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

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

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

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

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