Beer of the Month - Hopwork's Original Red [June 2008]

Hopwork's Original Red [June 2008]

OK, it's officially beer season! I know, beer season here is year round, but you've got to shout it out once in a while. It's time for the Winter vampires of Portland to finally get some sunshine and visit the outdoors without layers of protective rain gear. One of your first stops should be to Hopworks Urban Brewery to check out their new seasonal Original Red.

Brewer's description:

"This full bodied NW Red is hopped to the rafters and sanded smooth like mahogany. We are stoked to bring this former full-timer back for a reunion. Look for dry-hops, 5.6% ABV, 55 IBU, and a little attitude."

Reds were my first stop after my IPA obsession of 2001-2002. Northwest reds are still hoppy, but balanced out with a nice malt backbone. With these beers, the malt tends to desaturate the bitterness, while leaving behind a bit more of the floral and citrus quality of hops. This is much more evident when reds are dry-hopped like this one from the HUB.

I'm not sure how long the seasonals at the HUB last yet, so get out there as soon as you can. If you miss it, you'll be able to substitute your sadness with another seasonal as the HUB hasn't been slouching and tends to have 3-4 seasonals on tap.

Beer of the Month - Deschutes Black Butte XX [May 2008]

Deschutes Black Butte XX [May 2008]

OK, we're a little late for May, but what's new, right? We had some ideas for May, but I wanted to make sure to get down to Deschutes' New Portland Pub to see if any of there beers spoke to me. Well, after two rounds of the Black Butte XX, not only did the beer talk to me, but so did the walls, and the floor, and the parade of pink elephants that I passed when I walked out the door. Actually, they were singing, but that's another story...

Deschutes says "To celebrate our 20th anniversary this June, we decided to pay homage to Black Butte Porter, the revolutionary beer that has excited craft beer drinkers since 1988. Our brewers have played mad scientists, creating an Imperial recipe that includes coffee, cocoa nibs, and aged in whiskey barrels. IBUs: 60 ABV: 11%"

Yep, it's a big one. While the description was provocative, Portland was in the grasp of a mini 2-day heat wave. So after a hot day, I had to ask myself, was this the best time for huge Imperial Porter? Damn right it was!

Sure, this isn't a session beer for a sunny sidewalk afternoon, but it is a great slow beer to enjoy on it's own or paired with a meal. And be careful, those of you that have been gearing up for summer with some lighter beers, you may leave the brewery without your shoes, as this beer may just knock the shoes off your feet. I'm still missing one shoe...

It may be strong, but the alcohol isn't overpowering in the flavor profile. Thick, dark brown, and rich, this beer is sweet with a delicate hop bitterness. Aged in whiskey barrels, this brew had plenty of time for the flavors to blend and mature. Everyone who tastes this will have something new to pull out of this complex treat.

I'm not sure how long Deschutes' seasonals will be available at their Portland Pub, only time will tell. So get out there and grab this one while you can, you'll be sorry if you miss it. Well, I can at least guarantee that we'll be sorry for you.

Beer of the Month - Laurelwood Darkhorse [April 2008]

Laurelwood Darkhorse [April 2008]

Well, here we are again. And, by "again", I mean: here we are, Beer of the Month, about four months behind schedule. We'll be going back to check out notes and fill in the blanks, but for now, it's April 2008 and we've got a hybrid beer to showcase.

April is a crossover month, sitting between winter and spring. Portland can fluctuate between snow and hot sun and back again as nature tries to make up it's mind. This is also a great time for a crossover beer: the India Dark Ale. OK, it's not a style that's recognized by the BJCP, but it makes sense: a bit of malt for the winter and a bit of IPA for the Spring. Based on their extremely popular Workhorse IPA, the Darkhorse is a reworking of the original recipe, adding a heavier malt bill and balancing it out with a bit more hops.

If you're not ready to give up your darker winter beers and not ready to jump into IPAs, Darkhorse bridges the gap and helps with the seasonal transition. It is currently pouring at the 51st Avenue location in NE Portland.

Beer of the Month - Lompoc Old Tavern Rat [December 2007]

Lompoc Old Tavern Rat [December 2007]

Ah, December. Colder. Darker. Wetter. But even with all of this, there is a bright spot: barleywine!

Barley Wine had to be strong – often between 10% and 12% -- and was stored for prodigious periods of as long at 18 months or two years. When country houses had their own small breweries, it was often the task of the butler to brew ale that was drunk from cut-glass goblets at the dining table. The biggest-selling Barley Wine for years was Whitbread’s 10.9% Gold Label, now available only in cans. Bass’s No 1 Barley Wine (10.5%) is occasionally brewed in Burton-on-Trent, stored in cask for 12 months and made available to CAMRA beer festivals. Fuller’s Vintage Ale (8.5%) is a bottle-conditioned version of its Golden Pride and is brewed with different varieties of malts and hops every year. Many micro-brewers now produce their interpretations of the style. Expect massive sweet malt and ripe fruit of the pear drop, orange and lemon type, with darker fruits, chocolate and coffee if darker malts are used. Hop rates are generous and produce bitterness and peppery, grassy and floral notes.

Beer of the Month - Amnesia Sleighjerker [November 2007]

Amnesia Sleighjerker [November 2007]

Alright, back to Amnesia Brewing for November's Beer of the Month. October was pretty a mild month for us out here, but November has finally brought Winter with days hovering in the mid 40's and a cold biting wind. So, we fight back the only way we know how--with stronger beers!

Weighing in around 8% ABV, Sleighjerker has the ability to take the edge off of a cold night (but honestly, I'd drink this one in any weather!). 8% ABV is also a range that can be tricky for beers. If the beer is too thin, that alcohol can poke out like a sharp stick. Of course, in the winter, you do want a bit of a bite, but you also still want to recognize the contents of the pint as a beer. Since we're not in Barleywine territory with this ale, the beer needs to balance out the alcohol and hop bitterness with a nice maltly base.

Too much of anything will knock a beer out of whack, but with a Winter Ale we can expect a dark brew balanced on the sweeter side. This residual sweetness comes not only from the higher quantities of malt used to raise the alcohol level, but also the different malts that are used. Darker beers make use of more heavily roasted malts for color and flavor. These malts can impart a smoky, roasty, or even chocolaty flavor. Because there are usually more sugars left behind in these beers after fermentation, the higher final gravity gives the beer a thicker body and mouthfeel, often classifying the beer as "chewy". While it doesn't quite eat like a steak, there is a noticeable difference when comparing these beers to browns and even some porters and stouts.

So, how does Sleighjerker measure up to these criteria? Great dark color, complex chewy malts, mild hop bitterness, and a great warming alcohol content make this a great beer to seek out and enjoy this Winter!

Beer of the Month - Laurelwood Break A Leg Rye [August 2007]

Laurelwood Break A Leg Rye [August 2007]

Yep, I already know: another Laurelwood pick? Well, if they would stop making great beer! As most of you know, I've been down and out with a broken leg and Laurelwood is right down the street from me. Right now, it's the easiest place for me to get to. I'll be expanding my picks as my leg heals.

I've finally moved to a cane, so it's getting a bit easier for me to move around. This month's pick is a seasonal, so go out and get it while you can: Laurelwood's Break A Leg Rye. Could it be a coincidence that I've got a broken leg and Laurelwood released this beer? Nope, the stars didn't align on this one. I asked head brewer Chad Kennedy if they could make a Rye for me to speed up the healing of my leg. Laurelwood's beer description: "This one's for a friend. Our buddy in question here recently found himself stuck at home with a broken leg. We brewed this hoppy red rye to encourage him to get up and get a little exercise walking to the Wood. Here's to the fellow that's got to hobble to the pub on crutches. Cheers! ABV: 5.8%, IBU: 50, OG: 13 Plato". Awesome! Thanks guys!

Now, would I pick this beer as Beer of the Month only for the reason that this "my" beer? No way. I may not have many scruples, but I am honest when it comes to beer (unless someone forgets to charge me for a pint or two). Regardless of sentimental feelings, this is a fantastic beer. Another great balancing act of malt, hops, and alcohol from the guys at Laurelwood. If you've never had a Rye beer before, don't be shy. The Rye is added to the malt bill as a subtle flavor, not to change the base of the beer. So, go seek it out and enjoy one of the few Rye beers available in Portland!

Beer of the Month - Lompoc Strong Draft [July 2007]

Lompoc Strong Draft [July 2007]

Well, I've been stuck indoors all summer because of my motorcycle accident which has caused me to miss out on some of the heat and sunshine of the summer months here in Portland. Because of this, some of my summer picks are a bit untraditional for this time of year. Usually in July, a nice crisp Pale or Kolsch will cure the summer heat. However, trapped in an air conditioned room for the whole month, in quite a bit of pain, can change one's perspective. That's why this month's pick is a strong, fortifying, malty brew from New Old Lompoc: Lompoc Strong Draft or, LSD, and American Strong Ale.

Balance can be hard to find in Portland. Over-hopped beers on the other hand, are everywhere. It takes special skill to balance a strong malt backbone, not only with the right quantity of hops, but also the right types. In a perfectly balanced pint, the brewer must pay attention to the bittering hop balance as well as the flavoring hop balance. A high malt beer doesn't balance well with flowery or citrusy hops, but instead will use more earthy tones to complement the sweetness of the malt.

Lompoc's LSD does a great job with this balancing act, creating a great strong brew that's drinkable all year long. Of course, it's nice and warming in the winter, but for me this time, it's medicinal qualities made it perfect for my "Summer of Healing."

Beer of the Month - Laurelwood Organic Green Elephant [June 2007]

Laurelwood Organic Green Elephant [June 2007]

I didn't want to do another Laurelwood beer for BOTM right away, but unfortunately, my leg is still broken, and Laurelwood is right down the street. Since my motorcycle accident one month ago, I've only been out of the house twice: once back to the hospital for a check up and once to Laurelwood when I found out that Green Elephant was released (2007.06.06). This should give you an idea of what it's worth to go and grab one. Next month, I'll be able to travel a bit further from my neighborhood.

This is one of my top 5 beers in the world. If you don't believe me, believe the fact that it is Laurelwood's fastest selling seasonal. In fact, a full 7 Barrel batch will only last a couple of days! This is a strong and hoppy 100% organic IPA. This is a bitter brew with just enough malt to take the edge off of the early hops.

I don't want to spend to much time writing about this one because if I do, it will be gone before I am finished. Seriously, if you're going to try this one, go now--it will be gone in the next couple of days.

Beer of the Month - Laurelwood Piston Pale Ale [May 2007]

Laurelwood Piston Pale Ale [May 2007]

May's pick is Laurelwood's Piston Pale Ale. There are a lot of pales in Portland, and a lot of competition. But if you've tried this one, you know we had to pick it.

Pale Ales are a wide category. For many beers, it is a catch-all category: if it doesn't fit anywhere else, and it's not too dark, it must be a Pale Ale. Luckily, many Portland breweries don't make use of this cheap parlor trick. Though there is a lot of leeway with Pales, there are standards.

Piston Pale Ale is the essential Portland pint. It's everything a Pale Ale should be, but with the great Northwest twist: bigger and better. In many other parts of the world, this would be considered an India Pale Ale. With stats like 5.6% abv, 35 IBUs, and an OG of 13 degrees Plato, Piston falls within the guidelines of a Pale Ale, but based on aroma and taste alone, nine out of ten dentists would call this an IPA.

Well, the beers grow bigger around here, and we're OK with that. This beer is a perfect balance between malt and hops, with a great dry finish. It's a perfect crisp beer in the warmer months. And, when it's cooler outside, it does a wonderful job of scraping the sweetness of barleywines off of your tongue, with enough alcohol to keep you warm. This is truly a beer for all seasons. We hear it even goes great with breakfast! Not all Pale Ales can do that!

Beer of the Month - Amnesia Desolation IPA [April 2007]

Amnesia Desolation IPA [April 2007]

India Pale Ales are the big brothers of Pale Ales, and a favorite of Portlanders. Because colonization is a thirst provoking task, the English fortified their Pale Ales with more malt and hops to preserve the beer for long trips from Britain to India. This task not only upped the flavor, but also the alcohol, creating a more robust Pale Ale, dubbed India Pale Ale. We are situated in the Hop Belt here in Portland and you don't have to travel very far to find a great variety of native hops. Because of this, many Northwest beers of all styles are very hoppy. However, taking a great beer and just adding more hops doesn't necessarily make a great beer. As Laurelwood's Chad Kennedy said, "can you balance that big bitterness and aroma or is it simply one dimensional hop bomb?"

The key to great beer is balance. The addition of more malt to a beer will usually result in a sweeter beer with a higher alcohol content. When you increase the hops, you not only increase the bitterness, but also the hop taste and aroma, depending on what time they are added to the boil. A great IPA recipe needs to make sure that all of these elements not only end up in line with the beer style, but are also in harmony with each other.

Our first award for Beer of the Month, Amnesia's Desolation IPA, was picked for this very reason. Not only is the balance between the malt and hops perfect for this style, but the choice of malt and hop varieties creates a final beer that is completely unified and is as delicious as it is complex. These complexities make Desolation IPA a great example of where an IPA can be pushed and still remain within the confines of the style. Brewer Kevin King's history with Rogue Ales is evident as he continues to push the boundaries with all of the beers in Amnesia's lineup.