Archive for September, 2009

News: Don’t Like Strong Beer? Try Nanny State beer!

Author: Jason Harris
September 29, 2009

In Scotland, a brewery called BrewDog recently came out with a beer called: “Tokyo”* that has an alcohol content of 187.2%. For those unaware, most ales have alcohol content percentages in the range of 4% – 7%, depending on the beer type.

Some folks were up in arms at the new brew, complaining that the BrewDog is acting in poor taste. The campaigners say that the Scottish brewery is contributing to Scotland’s binge-drinking culture. BrewDog brewery has come under fire from members of the Scottish Parliament and from the Portman Group.

In response, BrewDog had released a new beer called “Nanny State”, that has a mere 1.1% alcohol content and is described as “mild imperial ale containing more hops per barrel than any other beer ever brewed in the UK.”

In a blog post announcing the new beer, BrewDog has denounced the controversy surrounding Tokyo*. Nanny State is available immediately for £2.49 per bottle.

I love to see brewers fighting back by being creative…good job BrewDog!

[Hat Tip: BBC]

Pale Horse Brewing – A Dark Horse, For Now

Author: Jason Harris
September 28, 2009

In the depths of North Salem, a new brewery is pumping out some amazing beer. Pale Horse Brewing Company is a family run brewery in Salem, Oregon that is quietly ramping up to produce and deliver finely-crafted ales to the Willamette Valley.

I recently met with Pale Horse President and Chief Brewer Dennis Clack and his brother Sid Clack at their North Salem location to get the story behind this up and coming Oregon brewery.

Humble Beginnings

Head Brewer, Dennis Clack

Head Brewer, Dennis Clack

Dennis got his start in brewing about 7 years ago. While perusing a local ShopKo, he spotted a Mr. Beer brewing kit. Dennis immediately started home-brewing and worked to perfect his craft. He entered a few local competitions including the Oregon State Fair and other festivals in the area. He got favorable results by winning ribbons and gaining some traction as he tweaked and enhanced his recipes.

At a local competition, a judge told Dennis he simply had to bring Hillbilly Blonde, Clack’s then-signature blonde ale, to market. It was then Dennis decided to get serious about starting a microbrewery.

Pale Horse Brewing, according to brother Sid, is currently made up of “two slaves and one employee”. The brewery’s operations have thus far been funded by 4 family members who believe in Dennis’ vision and chances of building his business. Sid is the company’s treasurer and “chief broom pusher” (his words).

Current Offerings

At this point in time, Pale Horse Brewing offers two different types of beer. The first is Hillbilly Blonde, a blonde style ale. I asked Dennis why he decided to start with a blonde and he said it’s a nice transition for folks who are put off by the micro-brewery movement and are accustomed to drinking a more mainstream beer such as Budweiser or Coors. Hillbilly Blonde is a crisp, refreshing brew that is light in nature and goes down easy. I was able to taste a sample at the brewery and it is the perfect companion for a hot summer day when you want a beer that will refresh you instantly.

Dennis’ other offering is Pale Horse Stout, which is an Irish style stout. Personally, I’m don’t normally go for darker beers as I favor an amber or IPA-style brew. However, I was very impressed with Pale Horse Stout. The stout is dark in color and doesn’t have the “toast” or coffee flavor that some stouts are known for. This beer goes down smooth and has a strong, but not overwhelming flavor.

Pale Horse, The Operation

Knowing that many local brewers source their ingredients locally, I asked Dennis where he gets his materials for his craft brewing. Pale Horse uses pelleted hops that are bought from the hop union located out of Yakima, Washington. The brewer isn’t certain, but he believes that a portion of his hops are grown locally in the Willamette Valley and Yakima Valley region. As for the malt and barley used in his process, Dennis sources these from Great Western Grains from Vancouver, Washington.

Pale Horse has four 15-barrel tanks that they power their operation currently. The finished product is currently kegged and bottled. According to Sid, about 75% of Pale Horse beer is bottled with the other 25% being kegged.

All of Pale Horse’s existing outlets including bars and grocery stores have been self-marketed by the company. Dennis and Sid are very excited to have just signed a distribution deal with General Distributors in Portland, Oregon which will open up more markets for their beer. Portland, for those unaware, is a lucrative market as many folks in the Portland area desire micro-brewed beer, especially locally made beer.

Things Are Looking Up

Pale Horse has been in operation since January 2009. With marketing and business development, they have signed on roughly 30 outlets including bars and grocery stores up and down the mid-Willamette Valley for customers to buy Pale Horse Beer. Recently, the Salem daily newspaper, the Statesman-Journal, featured Pale Horse Brewing in an article that brought some major attention to the family-run business. Immediately following, Eugene’s local ABC affiliate did a story about the brewery on a local news cast.

Ramping up - new 90-barrel tank

Ramping up - new 90-barrel tank

With future growth in mind, Pale Horse is upgrading their brewing capacity. In addition to the existing 15-barrel tanks, Dennis just recently added a brand new (and colossal) 90-barrel tank that will drastically increase the volume he can produce. Also, the brewery has added a second cooler to help keep bottles and kegs cool for distribution.

New Beer Coming Soon

Pale Horse is very excited about ramping up to start delivery of their third ale offering. An India Pale Aale (the name has yet to be announced) is Dennis’ latest creation and he is very proud of it. I had the opportunity to taste the IPA, straight from the tank and I can tell you: mid-Valley beer lovers are in for a treat! The IPA is quite hoppy, coming in at around 70 on the IBU factor and has about 7% alcohol. I found the IPA to be hoppy but well balanced and will make a fine addition to Pale Horse’s array of ale offerings.

Getting Your Own Pale Horse Beer

Where can you find some Hillbilly Blonde or Pale Horse Stout? At many local retailers in the Salem area including Roth’s Fresh Markets and Bi-Mart. Many bars in the Salem area feature Pale Horse on tap including Morton’s Seafood, Wild Pear Downtown. If you are near Corvallis, Woodstock’s Pizza features Pale Horse beer. If you are looking and find your local market or grocery store doesn’t have Pale Horse – I’d recommend asking the manager to stock it.

Pale Horse is located in North Salem and they do dock sales as well – direct to consumers. Per regulations, they can sell no less than 5 gallons at the dock. This is a nice option to buy pony or regular sized kegs your home or social/business gatherings.

Pale Horse Brewing is located at 2359 Hyacinth St. NE Salem, Oregon. Their phone number is (503) 364-3610.


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How Deschutes Makes Hop Trip Happen

Author: Jason Harris
September 28, 2009

Hop Trip Ale is a seasonal from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. It’s a great beer that is rich in hoppy flavor. I had no idea how much effort it takes to make this great beer.

Apparently the Bend crew drives over to Salem to get the hops themselves, right off the vine. This all happens in September each year.

Here’s a short film about the process. So cool!

How To Pour a Perfect Guinness

Author: Jason Harris
September 24, 2009

Love Guinness, but are unsure what steps it takes to pour a perfect pint of the favorite Irish Stout? Follow these tips from Men’s Fitness magazine:

  1. Start with a clean, dry 20 oz Imperial pint class
  2. Hold the glass at a 45 degree angle and never allow the spout to touch the class
  3. Pull faucet, allowing the beer to fill the class.
  4. Allow for the nitrogen bubbles to surge, creating that perfect creamy head.
  5. Once the beer has settled (distinct gap between dark liquid and head), the glass is topped up slowly to create a domed effect on the head
  6. Give this creation of the perfect pint to an adoring customer

Now you know! Happy pouring!