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Two beers have popped up on my radar lately, and they can only be found on the East Sieeeeeeed!

Wild Oats is carrying Caldera IPA.  Now it’s a steep $9.00 six pack, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t one of the tastiest IPA’s I’ve had in a long time.   Don’t be one of the uninformed that is deterred by the fact that it’s in cans. Seriously … this is the current top repeat performer on my list of easy-drinking beers, and my favorite IPA of the moment. It seems I’m over on the East Side much more these days to restock my fridge with this nectar. Go check this beer out!

Also at Wild Oats is a bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Porter from the Brewmaster’s Series of Full Sail.  I’m not a big Full Sail fan, but I have to admit that their Brewmaster’s Series are regularly interesting, and I’m always up for a new barrel-aged beer.  I haven’t had it yet, but here’s what RateBeer has to say about it. Should be a nice bottle to crack open when I’m transferring beer this weekend.

So go support the beer buyer at Wild Oats for the smart additions to their lineup.

After the much-anticipated (by this guy at least) release date came and went, we finally have the nectar called The Abyss!  I ended up down at the pub along with everyone else who had been waiting for the first offerings for a toast to the second bottling of this excellent example of American craft beer.

The Abyss is an Imperial Stout aged in several different wooden vessels and blended together to make up a complex character that unfolds into huge flavors as the beer warms.  At a whopping 11% ABV, this is something to be savored sip by sip.  Roasty, smooth, sweet, warming and delicious … this beer will go quickly just as last year’s batch.  This stuff should age very well, so grab as much as you can and try to keep your bottle opener away from it until later.

A couple of important notes:  I went down to the main brewery to pick up a case, and they said they have 4 left.  Local grocery stores have it, but word is out, and the small amounts bottled are going quickly.  Also, I wouldn’t be as informative as I could be if I failed to mention that The Blacksmith - the Best Happy Hour in Bend - is one of two places in Central Oregon where you can get this stuff on tap … get it while it lasts!

Cheers!

I know it’s been a while since I’ve written, and it’s too long of a story about why.  In short- work, holidays, brewing, side-projects, etc. I haven’t written off the blog, but other things have been eating away at my time. One of those side projects is about to be complete, and I thought it was appropriate to let people know about it.

Good friends of mine own The Blacksmith restaurant here in Bend, Oregon. They shut down the restaurant about six weeks ago to do a major remodel of the inside. One of the new directions of the space is to bring the bar front and center. You still get great food and an excellent dinner experience if that’s what you’re into, but there’s a new focus on small plates, excellent liquor choices, a wide variety of beers, and a beautifully designed bar and lounge area.

I had the pleasure of helping create the beer list, and I’m really curious to hear honest opinions about it. The thing about Central Oregon is we are in the back yard of the NW Craft Beer scene. This year alone, two local breweries brought home four GABF medals. I love that I’m a 5 minute drive to several pubs where Craft Beer is so well represented, and I take advantage of that fact rather frequently. Still, I miss diversity in all the beer bars here in town.

With The Blacksmith’s beer list, we did our best to provide the widest breadth of choice among the highest quality beers available in Central Oregon. There are 12 handles and a modest collection of bottles that represent everything from Lagers to Belgians to Guinness to West Coast IPAs to local favorites. Come check it out, and know I’d welcome any feedback (positive or negative).

Cheers,

Spence

The Great American Beer Festival is going on in Colorado this weekend. I didn’t get to go, but I’ve been waiting to hear who the winners are this year to see how many Oregon brews made the list (gotta root for the home team). For those who don’t know … this competition is a big deal. It is pretty much the Olympics of American beer competitions, and gives well-earned bragging rights to anyone who can bring home a medal. Just some facts to give you an idea of its scope:

More than 100 judges labored for three days to evaluate 2,793 beers and pick the best entries and top breweries for this year’s Great American Beer Festival. A total of 222 medals were awarded in 75 beer style categories and top breweries and brewers were designated based on the total number of medals won. The five top awards recognize small, medium and large breweries and small and large brewpubs

Here’s the recap of those winners who call Oregon home:

American-Style Wheat Beer - 19 Entries
Widmer Brothers Brewing Co., Portland, OR
Silver: Brewmaster Reserve

International-Style Pilsener - 10 Entries
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
Gold: 4K Pils

Dortmunder/European Style Export or German-Style Oktoberfest/Wiesen (Meadow) - 18 Entries
Widmer Brothers Brewing Co., Portland, OR
Bronze: Widmer Export Lager

Imperial or Double Red Ale - 38 Entries
Laurelwood Brewing Co., Portland, OR
Gold: Organic Deranger

Bitter or Pale Mild Ale - 43 Entries
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
Gold: Pub Bitter (and now our supply at the pub just got a whole lot smaller!)

Golden or Blonde Ale - 48 Entries
Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City, OR
Silver: Kiwanda Cream Ale

American Style Brown Ale - 45 Entries
Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City, OR
Gold: Doryman’s Dark Ale

Imperial Stout - 44 Entries
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
Gold: Abyss

Rogue Ales, Newport, OR
Bronze: Russian Imperial Stout

Strong Scotch Ale - 28 Entries
Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City, OR
Gold: MacPelican’s Wee Heavy Strong Scotch Ale

Old Ale or Strong Ale - 32 Entries
Bend Brewing Co, Bend, OR
Silver: Outback X

Straight fact … Deschutes, and Pelican have been kicking ass, and this year they’ve each brought 3 gold medals back to Oregon! In addition, a second GABF medal was won by the Bend Brewing Company in as many years!

Sincerest congratulations to all breweries for their outstanding job at turning out amazing beers for all of us here in Oregon.

Today was an epic day for those fortunate enough to live near Bend, OR. Today was the release day of 3 hop-centered beers including the classic Jubelale and new annual, Hop Trip. Below you’ll find the descriptions from their beer menu. Get thine ass down to the pub for a pint or four!

Jubelale - Perfect for a cozy winter gathering, Jubelale is a festive ale characterized by a large malt body balanced with hop bitterness derived from a variety of American & European hops. Enjoy this celebrated seasonal tradition! IBU’s: 60 Alcohol Content: 6.7%

Hop Trip - Deschutes’ brewers took the journey over to the Willamette Valley to pick an abundant amount of the freshest whole leaf Crystal hops straight from the vines of Doug Weather’s farm. The return trip to Bend was greeted with a homecoming welcome as the hops were immediately added to the boiling brew kettle. The first brew started soon after a phone call was received from the Willamette Valley confirming the hops were loaded on the truck. Roughly 680 pounds of Crystal hops were added to each of the 120 barrel batches in addition to some dry kilned whole flower hops. All together, there are 7 pounds of hops per barrel. A brisk flavor is created with a finish of soothing bitterness from the fresh hop oils. IBU’s: 38 Alcohol Content: 5.5%

Superstition Fresh Hop Stock Ale - We developed a Stock Ale recipe that has a subtle but complex malt profile. We used Willamette hops upfront in this beer but the wow factor comes from the tremendous amounts of fresh Crystal hops in the back end of the beer to accentuate the hop flavor and aroma. This is a beer to take stock of. IBU’s: 52 Alcohol Content: 5.3%

Biggest “hmmm?…” moment - Jubelale. I’m just not sure what to say about this except that it tastes “green”. It has a gummy, resiny flavor that knocks it out of balance in relation to the roast, bitter, and malt. It also suggests that it needs to mature a bit as well. I love Jubel. I’ve got a bottle collection dating back years. I’m going to buy a case (as I always do) just to stay true to tradition, but I have to say I was caught off guard by what I tasted.

Biggest “exactly what I expected” moment - Hop Trip. Two words … “love it”. This is hops showcased as they should be. Big, chewy, up-front, and yet completely complemented by the malt they rest upon. Aroma, flavor, and drinkability all in one tasty package. Get it … while it lasts.

Biggest surprise - Superstition Stock Ale. There was once a brewery called Orchard Street Brewery out of Bellingham, WA that was the only brewery that I had a stock ale from, and it was a treat when I could find it. What a great beer. Orchard Street went under (from what I understand), but this beer is damned close to it. Hoppy like an American Pale Ale with a slight caramel malt flavor reminiscent of an amber without the cloying qualities that I get from many ambers … a great session beer. And this one is fresh-hopped! Awesome, and brought back such great memories.

And there was a surprise. I overheard and saw brewers talking about and sampling an Oktoberfest they brewed at the pub. Got a quick sampler, and it was highly drinkable. Very highly drinkable. Good job guys!

So there you have it. Four new beers at the pub, and they’re all most definitely worth have a pint or more of.

Cheers!

When people who aren’t into beer hear me giving credit to the primary name in beer writing, it never fails … “Michael Jackson?!  (snickering)”.  This is always followed up by me correcting them with, “Not that Michael Jackson.”  The Michael Jackson I’m talking about was a monster beer journalist who’d been at it for more than 30 years.  He was regarded as an unparalelled wealth of beer knowlege, and he was found dead, at the age of 65, in his home on Thursday.

This is indeed a remarkable day for all who love beer.  Many people around the Net are taking time to honor the friend and/or colleague they have lost.  This man was one of the pillars (if not a major piece of the foundation) upon which the craft beer resurgence stands.  His work (books, articles, television program, beer-of-the-month clubs, etc.) have been instrumental in helping foster the growing apreciation of the vast beer diversity that exists on this planet .  He may be gone, but he will most definitely not be forgotten.

With that, I’m going to mark his passing with a celebration of beer by raiding my cellar.  I have collected some great beers over the years, and some of them were directly because of Mr. Michael Jackson … not that one.

Cheers and unending thanks to you, Mr. Jackson!  Your life was rich and full.  May we all be so blessed.

Brewerman

Todd over at BeerAdvocate.com recently posted about receiving an email that confirms a rumored upcoming fall seasonal from Sierra Nevada that will commemorate their 27th anniversary. It will be an American IPA with generous doses of Cascades. They’re going to be dry hopping this one, so it should be sporting that great citrus aroma Cascades are now famous for. This will hopefully be the west coast IPA that I know Sierra Nevada is capable of making. We’ll just have to see.

I’ve also started to encounter reviews of AleSmith’s 10th anniversary beer, Decadence - Dead By Dawn. Their description of this beer states that it is based upon their Evil Dead Red, so I can only deduce that they are paying homage to the Sam Raimi’s classic series of Evil Dead movies. “I’ll swallow your soul!” I love this brewery with each new beer of theirs I try. They really go for brewing the highest quality example of whatever style they tackle.

I’m open for any pointers on how to get my hands on what sounds like a couple of awesome beers. Anyone?

My wife and I just got back from running errands. One of the stops was at Newport Market. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to finally see some new additions to the beer aisle. AleSmith is one of those new additions, and it’s about damned time! Those guys are crazy-good brewers, and the good folks at Newport pulled in four different styles: Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, Old Numbskull Barley Wine, Grand Cru Belgian Ale, and the ever-popular Speedway Stout. All of these beers are award winners and fantastic examples of the amazing abilities of AleSmith. I spoke with the guys at Newport, and they said that they only have a limited supply. If any of the styles sound appealing, get off your ass and get down there before it is gone.

In addition, they are carrying Caldera’s Pale Ale which is a great example of the new trend of good beer being packaged in cans. Don’t think that this is one of those crappy American beers because it is in 6 pack cans. It is sitting in the section of the beer aisle that it is for a reason. It is a decent beer packaged in a convenient vessel. The can is back bitches! But don’t act now … there’s more.

Green Flash, from San Diego, is represented with their 6 packs of IPA. This is one of my buddy’s favorite IPA’s. Great balance of hop aroma, flavor and they aren’t weak on the bitterness … it is one refreshing beer.

This isn’t just about Newport Market. This is also about all those local beer stores. Let them know that you want to keep those high-quality new beers coming. Let them know their customer base is sophisticated enough to appreciate these non-standards. Let them know we want to see more.

My wife and I went to the open house at Deschutes today. It was centered around the release of their 19th Anniversary Ale (a continuation of their Bond Street Series). While talking with friends old and new, we found out a couple of interesting facts. First of all, I got a quick sneak-peek at the artwork for the next Jubelale. It is reminiscent of the label from 2001, but distinctly its own. This is one of my favorite labels in a while. I was stoked that we were able to see it.

Second, I saw the new kettles for the Portland pub on the floor of the brewery by the big garage doors. I had seen them being unloaded on my way from work a couple of weeks ago, but didn’t put two and two together to think that they were meant for the Portland pub. After speaking with people at the open house, I learned that they came from Greenshields brew pub in North Carolina. Research on the net showed that they sold out after a fire. The kettles were beautiful and looked like they are in the middle of being dialed in. The new pub is apparently in the demolition phase - tearing out the interior sections of the existing building - in preparation for build-out.

Other than that, they were pouring beers throughout the facility, and everyone was having a good time. In addition to having it tapped in the Mountain Room, they were selling bombers of the 19th Anniversary Golden. It is a really tasty beer that I’d characterize as a NW-American-Belgian. It has a high hop bitterness that balances out the “sweetness” that is more-prevalent in a Golden. I like it a lot. We hung out on the Mountain Room’s balcony catching up with an old friend who works for Deschutes, but lives in Boise right now. Great afternoon.

Andy Crouch over at Beerscribe.com put together a great article describing observed moves by Anheuser-Busch in relation to trends in the craft beer industry. In the article, Andy sees the recent purchase of 40% of Goose Island by Widmer as history repeating itself.

To give some background, Redhook gave up 25% equity to A-B in 1994. Widmer gave up 27%, also to A-B, in 1996. Both acts gave the breweries access to A-B’s exclusive, far-reaching distribution network. Now, ten years later, Goose Island and Old Dominion have both done the same for keys to the kingdom.

In addition, the article cover’s some of A-B’s various forays into trying to brew their version of craft beer.

Now I have no problem with A-B buying into quality breweries, nor do I think they shouldn’t be competing with craft beer. I do find it interesting that these purchases and courting of the brewing press seem to happen as craft beer sales are eating into A-B’s direct bottom line. It comes down to some larger quality breweries deciding for themselves how bad they want access to A-B’s distribution network to grow their market share.

Andy’s done a good job of aggregating some nice quotes from several heavy-hitters on the subjects, including Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione, Pizza Port’s Tomme Arthur, Sam Adams’ Jim Koch, and Goose Island’s Greg Hall.

What does it all mean? It’s probably nothing more than A-B trying to protect their bottom line, but you can’t deny that A-B’s got some weight to throw around that the small guys don’t.