NAOBF 2011 ~ Another Great Year!

I can not get over the fact that another Organic Beer Fest is over....I need to start a countdown on my calendar for next year. It is, by far, my favorite fest of the year!!

This year brought out many old favorite beers and a few new ones...some of my favorites were Upright Brewing's 'Reggae Junkie Gruit', Fort George's 'Spruce Budd Ale', Alameda's 'El Torero IPA' and an old favorite from Laurelwood with its
'Green Elephant Organic IPA' which showed up when another keg blew...which made me smile....

The fest also had some great music this year...my favorite band from the three days was, hands down, a Portland group called 'Fruition'. They blew the stage away with their own brand of hippie inspired blue grass...it was fantastic!

Samuel Smith's: Organically Produced Lager Beer

Samuel Smith's is a British Brewery located in Yorkshire and it's "Organically Produced Lager Beer" is one that I recently gave a try.
Now I have to say right up front that I am not a big lager drinker. I generally find them to be a bit on the light side of my personal scale. But, this was a pretty nice brew. I found it to be lightly fragrant, the flavour was a delicate balance of hops & malt.

The brewery says it is "A full-bodied lager with lots of malt and hop character. A touch hoppier than many lagers yet perfectly balanced." I would have to say it is a bit more hoppy than many lagers....but, "full-bodied" might be a bit of a stretch.

I do like the fact that this is an organic beer! Officially they say that this is a "Lightly kilned organic lager malt grown in the UK is the main ingredient, with a substantial addition of organic UK Vienna malt. Samuel Smith's has begun to source organic hops in England; some of the organic hops used in the recipe come from New Zealand. Certified organic by the USDA-accredited UK Soils Association."

If you enjoy lager style beers, or just want something lighter on a sunny Spring or Summer day, give this one a try!

Hopworks Urban Brewery: "DOA" Deluxe Organic Ale

Hopworks Urban Brewery is a fantastic newish brewery here in Portland, Oregon. HUB was founded in  in 2008 by Christian Ettinger and has just exploded!!
They have a huge range of great beers and are VERY connected to to the community.

My Fine Brew!

"DOA" Deluxe Organic Ale was a fine selection on tap in the pub. This brew was a really nice one....it is considered an "American Strong Ale" and is rather orange/red in colour when poured. The hops are on the mild side yet there in a good way and the hoppy after taste is very nice. The malt is moderate.
Hopworks says this brew is "Strong like bull but sweet like your momma."
I would have to say this is a beer worth having! If you haven't make sure you do!
Hopworks Urban Brewery can be found at:
2944 SE Powell Blvd
Portland, OR 97202
Tel: 503-232-4677

Stats on this brew are: OG 16, an IBU of 55 and an ABV of 6.9%

Plew's Brews: It's Beertastic!

Plew's Brews, as you can see from my last two posts, is a place I have wanted to go and finally made it! It is just a bit off my beaten path for me...I haven't lived in North Portland for years!
The place is a fantastic stop...and it will make me go off the beaten path again soon.

It was tidy yet gritty in a great way. There is the smell of a building with history mixed with the smell of incense and great beer. There is no shortage of Bob Marley banners and random great art. I headed to the men's at one point and found the "Pisser" down a long hall. I loved it all....the whole place reminded me of something fantastic from my distant college days.

Plew's says about itself: "Plew's Brews is Hop City where it's all about the beer, and people who know beer, and people who love local, artisan, hand-crafted brew served family style. We serve the region's finest, from smaller, local breweries. Taste the best beers in the Pacific NW for only $3 a pint. Or get your growler filled for just $7. - Open daily: noon—last call"

I got my growler filled and even bought a cool handmade burlap growler bag for $10...that way my thumb didn't have to do all the work getting that beer home!

My friend David has recommended the place over and over and I see why! Will I recommend the place? - YES!

Find Plew's in St. Johns at:
8409 N. Lombard The High St.
St. Johns, OR 97203
Tel. (503) 283-2243

Klamath Basin Brewing: Crystal Springs IPA

The Klamath Basin Brewing's Crystal Springs IPA was a beer recommended by Plew's Brews as the "most hoppy thing they had".....I ended up with a growler of this beer somehow....If this is the most hoppy then that is very sad!
This beer is a very mild brew....the hops are almost missing in the big scheme of things...the malt is soft. This is a beer for someone who just started to drink good beer.
It is not here or there in the big picture of things.

Green Flash Brewery: Hophead Red

OK, I was at Plew's Brews in North Portland and sampled a great brew from The Green Flash Brewery! It was their "Hop Head Red" - Now that was a great red!

The official web page says "Resinous hop character and bitterness balance the rich carmel malt base. We took it a step further and Amarillo dry-hopped the brew to 45 ibu's, creating refreshing and savory hop flavors and aromas. Is it red IPA? That's your call."
Is it an IPA? No. But, would an IPA lover enjoy this one? - Yes.
I have to say it was a favorite! Nothing that will change the world yet...great.
Stats are: ABV of 6% and an IBU of 45

The Spring Beer & Wine Fest in PDX! - April 22nd & 23rd

The Spring Beer and Wine Fest here in Portland, Oregon will be held Friday and Saturday April 22 & 23, 2011!!
The Festival is not only Beer & Wine! It also includes the "Tour de Cheese", distillers, gourmet foods, arts, interesting products, a chef's stage and great live music!

The official web page says:
"While you're sipping on fine craft beer, wine, spirits and cocktails, do a little shopping! Our arts and craft vendors and exhibitors offer unique treasures and interesting items. Or chill out in the attached heated outdoor smoker's tent. And don't forget: Admission is free to the first 1000 each day.
The Spring Beer & Wine Fest may be about education, but school has never been this much fun!
The Spring Beer & Wine Fest encourages responsible consumption. Minors accompanied by an adult are permitted until 7:00pm each day. Children 12 & under are free."

The Late Great Don Younger at the Fest 2010

The festival is held at the Oregon Convention Center and can be reached by TriMet with a MAX stop right in front on the center!



WAF



The NW Beer Monkey is a proud sponsor of the World Action Foundation booth this year. We encourage you to stop by the booth and check them out!



 Hope to see you there!!

Kona Brewing: Koko Brown

Kona Brewing has a new Spring offering available in March & April of 201l called Koko Brown.  It is a really tasty brown ale brewed with toasted coconut...and so very good!

The flavour is a very enjoyable one with the toasted coconut coming out in both the scent and the flavour.
The brewer said: "Is there anything more iconic of the lush tropics than the coconut? The delicious heart of this island treasure has a nutty, toffee flavor and aroma that sends you straight to the beaches of Paradise. Kick back with a Koko Brown, brewed with real toasted coconut, and savor the mahogany color and smooth, roasty malt taste."
I have to agree!

This is not a huge beer...nothing that will rock the world....but, I can tell you I will be buying more before it vanishes!
 
The stats on this one are: an IBU of 28, an OG of 13.3 and an ABV of 5.5%

Lagunitas Brewing: "WTF" Jobless Recovery Ale

Lagunitas Brewing has another fine, and socially relevant, "Limited Release" ale at the store!
This one is the Wilco Tango Foxtrot Ale ("WTF" Ale) which is said to be "A Malty, Robust, Jobless Recovery Ale."

This is considered an "American Strong Ale"...But, it may be better described as a nice "Imperial Brown Ale."

The malty flavor is a very gentle hazelnut-chocolate and there is a distinct hoppy taste that balances well and appeals to my love of IPA's!  The carbonation is low and the flavor is overall full and lingers in a great way!

As for the name... "WTF" pretty much sums up my feelings about our current economic state....But, my advice is that even if you are jobless right now save up your change and buy a bottle of this complex, tasty and generally great ale!

The stats on this one are: ABV of 7.8%, an OG of 1.072 and an IBU of 64.20

Lost Coast Brewery: Raspberry Brown

I have become a big fan of Lost Coast Brewery and this time have picked up a bottle of Raspberry Brown to check out.

This is a really enjoyable brown. When you open the bottle and give it a sniff the first thing you notice is the raspberry scent...behind that there is almost a hint of a licorice smell.

The malt has a great creamy chocolate flavor and the finish is a complex sweet coffee/nutty taste. The raspberry that has been infused into this brew is not lost at all!
It is a great combination of classic tastes.

This American Brown Ale has an ABV of 6.5%.

I think this is a great beer and would appeal to a wide range of people. Though I would have to say that for me this is very much a desert beer or a beer for a special occasion - others may disagree. One thing that is for sure is that any beer lover should at least give this one a sample!

St Peter's Organic English Ale

Today I decided to try St Peter's Brewery Organic English Ale. This is a really great English ale...great malt flavor with some nice hops. The taste lingers on the tongue in both a soft and subtle earthy malt and the taste of lemon rind and bitter hops. The ABV is 4.5%.

The brewery says: "Water is extracted from our own 300’ deep borehole and combined with Soil Association accredited light malted barley from Norfolk. Organic hops provide the distinctive palate. The yeast used is St. Peter’s own single strand variety. The result is a delicate, clean, crisp, lightly carbonated, traditional English Ale with a full ‘citrus hop’ aftertaste. This lovely beer won the Soil Association’s (organic certifying organization) top prize in 2002 and a silver medal in 2006."

This is a great ale and the fact that it is organic makes it even better and makes me start thinking about the NAOBF! (Is it Summer yet?)

My advice is buy this beer and give it a try soon!

Lost Coast: Indica IPA!

Lost Coast Brewery has a very tasty brew with Indica IPA!

When I first opened the 22oz bottle there was an instant smell of fresh pine needles....at least that is what I picked up.
The taste is of a light malt and sweetness along with a very floral tasting softly hopped IPA. There is also a citrus...almost grapefruit taste.
The carbonation is very light...and balanced to the brew.

I am a little confused that the brewery webpage doesn't talk about this beer at all...that I could find....you would think they would talk this one up.

This is a VERY drinkable IPA and one that would be enjoyed by a hop lover and those still in the early days of IPA love!
The only stat I can give you is that is that it has an ABV of 6.9%

Happy Birthday Ruby!

Nice Video!!

Full Sail: "Bump in the Night" Dark Ale

Full Sail Brewing's lead brewer, Barney Brennan, came up with this wonderful Cascadian Dark Ale and the brewery brought it to life.

This ale is a "Brewmaster Reserve for 2011 and will only be available for a short while longer. It is scheduled to be around from January to March of 2011 only...so, seek this one out before it is too late!

Full Sail says...."The array of dark malts present a full bodied beer with notes of cocoa and slight roast. It has a big floral citrus hop flavor and bitterness, reminiscent of an IPA."  I have to agree with this...yet...there is something else. I am having a hard time putting my finger on it.
The finish seems to lift the taste buds to a totally different level rather then just linger. To me it is not so much a "big floral citrus hop flavor" (though that is there) as a slightly sour herbal taste..... Just my opinion.
If you have not tried this wonderful liquid make sure you do!

The stats on this one are an IBU of 65 and an ABV of 6.5%

Leavenworth Biers: Whistling Pig Hefeweizen

Leavenworth Biers...brewed by Fish Brewing....has a brew called "Whistling Pig" which is an unfiltered "Hefeweizen" (wheat) beer. Not only is it a pretty sweet name but, it is a pretty good hef too.

According to the website "Whistle pigs are actually marmots. Small and furry, these high country critters sometimes communicate with an ear-piercing whistle that’s not soon forgotten. Marmots abound around Leavenworth. They seem especially at home north of town at Whistling Pig Meadow."

This beer is mild and refreshing with a mildly sweet fruity finish. I tried it without the traditional slab of lemon tossed in and it was still very enjoyable.

It also seems to have won the Bronze Medal in the American‐Style Wheat Beer category

at the 2010 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition.
OK, that doesn't sound too exciting but, this beer is worth a try on a warm Spring day!!
The stats on this one report an IBU of 22 and an ABV of 5.4%.

Rogue: Juniper Pale Ale

This is an interesting Rogue beer....lower IBU then I  usually buy (IBU: 34). - But, this is a very good ale. It is brewed with whole juniper berries. Yet, the flavour is pretty mild and the malt is very balanced with an almost sharp dry finish.

Juniper Pale Ale isn't exactly a mystery beer infact the awards listed for this one are: 2010 World Beer Championships—Gold,  2010 Australian International Beer Awards—Bronze & 2010 US Beer Tasting Championships—PNW Champ!

The Ingredients Rogue provides are:
Crystal, Triumph, C-15 & Rogue Micro Barley Farm Dare & Risk Malts; Styrian Golding, Amarillo & Rogue Micro Hopyard Revolution Hops; Juniper Berries, Free Range Coastal Water & Pacman Yeast.
(That made me kind of dizzy reading the ingredients....just saying....)

It goes without saying...But, I will anyway....This is a great Beer!

Fish Tale: Organic India Pale Ale

I love this IPA...is it Organic...a lighter yet very satifying beer with wonderful hops and an almost floral (in a manly way!) finish.

This beer always reminds me of fantastic sun filled afternoons at the North American Organic Brewer's Fest up in Overlook Park! - I tend to consume many pints of this IPA over those wonderful Summer days!

Fish Brewing describes this IPA as "...a medium-bodied beer with a rich golden color. The organic pale and crystal malts lay down a firm malt body. This provides the backbone for an assertive hop profile featuring organic Pacific Gem. The moment the Mighty Fish Brewers sampled this pungent and resinous New Zealand hop, they knew it would be perfect for their Organic I.P.A. The result: A Cascadian treasure."
I have to agree it is a treasure!
The stats on this brew are an ABV of 6.7%, an OG of 1.061 and the IBU as 42.

Lagunitas Brewing: Olde Gnarly Wine

Lagunitas Brewing is always a favorite for me personally....Today I bought a bottle of "Olde Gnarly Wine".
The bottle's label says, "Making a mondo ultra mega super premium barleywine is a little like having a kid. The first part is fun and messy, it takes awhile to ferment, and then a whole lot longer to mature. It is expensive and takes up a lot of space. You worry about how it’ll grow up and whether or not you’ll still be friends. Eventually it stays out all night and comes home with its skirt on backwards. You know how it is. Usually we package our ales within 15 days of brewing. This is one we aged in the tanks for over a month."

Lagunitas describes it as a "...BarleyWine Style Ale is Dated and Built to Last. Flavors Evolve as Hop Bitterness Yields to Crazy Caramel and Rich Toffee Flavors."
It is indeed a fine brew....smooth...mildly sweet...and totally fantastic! I can't say enough good things about the barley wine!
It really needs to be experienced...either all fancy in a snifter or right from the bottle! - A++
The stats on this one are as follows....O.G. 1.096,  A.B.V. 10.6% and a respectable I.B.U. of 69.39!

Lagunitas Brewing: Beer Circus?

I just stumbled across this video....and it made me love Launitas Brewing even more then I already do....if that is possible.....
I know it is from 2009....but, it is fun to watch! - I want to party with these guys!
Woot! Woot!


*** Follow Up On The Beer Circus FB Page By Clicking HERE!

Fort George, Great Beer and the Can?

OK, I have VERY mixed feelings about great beers in cans....

What do you think?

Ninkasi: ReNewAle - Mason's Irish-Style Red Ale

Ninkasi Brewing in Eugene, Oregon has a Seasonal "Irish-Style Red Ale" appropriately called "ReNewAle"...
Ninkasi says it is "a New Year a New Beer! Each year Renewale will be something new and special to enjoy while winter runs its course.

For 2011 we brewed a delicious Irish-style red ale that’s smooth and refined with a hint of toasted malt and a clean finish. A great beer for a new year...!"
The IBU is 40 and the ABV is 5.2%.

This red avoids the usual over the top malt and sweetness that I have always found plagues the style...and, just as promised, has a crisp clean finish. It is a very drinkable beer...but, in my opinion lacks a uniqueness that I have come to expect from this fantastic brewery.
But, don't get me wrong...it is a really good addition and I think not only would this ale be good now...it would also, maybe more so, be a refreshing beer for a hot Summer afternoon.

Organic Nation: What's Organic About Organic Beer?

Alameda Brewing: Yellow Wolf Imperial IPA

For some reason I have been on an Imperial IPA kick....I have always loved them...but, there are some fine beers floating around the markets this year!

Alameda Brewing's "Yellow Wolf Imperial IPA" is a fantastic creation.
It is balanced all the way around with a more subtle hop flavor then I usually seek out....yet, it leaves the hops in your mouth finishing in a fantastic way. The malt is also balanced and allows the hops to pop - full flavour yet not over powering.
This brew has a complex citrus and tropical flavour. It brings to mind a fresh tangerine and almost faint mango. I only realized the tropical mango aspect after having my son smell the IPA and give me his first impression...and he was right on.
The carbonation is light and crisp and it has an ABV of 8.2%.  As of this posting I have been unable to locate the IBU information...But, I will update the blog when I can get hold of that. I guess I need to make a call!
Overall this brew is a huge FIVE STARS! - Seek it out and give it a try if you haven't done so already!

Outburst Imperial IPA!

Outburst Imperial IPA, the "Spring Seasonal" from Pyramid is a fantastic beer!
It is hoppy with a I.B.U. of 80...but, also has a mildly sweet...almost citrus taste.
It is a great moderately priced Imperial IPA! You can drink this any time at all....

But, with an Alcohol by volume of 8.5% it isn't for everyone! (Or is it?!?!)

Pyramid says it availability is February and March so be sure to get yours!!
Plaid Pantry...$1.98 for a 22oz bottle....(what the hell!!)

Kingpin: A GREAT Brew!

"KINGPIN (Bridgeport Brewing) is a full-flavored, red-colored ale that uses a rarely-grown Willamette Valley Hop varietal known as Liberty Hops from fourth generation hop farmer John Annen of Annen Bros. Farm in Silverton, Oregon. Jeff and his team of brewers also used rye and caramel malt leading to a unique flavor profile; triple-hopped for bitter aroma and a unique dry-hopped character."

---- I have personally sampled (a few) and found it to be a great well balanced beer...great hops & malt!!

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