Archive for March, 2010

Quail Springs IPA From Deschutes Brewery

Author: Jason Harris
March 29, 2010

Jason at Deschutes!I’m at Deschutes Brewery in the Pearl District of Portland Oregon right now as I write this.  I just ordered a Quail Springs IPA.  Here’s a quick review:

This IPA is not very hoppy…rather it’s smooth.  More like a Pale Ale with a bit more hoppy-ness to it.  Fans of Widmer’s Broken Halo will find this beer to be wimpy in the hoppi-ness/bitter category.

However, if you’re an Ale lover who wants to get his/her feet wet with an IPA, this is a great ‘gateway beer’ that will expose you, lightly, to a taste of what an IPA can be.

Try it out…available at the Portland pub and your favorite beer store.

Upcoming BrewFest: Organic Brewer’s Festival

Author: Jason Harris
March 25, 2010

headerIn my inbox today, I received an announcement about an event I can get behind.

During June 25-27, 2009, at Portland’s Overlook Park at the intersection of N Fremont and Interstate Ave, there will be the North American Organic Brewer’s Festival.

This event will raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living.  If you’re into craft brewing and even care remotely about the environment, go check out the event and show some love to these small-time brewers who deserve to go big!  I’ll paste the event announcement below.

PORTLAND, Ore. – More than 15,000 beer lovers will converge upon Portland this summer to take part in the world’s largest all organic beer festival. The sixth annual North American Organic Brewers Festival (NAOBF) will take place June 25 through 27 in Portland’s Overlook Park at the intersection of N Fremont and Interstate Ave.

Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission into the event is free. The purchase of a $6 reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece. A full glass of beer costs four tokens (more for select beers), and a four-ounce taste costs one token. Patrons receive a $1 discount toward the tasting glass with a validated MAX ticket or three cans of food – preferably organic – for the Oregon Food Bank.

Designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living, the NAOBF serves up more than 75 organic craft beers from around the country. From summery Saison and Kolsch styles to rich and hearty stouts, the festival offers beers to please every palate. There’s also live music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits, and a children’s area.

The festival goes beyond beer tasting by striving to be the most earth-friendly beer festival in North America. Festival attendees sample beer from reusable and compostable cornstarch glasses made from domestically grown corn by a zero-waste, solar-powered company. Onsite composting and recycling stations are provided for festival waste, and food vendors are required to use compostable cutlery and plates. Electricity needs are met with a combination of biodiesel and solar generators. Volunteers wear organic cotton and hemp t-shirts, and all event signage is reusable.

The NAOBF was established in 2005 by Craig Nicholls, who also founded Oregon’s first certified all-organic brewery, Roots Brewing Co.

“A lot of the thought process that went into making this festival sustainable was due to my kids,” explained Nicholls. “They made me think about the future and what it may hold for them. I researched the effects of global warming, carbon footprints and genetically modified organisms on the planet, and I didn’t like what I learned.”

Added Nicholls, “I don’t want my kids to grow up in this ‘world of plenty’ and have nothing because we have done a big part in destroying the planet.”

Studies show that the world’s population currently consumes 30% more natural resources than the Earth’s ecosystems can replenish. The NAOBF aims to bring awareness of sustainable living to its participants and attendees by encouraging brewing and drinking organic beers, using local and sustainable energy, and purchasing locally grown foods and locally made products.

The NAOBF is a family friendly event, and minors are welcome with parents. The festival benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and the Oregon Food Bank. For more information, visit www.naobf.org.

Craft Beer Continuing to Sell Well, Despite Economy

Author: Jason Harris
March 10, 2010

Deschutes BrewAccording to a recent story on OPB, craft beer, especially locally made beer,  is continuing to sell well.  Even though we’ve had 2 years of economic downfall, why would micro-brew beer sell well?

My thought: it’s because folks are valuing the types of food and drink they consume.  In my social circle, my friends are forgoing going out to drink and are opting to buy their drinks and socialize in their own home.

Perhaps folks are turning to micro-brew beer as a tradeoff to consuming their spirits whilst out and about.

What’s interesting is that nationwide, beer sales are down with craft brewing sales looking up!

So, apparently it’s a good time to be local craft brewer in the state of Oregon!  Cheers.