Pacific Northwest Beer Chick

Breweries, Beers & Good Times

My Beer Vacation – Part 1 March 18, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Oregon Brewers,Pacific Northwest Beer,Portland Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 7:54 pm

A few weeks ago hubby and I took a nice week-long vacation. We hit various beer spots stretching from Seattle down to Centralia. I can’t include my favorite places in one article so I will write in parts.

Our vacation started off on a very elegant note. I have wanted to attend a beer pairing dinner for a while but due to my unpredictable work schedule (yes, I have a real job) and the fact that most of the dinners take place during a weeknight, I haven’t been able to go to any. Just so happens the first night of our vacation we were able to go to a great beer pairing dinner at Trellis; a lovely restaurant inside the Heathman Hotel in downtown Kirkland, WA.  This gorgeous hotel is chic and artsy. Beautifully decorated it would be easy to sit in front of the fireplace in the lobby and enjoy a book or good conversation. Our hotel room was very upscale and I felt like queen. As for the beer dinner….

Lord knows I am no food critic but I will do my best to describe the incredible meal we had. The Hub Brewery (AKA Hopworks Urban Brewing Company) from Portland was the guest brewer of the evening. We started with hors d’oeuvres in the lobby which consisted of popcorn shrimp, beef skewers, pulled pork sliders, homemade potato chips and pork rinds just to name a few. We sipped on tasters of The Hub’s Pale Ale and Lager. The Pale Ale is honey gold in color. The aroma is citrusy and floral. There is a nice hint of caramel in the flavor and it finishes crisp and clean. The Lager is light, smooth and malty. Soft honey flavor coats the palate and a sweet floral finish. Also crisp and clean both of these beers were a perfect teaser for what was to come.

As we sat down at our tables I was shocked and excited to discover that my husband and I would be sharing our table with Don Scheidt of Celebrator Beer News and his lovely wife. As we settled in we were handed what has to be the most creative menu I have ever seen. Drawn up like a blue print the menu contained hand drawn visuals of what we were going to be served for the duration of our dinner along with which beer was to be paired with it. Chef Brian Scheehser uses the freshest of ingredients from his own farm located just a few miles from the restaurant. And boy does it show!

First up was Bone Marrow with Prawns served with The Hub’s Galactic Imperial Red. I have never had bone marrow before but I must say it was surprising good! Served with small crackers this appetizer was rich with a smooth texture. The Imperial Red was toasty, crisp and malty. Medium to full-bodied this beer went very well with the richness of the marrow.

Next up was Stuffed Quail and the Deluxe Organic Ale. Another first for me, the quail was tender and flavorful. The Organic Ale was very clean, crisp and fresh. Nicely hopped this is a very well-balanced beer and paired well with the quail. For a palate cleanser we were served sorbet in a tall glass with a side of The Hub’s Ace of Spades. This double IPA was very hoppy and crisp. According to our blue print menu we were to pour the IPA into the sorbet glass. Following suit I did and wow what a great surprise. The IPA mellowed out the sorbet’s sweetness while the sorbet cut down on the bitter hoppiness. I’ve never had an IPA float before, but this one was delicious and different.

The next dish on the menu was also my favorite. Beer Braised Short Ribs serve with the Session Cascadian Dark Ale. The meet on the short rib sat in a rich broth and was incredibly tender and fell apart on first touch. I wish I had more of the short ribs. The Dark Ale was the perfect beer for this dish. It’s dark and smoky with a toasted malty finish. Hints of chocolate and coffee complimented this dark ale.

For dessert we were served Sandra’s Creation. A dark chocolate, hazelnut, flourless cake. Rich, decadent deliciousness. And the beer? The Hub’s Dark Helmet Schwarzbeer. This malty beer had notes of dark chocolate and was like drinking an iced mocha. Chocolate and chocolate. Just when I thought we couldn’t end a meal any better we were served the Final Nail. In other words; dark chocolate truffles. Absolute rich decadence at its finest.

So, we slowly waddled our way to our gorgeous hotel room and crashed. We are still talking about what a great experience we had at Trellis. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The hotel was beautiful. The food; incredible. And the beer, well I have to say, the beer was great and paired perfectly with the meal. I enjoyed my dinner companions, the food, the beer and the atmosphere. My thanks to the Heathman Hotel, Trellis, and the Hub for an incredible evening.

Part 2 of my beer vacation coming soon!

Cheers!

Liz

www.heathmankirkland.com

www.hopworksbeer.com

 

Beer…it’s not just for guys anymore! March 15, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Washington beer — pnwbeerchick @ 8:43 pm

Let’s be honest…the beer brewing culture is dominated by men for men. Beer is usually brewed for the male palate and sweeter beverages like ciders and mixed drinks are marketed more to women. That’s a shame. I know a whole slew of chicks that love their IPA’s and Pale Ales just as much (if not more) than their male counterparts. More and more women are jumping on the beer bandwagon and long gone are the days of “men only” bars and saloons. Women are beginning to make their mark on the culture becoming head brewers and, in some cases, brewery owners…and they are producing some tasty stuff!

Case in point is a lovely beer I had just a couple of weeks ago. Très Fem is a collaboration beer by Kathleen Hale of Hale’s Ales, Jessica Husted and Reina Powers of Der Blokken Brewery. This lovely cherry beer is brewed with 2-Row Pale malt, Wheat malt and Flaked barley along with Saaz hops and Belgian yeast blend and, of course, tart cherries. The aroma is absolutely lovely and full of cherries. The flavor is crisp and tart with a nice, sour finish. One of the great things about Très Fem is the touch of cherry sweetness that is not so overpowering that it no longer tastes like beer. The brewers compare this beauty to a Belgian Kriek and I couldn’t agree more. Très Fem would drink very nicely with a lovely fruit salad or chicken. On its own it would make for a great spring afternoon treat. For the dudes out there that think this sounds like “chick beer” I noticed just as many men enjoying Très Fem as the ladies.

Très Fem is available in kegs, 22oz bottles, and on tap but for only for a limited time so grab one while you can and….GO GIRL POWER!

Cheers,

Liz

 

 

Get your pig on! March 9, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Poulsbo,WA,Washington beer — pnwbeerchick @ 8:41 pm

As many of you know I have been a big fan of Slippery Pig Brewing Company since its opening last year. And just when I think “the Pig” can’t do any better, they continue to surprise me! On a recent visit I noticed some great enhancements to the tasting area and got the chance to try some of Dave’s new creations.

The first physical enhancement of note is that the dirt road the brewery sits on has now been renamed “Slippery Pig Way.” This makes the brewery MUCH easier to find for the first timer and is a great nod to the efforts put forth by Slippery Pig’s owners: Dave and Shawna Lambert. After all, not everyone gets a street named after them! The tasting area has had a facelift as well. Still located on the farm the tasting area is now covered with reclaimed beams from the Alamo Theater that was once located in old Poulsbo. Now during any PNW weather we can sit and enjoy a pint.

Do you like scavenger hunts? Ask for a list of the “recycled” objects in the tasting area that highlights the farm and Lambert family history. Oh! And they have pigs!

Now I know you are chomping at the bit for the new beers on tap, so here goes…

Western Red Cedar Lager (6.4% ABV) – This crazy good beer has the most unusual of ingredients…Western Red Cedar tips. You read correctly. Three pounds of them are added at the end of the boil and steeped like tea giving a surprisingly beautiful, spicy flavor. The cedar is definitely present in the aroma and has a sweetness that tastes like it belongs there. I couldn’t get enough of this beer…  and neither could the other customers!

Hildisvini, Battle Swine (9.8% ABV) – One of the craziest beers I have ever had also has the craziest ingredients. Rhubarb, cinnamon stick, raisins, and caramelized squash just to name a few. Battle Swine is unfiltered, full-bodied, thick and syrupy. Lovely sweet, brown sugar and caramel finish. This is definitely a sipper and not for the faint of heart. Battle Swine is a great after dinner beer.

Slippery Pig is also a working farm with a lot of history and character so if you haven’t visited the brewery yet it is definitely worth the trip.

 

Cheers!

Liz

 

 

Coming soon: New beers from Slippery pig brewery, Hopworks beer dinner, my beer vacation, and some tasty 22 oz beers! February 24, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Oregon Brewers,Oregon Micro Breweries,Pacific Northwest Beer,Seattle Beer,WA,Washington beer — pnwbeerchick @ 9:10 am
 

Spring forward with two new seasonal releases! February 16, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,New Belgium Brewing,Seasonal beers,spring seasonal beers — pnwbeerchick @ 5:47 pm

Though the weather in the PNW is still a bit on the chilly side, the beer choices are lightening up a bit. Yes kids, it’s time for spring seasonals! You know… the light, fruity, hoppy beers that drink nicely on cool, breezy days and crisp nights. I recently picked up a couple of fresh releases to get me in the mood for those flowery spring days.

New Belgium’s spring seasonal for 2012, Dig Pale Ale (5.6% ABV), is brewed with Sorachi Ace, Nelson Sauvin and Cascade hops and has a beautiful citrus aroma. Grapefruit, lemon rind and mango come on strong with grassy notes in the finish. It’s crisp and clean and quite refreshing. Dig Pale Ale is a lovely spring ale.

Changing styles a bit, Deschutes Brewery’s Red Chair Northwest Pale Ale (6.2% ABV) is the polar opposite of Dig Pale Ale. Red Chair is lightly hopped and gives just enough punch for the PNW palate. Seven select European and American malts gives a smooth and slightly caramel finish. Red Chair is medium bodied and quite yummy.

Although Dig Pale Ale is more of a classic style pale ale, I think Red Chair is equally as tasty. Both are available at the local grocery so run in and grab a sixer!

 

Cheers!

Liz

www.newbelgium.com

www.deschutesbrewery.com

 

Have beer will travel! February 7, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Washington beer — pnwbeerchick @ 8:43 pm

I’ve always wanted to travel the world and experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of different places. Thanks to a little place in Pacific, WA I can at least experience the taste part. Trade Route Brewing Company takes the best and most interesting flavors from around the world and creates flavorful brews that would give Sir Francis Drake flashbacks.

Mango Weizen (5.0% ABV) – Fresh mango aroma & flavor.  Syrupy mouth feel, medium body and finishes sweet, but not too sweet. Trade Route adds mango puree after fermentation creating this wonderfully unfiltered, fruity beer. This is definitely a favorite of mine.

Jet Stream (4.5% ABV) – Golden honey color. Flaked rice is used during brewing creating a crisp, “sparkly” lager with soft floral and honey notes.

Ginger Pale Ale (5.0% ABV) – With a fresh ginger aroma this ale may have you thinking twice before tasting. DON’T THINK! You must try this beer! The flavor mimics ginger ale with a little kick to it. Spicy yet slightly sweet, the first sip is quite unusual. The second and third sip and you are hooked. Pungent ginger finish, but really fun to experience.

Sumatra Coffee Stout (6.3% ABV) – Ink black color with light tan head. This wonderful stout has a smoky aroma and tastes like a dark chocolate mocha. For a stout it has a lighter body than one would expect, but very easy to drink. This was my favorite beer of the day!

253 Amber (6.0% ABV) – Pretty red color. Fruity, floral nose. Light sugar/candy flavor with a touch of honey to finish. Very nice beer for those breezy spring days.

Midnight Ale (6.0% ABV) – Dark red color and “pancake syrup” aroma. The body was a bit watery but syrupy sweet. Too sweet in fact. This was not one of my favorites.

Hoppy Bitch IPA (6.3% ABV) – Light hop aroma. This IPA starts out on the sweeter side and then the hops creep up on you and POW! Nice malty character. Hop heads will enjoy this bitch!

The tasting room offers a few snacks (popcorn, sausage on a roll, and chips), and serves pizza, sub sandwiches, and pastas after 4:00pm. They are also one of the only tasting rooms open seven days a week and have live music on Saturday nights.

 

Cheers,

Liz

www.traderoutebrewing.com

 

 

Sierra Nevada Gets Ruthless January 29, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Seasonal beers — pnwbeerchick @ 11:14 am

Tired of being snowed in? Winter weather got you down? Well Sierra Nevada Brewing Company has found a remedy. Ruthless Rye IPA is this year’s spring seasonal brew. I was very excited to see this release for a couple of reasons: 1) Sierra Nevada is a favorite in my house and, 2) the label is just so darn gorgeous. But it’s what was inside the bottle that sent my heart a flutter.

Brewed with Chinook, Citra, Bravo and experimental hops, Ruthless Rye starts your experience with a beautiful, fresh grapefruit aroma. The grapefruit comes through loud and clear on the first sip. The taste is citrusy, rustic and the finish is clean and snappy. The rye creates and interesting “rustic” and peppery quality. Any “hop head” will enjoy this beer. And at 6.6% ABV it’s just right for cold winter nights and breezy spring days. Ruthless Rye IPA is a great beer for meals, but even better as a stand-alone.  Like I said, it is the spring seasonal beer for 2012 and on shelves now so grab some before it’s gone!

Cheers,

Liz

www.sierranevada.com

 

Coming soon: Trade Route Brewing Co, more of the Best of Tacoma, and a couple of tasty 22oz brews. January 15, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Tacoma Breweries,Tacoma Pubs & Taverns,WA,Washington beer — pnwbeerchick @ 11:50 am
 

Fly the friendly skies with Airways Brewing Company January 7, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Uncategorized,WA,Washington beer — pnwbeerchick @ 5:15 pm

What does one do when one has a love of 1960’s aviation and a passion for beer? Just ask Alex Ditmar, owner and head brewer of Airways Brewing Company. Alex combined his two loves and created a unique micro-brewery in Kent, WA. Airways opened its doors in 2010 with a brewery and tap-room and in 2011 opened a second bistro location.

And the beer…oh boy…fasten your seatbelts!

Sky Hag IPA (7.8% ABV) – Airways most popular beer is also their best! Sky Hag has a dark, caramel color and a hoppy nose. Grapefruit hits the palate right off and has a lovely floral, hoppy finish.  Yummy!

Jet City ESB (5.5% ABV) – I love ESBs and this one does not disappoint. Caramel, hoppy aroma and a malty, bready mouth feel. It finishes sweet and clean. I love this beer!

First Class IPA (5.5 % ABV) – Dark honey color. Crisp, citrus notes with what I call a “back of the throat” hoppy finish. This is a lovely beer. It may be low in alcohol, but it is large in flavor!

Midnight Departure CDA (6.5% ABV) – Ink black color. Dark chocolate, coffee and molasses hit the palate. Nice toasty finish. Midnight Departure is definitely a sipper.

T-Tail Blonde (5.0% ABV) – this beer is currently on hold but I had the chance to try some beforehand. This blonde is sweet with pineapple notes and light hops. It’s sweet, malty, and finishes crisp and clean. Very nice beer for spring and summer. Fingers crossed it will come back out soon!

To spice things up a bit Airways brews special beers throughout the year. Recently tapped is their dry hopped Lavender ESB. But soon Captain Steve’s British Dark, Starliner Stout with raspberries, and the ever popular Über Hag IPA will join the gang so keep a look out.

Airways does not have a taster tray but don’t fret; they do sell 8oz pours for $2.50. Both locations are very warm and inviting and the photos on the walls attest to Alex’s love of all things old school aviation. At the tap-room, you can order food from Yukon Grill next door and bring it over to enjoy with your pint. The food at the bistro great and the flat bread pizza is to die for!!!

You may not be able to join the “mile high club” but throwing back one of these pints is the next best thing! And you won’t need to return your tray and seat to their upright positions.

Cheers!

Liz

www.airwaysbrewing.com

 

16th Annual Holiday Ale Festival – Portland, OR December 18, 2011

Filed under: beer,Beer Festivals,breweries,Holiday Ales,Micro brew,Oregon Brewers,Oregon Micro Breweries,Portland Holiday Ale Festival — pnwbeerchick @ 5:30 pm

Due to a minor hospital stay, holiday madness, and lack of motivation I have been out of the writing loop for a while. Needless to say I have some catching up to do! First on my list…the 16th Annual Holiday Ale Festival in Portland, OR that took place a couple of weeks ago. As usually the festival was a great event. A large, heated tent covered the park where the festival was held, food venders kept our tummy full, and there was even a coat check for those of us that didn’t want to schlep our stuff around. As for the beer…

Old Saint Chongo – Bear Republic Brewing Co (7% ABV) – Cloverdale, CA – With the aroma of a chocolate covered banana, this winter warmer is a tasty treat. Medium bodied and malty this wheat beer starts with chocolate and finishes with a banana split.

Sang Noir – Cascade Brewing (9.2% ABV) Portland, OR – One of my top five favorites from last year’s Ale Festival was this lovely sour ale. Tart cherries dominate the taste while hints of Bourbon hit the nose. Cascade ages their red and double red beers in Pinot Noir and Bourbon barrels for up to 24 months creating this very pretty, sparkly, holiday ale. Take it easy though, the wonderful flavor will make you forget the high alcohol!

Chocolate Mint Stout – Gilgamesh Brewing (6% ABV) Turner, OR – Using locally grown mint and chocolate cocoa nibs, Gilgamesh has crafted a fun and festive stout that tastes like peppermint patties. I enjoyed this beer but was a bit disappointed with the body. It felt more like medium than full-bodied for a stout. Still a nice beer though.

Bonaparte’s Retreat – Laurelwood Brewing Co (8.2% ABV) Portland, OR – One of my favorites of the day was this toasty, smoky Corsican Christmas Ale. A very strong ale, Bonaparte’s Retreat had a nice hint of roasted chestnut and a malty finish. Great beer but this one you will need to sip, slowly.

The Nutcracker – Oakshire Brewing (8% ABV) Eugene, OR – Very nice Imperial Porter. Full bodied and malty with rich gingerbread spices and a touch of dark chocolate and coffee to finish. The Nutcracker is a great festive porter for the holidays.

Belsnickle’s Strong Ale – Rusty Truck Brewing Co (7.6% ABV) Salem, Or – My favorite beer of the event was this wonderful strong ale. Brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander Rusty Truck really captured what holiday ale should taste like. Warm and malty I had a hard time putting this baby down.

Just a reminder with winter beers; the alcohol is going to be a bit higher than beers brewed during the rest of the year so please be careful when enjoying them.

The Holiday Ale Festival itself was very fun and well-organized. The downside unfortunately was the beer. Brewers from all over the PNW showed up, but did not seem to bring anything spectacular. There were some really good beers at the event, but nothing seemed to “wow” me this year. Many of the beers did not taste as described and surprisingly a lot of them were a bit watery. Oh well, there is always next year.

Cheers!

Liz

www.bearrepublic.com

www.cascadebrewing.com

www.gilgameshbrewing.com

www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com

www.oakbrew.com

www.rustytruckbrewing.com