have shown through the beers coming from Wicked Weed. When we were exploring recipe ideas, it was unknown for all of us exactly how well a double IPA would play with a Belgian tripel, but we decide to give it a shot. Now, having tried the final beer, we are really impressed with its uniqueness and complexity. It turned out to be a great representation of all our philosophies.”

The beer incorporates two disparate styles—a hop-forward, distinctly American IPA and a fruity Belgian tripel, both brewed with blue agave nectar—with influence from red wine- and tequila-saturated oak. It begs the question: What does this taste like? Tropical fruit aromas and flavors come courtesy of hop bursting, which is used to extract maximum character from a mixture of Amarillo, Calypso and Jarrylo hops late in the brewing process. The hoppiness is given brilliant depth care of banana and estery qualities produced by a Belgian yeast strain during the tripel’s fermentation. Subtle tannic, berry-like flavors and additional red wine notes are present from the triple-use barrels. Amazingly, the flavors blend seamlessly without competing in the glass.

To fully experience the massive hop presence, Ecliptic/Wicked Weed/Stone Points Unknown IPA should be enjoyed fresh; however, the beer may also be stored at proper cellaring temperatures (55°F or lower). How long can it be aged? It’s hard to say. And what will it taste like? Just as the case was when it was first brewed, we don't know, so consider its aged manifestation yet another point of the beer’s intriguing unknowns.  

Courtesy of Stone Brewing Co

Ecliptic/Wicked Weed/Stone Points Unknown IPA Quick Facts:

Name: Ecliptic/Wicked Weed/Stone Points Unknown IPA
URL: Stonebrewing.com/collab/pointsunknown
Stats: 9.5% ABV, 72 IBUs
Availability: Limited 22-ounce bottles and draft, beginning May 11
Hops Bill: Magnum, Styrian Celeia; Amarillo, Calypso, Jarrylo
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): Alberta and British Columbia, Canada; Japan; Singapore; and United Kingdom
Find Beer: find.stonebrewing.com

 

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 multifaceted 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.

 

 

Terminal Gravity Brewing TapOut Strong Ale Released

Courtesy Terminal Gravity Brewing Co

Press Release: Enterprise, OR
Terminal Gravity Brewing is excited to announce the seasonal release of TapOut American Strong Ale.  For the first time ever, Terminal Gravity’s TapOut will be available for a limited time in six packs and single 12 ounce bottles all across Oregon and Washington.

Coming in at 9.8%, TapOut is incredibly smooth for the high octane ABV.

Courtesy Terminal Gravity Brewing Co

“Tap Out is one of the few beers we make that leans towards the malty side of the flavor profile,” remarked head brewer Frank Helderman, “Putting it in bottles for the first time ever allows us to share this delicious, rich, and surprisingly easy to drink beer with scads of people who have never tasted it before, and I am looking forward to spreading the wealth, as it were. 

The finely balanced blend of lightly kilned malts is no small task either, Helderman says, “We’re really pushing the envelope as far as how much grain we can get into our mash and lauter tuns. It requires a certain amount of patience and "listening" to how the mash wants to behave. It doesn't like to get pushed or rushed.”

Courtesy Terminal Gravity Brewing Co

 Since early 2014, Terminal Gravity has been working on a lot of different one-off and seasonal draught beers (think Eagle Cap IPA and Wallowa Lake Lagerand wanted to replicate that robust strategy within the off-premise/package side of things.

“We’ve had really solid success in years past with TapOut on draught, but we also wanted folks to have an alternative vessel to enjoy this beer,” says Kevin Harlander, TG’s marketing manager.  “We’ve been in the process of adding some additional seasonal varieties to our package line up, and TapOut will be the first in 2015.

For beer locations and event information, please visit Terminal Gravity’s Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Terminal-Gravity-Brewery-and-Pub/189281461098478

Founded in 1997, Terminal Gravity Brewing Company sits in the foothills of the Wallowa Mountains in Enterprise, Oregon.  TG first entered the Oregon beer market with its TG IPA.  Often referred to as the “old standard” in today’s market, TG IPA quickly changed the beer scene in Oregon in the late 90’s.  With a wide selection of bottled beers, draught varieties, and seasonal specialties, Terminal Gravity Brewing distributes its beer in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, and recently expanded its market to Hawaii.

TG’s brewers work on an 18 bbl. system and brew a humble 6,000 barrels of beer per year.  For more information please connect with us on social media!


Terminal Gravity Brewing Co
Terminal Gravity Brewing Co  FB
Terminal Gravity Brewing Co Twitter
Terminal Gravity Brewing Co Google+

Growler Hawthorne Collaborates With Buoy Beer Co.

 

Growlers Hawthorne collaborates with Buoy Beer Co. 

on anniversary Imperial IPA, announces Feb. 7 release party

Press Release:
PORTLAND, Ore. – Growlers Hawthorne has collaborated with Buoy Beer Co. to produce a proprietary Imperial IPA.  The collaborative beer will be released at a party to celebrate both companies’ one year anniversary on Feb. 7 from 6 to 8pm at Growlers Hawthorne, 3343 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Samples of the beer will be provided and representatives from Buoy will be on hand to talk about the Imperial IPA.

A number of team members from Growlers Hawthorne traveled to Buoy Beer in Astoria to help brew the Imperial IPA, which is made with Galaxy and Mosaic hops. “Watching the brewing process showed me how creative, knowledgeable and committed Buoy is to making damn good beer,” stated Adi Zweier. “I am so excited to share the experience with our customers at Growlers Hawthorne.”

The collaboration beer will remain on tap exclusively at Growlers Hawthorne and depending on demand, should be available throughout most of 2015.

About Growlers Hawthorne Growlers Hawthorne is Portland’s first dedicated, single purpose growler fill station, focusing solely on the growler experience by providing a dedicated place where fresh craft beer is sold in a distinctive package at a competitive price in an environmentally-friendly

way. The family-owned business offers 48 rotating taps of craft beer, cider and kombucha, and occasionally mead, braggot and sparkling wine. Growlers Hawthorne is open daily from Noon to 9pm. For more information, visit www.growlers.net.

About Buoy Beer Company
Founded in 2013, Buoy Beer Co. focuses on brewing traditionally made European-style lagers and Northwest influenced ales while always keeping an emphasis on balance. The Brewery and Taproom in Astoria OR, occupies a 90-year old former fish cannery built on pilings in the Columbia River, creating an ambience perfect for enjoying a pint at the end of a hard day’s work or a relaxing day off. If you can’t make it to the scenic, hard-working, history packed North Coast, you can find Buoy Beer on draft in various cities around Oregon and Washington. For more information, visit www.buoybeer.com.

11th Annual Oregon Garden Brewfest Now on Fathers Day Weekend.

One of the best venue's for a brewfest that Emily and I have ever been to, The Oregon Garden has changed its Oregon Garden Brewfest to Father's Day. See media release below.

Pic:Oregon Garden Brewfest

Oregon Garden offers perfect Father’s Day Gift, changes date of

11th annual Oregon Garden Brewfest to Father’s Day weekend

Tickets are on sale now for the Northwest’s most scenic beer festival

SILVERTON, Ore. — The Oregon Garden has announced a new date for its popular Oregon Garden Brewfest, presented by Growl Movement. The 11th annual event, traditionally held in the spring, will take place June 19 through 21 this year, coinciding with Father’s Day. The popular Willamette Valley festival will feature 130 handcrafted beers, ciders and mead from more than 65 different breweries from across the nation. Event hours are Noon to 11 pm Friday & Saturday, and Noon to 5 pm Sunday.

Photo:Oregon Garden Brewfest

“We have moved Brewfest to June in hopes of better weather and to more fully showcase the beauty of the Garden,” said Brittney Hatteberg, regional marketing manager for The Oregon Garden. “We encourage guests to grab a beer and take it with them as they explore our 80-acres, and by mid-June the Garden will look spectacular.”

Located in the historic town of Silverton, just an hour’s drive from the Portland metropolitan area, the Oregon Garden Brewfest also features live music from a dozen regional bands on two stages, local food, and a Brewer’s Tasting Dinner. The Oregon Garden Brewfest is for ages 21 and over on Friday and Saturday; minors are welcome all hours on Sunday.

Photo:Oregon Garden Brewfest

Admission ranges from $15 to $50, but all admission packages include a souvenir tasting glass and a number of tasting tickets; see ticket pricing and purchase in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oregon-garden-brewfest-2015-tickets-13448706443.

A full glass of beer costs four tickets, and a taster costs one ticket. Additional tasting tickets may be purchased for $1 apiece. Designated drivers pay a cover charge of $5 and receive a bottle of water. Parking at The Oregon Garden is $5 per car; free shuttles are available from various locations in Silverton.

Photo:Oregon Garden Brewfest

The fourth annual Oregon Garden Brewer’s Tasting Dinner will take place on the eve of the festival, June 18 at 7 pm. This six-course dinner, which features small plates paired with local beers from six area breweries, is attended by participating brewers, industry insiders and a few lucky beer aficionados; a limited number of tickets will be made available to the public this spring.

Photo:freshpints.com 2014 Brewers Dinner

The ideal way to enjoy the Brewfest is to book a room at The Oregon Garden Resort, a Moonstone Hotel Property located just steps away from the festival. Brewfest Packages starts at $239 and include accommodations, two 3-day admission passes to Brewfest (each pass includes a tasting glass and five tasting tickets), a food voucher for the Oregon Garden Resort’s food booth, a continental buffet breakfast and admission to The Oregon Garden. Packages can be booked at www.oregongardenresort.com/Packages.htm or by calling 503-874-2500.
The Oregon Garden Brewfest is presented by Growl Movement and sponsored by Venti’s Café, Wave Broadband, Pepsi and The Oregonian/Oregon Live. For more information about the event, visit www.oregongarden.org/events/brewfest/.

Craft Brewing comes to the High Desert Museum In Bend

If your from Bend or will be visiting Bend, make sure to check out a new exhibit at the High Desert Museum called Brewing Culture: The Craft of Beer. The exhibit opens January 17th and runs through Memorial Day weekend. See info below.

Craft Brewing comes to the High Desert Museum In Bend

New exhibit captures the history, culture, art and science of beer making.

 

Press Release:

Bend, OR —  Oregonians love their stouts, ales and IPAs, and no Oregon town has more brewpubs per capita than Bend. So it’s only natural that the High Desert Museum would create an exhibit about the craft of beer-making.

 

Brewing Culture: The Craft of Beer opens January 17^th and will be on display through Memorial Day weekend.  Special brewing events, tastings, and beer-themed programs will be presented at the Museum throughout the 19-week run, starting with a big kick-off party on January 16^th at 6:30 p.m.

The exhibit, conceived and designed by the High Desert Museum staff, will present the history of brewing, the ingredients used in craft beers, the process of brewing and the culture of the craft brewing industry.

“Needless to say, there’s a bustling beer culture in this town,” said Museum President Dana Whitelaw. “We thought it would be interesting to provide our own unique perspective on the craft.  I think the timing is perfect, and no one can do it quite like the High Desert Museum.  We will explore the history of beer in the West, the economic impact of the craft brewing business, the agricultural practices associated with brewing as well as the commendable practices of sustainability that we’re seeing from regional brewers.”

Curator Faith Powell has connected with craft brewers, hops farmers, writers, historians and home brewers while preparing the exhibit.

“Everyone I’ve talked with has been tremendously supportive,” Powell said. “It’s exciting to unpack the story of craft brewing and explore the impact that it’s having on our community and beyond. There are some very innovative and sustainable practices going on here… Filling your growler at a local pub is a great practice. It reduces waste by bringing the consumer directly to the product and it supports the local economy. It’s the essence of the local food movement. ”

About the Museum

The High Desert Museum is nationally acclaimed for inspiring stewardship of the natural and cultural resources of the High Desert. It offers wildlife encounters, living history performances, Native American and Western art, music, nature trails, tours and classes.  It is located 10 minutes from downtown Bend on South Highway 97. 
HighDesertMuseum.org
High Desert Museum twitter
High Desert Museum FB

Cascade Brewing promotes Kevin Martin to lead blender

Brewery known for its NW style sour ales hires on a number of new employees, expands location

Press Release:PORTLAND, Ore. – Nov. 20, 2014 – Cascade Brewing announced today the promotion of Kevin Martin to lead blender. Martin, who has been with Cascade since early 2012 and has served as cellarmaster for the past two years, will now oversee putting all sour blends together, including stewarding the live barrels in the brewery’s popular Tap It Tuesday program.

 “Kevin has been a huge asset to the blending program at Cascade since taking the reigns,” explained Ron Gansberg, brewmaster and blendmaster for the company. “We are excited to promote him to this position and allow him the freedom to further express his creativity.”As lead blender, Martin will work closely with Gansberg to develop components of each blend, overseeing ratios and percentages and providing creative input. He will also steward the blends for Tap It Tuesday, a weekly event at the Cascade Brewing Barrel House that features exclusive one-off limited blends from the cellar, with the contribution of Cascade personnel.

Martin got his start in the wine industry in 2007, working multiple harvests in a number of wineries. A homebrewer, he chose to segue into beer and attended the American Brewers Guild Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering program from 2011 to 2012. Originally from Lancaster, Penn., he came to Portland for its vibrant beer and wine culture, securing a brief internship with Laurelwood Brewing Co. before settling in at Cascade.Cascade has added a number of other recent new hires as well, including Mike Starzec as general manger of the Cascade Brewing Barrel House; Robby Roda as director of sales, distribution and marketing; and Chris Doggett as senior accountant.Starzec, who originally hails from Anchorage, Alaska, oversees all operations at the Cascade Brewing Barrel House at 939 SE Belmont St. He has worked as a restaurant manager in Portland for the last 15 years, with the last six years focused primarily in brewpubs. Most recently he spent five years managing the Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House.

Roda, a Portland native, oversees all accounts in the Northwest, as well as acting as the liaison with Cascade’s national distributors and helping grow the brand. He most recently worked in sales with Incline Beverages, a craft beer distributor in Southern Calif. He has also worked with a number of beer bars and breweries in Calif., including The Bottle Room in Whittier, Monkish Brewing In Torrance and Golden Road Brewery in Los Angeles.

Doggett is a native Oregonian who graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Doggett manages all in-house accounting, and is also overseeing the company’s transition to new ERP software. He has previously worked at Xerox and SDRI.
Cascade Brewery, which makes a number of traditional style ales but is known worldwide for its NW sour style beers, has recently expanded into a 23,000 square foot warehouse in SW Portland that will headquarter all of its blending, aging, packaging and distribution. The Cascade Blending House currently holds 1,300 barrels filled with its sour beer, plus an additional nine foudres (giant wooden barrels that typically hold around 1,800 gallons of beer). The company is in the process of moving all operations out of the Cascade Brewing Barrel House; in the near future, it will expand that space into a larger pub and tasting room.About Cascade BrewingEstablished in 1998, Cascade Brewing is a pioneer of the NW style sour beer movement. Under the ownership of Art Larrance and the direction of brewmaster Ron Gansberg, the Portland, Ore. brewery eschewed the “hops arms race” of the Northwest and instead chose to focus on sour ales, employing local fruit and barrels from the region. Today they have grown from several oak wine barrels to more than 1,300. They also produce a number of non-sour beers in their SW Portland brewery. Cascade Brewing has two pubs, the Raccoon Lodge and Brew Pub in SW Portland (www.raclodge.com) and the Cascade Brewing Barrel House in SE Portland (www.cascadebrewingbarrelhouse.com). The brewery currently distributes its bottled sour beers in Oregon, Washington, California, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New York.  For more information, visit www.cascadebrewing.com.

Lompoc Brewing To Reopen The Renovated Sidebar

One of my favorite tasting rooms, the Sidebar is about to reopen after a month long remodel. See info below.

Lompoc Brewing to reopen its renovated Sidebar Barrel Tasting Room

PORTLAND, Ore. – Lompoc Brewing is reopening its Sidebar Barrel Tasting room at 4pm on Thursday, Nov. 20 following a month-long remodel. The new and improved Sidebar, located at 3901 N Williams Ave, now features a glass roll up door that lets in natural light and allows passers by to see inside the cozy bar. It will also allow for extended seating and fresh air in the warmer seasons.

“We really wanted to open up the space to let people see what we do in here,” said Lompoc owner Jerry Fechter. “Sidebar has always been a showcase for our beers, but not everyone knew what happened behind the mural. The new space has a friendly, approachable feel that perfectly complements our North Portland neighborhood.”

Sidebar's lineup of six taps has expanded to an even dozen: 11 Lompoc beers and one rotating cider. The tap list, which will change up to twice weekly, will include both Lompoc’s mainstay ales and lagers and its seasonal and barrel aged specialty beers. There will also be a rotating cheap beer in a can for $2. The tasting room continues to offer cocktails as well. Sidebar is for ages 21 and over.

“At Lompoc, we sidestep stylistic constraints and instead use an artisanal approach best highlighted at our Sidebar location,” explained head brewer Bryan Keilty. “Thinking outside the barrel, we use Kentucky Bourbon, Oregon Whiskey, and Northwest wine barrels to age and ferment our beer, in addition to locally-sourced fruit projects.”

Sidebar regulars will appreciate the addition of a couple of booths, more TVs for soccer and basketball viewing, expanded days and hours, and the implementation of a menu featuring small plates and shareables. The menu, designed by Lompoc corporate chef Mike Parmenter, ranges from Argentinean sliders, mole pork soft tacos and wild mushroom flatbread to the pub’s popular Buffalo wings, nachos and truffle fries.

Sidebar opens at 4pm every Tuesday through Sunday, closing at Midnight Tuesday through Thursday, 1am Friday and Saturday, and 11pm Sunday. The popular space remains available to rent for meetings and private parties. For more information, visit www.lompocbrewing.com or call 503-288-3936.

10 Barrel Brewing Sold to Anheuser-Busch

 Big news in the craft brewing world today.....10 Barrel Brewing has been sold to Anheuser-Busch.
Here is the video that the co-owners of 10 Barrel put out today and here is the press release info on the New School Blog

Wild Ride Brewing

After a great Labor Day weekend in Bend hanging with our awesome friends Corey and Heather, imbibing at The Little Woody , and visiting some of our favorite breweries and pubs, we decided to hit one last stop on our way back home: the brand new Redmond,OR Wild Ride Brewing which has only been open since May 10, 2014.

Getting to Wild Ride Brewing is very easy if you're in the Bend/Redmond area, since it's a quick jaunt right off US-97.  As you drive through Redmond, you can't miss Wild Ride's aggressive facade which just pops and pulls you in.

There's plenty of patio seating and a couple food trucks parked outside. When sitting outside, be careful setting your beers down on the tables - there are a few holes in the tabletops that (we found out the hard way) are the exact same size as their taster glasses.  Oops!

Walking inside through huge open garage doors you'll find inside seating either looking towards the bar or towards the 20 barrel brewery.

I've see quite a few breweries and I must say Wild Ride Brewing is impressive. They did it right from the start, rehabbing an old Parr Lumber building with plenty of room to grow, spending the money to buy a good-size 20-barrel brewhouse & 40-barrel fermenters.  They also made the good choice to bring on an experienced, professional brewer ( Paul Bergeman brewed for Kona & Laurelwood).

 
We opted to get three taster trays so we could try all the beers, minus the Bourbon Barrel Aged Bitch Stout which wasn't available for taster trays.  Since we already tried that (on nitro) at the Little Woody Brewfest, we weren't too sad.  (It was excellent.)

Trying to sort through 12 large samples of beer is a challenge but the four of us made it happen, so we got a good introduction to what Wild Ride is doing currently with their beer. Current Beer Styles run the gamut from Cole's Trickle Lager all the way to the Stand Up Stout.  We were impressed with all the beers, especially since they've only been open 4 months - there don't seem to be many kinks that need to be worked out, and typically there are at this phase of operations.

Standouts for the four of us were, Lager (clean & easy drinker), Float On Saison (addition of the Kaffir Limes was excellent), Hopper Head IPA, Fly P.A., and the Big Booty Golden Ale with the addition of Huckelberries. But all beers were solid and clean and with 12 beers on tap Wild Ride has a beer style for everyone to drink. 

Wild Ride did a great job bringing a quality brewery to Redmond. I'm sure they will have great success. Make sure to visit them if you get the chance.

Wild Ride Brewing Co.
Wild Ride Twitter
Wild Ride Instagram
Wild Ride Facebook
Wild Ride Untappd

Beer Trippin' to McMinnville, Oregon

We are way behind on posting actual beer stops. We travel quite a bit with sporting events, family vacations, and just the occasional need to get out of the house so there's a ton to catch up on! We originally started Freshpints.com to give my friends some good information on breweries, festivals and taprooms. We hope to get back to more of that soon, since we have quite a backlog of recent visits.

McMinnville has changed quite a bit since I moved away. It's changed from being a farm town to being a wine town, the population has grown as people have moved away from the big cities, and its quietly becoming a beer town....which all I can say is its about time!

Any discussion of McMinnville beer should mention Golden Valley Brewing which, since 1993, was the lone brewery/beer destination in McMinnville. Emily and I have had many beers and delicious meals there over the years.  She swears the Greek Salad is the best ever.  If you haven't been to Golden Valley, please make the time to stop in and have a tray and a snack. 

Another great brewery (and the second brewery that came to town in 2007) is Heater Allen Brewing.  Here is an older post when I stopped in at Heater Allen in September of 2012. 

On to the newest members of the beer community in McMinnville! Grain Station Brew Werks

 

The Grain Station Brew Works is the newest brewery in town and is based in the Granary District in McMinnville; the complex where the brewery is situated is owned by Mark Vickery (former brewer for Golden Valley) and Kelly McDonald (owner of the Granary District). Grain Station is in a renovated building that looks like a barn and also houses other businesses such as fresh seafood, dog grooming, coffee,etc. 

Emily and I stopped in this last fall. The barn is really cool and they did a great job renovating the building but leaving the charm intact. Walking in you are greeted with a huge space, high ceilings, and that cool rustic barn feel.

 Emily and I were seated and ordered up a taster tray and a 1/2 Pepperoni 1/2 Margherita pizza.

The beers we sampled were. Haystack Gold, Sprout Hefe, Nut Red, Bet The Farm IPA, Hank's Dark Ale, and Grain Station Stout.  All the beers were great and I wouldn't have expected anything less from Mark Vickery especially since I drank a lot of his beer while he was at Golden Valley and it was always very good.  The standout for me was Hank's Dark Ale, the combo of the hop and the roasted malt flavor was excellent. The pizza was good and neither Emily nor I felt like it lacked anything. We hope to go back soon and try out some other menu items.

While we were eating the pizza and sampling the beers, I noticed that Mark Vickery was in and I made my way over to ask him if I could take some pictures of his 7bbl brewery. You can view the brewery from windows from the pub side, but the wall is pretty high up. For pictures you either need to be sitting right along the windows or see if you can view from inside the brewery.

The Grain Station Brew Works is a nice addition to the brewery scene in McMinnville and will do very well.
GrainStation.com
Grain Station Brew Works Twitter

Note that all the breweries are centrally located only a few blocks from each other in this section of McMinnville so you can make a nice little brewery hop between them. However, check Heater Allen's taproom hours as they are open for limited hours on Friday and Saturday.
A side note to the McMinnville breweries: A couple of new growler fill stations have opened up in McMinnville. Growlers Tap Station and Mac Taps Growler Fill Station.  Both are situated right on Highway 99, so if you're driving through McMinnville on Highway 99 they are easily accessible.

Golden Valley Brewing Website
Golden Valley Brewing Twitter
Golden Valley Brewing Facebook

Heater Allen Brewing Website
Heater Allen Brewing Twitter
Heater Allen Brewing Facebook