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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

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!!

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%

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!

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!!)

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

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

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

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....)