Dogfish Head "90 Minute Imperial IPA"

Esquire Magazine named Dogfish's 90 Minute IPA, "perhaps the best I.P.A. in America." This is a big beer with a great malt flavour and a good hopping rate with an IBU of 90.
90 Minute IPA was their first continually-hopped beer, which is a method of hopping that allows for a pungent, but not crushing hop flavor. I don't mind being crushed...but, this was nice.This is a very drinkable brew. It is available year round but, in my opinion is a nice Winter IPA with its heavier warming flavor and higher 9% alcohol by volume.

This would not be a top choice of IPA's for a true IPA hop lover...but, on a snowy day...warming up with something nice....this is nice!

This IPA also took honors at the 2007 Mondial De La Biere in Montreal, Canada where it won a gold medal...in fact it was the only American brewer to take gold!

Cheers!
~William

2009 Holiday Ale Festival PDX

It is hard to believe but, it is time for that great Winter tradition...the Portland Holiday Ale Festival in Pioneer Square!
The festival is December 2nd to the 6th
and is open 2-10PM on December 2nd, 11AM-10PM December 3rd to the 5th and 11AM-7PM December 6th.

For those of you who have never been, the event is held in a huge tent and there is no worry if Jack Frost is nippinig at your nose in the rest of the world outside the tents have a fine heating system.
The website sums up the festival being "more than 50 potent winter ales...all of which are created specifically to bring warmth and cheer to the holiday season. (Not)beers you'll find in the supermarket - brewers have put together special recipes just for the Holiday Ale Festival. From Belgians and Barleywines to Porters and Stouts, these beers are rich, robust and full of complex flavors."

My best advice is to show up early! This is a BIG event in a place that is rather too small for a place like Portland. Things get very-very busy as the evening pushes on. Showing up early will insure your chances of trying a number of great beers without the long lines.

The beer list is a massive one and can be checked out fully by clicking here.
But, some of the high points should come from such brewers as Astoria, Oregon's Fort George Brewery & Public House with their "North III" a brew described as being a Belgian Tripel and being "brewed strong, bold and sweet with honey malt and maple syrup, then fermented with our jolliest Belgian yeast, this beer then rests in the bright tank with 60 pounds of finely chopped sugar plums...onyx in hue with hints of oak and spice..."
Other great beers should be Portland's own Hopworks Urban Brewery with their "Kronan the Barbarian" (and not just because it reminds me of a co-worker known by the same name). This beer is said to be a "Baltic Porter" with a "frothy tan head and rich malty aroma with notes of chocolate, caramel, dark fruit and toasted marshmallow. As its garnet color mesmerizes, the rich flavors engulf the senses.... made with bottom fermenting lager yeast."
And last... but, I am certain not least, Hillsboro's Vertigo Brewing with their "Arctic Blast".  This fine selection, from a relative newcomer, is a "Robust Vanilla Porter" and is described as being a "Briess Pale malt balanced with Roast, Dark, Crystal and Munich malts (that) allow for the perfect mix of malted barley for this Robust Porter with Madagascar vanilla bean. Lightly hopped to allow a slight roast, dominant chocolate and vanilla bean character to come through, this beer borders on the low end of the IBU scale and the high side for Original Gravity."

There will also be a variety of "Limited Release" kegs...usually single kegs...that will pop up on a schedule of sorts.

Not only is this just a fun annual tradition but, the festival also supports charity with the Children's Cancer Association! So, remember to support them by checking your coat or having a hand-crafted Crater Lake Rootbeer to help raise funds!!

Cheers!

-William

Portland's Own - MacTarnahan's...

MacTarnahan's...a confusing yet satisfying brewer. Formerly under the Portland Brewing umbrella now they have assumed the leadership role and main identity for the brewery which is also linked to Pyramid Brewing!

They turn out a basic and satisfying Amber Ale that is a staple. They also feature such other brews as Sling Shot Pale Ale (a clean tasting pale), Summer Grifter IPA (a lighter but, descent IPA), Lip Stinger Farmhouse Ale (the claim to fame here is that it is fermented with peppercorns...which makes me curious...and hungry for steak. But, I have missed this one.).

The latest is their holiday Porter "Winter Hum Bug'r" which was released on October 28, 2009. They describe it as having a "dark malt body and rich roasted flavor". "Malts: Caramel, Black Roast, Wheat and Oats - Hops: Northern Brewer and Willamette - Bitterness: 27 IBU Alcohol By Volume: 5.3%"

I would have to say it is a very drinkable and friendly brew. Not as heavy and flavorful as a serious Porter drinker would expect...maybe a bit more carbonated then one would expect...but, over all a good beer that will appeal to a wide range of people at those holiday gatherings coming up!

Cheers!
- William

Ninkasi: Not Just Another Sumerian Goddess

Ninkasi Brewing is located in Eugene, Oregon and has been brewing up wonderful things since Jamie Floyd and Nikos Ridge started full speed in 2006! They started out small but, are now a brewing with a 30 barrel system!
I found myself pondering the name and thought...Japanese? But, I have now been educated in that Ninkasi was the Sumerian Goddess of fermentation. How did I not know that? I guess I took too many contemporary history classes while at the UofO!
But, I have to agree with what the brewery had to say on the label..."Beer is a staple of civilization. Worship the Goddess!"

The beers produced at Ninkasi are all great...but, the all time classic is the "Total Domination IPA" which is "a true Northwest style IPA, citrus notes, floral and balanced, from ingredients regionally sourced." It is 6.7% alcohol by volume and a respectable 65 IBUs.
However, they also have a wide range of brews from the lighter "Quantum Pale Ale" to the complex "Oatis Oatmeal Stout".

Ninkasi Brew can be found at many stores bottled, at festivals such as the Spring Beer & Wine Fest and yes, even at the brewery located at 272 Van Buren Street in Eugene, OR.


All we can say Ninkasi from those of us who are already fans "keep up the GREAT work!" - And for those who have not yet sampled the goods you should make a point to do so as soon as possible!

Cheers!
-William

Chocolate Habanero Stout At Roots!

Roots Brewing has just done it again....they have just released a Chocolate Habanero Stout!
The Oregon Brewer's Guild described it as being a "Stout brewed with chocolate malt, chocolate wheat & five pounds of coco nibs in the mash, boiled for two hours during six pounds of organic free trade semi sweet chocolate syrup made by Alma Chocolates is added. After fermentation they dry hopped with 100 chopped Habaneros."
Roots has once again come up with a great brew made with organic elements and supporting free trade products supplied by another local business.
I urge anyone who can go by and sample a pint ot two to do so!

-William

Eel River Brewing: Organic Brew

I normally try and focus on the small very local brewers but, there are times when the brewery that has grown still retains its integrity.

Eel River Brewing is located in Fortuna, CA and is the first Certified Organic brewery in the country and they take that very seriously! However, they aren't all work and no play which is proven out by their motto "Be natural; drink naked."
They have won medals in competition dating back to 1996.

Eel River Brewing are regulars at brewers fests here in Portland with a variety of great beer and they are also available at many stores bottled these days.
One beer that was featured at the North American Organic Brewer's Fest in 2009 was the Acai Berry Wheat. This is a light refreshing beer and only 4% alcohol by volume and a gravity of 10.0 P.

The brewer describes it as "A light-bodied wheat ale brewed with organic acai berries from Brazil, and a flavorful mix of four other organic berries. Acai berries boast high antioxidant properties too, so drink on!"

According to WebMD "the acai berry is an inch-long reddish, purple fruit. It comes from the acai palm tree (Euterpe oleracea), which is native to Central and South America. It is a relative of the blueberry, cranberry, and other dark purple fruits...

Acai contains several substances called anthocyanins and flavonoids. Anthocyanins and flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that help defend the body against life's stressors. They also play a role in the body's cell protection system. Free radicals are harmful byproducts produced by the body. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants may interfere with aging and the disease process by neutralizing free radicals.  By lessening the destructive power of free radicals, antioxidants may help reduce the risk of some diseases, such as heart disease and cancer."

I finally found this ale in 22 oz. bottles here in the Portland area at the Beaverton Fred Meyer. They have a newly remodeled and expanded selection of micro-brew. It was very impressive for a main stream store. So, credit where credit is due!

The Acai Wheat is a really nice brew for guests this holiday season who maybe aren't into the heavy stouts or the hoppy IPA...or even for a hop lover who just wants a light refreshing beer as a change of pace!

- William

Vertigo Brewing: Meeting The Brewers

We had the pleasure of meeting the two Mike's a few days ago at the Green Dragon's "Meet the Brewers" night on October 27th. They are the founding partners and brewers for Vertigo Brewing and two very nice guys.

That night they were featuring "High Dive Rye", "Black Pearl Porter" and "Hop Harvest Pale Ale".

All the beers were really good. The favorite with our crew that night seemed to be the Porter....but, the Hop Harvest Pale Ale seemed to sum up the nature of the brewery for me when they said that the hops all came from their home gardens.

This is truly a small craft brewer that cares about the final product. They are currently a one barrel system...but, looking to expand in time. Right now they manage to turn out eight to ten barrels a month.

Currently, the beer is only available on tap...but, you can also have a corny keg filled at the brewery!

The brewery is in a warehouse in Hillsboro, Oregon. For brewery visits or dock sales you can

call 503-645-6644.

- William

Tug Boat Brewing Small In A Big Way!

Tug Boat Brewing is one of those places that make Portland great. For those of you who haven't ventured down to check it out yet it is a small brew pub downtown located at 711 SW Ankeny St...you know...down a funny side street off Broadway...near Burnside...and around the corner from Mary's.
Don't bother thinking, "Hey, let's head there for lunch!" They have evening hours only...opening at 5:00 PM Mondays and 4:00 PM the rest of the week - closed Sundays!
The Tug Boat brewers pride themselves in brewing in the British tradition and being unfiltered!
What ever they are doing they are doing it right!
They seem to almost shun publicity...they avoid brew festivals...they website is basic....but, they are BIG in a small way!
I have been a fan for years....It is a friendly place...where you can always find a conversation and possibly even an artistic activity! I once found myself invited to cut a design and print a set of block print note cards...it became one of my fondest and off the wall memories!
I can tell you that you should make a point to try the Tug Boats brew...really...but, they always have guest taps too.

On another note the music is also top notch and seems to always be free (at least in my experience).
I have seen some fantastic jazz music and when my cohorts and I were there on a Tuesday night recently we had the pure pleasure of hearing a local band named "Sleepy Eyed Mule" who we were told are a regular Tuesday night feature. We tried to look them up and found nothing....but, they are fantastic!
It is a classic blue grass-country style band that knows how to play. Every member seemed to sing and they all played wonderfully....especially the fiddle player!

If you are able to amble downtown you should make a point to check this brewery out!

-William

Lagunitas Brewing....Limited Release!

Now, I know....Lagunitas is getting bigger and bigger and is now available far and wide bottled but, it is a consistently fantastic brew!

Lagunitas Brewing, located in Petaluma, CA, has a great IPA that is made with 43 different hops and 65 various malts that they say "will likely float your boat, whatever planet you're on!" They are right!
However, they have some other fine offerings that are readily available. The "Hop Stoopid Ale" is a nice brew and is described as, "So Hoppy that it threatens to remove the enamel from one's teeth."

On the "Limited Release" side of things the "Little Sumpin' Extra Ale" is a good one. It has an I.B.U. of 72.51, an O.G. of 1.082 and an alcohol content of 8.74%. It does have a little sumpin' extra!

It has a nice balance of big hop flavor, malt and has an almost mildly floral finish. (A manly floral finish....don't worry!)

This is one I would recommend you try before it goes away!

- William

Roots Brewing....How can you go wrong?

Yes, that's right....how can you go wrong!

Roots is Oregon's 1st organic brewery....and one of the very best breweries in the NW! - That can be said without reservation by anyone who has tried the very hoppy and well balanced "Woody IPA".
The brewery describes it as being "IBU 73.3, 6.0% ABV. Not your classic N.W. I.P.A., it’s BETTER! Dry hopped with an abundance of whole magnum hops to get your attention- and hold it."
What we can tell you is that it is hop heaven in an imperial pint glass.
But, for those who want to try other brews there are many different ways to go....the regular tap list includes their "Island Red", "eXXXcalibur Imperial Stout" and "Burghead Heather Ale" among many others - including a wide variety of seasonal brews!
Being a hop lover I lean that way usually....however, the heather ale is exceptional. It is a fresh and unique addition to the special beers available to those of us lucky enough to be here in the North West!

If you didn't feel like we gave you enough reasons to visit Roots Organic Brewery....check out the menu. We recommend the "Mayan Bowl"! But, if that is not reason enough.....every Tuesday Imperial pints are only $2.50....all night!!

As a side note, Roots is the organizer of the North American Organic Brewer's Fest every year right here in Portland!
The NAOBF is not only a great event...with fine organic brew...but, also benefits charitable organizations such as World Action Foundation, Oregon Food Bank, Willamette River Keeper, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Oregon Tilth.

-William

Roots Brewing: 1520 SE 7th Portland, OR
Tel. 503-235-7668

                          

Laurelwood's New Branch In Washington!

The Laurelwood, one of Portland's best, has expanded operations to Battle Ground, WA!
As of October 23rd the newest pub was officially open! It is located at 1401 SE Rasmussen Blvd in Battle Ground, WA.
All I can say is... "Lucky, Lucky Battle Ground!"

The Laurelwood is one of the best the NW has to offer. Not only do they offer some fine organic brew but, their food is fantastic as well. Let me just say "Laurelwood Garlic Fries"....
However, you can not go wrong with anything. The menu is very diverse and tasty!

I have always been very fond of the Laurelwood Green Elephant Organic IPA...found at the Spring Beer Fest and the North American Organic Brewer's Fest (NAOBF)...that is a classic hop masterpiece!
But, Laurelwood has a new and interesting sounding creation "Fresh Nuggs
Fresh Hop Ale" and as of October 16th is being pouring at the Laurelwood Public House & Brewery 5115 NE Sandy Blvd.

The brew is described on their blog as "another great reason to live in the Northwest, harvest time! Using the Nugget hop, this beer is hoppy, start to finish! This unorthodox brew starts with hops in the mash- a place usually reserved only for grain. Next, we added hops to the kettle as it filled- before even beginning a boil. After the boils, we filled our mashtun with nearly 100 lbs of fresh hops, using it as a giant hop back. This is a true example of a fresh hop beer using only freshly picked hops throughout this beer. - O.G. 16 º Plato 6.7% ABV "

All we can say is keep it up!

-William

The Green Dragon Grows!

The 30 taps that have been sticking out of the back wall of the Green Dragon since March are now stocked. That makes 50 taps, plus the nitro taps

and the beer engine!
During the times I've been there (so far always during the day), there's not a dedicated server at the "Back 30" so who ever is tending bar has to hustle back and forth. This can cause a little bit of a backlog to get your drink but for 50 taps I'll put up with a slight wait.

Also last week the first beer brewed at the Green Dragon was served, the aptly named Finally! IPA. Does that mean there's a brewer at the Dragon now, and the brew-house is in production mode? Well, no.
The beer was brewed by Oregon Brew Crew members who are busy brewing some more on the Green Dragon system. Wait, $4.75 a pint and you're using free labor to make the beer? Green Dragon Employees better hope Rogue doesn't realize how many Portlanders would work a shift for free. Sadly their first brew is already off I don't know if they sold it all since there were only two quarter barrels to be had at the tasting or if they saved a keg for posterity's sake.

In another development, the door from the bar to the back patio was finally installed a few weeks ago. So finally it's now legal for you to carry your own beer from the bar to the patio. So, it's been a big year for the Green Dragon under Rogue's ownership. The finished patio and increased number of taps are definitely positives. The relatively high prices on beer and food however are big negatives. The beer is a bit pricey at $4.75 for a pint, not extortionate, just a little more than other places. Food however is quite pricey, $5 for a fairly small paper cone of Belgian-style fries, which weren't really Belgian-style. They were pretty good, but not "Belgian". I'd much rather save my money and run around the corner to Potato Champion especially since I can get real Poutine there.

Definitely a good place to go if you love beer and you want to try a bunch of different kinds of beer. They know what they're doing when it comes to keeping the quality high and the beers fresh. The atmosphere is as good as it's ever been. Rogue has kept up an interesting schedule of meet-the-brewer nights and with the new Cascade Barrel House and Pub opening around the block it will make the area even more of a beer destination.
Right now, I don't go to the Green Dragon as often largely because of the high beer prices. But, it's still always in the rotation. The Green Dragon will always hold a special place in my heart and always has several beers on tap that I've never heard of!

- David L.

The Green Dragon Pub can be found at: 928 SE 9th Street Portland, OR 97214
Tel. 503-517-0660

The Front 19 Taps!

Oak Hills 19th Anniversary, With Something Hoppy!

While it is almost certainly true that McMenamins needs no help promoting events, we couldn't help mentioning that on Sunday October 18th the Oak Hills Brew Pub will be celebrating it's 19th anniversary!

There will be food & drink specials all day....and I am told that "Joe,The Balloon Guy" will be there from 1:00PM - 3:00PM. So, the whole family will be able to have a good time.

I mean, balloons and beer...what can go wrong!

The Brew? I have it from a reliable source that it will be something special just brewed for the day with lots and lots of hops. It should be a hop lovers dream come true....at least on the beer end of things!!

The Oak Hills Brew Pub can be found at: 14740 N.W. Cornell Rd. Portland, OR 97229

Tel. (503) 645-0286

Tapping Green Dragon "Finally! IPA", Finally!!

After years of waiting and multiple owners the Green Dragon has finally brewed its inaugural beer, Finally! IPA.

The pour was on October 15th and could not be missed.

In a strange twist, fitting the Green Dragon, Rogue Ales chose not to brew the beer themselves or hire a brew master to oversee the Green Dragon's brewing operations.

Local home brewer John Heasley of the Oregon Brew Crew was the lucky brewer who got to brew the Green Dragon’s premier beer. What this bodes for the Green Dragon's brewing future is unclear, will Rouge step up and place a brew master in charge. Will local home brewers continue to brew for the Dragon, or will the equipment fall back into disuse?

For the near term at least the future is bright. Four additional Green Dragon beers are being brewed by Oregon Brew Crew members. Premier pours for these beers will be held in October and November.

As for the star of these festivity's, Finally! IPA was brewed with 9 ingredients: 2 Row Pale, Crystal 40 and Wheat Malt, Magnum, Cascade, Simcoe and Summit Hops, Invert Sugar and English Ale Yeast.

Finally! IPA has a citrus aroma with hints of pine. Its dry finish helps highlight the hops, which were present in moderate amounts though tout the beer.

Since only 2 quarter barrel kegs of Finally! IPA were brewed, which amounts to a scarce 140 pours, The chances of finding any will be slim but don't give up hope of tasting a real Green Dragon beer since work is already under way on the next batches, stay tuned for more!

- David L.

The Green Dragon Pub can be found at: 928 SE 9th Street Portland, OR 97214

Tel. 503-517-0660

Good News For Beer Drinkers!

Beer is good food...drink some everyday!

In a University of Prague study done in 2001 it was found that the flavonoids found in hops provide a whole range of health benefits.
Flavonoids are potent antioxidants produced by plants to protect themselves from bacteria, parasites, and cell damage…and it seems they protect humans as well!

Reduce Risk of Cancer: Hop flavonoids in a human diet may reduce the risk of various cancers, especially hormone-dependent breast and prostate cancers and as a bonus help in preventing menopausal symptoms. 1

Increases Mental Capacity: A study from Harvard University published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that moderate beer consumption contributed to increased mental capacity in older women. In addition, a 2003 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association claimed that individuals 65 and older who drank one to six drinks a week were less likely to suffer from dementia. 2

Maintain Strong Bones: Research done at Tufts University in 2009 found that beer contains high levels of silicon, which helps speed the delivery of calcium and other minerals to bone tissue. Regular moderate alcohol intake was associated with greater bone mineral density. 3

Heart Health: A 2006 study conducted by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Harvard School of Public Health found that healthy men who drank moderately saw a 40 to 60 percent decrease in heart attack risk. 4

Healthy Cell Function: Beer drinkers show higher levels of vitamin B6, which plays a crucial role in the metabolism of red blood cells and the synthesis of neurotransmitters vital for normal brain function. Vitamin B6 is also known for reducing skin blemishes, helping in the treatment of depression and reducing the effects of PMS. (I know, as a man, a couple pints of beer have always helped me deal with the effects of PMS.)

Prevent Kidney Stones: Finnish researchers in the 1980s conducted a study of males between the ages of 50 and 69 and found each daily bottle of beer consumed reduced the risk of kidney stones by 40 percent!
Stouts, porters or other beers with lots of hops were found to have the most benefit in helping to prevent calcium deposits from forming in your kidneys.


But, keep in mind the health benefits that most of these studies cite seem to be at about 1-2 pints a day….moderation was the major word tossed around in all the research. So, keep in mind that if you have 6 pints of beer it may not mean that you will be 3 times as healthy.

Sources:
1. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T56-44GMFC0-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1048476679&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=6b180c48ede6d1489faa3d09d13477d6

2. http://news.tufts.edu/releases/release.php?id=92

3. http://www.qualityhealth.com/dieting-articles/6-reasons-why-beer-good-you

4. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/alcohol/index.html

IPA Donuts?...Why Not!

We thought it might be fun to look for some great ways to cook with beer!

But, don't worry...remember when you use a beer for a recipe there will be at least 5 more left in the pack!

With all the variety of great brew we have all around us here in the Pacific NW, the possibilities seem endless. The bold to the subtle...the sweet to the bitter, we have it all.

If you have a favorite recipe you have come up with, you are always welcome to share it here!

Our favorite recipe though....Donuts made with IPA!

We tried this in our test kitchen (OK, really it is our only kitchen) and loved these! For the recipe click on: http://www.slashfood.com/2005/12/21/cooking-with-beer-ipa-beer-donuts/

If you want to explore further you can visit...

Tips For Cooking with Beer:
http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/egg/egg0397/beertips.html

Cooking With Beer- Great Recipes
http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blalcohol4.htm

Bon Appetit!

(mmmmm....donuts....)

Want To Show Your Inner Beer Monkey?

The NW Beer Monkey is gearing up and the first version of our main webpage should be up and running in about a week We will be building on it as we go and you will see many changes and improvements in the months ahead. One thing we want to encourage is input from the community.

Would like write an article, story or report news about our fine brewing world?
Do you have a brew related photo, drawing or sweet-sweet finger painting you would like to share? Maybe you have a brew fest event coming up….
Then please e-mail it to: NWBeerMonkey@yahoo.com

Welcome to NW Beer Monkey!

Yes, that’s right...soon the best website to find, learn about, read about and explore the greatest brews and happenings of the North West will be right here with the NW Beer Monkey!

http://www.nwbeermonkey.com/

We will allow you to explore the best beers, brewers, pubs & festivals the region has to offer. You will soon learn you can always trust the monkey!

We want to welcome any, and all, comments...ideas...stories...photos...etc! Please comment and e-mail!

While we are working on getting it all together for you please tell your friends we are here and keeping checking back!

Remember, while you are enjoying your next pint, the Beer Monkey will be toiling away...sweat on his brow...to get everything ready! Please have one for him.

Cheers!

-William