Pacific Northwest Beer Chick

Breweries, Beers & Good Times

Beat the summer heat July 19, 2014

Filed under: beer,breweries,California Breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Pacific Northwest Beer,Seasonal beers,Southern California Breweries,Summer Beers,Washington beer,Washington Craft Beer Brewing — pnwbeerchick @ 8:55 pm

Ah, summertime. Time for BBQ’s, beach picnics, mowing lawns, and horrendous heat! So how does one find refreshment when sitting in temperatures that feels like the Seventh Circle ofIMG_1269 Hell? Grab an awesome craft beer of course! There are so many “summer style” beers to choose from, I have chosen a few that have tickled my fancy as of late.

Ninkasi Wünderbier – This tasty beverage is a German-Style Kölsch. I love a good Kölsch and was very excited to stumble upon this one. Slightly sweet with a hint of Golden Grahams cereal, Wünderbier  is crisp, light, and finishes clean. It’s a nice session beer at only 4.4% ABV.

New Belgium Summer Helles Lager – Hints of honey hit your nose before first taste. Summer Helles is very light in body, easy to drink, and has a nice, soft spice to the finish. It’s hard to put this one down!

Anchor Summer Beer – The very first craft beer I ever had was an Anchor Steam. That was 20 years ago and since then the Anchor Brewing Company has never disappointed me. This beer is no exception! This filtered wheat beer is crisp and light, with a hint a honey. Very refreshing.

Silver City Ziggy Zoggy Lager – One of my favorite breweries in Washington State, Silver City Brewing Company “kills it” with this awesome, unfiltered summer beer. Banana clove tastiness, honey everywhere, malty, and light. This one is a summer favorite for me!

For me, the key with any good summer beer is the body.  It has to be crisp, easy to drink, and not too heavy with a slight fruit or honey note. These beers “nail it.”

 

Cheers!

Liz

 

 

 

Summertime at Silver City June 14, 2014

Filed under: beer,breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,Pacific Northwest Beer,Seasonal beers,spring seasonal beers,Summer Beers,WA,Washington beer,Washington Craft Beer Brewing — pnwbeerchick @ 10:12 pm

 

 

I have been a big fan of Silver City Brewing Co. for quite some time and always look forward to anything new. Recently I had the privilege to hang out with the guys at Silver City’s tap-room and sample some of the new seasonals and specialties on tap. I got to relax with the brewery’s owner, Scott, and with the brewers themselves enjoying some tasty seasonals currently on tap. A game or two of “Ziggy Zoggy Foursquare” took place, and fun was had by all! So let’s get to it!

Huckleberry Wheat (5.4% ABV) – Subtle fruit from throughout. Crisp, clean, with a soft fruit finish. Lightly hopped. Very nice.IMG_1163

Sour POWr Pear Lambic (6.2%ABV) – Gorgeous golden color. Pears are aged in the beer for a year creating a wonderful fruit sourness. Light honey top notes with a nice sour finish.

West Sound IPA (5.2%ABV) – For those who like a lighter hopped IPA, be careful! This beer is deceiving. The aroma is hoppy but soft. The first sip is mild but then suddenly, POW! The hops just punch you right in the face. Big citrus finish. Perfect for the IPA lover.

Rye Bock (6.5%ABV) – Sweet and hazel nutty. Rye character carries all the way through. Malty, sweet finish. Medium to full body.

Deluxe Spring Lager (6.2%ABV) – Once of my favorites of the day! Very nice with honey, floral character. Light, not too sweet. Reminds me of Golden Grahams cereal. Nice sweet finish. Perfect for spring or an early, mild summer day.

Happy Fun Time Ginger Beer (4%ABV) – I’m usually not a fan of ginger beer. Most brewers tend to overdo the ginger producing a much too tangy product. But this ginger beer is a delight! Big ginger aroma and nice ginger flavor throughout. Well-balanced and refreshing. The ginger is just right, not too overpowering.

B-Town Sour Red (6.3%ABV) – Sweet-tart candy sour. Slight hard-alcohol aroma. definitely a sipper.

Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged ImperiaI Red (8.5%ABV) – Thick, syrupy body. High alcohol aroma. Sweet, nutty first note. Finishes strong. Be careful!

Golden Mountain Pilsner (5%ABV) – Sweet, bubbly, effervescent. Honey notes, finishes crisp. Light and well, balanced.

The Silver City Flagship Restaurant is located at 2799 NW Myhre Road  in Silverdale at the Silverdale Mall. The Brewery & Tap Room is located in Bremerton at 206 Katy Penman Drive. The tap-room does not serve food but you are welcome to bring in anything you wish to munch on. Many of their beers are available in bottles at your local market or bottle shop.  If you haven’t stopped by one of these locations in person then all I have to ask is, where the heck have you been?

 

Cheers!

Liz

http://www.silvercitybrewery.com

 

 

 

Southern-Style Spring May 14, 2014

Filed under: beer,breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,New Orleans,Seasonal beers,spring seasonal beers — pnwbeerchick @ 2:55 pm

I love Louisiana. I have only been there once, but my Cajun roots keep calling me to come back. I visited in 2005 and fell so much in love with the state that I10339691_10202847640451023_2383398713637856762_n booked a trip to go back the following October. I did not get a chance to visit Abita Brewing  during my one and only visit so 2005 was going to be my year. Unfortunately, fate saw differently and Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf ruining my plans to visit, and shattering thousands of lives.  Abita Brewery suffered about $30,000 in property damage from the hurricane along with the loss of 31 gallons of fermenting beer. Luckily, they were able to reopen two weeks later and have been going strong ever since.

Well, it’s 2014, spring has sprung in the south and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with Abita’s Strawberry Harvest Lager. The essence of fresh picked strawberries hits the nose immediately. This beer is lightly sweet with a touch of sour. Louisiana strawberry juice is added after filtering giving a fresh fruit flavor without tasting sugary or fake. Subtly strawberry flavor carries right through to the crisp finish. Though this is a “fruit beer” it is by no means  “chick beer.” And at only 4.2% ABV this lovely lager is perfect for those hot, humid, southern afternoons and cool breezy evenings. It pairs well with any food because the sweetness of the fruit is well-balanced and not too overpowering. So instead of grabbing a sweet tea at your next BBQ, grab one of these.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Liz

http://www.abita.com

 

 

What’s behind The Copper Door? May 6, 2014

Filed under: beer,breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer — pnwbeerchick @ 9:04 pm

10340149_870397739640664_512171712103689795_n

A new bottle shop has opened in “T-Town” and boy is it a beauty! The Copper Door is more than your average bottle shop. Cozy in appearance and feel, there are approximately 550 American craft beers and a sprinkling of a few European beers fill the large coolers that stretch along the wall.  Not only can you pick up a 220z, but there is no currently no corkage fee if you want to drink your purchase there. Pub tables and chairs, couches, and a side room are open for anyone to come in and enjoy a pint and there are 16 rotating taps behind the bar. YES! I said a bar! The decor is simple, warm and elegant. The beer selection is great and the prices are very reasonable. The Copper Door is open 7 days a week but check their website for hours. One can easily spends a few hours here.

 

Cheers,

Liz

http://www.thecopperdoor.net

 

 

Coming Soon: Seasonals from Pyramid Brewing Co, Slippery Pig Brewing, and Narrows Brewing. Oh, and the upcoming Gig Harbor Beer Festival. Wow! I better get going! April 15, 2014

Filed under: beer,Beer Festivals,breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,Gig Harbor,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Seasonal beers,Tacoma Breweries,WA,Washington beer,Washington Craft Beer Brewing,Washington State Micro Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 12:59 pm
 

A Pirate’s Life For Puget Sound! January 2, 2014

Filed under: beer,breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Port Orchard Brewery,Seasonal beers,Washington beer,Washington Craft Beer Brewing — pnwbeerchick @ 8:52 pm

I have always had a deep love for all things pirate. I know this is not really that unusual for a chick but I can’t help it. My love of pirates started in my early childhood. As a “So Cal” girl my family went on trips to Disneyland on a regular basis and Pirates of the Caribbean was (and still is) my favorite ride. In my later years as a Disneyland Cast member I spent 1104648935720many a day and night working on that ride sorting people into their lines to board one of the greatest rides in the park! “What the hell does this have to do with beer?” you may be asking yourself. Well, a great brewery on the Puget Sound has combined two of my loves: beer & pirates!

Slaughter County Brewing Company opened its doors in 2012 in Port Orchard, WA. Owner and head brewer, Scott Kirvan (pictured), let his love of all things pirate take over. Themed entirely with swashbuckler in mind, Slaughter County serves up some brews that Blackbeard himself would slit a throat to drink! My personal favorite is the Regimental Scotch (7.4% ABV). This medium bodied beauty is malty and sweet with a lovely, toasty finish. Hints of brown sugar linger throughout. But, this is a butt kicker so tread lightly. Another favorite is Ol’ One Eye PA (5.2% ABV). This IPA is nicely balanced and not too heavy on the hops. It is also a little on the maltier side with a slight hop flower finish. Very drinkable and goes well with food. For you sour beer fans out there, the brewery serves up the Drama Queen Sour Kölsch  (5.15% ABV). Light yellow color, crisp, clean, with a lemon kick. Pretty nice. Scott also brews interesting and delicious seasonal IMG_3046beers so be sure to check his Facebook page to see what he has up his sleeve. He also has a nice selection of guests taps along with some great bottled beers; both import and local.

Do you like romance with your pirates? How about the romantic tradition of toasting the sunset? Yes, every night Scott jumps up on the bar, says a few lovely words about life, and everyone raises their glasses to the setting sun.  There is a full kitchen and everything on the menu is absolutely delicious! Try the Chicken Curry Soup, the Reuben, or one of their fresh-baked pizzas! An amazing view of the Puget Sound is visible from anywhere in the brewery and there is live music at night so check Slaughter’s schedule for dates and times. You may even run into a pirate, or ten! I love this place!!!

Cheers!

Liz

http://www.slaughtercountybrewing.com

 

 

 

A Beer Nerd’s Christmas List December 15, 2013

Filed under: beer,breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,Micro brew — pnwbeerchick @ 9:27 pm

With Christmas less than two weeks away, some of you may be panicking over what to get the beer lover in your life. Let me give you a few words of advice: please, I’m begging 9781467120296you (as well as all serious beer enthusiasts), step away from the display with the Homer Simpson talking beer opener and the plastic “beer goggles.” In my book, one of the best gifts you can give is, well, a book. But not just any books. There a many books out there for beer lovers that cover everything from the history of beer to 110 ways to brew your own. This year’s published pages are quite impressive. Here is a list of my suggested reads…

D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc (Arcadia Publishing, 2013) is a lovely book for that beer historian in your life. Learn the history of America’s largest and oldest continuously running brewery through more than 200 beautiful, historic photos and anecdotes. This gem is full of many little known about the Yuengling family and the struggles and triumphs of the American beer legacy. Great read!

For the amateur or home brewer there is a trio of books known as the Brewing Elements series that I highly suggest. First in the trio; For the Love of hops:Theyeast1 Practical shoppingfortheloveofhops   Guide to Aroma, Bitterness and the Culture of Hops (Brewers Publications, 2012). You will learn about different varieties and   origins of hop s and how to use them. Next up is a book about what many consider the most important ingredient in beer: Water: A   Comprehensive Guide for Brewers (Brewers Publications, 2012). Everything you need to know about this crucial ingredient and how it affects the brewing process is outlined in this book. Third in the series: Yeast: The Practical Guide to Beer Fermentation (Brewers Publications, 2012). You will learn about caring for and brewing with this magical, and misunderstood, ingredient.audacityhops_1

One of this year’s hottest books about craft brewing is another “must have” for the craft beer enthusiast. The Audacity of Hops: The History of America’s Craft Beer Revolution (Chicago Review Press, 2013) talks about craft brewing’s history starting with the humble beginning in 1975 when there was only one craft brewery in existence to over 2,300 today. This is a very educational and enjoyable resource for anyone who is just starting out in the craft beer scene or the connoisseur who is always wanting to learn more.

Santa will get a big thumbs up this year if any of these great reads are under the tree.

Merry Christmas!!

Liz

 

 

Coming soon: Slaughter County Brewing, Alaska trip, The Hub Grand Opening in Gig Harbor, and seasonal beers now available! Stay tuned!!! September 22, 2013

Filed under: beer,breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,Micro brew,Seasonal beers — pnwbeerchick @ 2:54 pm
 

So Cal beer for the PNW shores August 5, 2013

Filed under: beer,breweries,California Breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,San Diego Breweries,Southern California Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 8:11 pm

My last couple of trips back home to So. Cal did not, unfortunately, include a visit to San Diego. There are many a great breweries in San Diego and the county has quite the 1002235_672912556055851_818241141_nreputation for producing some of America’s finest craft beers. About a month or two ago the very generous owner of Oceanside Ale Works, Mark Purciel, sent me a special package filled with “liquid sunshine.”

Elevation 83 Extreme Pale Ale (8.3% ABV) is a nicely hopped, well-balanced pale ale. Medium to full-bodied, this extreme pale ale is no lie! The aroma is hoppy yet has a touch of hard alcohol. Syrupy mouth feel. Toasty, very hop forward, and a bit of a whiskey finish. The overall taste reminds me of a crisp, autumn day. It would be a perfect ale for those cool summer nights on a Southern California beach, or a great fireside beer in the PNW. I really like this beer.

Thanks again to Mark and the great folks at the brewery! I know one thing: I need to get my butt down to Oceanside!

Cheers!

Liz

http://www.oceansidealeworks.net/

 

California Brewin’ June 19, 2013

Filed under: beer,breweries,California Breweries,Micro brew,Orange County Breweries,Southern California Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 7:01 pm

Going back home to So Cal for a visit is always fun. Over the last few years my visits have become much more exciting with the addition of new craft breweries. It seems like every time I go home, there is a new crop of breweries. In the past, San Diego and Northern California were the only spots in the state that were known for brewing craft beer. It’s only over the last six-plus years that the craft brew industry has taken a hold of Orange and Los Angeles Counties with new breweries popping up what seems like every other month! That’s great news! On my last trip I was a bit pressed for time so I could only visit three of said new breweries…

Old Orange Brewing Company located in the city of Orange opened in 2011 by four local boys. The tasting room is406 simple and cool. The staff is VERY friendly, and the beer…great stuff!

Old Orange Cream Ale on Nitro (6.1% ABV) – Smooth, creamy. Light fruit. Reminds me of a 50/50 bar. Yummy!

Street Fair Orange Wheat (4.6% ABV) – Ah, memories of walking around the Orange Street Fair. I only wish I had one of these in my hand back then. Light, very easy to drink, soft orange fruit. Clean finish. Perfect for those hot, Orange County days.

Cussin’ Jim IPA (7.4% ABV) – This medium bodied ale is nicely hopped and well-balanced. Lovely floral aroma with a hop finish.

Old Dummy Strong Ale (9.3% ABV) – Brown sugar  body, hard alcohol fume hits the nose. Malty and easier to drink than you would expect. Hard alcohol finish. Tread lightly, though this drinks easily it will kick your butt all the way to Riverside!

Thumb Master Double IPA (8.5% ABV) – Hoppy, well-balanced. Touch of toffee sweetness.

432About a block or so away is another OC gem: Valiant Brewing Company. Set back in  and industrial park, this brewery is a little harder to find, but well worth the quest. The tasting room is large and open sharing space with the brewing equipment. There are plenty of tables for anyone, just no chairs. If you get hungry there is a great food truck parked right out side the tasting room and the food will be brought right to you. But, again, you have to stand while you eat. Let’s get to the important part: the beer!

Mighty Maximus Ale (3.6% ABV) – Dark and bitter. Slightly sweet and lightly hopped. Nice, bitter finish.

Fields Ablaze Saison (6.9% ABV) – Brewed with pear and lemongrass, this baby is quite unique. Both sweet and tart with a nice crisp finish. Smooth and fruity.

31 Kings IPA (6.5% ABV) – Very well-balanced and malty. Nice hop flower aroma. Crisp, clean with a lovely hop finish.

About ten minutes away is the pride of Fullerton, CA: Bootlegger’s Brewery. Located in the historic district B102ootlegger’s has been churning out the liquid gold since 2008. There is a lovely, large beer garden just outside the door.

Tropical Thunder Pale Ale (5.3% ABV) – Fruity, hoppy aroma. Well-balanced fruit body, but not sweet. Lovely hop finish.

Mountain Meadow Honey Blonde (5.5% ABV) – This little beauty was like drinking a nice glass of iced herbal tea. Honey, sage notes throughout with interesting “tea-like” qualities. Nicely balanced and finishes softly sweet. Gorgeous!

Old World Hefewiezen (5.0% ABV) – If you like german wheat beers (me, me, me) then you will really enjoy this one! Bubble gum, banana clove aroma. Sweet, honey and flowers in the body. Nicely done.

I wish I could have spent more time in “So Cal.” There are so many more new breweries yet to hit. I’ll keep you posted next time I go.

Cheers!

Liz

 

www.valiantbrewing.com

www.oldorangebrewing.com

www.bootleggersbrewery.com

 

 

 

 
%d bloggers like this: