Pacific Northwest Beer Chick

Breweries, Beers & Good Times

Oceanside Ale Works making waves November 14, 2015

Filed under: beer,breweries,California Breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,Fruit beers — pnwbeerchick @ 10:26 pm

The Southern California coast heading towards San Diego and the surrounding areas are my old stomping grounds. What’s not to love? Gorgeous blue skies, the Pacific Ocean, and 75deg weather year round. Sadly, since moving to Washington State visiting the southern-most coastal area of California is a bit difficult. Visiting 10996052_10205037989528381_8075180440017818591_nmy home state usually involves family visits in Orange County so the two-hour trek to the southern-most part of the state is a bit difficult. Well, there is one thing that gives me that “coastal love” that I long for: Oceanside Ale Works.

Now, OAW does not distribute to the PNW, but luckily I have been able to get my hands on a few of their creations. Each beer is just as amazing as the last.

Dude Double IPA – This is Oceanside’s most popular beer. As a double IPA, I was expecting a strong, “blow your head off” hoppy ale. What I got was a well-balanced, slightly malty IPA that even a beer newbie would enjoy. Hints of caramel hit the palate and hop flowers break through the finish. This beer is lovely. Oh, and owner Mark’s photo is on the label. How cool is THAT dude?!?!

Funk-n-Delicious Blueberry – WOW!! Real fruit flavor! Really great aroma of freshly picked blueberries. The flavor is tart, pungent fruit. Nothing fake about this beauty! Sour, sparkly, exactly how you want a fruit beer to taste. Gorgeous!

Up A Kriek Cherry Sour Belgian Blonde – Pretty, pretty beer. If you are a fan of sour beers, this one should put a smile on your face. Tart cherry fruit from start to finish. Effervescent, Champaign-like elegance. Perfect after-dinner treat. Simply gorgeous!

I have yet to actually visit the brewery in Oceanside, but hope to make a trip down there soon. If you hit the Golden State be sure to check around your local ale house or bottle shop and pick up a bottle of liquid So Cal!

Cheers,

Liz

 

Wet Coast brings a ray of sunshine to Gig Harbor September 18, 2015

Filed under: beer,breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,Gig Harbor,Pacific Northwest Beer — pnwbeerchick @ 10:54 pm

I’m pretty darn lucky! Not only do I live in the darling town of Gig Harbor, WA, but I have three breweries within five minutes of my home. Oh, and one of them is my current favorite brewery! Wet Coast Brewing opened in June and is strong coming right out of the gate! I’m really excited about this brewery. Every beer I have is great and there is constantly something new on tap.

Moving Day IPA (5% ABV) – Pretty hop/fruit nose. Very well-balanced. Citrus notes throughout. Crisp hot finish. Really nice1469946_10206108027798669_1825432493690540939_n IPA for both the novice and the “hop head.”

East Meets West ESB (5% ABV) – Malty with a hint of nuttiness. Very smooth with a crisp finish.

Line Jumper IPA (5.4% ABV) – Well-balanced IPA w/honey notes. Lovely hoppy finish.

Dark Coast Black Ale (5.1% ABV) – The name is no lie! This baby is as black as ink. Smokey and rich, this lovely ale is a coffee and chocolate lovers dream. But, what’s nice about this beer is that it’s lighter bodied than what you would expect. Great on warm days or curling up next to and autumn fire.

El Capital Coffee Brown (5.1% ABV) – One of my favorites!! An ale brewed with lots of coffee. The only description needed is that it’s like drinking a creamy dark chocolate iced coffee. So Yummy!

NorthWET Session Ale (4.9% ABV) – Great ale to hang out with. Great hop notes from start to finish. Very easy to drink and finishes clean.

Belma Blonde (5% ABV) – Light, sweet and fruity. Oranges and a hint of honey. Great beer for those with a sweeter palate.

Brass Rail Pale Ale (5.5% ABV) – My absolute favorite of the regular lineup! Hoppy, fruity, and very well-balanced. It truly is one of the best pale ales I’ve had in a long time. I can’t get enough of this one!

Wet Coast is open Thursday & Friday 3:00-9:00pm, Saturday 12:00-9:00pm, and Sunday 12:00-5:00pm. The tap-room is simple and laid-back. Kids and outside food are more than welcome.

While your there, say “Hi” to our favorite beer tender Sarah Jane! She’s a peach!!!

Cheers,

Liz

http://www.wetcoastbrewing.com

 

Longing for Long Beach! December 31, 2014

Filed under: beer,breweries,California Breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,Southern California Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 3:23 pm

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Just got back from a trip to my beloved Southern California. Visiting family and friends is, of course, always on the agenda, but what I really look forward to is hitting some of the new breweries cropping up and visit some of the old ones I have missed. On this trip I was staying in Long Beach aboard the Queen Mary so it was only appropriate to head downtown and see what was on tap! For years Long Beach was known as a not-so-safe place to visit. But over the last decade it has undergone some amazing changes making it much more tourist friendly. The downtown area has cleaned up, new businesses and shopping areas have opened, and there are even free shuttles to get you around downtown. My time for beer yard housedrinking on this trip was rather limited, but I gave it the “old college try!”

In the Long Beach neighborhood of Belmont Shore sits the Belmont Brewing Company. I did not have a chance to visit the brewery itself, but I did get to try one of their beers at the local Yard House. If you have never been to the Yard House (there are several locations in several states) you are really missing out! Over 100+ beers from around the world on tap. On the menu that night was Belmont Brewing’s Strawberry Blonde (4.5% abv). Fruit beer gets a bad wrap for being, well, fruity. Most men consider fruit beers “chick beer.” They couldn’t be more wrong, especially with this little gem. Fresh strawberry hits the nose before you can raise the glass. The fruit flavor is fresh and clean, does not taste syrupy. Lovely jamminess from start to finish but not too sweet. A lovely beer to get into the So Cal mood!

One night, I met with some very dear friends of mine at a more “spiritual” house downtown. Congregation Ale House is located right in the heart of downtown Long Beach. The actual brew house is located in Azusa, CA but there are three locations to enjoy: Azusa, Long Beach and Pasadena. The Long Beach “chapter” was quite lovely with glowing light, gothic arch ways, and gorgeous wrought iron chandeliers reminiscent of a gothic cathedral. The staff was very friendly and beer savvy and one of our servers, Kevin, was a kick in the pants! Thanks, Kevin!!

Praise On! Saison (5.8% abv) – This lovely farmhouse ale has a sour fruit aroma, wheat character in the body. It finishes sour and crisp.

10568825_10204477660760512_8533465143145378077_nEternally Strong Brotherhood ESB (5.4% abv) – I love a good ESB and this one hit the spot! Very malty, slightly bitter, and very delicious. Light hops in the top, with a slightly sweet finish. Very enjoyable.

Dark Of The Covenant (7% abv) – This American Strong Ale, is just that! Soft, smokey aroma and dark chocolate body. This is definitely a sipper for dessert. Almost like drinking a smokey chocolate bar. Quite tasty!

A few doors down is Beachwood Brewing Company. This brewery is also known for its BBQ and has two locations: downtown Long Beach (where I was) and Seal Beach (a bit further down the coast). Very laid back atmosphere. Nice place to hang out.

Foam Top Cream Ale (5.5% abv) – The aroma of Golden Grahams cereal hits the nose right away. Honey-sweet body and a creamy finish. Very easy to drink. Perfect beer for So Cal.

Knucklehead Red (5.7% abv) – Very well-balanced red. Nice caramel character with just enough hops to give it the kick “hopheads” require. Quite nice!

On the last night of my trip I visited San Pedro Brewing Company located in historic San Pedro, CA. Just a stones throw (and a bridge crossing) away from the Queen Mary, the brewery is tucked away in a darling, historic neighborhood. This brewery/restaurant is BUSY! I was a bit bugged atIMG_3664 first because it took almost 15min for anyone to acknowledge me after I sat down (as a former server/bartender, I’m pretty patient). Once my server stopped by things started looking up. I enjoyed a delicious grilled cheese sandwich and a taster tray.

Bruin Blonde Ale (5.5% abv) – This light bodied ale had a candy-like sweetness with a caramel finish. It was a bit like drinking, you guessed it, candy. Very nice for a hot day.

Sunken City Imperial Stout (8.3% abv) – Ink black color, dark chocolate from the start, but finishes smokey. Full bodied, malty, and very smooth. definitely and after dinner beer.

Port Towne Hefe (5% abv) – Hefeweizen is one of my favorite styles of beer. This one was OK, but just a bit watery than what I prefer. The traditional banana clove flavor and aroma were present, it just didn’t have the body I was looking for. Still, not bad.

Red Headed Hop Child (5.6% abv) – Gorgeous color! Hoppy with a touch of hazelnut on the palate. Nutty, crisp finish. This was one of my favorites!

IMG_3873Iowa Battleship IPA (6.6% abv) – Named for the historic battleship docked just a few minutes away, this IPA is sure to make any “hophead” smile, but easy enough for the “hop-shy” to warm up to. Beautiful floral aroma with light hops throughout. Nice, clean finish. This IPA is perfect for the beginner and easy to drink.

Blitzen Belgian (9.11% abv) – This was my least favorite, but not because of quality. I’m not a barley wine/hard alcohol kind of gal so anything higher than say 8% abv really comes through on my palate. This Belgian ale was thick, syrupy and VERY sweet. Too sweet and thick for me but is sure to please the barley wine crowd.

 

If you would like to stay on the Queen Mary, be sure to look into some of the ship activities as well. It is a fun place to stay and a great alternative to a traditional, boring hotel. The free shuttle I mentioned leaves from the parking lot and stops in the downtown area only but runs until about 2:00am.

Cheers!

Liz

 

http://www.congregationalehouse.com

http://www.beachwoodbbq.com

http://www.belmontbrewing.com

http://www.sanpedrobrewing.com

 

To stay aboard the Queen Mary:  http://www.queenmary.com

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!! November 26, 2014

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

Wishbone

 

Brewing up the past September 26, 2014

Filed under: beer,breweries,Craft Beer Breweries,Craft Beer Trade,Pacific Northwest Beer,Tacoma Breweries,Tacoma Pubs & Taverns,WA,Washington beer,Washington Craft Beer Brewing — pnwbeerchick @ 7:37 pm

Incorporated in 1875, Tacoma, WA is bursting with rich cultural and architectural history. Surprising to many is that craft beer shares in much of that long history. In 1897, the Pacific Brewing and Malting company opened its doors in Downtown Tacoma. It quickly grew into the one of the largest breweries in the Northwest. Sadly, like many craft breweries of the time,IMG_2688 Pacific Brewing was shut down due to statewide prohibition in 1916 (four years before the nationwide ban). Lucky for us, two lovers of craft beer, Steve Navarro and Brent Hall, decided to resurrect the old Pacific Brewing and Malting brand, right down to the original logo, and give it new life!

The brewery is located at the foot of the Old Town Hall on Pacific Ave in the shadow of the iconic clock tower. The building has been lovingly restored and looks amazing, both inside and out! Vintage style carriage doors grace the front and gorgeous reclaimed wood table line up on the inside. Exposed brick walls give a wonderfully warm and inviting feeling.

Opening day was a busy one but I was able to squeeze my way in and try a couple of pints. First up was Dirty Skoog IPA. This a very well-balanced IPA and a tad sweeter than you would expect which is a nice change from the “blow your head off” hoppy IPA’s. Quite lovely with a malty finish. Next up was the Citra Pale Ale. Very crisp and full of fruit notes and citrus. Just hoppy enough to make IPA enthusiast order another one. But my favorite of the day was the 1897 Pale Lager. Malty, sweet, light and refreshing. This lager is a nod to the original lager once made by Pacific Brewing but with modern brewing in mind. It’s quite a delightful beer. Other beers they brew are Grit City Porter, Moon Yard Strong Ale, Galaxy Smash (single malt/single hop IPA), and they are currently brewing a Smashing Pumpkin Ale. Yum!

This particular area of Pacific Ave is about sure to be a the craft beer epicenter of Tacoma. Odd Otter Brewing is opening soon and just a few doors down from Pacific Brewing, and the McMenamins purchased the gorgeous Elks Lodge building just behind and is in the process of restoring to its former glory. So, stay tuned!

 

Cheers!

Liz

http://www.pacificbrewingandmalting.com

 

 

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

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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 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

 

 

 
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