BAR PILOT

Pre-Fest Functions

Let’s warm up for Oregon Brewers Festival this weekend!

Posted by: John Chandler on Jul 22, 2011 at 02:00PM 4 Comments

You call that drinking?

Look, I know it’s hard and sometimes you just want to throw in the towel, but real competitors who want to become champions maintain their training regimens. While some misguided individuals cling to horse-and-buggy theories about reducing their beer intake—or even drying out completely—in the days leading up to the Oregon Brewers Festival, I’d just like to make myself perfectly clear: It’s Oregon Craft Beer Month, and as such requires redoubled efforts. Please don’t make me question your commitment.

For beer believers looking to sharpen their sipping skills, there are a trio of opportunities to do so coming up—starting tonight!

Farmhouse Brews at The BeerMongers

Looking for something a wee bit different? Skate on down to The BeerMongers bottle shop on SE Division for some ale expertise from the Old Country. Alex Ganum from Upright Brewing, David Logsdon and Charles Porter from Hood River Logsdon’s Organic Farmhouse Ales, and Michael Wright from Beetje Brewery will be on hand to pour some singular suds. Ganum’s offering, the Alphaphylactic Hop, is described as an “imperial IPA hybrid,” while Beetje’s Urban Farmhouse Ale and Logsdon’s Seizoen and Seizoen Bretta are throwbacks to small-batch brewing traditions that originated in Belgium and France in the 18th century when farm owners figured out that keeping their workers hydrated with rough, unfiltered beer was a proper way to ensure loyalty and diligence. I tried this line of reasoning with my own boss, but was immediately threatened with disciplinary action.

LOLA: A Celebration of Women in Beer at Saraveza

LOLA stands for Ladies of Lagers and Ales, a determined group of women brewers from some of the best breweries in the state. Bend Brewing’s Tonya Cornett is probably the most visible member of this fledgling organization, but lady brewers from Oakshire, Lucky Lab, Hopworks, Natian, Full Sail, and Heater Allen also will be present with some of their handpicked beers that should dispel any lingering vestige of sexism that may still linger in this particular chapter of the Old Boy’s network.

Ben Fest at Grain and Gristle

I was unaware that “Ben” was such a mundane moniker in the brewing community! Apparently there are “Bens” working at Widmer Brothers, Breakside, Occidental, Lucky Lab, and Hopworks. Starting at 5 PM on Monday, Benophiles can sample beers from more than a half-dozen breweries that wisely chose to employ guys named Ben. Hey, I’ve accepted flimsier excuses than that for a beer throwdown.

UPDATE!

Portland Monthly’s Picnic for Forest Park

I neglected an event for Sunday! How could I be so stupid? Portland Monthly is having a picnic for Forest Park this Sunday. Of course you’re invited!

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Tags: Beer Festivals, Craft Beers, Upright Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Lucky Lab, Oregon Craft Beer Month

Breakside Brews

Ben Edmunds is a mad scientist—with beer!

Posted by: Carly Scheick on May 12, 2011 at 01:00PM 4 Comments

Ben Edmunds at work.

Happy birthday, Breakside Brewery! You’re one year old on Saturday and my, how you’ve grown! In just 12 months head brewer Ben Edmunds has already established a reputation for being a bit experimental. And by a bit, we mean a lot. Since September, Edmunds has been rolling out a new brew release every week.The full release list to date shows styles ranging from a German Gose to English Barleywine, as well as a few tricks of his own—like cocktail beers.

If you want the numbers, that’s 30 releases in 8 months. Oh, and two of those releases were five different styles of smoked porters and dry hops. Sound absurd? Why, yes, but in that wonderful Beervana sort of way.

With cunning concoctions like the Brewer’s Bramble, a cocktail beer that placed in the Top 5 People’s Choice at Portland Cheers to Belgian Beers (PCTBB), the Portland beer community is impressed, but a little curious: Is Edmunds brewing out of personal amusement or public challenge? His answer: Neither, merely making a virtue out of necessity.

When Breakside opened last May, the brewery was not in place, and was hurting to find space for one. Breakside’s original brewery involved two kegs, brewing about 11 gallons at a time. The running joke around the place was that the name should be Breakside Bar & Grill, since they weren’t producing their own beer. With only an 11-gallon system, Edmunds reasoned it made more sense to have a fun, exotic release on a slow weekday than a standby that wouldn’t last three hours. “We didn’t realize we were creating a trend of nano-brewery experiments,” says Edmunds, “but it got such a positive reception."

Edmunds’s esoteric brewing career originated out of boredom. After moving to a small town in Colorado, he began homebrewing two to three beers a week to provide a little bit of nightlife for himself and his friends. Four years later, Edmunds decided to get serious about a brewing career and enrolled at Siebel Institute in Chicago, the nation’s most prestigious brewing institution. He also ducked over to the Old Country for some extra credit studies in Munich.

With so many styles on tap at Breakside, the Sampler is the way to go.

Now with their three-barrel system in place, Breakside is producing nine of their own beers on tap but they retain their experimental inclinations. Cocktail beers, Edmund’s latest project, is part of a collaboration with mixologists Jacob Grier and Ezra Johnson-Greenough from Brewing Up Cocktails. Cocktail beers are not shaken, nor stirred, nor do they come with little pink umbrellas. They are beers with flavor profiles resembling classic or modern cocktails, which is accomplished by aging them in liquor barrels with spices and fruits. In many ways, Breakside is still searching for the language to talk about these experimental beers. Originally described as “barrel-aged with botanicals,” the Brewer’s Bramble raised some eyebrows, and the question, “Ben, what is this?”

If you sit down with Edmunds over a glass of beer, you’re going to get more than the ingredient list—you’re going to hear about the philosophy of beer in transcontinental dialogue (no joke). But he’ll assure you that he’s not a bank of great brewing recipes. Sometimes the best policy is to steal, or maybe, collaborate. For the upcoming summer season, Edmunds is bringing in Portland beer aficionados that aren’t necessarily brewers, to develop new recipes with him. A few notables to whet your palate are veteran beer writer John Foyston and Lisa Morrison, Beer Goddess blog writer, radio hostess, and author. I was lucky enough to get an early sample of Morrison’s Meyer Lemon Kolsch, which is anticipated to sell quickly, and with good reason. The lemony scent and flavor is enough to be refreshing, without the overpowering soapy flavor you might anticipate. These collaborator beers should be released June 4 and will be on tap all summer.

Wednesday releases will be through at the end of May due to fermentation considerations in the warmer months. In the meantime, you can look forward to bottle releases over the summer. And don’t fret about the tap—there are always plenty of beers to select from. Here’s a half dozen that I’ve had the pleasure to sample.

Lisa Morrison (aka, the Beer Goddess) helped concoct the Meyer Lemon Kolsch.

Witbier: This traditional brew is a mix of oats, wheat, and unmalted wheat, adding a tart, lemony feel around the tongue. Not the usual spice bomb here, and includes an unusual ingredient: chamomile. This gets my vote for prettiest beer, with its cloudy, creamy yellow color.

Rye Kolsch: It’s a light ale that was originally brewed as the base for a Cucumber Collins cocktail beer, with cucumber and juniper berries. The base, though, stands on its own. The rye adds an oily mouthfeel part way through and ends with an enjoyable spiciness.

Double Dry Hop Blonde: Belgian beer lovers will go bananas for this hard-to-label brew. Inspired by English barleywines and Belgian hoppy blondes, it boasts bold fruity flavors with well-balanced bitterness. This blonde packs a punch with 8.9 percent ABV.

Dry Stout: Perhaps their most “traditional” beer, the Irish dry stout is roasty, chocolatey, and surprisingly light. The dark coloring and flavor may have you wary at first, but with 4.5 percent ABV, this is a session beer that won’t knock you out too early.

IPA: I’m an admitted hophead, so I’m obliged to mention that the IPA here is delicious. The pine and citrus characters in this beer are huge, which you’ll enjoy sniffing just as much as tasting. The bitterness is just right, without tasting grassy.

Azteca: This novelty American strong ale is the brewpub’s third-largest seller. Brewed with habaneros and serranos, it ignites an instant “chest heat.” Don’t worry, you won’t be reaching for a glass of water. Rather, a lingering heat in the back of your throat warms you as chocolate and honey malt flavors rest on the palate. Watch out, though, for the 9.9 percent ABV.

On May 18, all three Breakside cocktail beers (Brewer’s Bramble, Sazerac, and Whiskey Ginger) will be re-released in limited quantities along with a batch of Lavender Fudge Stout (!), in honor of American Craft Beer week. Keep ’em coming, Ben!

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Tags: Craft Beers, Breakside Brewing, Ben Edmunds, Beer Cocktails

34 Pubs in One Day

Local beer lover tests his mettle in “Man vs Beer”

Posted by: John Chandler on May 03, 2011 at 12:00PM 3 Comments

This dude is my hero. Portland travel agent John Lovegrove sent along this video he and his friends made two summers ago in which Lovegrove drank at every single pub that brews beer on the premises in the area. This means a whole lot of McMenamins and even far-flung operations like The Ram in Clackamas. What, no Golden Valley in McMinnville?

His periodic sobriety tests are impressive and hilarious (though they reveal Lovegrove to be a bit of a one-trick pony) and the audio barfing is priceless.

Question: Is Lovegrove interested in trying this stunt again? With the Bar Pilot riding shotgun? We’ll need a team of sober drivers, a videographer, and a bunch of money. And probably a bucket.

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Tags: Craft Beers,

Montavilla After Dark

A pocket of PDX that’s got it all

Posted by: John Chandler on Mar 24, 2011 at 11:00AM 4 Comments

Just got off the phone with an old friend (at my age, all friends are old by default) who’s coming to town over the weekend. Naturally, he wanted to consult with the Bar Pilot about where to go, what to do, and how much it will cost. Ordinarily I’d recommend the usual Chamber of Commerce swanky-pants joints like The Benson, Teardrop Lounge, or Clyde Common, but it being the weekend those places will undoubtedly be stuffed like frat boys in a phone booth (really dated reference). Sure, you could fork over a king’s ransom for a place to park downtown and rub elbows with belligerent bridge-and-tunnel clowns staggering hither and yon on their perpetual prom night drunk-a-thon, but it ain’t my bag, and in good conscience, I can’t recommend this adventure to wide-eyed tourists, as it might convey the false impression that Portlanders are a bunch of raging yahoos.

Instead, I suggested the same ramble I took with a few chums last Saturday night, exploring the Montavilla neighborhood. What’s not to like? Here’s a ‘hood with everything. Top-notch dining options like Country Cat, Ya Hala’s and Flying Pie are conveniently tucked next to a buffet of bars and clubs of all description. We began our sojourn at Roscoe’s, which has evolved from a charmless dive bar to a more-than-adequate beer and sports pub. The tap selection is well-curated with ales from Fort George, Caldera, and Russian River, among others, and the bar food (po’ boys, bison burgers, mac and cheese variations) is rib-sticking and reasonable. Fast and friendly waitstaff, too.

Po’ boy and tots at Roscoe’s.

After getting our beer on, we traipsed over to The Observatory for a classy cocktail. The dusky, inviting main room was a hive of activity, so we discretely made our way to the second bar in the back called the Over and Out (two bars in one!), which has more of a rumpus room feel to it, with five pinball machines, pool, and an identical drink menu. Speaking of which, the Spiced Manhattan ($7) with its gallimaufry of flavors (sweet, smoky, clove, ginger) is an intriguing cocktail with which I would like to get better acquainted. For folks who enjoy flames issuing forth from their mouth, nose, and ears, take a chance on the Bloody Morimoto ($7, named after the coolest Iron Chef) that sports wasabi vodka, sake, sriracha bloody mary mix and a wasabi-salt rim.

With the polite drinking out of the way, we eagerly scampered across SE 82nd to one of my all-time favorite dives, Chinese Village, the coal-dark capacious drinking den that features murderously strong well drinks, a kitschy thatched awning that covers the booths in the back, a righteous juke (Dead Moon!) and some of the fanciest Chinoiserie in Portland. That is, it used to have all these things. Now it has all the charm of a roadside rest room, as management had the brilliant idea to remove all the nifty nickknacks in favor of more video poker machines and a karaoke set-up. That’s awesome. Instead of legions of slumming hipsters flashing trust-fund dough, Chinese Village will cater strictly to local lushes on disability and degenerate gamblers. There is now no reason to go. And I won’t. I’m certain that the video crack machines will bring a momentary upsurge in monetary liquidity, but by removing its only distinctive features, Chinese Village has doomed itself—and its beckoning neon sign will mark the place as a Flying Dutchman inhabited by lost souls.

Burn baby, burn. The 99 and a Half at The Vintage.

To wash the bitter taste of “progress” out of our minds, we opted for a night cap at The Vintage, a teensy little bar with a lengthy cocktail list. My friend Lucy foolishly agreed to let me buy her final drink of the evening, and when I read about the so-called 99 and a Half ($10), I knew I’d found a winner. I watched spellbound as the bartender mixed Maker’s Mark and Cynar (the Italian artichoke liqueur) with ice in a pint glass. She then poured green Chartreuse into a wine glass and set it alight before straining the first mixture into the wine glass to douse the flames. (Safety first, kids!) Finally she singed a bit of orange peel and threw it in as a smoking garnish. The look on Lucy’s face changed from anxious to awed in a twinkling. For who knows what reason, the combination of burnt orange, artichoke, and smoldering bourbon coalesced into a brawny drink with compelling smoke and citrus shading. I, on the other had, made do with an Old Screw ($6), a what-the-hell concoction made with house scotch, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and a dash of allspice. My lingering rage over the artless gutting of a beloved dive soon gave way to grim acceptance and a comfy buzz.

As we made our way out the door I took in the width and breadth of SE Stark. Just down the street folks were filing out of the Academy Theater, a handsome second-run movie house with beer and pizza. It’s yet another place to tarry, as is Thatcher’s a venerable dance club also located nearby. And if you really want to end the evening with a bang, there’s Portland Tub and Tan which stays open till 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. I also happen to know it has a Roman bath-themed area and a disco room—unless the owners decided to scrap the concept and go with video poker. Wouldn’t surprise me a bit.

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Tags: Craft Beers, Stumble Zone, Cheap Eats, Dive Bars, The Observatory, The Vintage

Happy Birthday, Dear Beer!

Three of our best breweries light the candles

Posted by: John Chandler on Mar 15, 2011 at 10:00AM 3 Comments

March is loaded with birthdays I would do well to remember. Darryl Strawberry…Paul Kantner… Dr. Seuss… the list goes on. Around these parts, a trio of noteworthy brewing operations also are lighting some anniversary candles and I’m taking this opportunity to offer up my best wishes to the following folks who are always there for me when my thirst for hops gets the upper hand. Cheers one and all!

Laurelwood Brewing Brawny-but-balanced brews like Workhorse IPA and Free Range Red have provided me with countless hours of inspiration and merriment. To celebrate 10 years in the beer biz, Laurelwood will be throwing a birthday bash this Friday at the Laurelwood Pub & Brewery (5115 NE Sandy) from 5-11. Laurelwood brews will be a paltry $2.50 a pint and lucky attendees can look forward to a taste of two spanking-new beers from head brewer Chad Kennedy. The “Big O” Organic Pale Ale (named for the great Oscar Robertson, perhaps?) and the Imperial Workhorse IPA (just like the excellent Workhorse IPA—but bigger!). Cheers to Kennedy and owner Mike De Kalb.

Upright Brewing Brew master Alex Ganum and his hardworking colleagues are marking their second anniversary with a party at the Upright tasting room (240 N. Broadway, Suite 002) this Sunday from 1-6. The star of the show will be Four Play, a sour farmhouse cherry wheat beer that’s been aged in pinot barrels. Brew believers, do not miss this one; it’s based on Four, Upright’s awesome wheat beer that’s been barrel-aged for a year with a load of cherries. Also making an appearance will be the guest of honor from last year’s soiree, the Apricot Anniversary Ale, aged in Ransom Spirits Old Tom Gin barrels. In fact, it’s safe to say you’ll have a barrel of fun!

Redhook I’ve been knocking back Redhook long before the term craft beer was bandied about. Back in my rock ‘n’ roll days we referred to such tasty titles as Ballard Bitter (now called Long Hammer IPA) and spicy seasonals like Winterhook as “microbrews” (it seems almost quaint now). True, this long-running operation is based in Seattle, but it was the first microbrew to gain national distribution and thus helped pave the way for others to follow. In honor of its 30th anniversary, Redhook has unveiled it’s “back-to-basics” stubby-neck 12 oz. bottle along with some new packaging and color-coded label design. Soon to come from Redhook will be a pilsner style and its Copperhook will be available in cans.

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Tags: Beer Festivals, Craft Beers, Upright Brewing, New Beer, Redhook Brewing, Laurelwood Brewing

Black Gold

Full Sail limited release is worth the wait

Posted by: John Chandler on Feb 01, 2011 at 12:00PM 8 Comments

It was during the fall of 2007 that Full Sail brewing genius John Harris bestowed upon me a heavenly gift, a sample of his Black Gold Bourbon-Barrel Imperial Stout that had been aging in the bottle for more than a year. It was (and remains) the best stout I’ve ever had. Smoky, silken, and as opulent as a Turkish rug, it was both boundless in taste and surprisingly svelte in body; a brew masterpiece fit for a visiting potentate.

The reason I’m bringing this up now is because Full Sail will be releasing its latest version of Black Gold (ABV 11.4%, IBU 37.5) today at 5 p.m. in two locations; the Full Sail Riverfront and the Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River. It will also be available in 22 ounce bottles later this week at New Seasons, Zupans, Fred Meyer, and Whole Foods, as well as artisan bottle shops like Belmont Market and Beermongers. But if history is any indication, it will be flying off the shelves with near Bieber intensity.

Black Gold presents beer fanatics with a most painful choice: drink it now, or tuck it away in the vault so it can continue its flavor evolution. Better stockpile enough to do both. Seriously—this is the stuff of dreams, a stout worthy of cult adoration.

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Tags: Craft Beers, Full Sail Brewing, Black Gold Imperial Stout

Drinking Dates

A few items for your quaffing calendar

Posted by: John Chandler on Jan 25, 2011 at 12:00PM 2 Comments

What’s a brew believer to do? You’ve already dipped your beak in all the winter ales worth wrangling and the warm-weather beer festivals are still oceans of time away. Cheer up drinking buddies! Instead of trying to figure out a hangman’s knot that will bear your weight, you would do well to make note of these upcoming events that should do wonders for restoring your hibernating happy face!

First Annual Scottish Ale Festival No need to stare forlornly at the horizon. The Cascade Brewing Barrel House is hosting a sudsy salute to Scottish Ales this Saturday from 3 to 11. Nine regional breweries, including Cascade, Lucky Lab, Fearless, Rock Bottom, Coalition, and Upright, will have specially brewed ales in the house for your sipping pleasure. There will be some Scottish sustenance available (haggis?), and Cascade brewmaster Ron Gansberg is bringing in his band Stone Porridge to provide some trad Scottish music. Join the cult of the kilt!

Hop & Vine Bottle Shop Opening I’ve sung the praises of this sophisticated North Portland saloon on several occasions, so I’m pleased as a weasel to announce its expansion into the space next door to serve as a bigger bottle shop to house Hop & Vine’s well-curated collection of beer, wine, sake, and mead. Festivities take place Feb 5 from 3 to 7. Reps from Hopworks, Upright, Heater Allen, and Elysian will be on hand to pour some free tastings. And for the vino-centric, folks from Grochau Cellars, Winderlea Wines, Purple Hands, and Trust Cellars are likewise expected to be present. “All well and good, but I like cocktails!” you say to yourself. First of all, you should stop talking to yourself; your reputation is already on shaky ground. Secondly, at the stroke of 7, Metrovino mixologist Jacob Grier will take over with $5 drink specials featuring libations from House Spirits and Ransom Spirits. Name your poison—you’re covered.

Van Havig Night! Havig, the outspoken brewmaster from the local chapter of Rock Bottom Brewing parted company with his corporate overlords earlier this month after 16 years. Havig is certainly one of the most knowledgeable brewers I’ve ever had the pleasure to chat with, and any regional brewery would count itself lucky to hire a man with his skills, taste, and wit. On Feb 8 at the new Grain & Gristle, some of his brewing comrades from Lompoc, Widmer, Barley Brown, and Ninkasi will pay tribute to Havig, with small-batch beers brewed in his honor.

KLCC Microbrew Festival Our sister city to the south gets in on the brewfest action on Feb 11-12 with a benefit blast to help keep Eugene’s public radio station, KLCC, sounding off loud and proud. Some 50 breweries will be represented including local heroes like Ninkasi, Steelhead, Track Town, and Oakshire, not too mention one of my faves, little Wakonda Brewing from Florence.

Zwickelmania 3.0 For the third straight year, the Oregon Brewer’s Guild offers the beer curious the chance to jump on a bus and tour some of the state’s top breweries on Feb 19. Meet your brewing idols (OMG! OMG! OMG! John Harris is such a dreamboat!) and get a taste of what’s cooking in the tank. There are tours taking place in Bend and Hood River, but here in Beervana attendees can swing by Alameda, Amnesia, Breakside, Bridgeport, and many more. And it’s friggin’ free!

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Tags: Beer Festivals, Craft Beers, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Cascade Brewing, Ninkasi Brewing, Hop and Vine, Brewery Tours, Wakonda Brewing

Happy Hour of the Week

Warming up to the Bonfire

Posted by: John Chandler on Jan 18, 2011 at 01:00PM 8 Comments

Yes, I am listening. When I ask friends, family, and weirdos I meet on the bus about Happy Hour, I take note of their responses—and I’m always asking. Seriously, I was considering "Where do you go? and “What do you like about it?” as facial tattoos in order to save time. It is because of my manic insistence on due diligence that I approached the Bonfire Lounge on SE Stark St with mixed feelings. It’s definitely a popular spot—but not for everybody, apparently. “Oh, it’s full of insufferable hipsters,” was the litany that was repeated to me with the frequency of a Buddhist serenity chant.

The Bonfire Lounge is a hipster haven. This is not a matter of opinion. During my initial visit I couldn’t help noticing that all six of the other customers were at least 20 years my junior and I was the only one present without a bike messenger bag. Not only that, but one of the chaps at the bar was reciting dialogue from the debut episode of Portlandia, a new TV show about—what else?—the quirky nature of Portland bohemian culture. Is it just me or is it getting awfully meta in here?

Even so, I didn’t feel conspicuous or out of place, and the bartender/waitress was both sunny and swift. Besides, Happy Hour there is a whopping five hours long from 2-7 daily, with food and drink options aplenty. And anyone feeling alienated by the current face of youth culture would do well to spread out a little, since there are four distinct areas for your lollygagging pleasure. The picnic tables out front are usually occupied by animated small groups and loners with dogs or bike helmets. The bar area is for the FOTB (friends of the bartender) crowd, where conversation topics include current events (who hooked up with who) sports (what they did after hooking up), and the whether (whether or not they’re still at it). There’s also a slender dining nook and a game room with pool tables and a few video games. The tomato-soup walls keep the interior suitably dim, and the black-and-white checkered tile gives one the impression of being a sentient chess piece on the way to the restroom (especially after a few pints).

The Happy Hour items aren’t especially brilliant or innovative, but a hungry fellow can do quite well here for under $5. The menu features a pair of zesty chicken verde tacos (jerked pork and ahi tuna versions also available for a little extra coin), hummus and pita, chicken or cheese quesadilla, gyros, and a perfectly serivceable hamburger for $3.50 apiece. The latter was reasonably sized and quite tasty (neither a slider nor a behemoth) in its own humble bar burger fashion. When I asked the waitress where the meat was sourced, she looked amused. “It’s just basic beef,” she explained, as if I was the winner of the World’s Biggest Schmuck competition.

Beer is a buck off during Happy Hour which means $3 pints of local libations such as Alameda Wheat or Hopworks DOA strong ale, along with Trumer Pils, Terminal Gravity IPA, and Red Seal Ale. For more proletarian tastes, pints of Miller High Life are a mere $1.50. So for $5 you can have a burger and a pint. When the good Lord created lunch, this is what he had in mind. And if you’re in the mood for a stronger spirit, there’s usually a featured brand for a dollar off, in this case, it was Basil Hayden’s bourbon, always a good call. I selected a Hoté Maté ($7) from the hot drink menu and was rewarded with a potent pick-me-up (yerba maté tea serves as the basis for this cocktail) that sports a shot of house-infused cinnamon and vanilla rum. All good except the vanilla. Taste-wise, it just didn’t belong in such heady company.

If you’re really and truly freaked out about bending an elbow with the young ‘uns you can, of course, seek your pleasures elsewhere. But as a well-intentioned geezer myself, I tell you this: I will be back. The duration of the Happy Hour is generous and $3 pints are a big fat bargain. Besides, it’s imperative in these uncertain times to keep the cross-generational lines of communication open. How else are we supposed to learn anything? Get over yourself and get over to Bonfire Lounge.

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Tags: Happy Hour, Craft Beers, Cheap Eats, Bonfire Lounge, Portlandia

Brews on Burnside

Burnside Brewing’s soft opening tonight

Posted by: John Chandler on Dec 28, 2010 at 01:00PM 1 Comments

Brew pubs are sprouting like dandelions around these parts, what with Cascade Barrelhouse, Migration Brewing, Coalition Brewing, Breakside Brewing, and Hair of the Dog all putting up their “Open” signs in the last few months. Joining this august company is Burnside Brewing, located at 701 East Burnside, right across the street from the Farm Cafe. Burnside’s “soft” opening is today at 4 pm. (Soft openings are a brilliant idea; if something goes horribly wrong staffers have a grace period to iron out the kinks).

Co-owner Adam Cassie, who’s partnered up with former Roots Organic brewer Jason McAdam, and Jay Gilbert from Full Sail, tells me Burnside’s inaugural IPA should be ready to pour just after New Year’s, but in the meantime they’ve got guest taps of Upright 5, Full Sail’s Wreck the Halls, and even Magners Irish cider for those who inexplicably poo-poo the brew.

The advance buzz from the New School blog has been substantial and if you’ve got a case of “first-nighter” syndrome then by all means show up and spring for an ale or two.

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Tags: Bar Openings, Craft Beers

Last Minute Gifts!

Suitable presents for the tippler on your list

Posted by: John Chandler on Dec 20, 2010 at 10:00AM 6 Comments

I am a notoriously lousy gifter. When wandering the stores at Christmastime I become hypnotized with possibilities and all thoughts of the actual recipient vanish. My eyes glaze over, and like a crow, I am drawn to the shiniest bauble on the shelf. Perhaps it’s my narcissism or shocking lack of empathy, but I frequently bestow presents on friends and family that would be better suited to… someone like me.

With that in mind, I’m undoubtedly the perfect guy to cobble together a list of gift possibilities for that hale and hearty soul in everyone’s life; the individual who simply looks naked (shudder!) without a mug or a highball glass in their hand. Of course, you can always ignore these notions and simply buy them a spendy bottle of hooch, but I already grazed that pasture last year. I realize this post is arriving rather late in the season. It’s yet another symptom of the careless gifter—sloth. Thanks to Lisa Morrison (aka The Beer Goddess) for not getting riled that I’m freely pilfering a couple entries from her own gift guide. It’s all about the circulation of ideas, folks!

1. Old Lompoc Snuggies. The perfect present for that special someone who can’t always be bothered with pants. You’ll be the nattiest dresser at your house in this handsome and comfy mu-mu embroidered with the logo of Portland’s own Old Lompoc Brewing. Slip it on and commence swilling a C-Note IPA! $25. Available at 5th Quadrant.

2. What to Drink iPhone App. How many times has this happened to you? You’re sitting down to an elegant meal at a posh dining establishment and you’re stymied by wine choices to go with your Lobster Thermidor? Based on the popular book What to Drink With What You Eat by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page, this handy application will magically transform you from slob to sophisticate in no time!

3. Oregon Beer Odyssey. Speaking of sophistication, it’s high time you educated your palate to the myriad beer styles available in your local cooler. From amber to zymurgy, Oregon Beer Odyssey’s classes will get you up to speed in all things ale-related.

4. Absinthe Kits. Delve into the mysterious world of the drink known as “The Green Fairy,” referred to as such for its rumored psychoactive properties! Only recently legalized in this country after being banned for nearly 100 years, absinthe preparation is as much ritual as it is routine.

5. 33 Beers Pocket Journal. No more blurry notes on napkins! Now beer snobs have a useful drinking companion who can remember what you did last night. This pocket-sized journal helps you take meticulous notes on the various properties (IBU, ABV, OG, etc) of every ale you’ve ever tasted. Also available at local beer emporiums all over town.

6. Portland Happy Hour Guide. Even yours truly is in awe of Cindy Anderson, Portland’s heroine of Happy Hour. Never again will you have to choke down stale chips or vulcanized chicken wings while unwinding after a miserable work day. 2011 edition now available.

7. Heavy Duty Juicer. If you’re serious about being the best home bartender on the block, then let me introduce you to my little friend. Fresh fruit juice is a requirement for cocktails that will be the life of the party.

8. Ultimate Home Bar Set-up Hello basement tiki bar! Between this and the juicer, you’re ready for anything—including all the new friends you’ll have.

9. Old Man Drinks: Recipes, Advice and Barstool Wisdom Enough with the fancy-pants cocktails! This indispensable primer from author Robert Schnakenberg will have you cranking out sidecars, rusty nails, and monte carlos just like the legendary Jimmie Charters.

10. iPhone Case Bottle Opener. Even if you’re not getting a signal, you can still crack open a cold one—as long as you’re not behind the wheel!

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Tags: Cocktails, Holiday Events, Craft Beers, Bartenders, Gift Giving, New Old Lompoc Brewing

More Ale Fest

Chugging and chatting at HAF 2010

Posted by: John Chandler on Dec 03, 2010 at 03:00PM 4 Comments

Good on me for having the sense to arrive at the Holiday Ale Festival shortly before 2. There were plenty of people present but the lion’s share of the attendees were probably still at work trying to cough their way out early with wildly exaggerated flu symptoms. The lines were extremely manageable.

One can tell a holiday ale fan at a glance: they’re big and bearded (the guys anyway, only a few of the gals), a winter beer flavor profile made flesh. Hearty and highly insulated, we’re happier than Dracula at a hemophiliacs hoedown, comparing elusive spices (“Cardamom? Clove? Cinnamon?”) and the mysterious influence of wood (“Bourbon? Pinot? Brandy?”) on the barrel-aged brews.

There were a few topics of conversation that seemed to be making the rounds. Some of the old-timers were miffed about having to wear paper wristbands. A wristband is tolerable if you’re only attending one day of a festival, but expecting return visitors to keep the damn things on for three or four days is ludicrous. For one thing, you look like a nincompoop when you’re anywhere other than the fest. For another, they begin to chafe if left on indefinitely. Could we just get microchipped or something?

Another lively debate popped up on the subject of aged beers. I was tipping a sample of the Deschutes Jubal 2000 (a special pour that cost the princely sum of two tasting tickets!), a 10-year-old version of the company’s signature Jubelale. I thought it was serviceable, but a few of the fellows at my table were not pleased and proclaimed the concept of barrel-aging to be a scam. “We’re not wine drinkers!” one of them bellowed. “We drink beer and we don’t want to wait 10 years for it! And it costs a fortune!” Just stick with it, guys, and you’ll soon be singing a different tune. Life is full of surprises and disappointments. Not every beer is robust enough to stand up to the forces of time and oxidation.

For instance, Hopworks Brewing was represented by a stellar selection called Kentucky Christmas that was as inspiring and complex as a Debussy orchestral work. After aging Hopworks’ Abominable Winter Ale in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels, the resultant brew was not only bold but replete with subtle shadings of vanilla, caramel, and toasty malts. I nursed my two-ounce sample with ultimate care, treasuring it like a gift from the beer gods.

The other brew that annihilated my palate was the Figgy Pudding Olde Stock from the much ballyhooed Block 15 Brewing in Corvallis. For such a muscular offering (11 percent alcohol), Figgy presented a cavalcade of intriguing of sensations. The presence of wine, molasses, and figs was undeniable, but the cunning addition of Christmas condiments like cinnamon and nutmeg made it more than Wassail worthy, and I greatly look forward to more beers from this enterprising operation.

I probably should have varied my tastings a bit, interspersing a few lighter beers into the mix, but the temptation to try as many barley wines and strong ales as possible proved too great. The Cranberry Saison from Gilgamesh Brewing in Turner worked as an invigorating palate cleanser. Compared with the sledgehammer beers that typify the fest, this fruity little number was a cheeky and refreshing relief.

See you next year! I could only attend one afternoon of the festival, because my dog Iggy chewed my wristband off. Does that mean he can get in?

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Tags: Beer Festivals, Craft Beers, Gilgamesh Brewing, Block 15 Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery

I Dare You

10 scary beers

Posted by: John Chandler on Nov 30, 2010 at 10:00AM 8 Comments

Looks like that liquid nuclear waste known as Four Loko will soon either be off the shelves or perhaps reappear in some neutered format. If you’re still seeking daredevil drinks, here’s a list of 10 beers that might quench your thirst for thrills. Many thanks to longtime reader David for sending these along. If beastly beers aren’t your cup of tea, there are alternatives.

Questions for the day

Has anyone out there actually tried one of these? Can they be found locally (I’m lookin’, I’m lookin’)? Which one sounds most/least appealing? Do you feel lucky, punk?

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Tags: Craft Beers, Product Testing