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%

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

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

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

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

                          

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

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