Pacific Northwest Beer Chick

Breweries, Beers & Good Times

Upcoming event: Hand Truckin’ @ Latona April 16, 2012

Filed under: beer,Beer Festivals,breweries,Earth Day,Pacific Northwest Beer,Seattle Beer,Washington beer,Washington State Micro Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 7:08 pm

Local Brewery and Pub Toast Earth Day with Ten Mile Hand Truckin’ Event

Two Dozen Volunteers Trek Beer From SODO to Green Lake to Promote Neighborhood Walkability

Event Name: Hand Truckin’ @ Latona

Venue: Latona Pub; 6423 Latona Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98115

Description: A unique Earth Day celebration for beer lovers and supporting a more walkable community. Enjoy a beer and socialize with walking enthusiasts, pedestrian advocates and craft brew lovers. This event benefits Feet First, the only organization in Washington working to ensure there are walkable communities across the state. Your ticket gets you a Feet First pint glass and a big frothy mug of Two Beer’s limited edition Hand Truckin’ Wheat Ale. Prior to the event, volunteers will transport the ale 10 miles on foot from SODO to Greenlake in order to make this a zero-carbon event (call to be part of the great beer hike). Hand Truckin’ Wheat Ale is a bright-colored draft with a soft, slightly fruity aroma that is both brisk and refreshing. This beer is a tribute to people powered beer transportation, Mother Earth, and Feet First’s continued efforts to save lives, improve health, and expand economic growth in Washington.

 

When: April 22, 2012 (Earth Day). 2pm- 4:30 pm (there will be a press event with speakers and photo op at 2:20pm)

Price: $20

Tickets Website: http://feet-first.ticketleap.com/two-beers-a-pub-and-a-nonprofit/

Contact Name: Lee Warnecke

Contact Email: lee@feetfirst.org

Contact Phone: 206.652.2310 ext 4

Visuals: (Image: http://feetfirst.info/KegsAlongBGTrail.jpg ) The unveiling of the Feet First Chicken, the organization’s new mascot designed by staff at Seattle Central Community College’s Apparel Design program. Dozens of volunteers hand trucking kegs on foot from SODO to Green Lake. Friends and neighbors celebrating Earth Day by enjoying a glass of hand trucked ale at Latona Pub.

 

This event is sponsored by Feet First, Latona Pub, Two Beers Brewing Company and Immersus Tours. For the past ten years, Feet First has worked to ensure that all communities in Washington State are walkable. Walking is a vital transportation mode that connects communities, reduces pollution, improves health and physical fitness, and allows people to explore their natural environment.
 

My Beer Vacation – Part 3 April 12, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,Port Townsend,Seattle Beer,Washington beer,Washington State Micro Breweries — pnwbeerchick @ 7:45 pm

A lovely drive north on the Olympic Peninsula will take you to the gorgeous seaside town of Port Townsend, WA. Port Townsend is the perfect getaway for lovers of Victorian architecture and all things nautical. It’s also a fantastic spot for some tasty beer.  But first, a short history lesson.

Port Townsend is a step back into time. Founded in 1851, the town’s physical appearance has changed very little over the last 120 years. Gorgeous Victorian buildings line the

Manresa Castle

Manresa Castle

downtown area and amazing Victorian homes (AKA “painted ladies”) peer down from the cliffs just behind the main street. You can stay in one of the historic hotels located on the main street or you can do what hubby and I did and stay just a few blocks away at Manresa Castle. Yes, there is a castle in Port Townsend! Built in 1892, it was the hill-top home of Port Townsend’s first mayor and his wife: Charles and Kate Eisenbeis.  Jesuit priests bought the home in 1927 and used it as a training college. Today it is a hotel lovingly restored and   gorgeously decorated in period antiques and photos of Port Townsend’s past. One can’t help but want to explore every nook and cranny of the grand old house. As with most old structures, Manresa Castle is rumored to be haunted. I was so looking forward to encountering a spirit. Alas, not this time.

Just down the hill in the ship yard sits Port Townsend Brewing Company. Opened in 1997, the brewery has become the pride of the town. And it’s no wonder why! The tasting room is very large and quite elegant. And boy do they have a lot of beer. I enjoyed the taster tray but was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of beer served; twelve tasters on the tray! Instead of describing every one of them I will pick out my favorites.

Port Townsend Brewing

Chet’s Gold (4.3% ABV) – the lightest beer in the joint. Very crisp, light hops, slightly sweet and finishes clean. Great for a hot day.

Bitter End IPA (6% ABV) – Gold color. Hoppy aroma and full body hop character. Grapefruit notes all the way through. Very tasty.

Hop Diggity IPA (6% ABV) – For an IPA this popular beer has a malty body. Hoppy but easy for the beginning  IPA drinker to enjoy. Lovely grapefruit finish.

Planet Zythos Pale (6.8% ABV) – Unfiltered, hoppy, and well-balanced. Another great beer for the beginner to give a try, but the enthusiast will enjoy as well.

Straight Stout (6% ABV) – For the chocolate fans, this one’s for you! Ink black color and light tan head. Chocolate aroma with smooth, chocolate, malty body and finish.

It was very hard to choose just a few of Port Townsend Brewing’s beers to talk about because they were all great. The tasting room is open Tuesday through Saturday. During warmer weather they open the grassy beer garden and feature live music.

Sirens

Making a right onto Hwy 20 will take you to the middle of the town’s main drag. Located on the second floor of one of the Victorian buildings is Sirens: A Pub of Distinction. I would

describe Sirens as a mix of gypsy den and antique store. There is outside seating and a gorgeous view of the Puget Sound. Sirens has a great beer selection (11 brews on tap and various bottled beers) and the food in incredible. The staff is very friendly and there is live music on occasion so be sure and check their schedule.

Port Townsend is a town full of maritime and Victorian history. Great for an overnight stay or a romantic weekend getaway, I would suggest anyone to stop through at least once. There aren’t too many towns like this left!

Cheers!

Liz

www.porttownsendbrewing.com

www.manresacastle.com

www.sirenspub.com

 

My Beer Vacation – Part 2 April 9, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,McMenamins Brewery,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,WA — pnwbeerchick @ 8:33 pm

The next leg of my beer vacation took me to the sleepy little town of Centralia, WA. What’s in Centralia you ask? McMenamins Olympic Club, that’s what! What is the Olympic Club? A gym? Ok, enough of the questions. The Olympic Club is a historic hotel located in old downtown Centralia. Built in 1908 and renovated in 1913, the Olympic Club has spent the last century reinventing its self and, as with most old hotels, has a colorful history. Spending most of its life as the Oxford Hotel, it was known as a gentlemen’s club, a pool hall and, of course, there are even tales of a brothel. Today it serves as a 27 room hotel with a full service restaurant, two bars, pool hall, and movie theater.

McMenamins Brewery bought the club in 1997 and lovingly restored it to the impressive retreat it is today. Now I could go on all day about McMenamins Brewery and their commitment to salvaging PNW history one building at a time but I will save that for a later article…back to The Olympic Club. Now if you have never been to a McMenamins establishment you are in for a treat. Except for the name change the Olympic Club has remained virtually unchanged over the last 100 years, right down to the Tiffany-style stained glass light fixtures and Belgian crystal to the ceramic tile floors and antique cash register. In fact, if you take a stroll through the building you will see many photos of The Olympic Club and the city of Centralia over the last century. The adjoining restaurant is kid friendly and more of the original establishment lurks in every corner. In the connecting pool hall you can choose your “stick” and play a few games on the original century old pool tables.

Down the hall you will find McMenamins movie theater. You can cuddle up on any of the love seats or choose a comfy chair and enjoy one of the latest releases. Food and drink are very welcome in the theater and they will even bring it to you when you order from the bar. Kid friendly matinees show during the day and the latest blockbusters begin showing in the early evening. Live bands also grace the theatre so check the club’s schedule for performances.

Up the creaky old stairs the hotel’s spirits greet guests in photo and art. McMenamins artists preserve the history of the club by whimsically illustrating stories on the walls. Each guest room is named for and tells a story of a different character in the clubs history. Guest room prices depend on bed preference: queen beds or bunk beds. Trust me… it’s great fun reliving childhood by sleeping in a bunk bed! One thing I must warn you about, if you are not a fan of European style restrooms (shared restrooms) then this hotel may not be for you. Only one of the guest rooms, the King Suite, has a private bathroom so you may want to check far in advance for availability. But in all honesty my husband and I have stayed at the Olympic club MANY times and have never had a problem with unavailability of the shared bathrooms.

Now you are probably thinking “Liz, this is all great, but where does the beer come in?” Glad you asked. McMenamins has been brewing beer since 1985 and is exclusive only to McMenamins pubs, hotels and restaurants. You can drink beer anywhere in Olympic Club including the hotel and theatre. What’s on tap? One of my favorites is also one of McMenamins most popular beers: Ruby. Not too sweet Ruby is brewed with 42lbs of Oregon grown raspberry puree. This Raspberry ale is crisp, light bodied, and fruity and a great beer for warmer weather but also enjoyable no matter what time of year you visit. Hammerhead is McMenamins top-selling beer and it’s not hard to see why. This lovely pale ale is brewed with Cascade hops and crystal malt creating an incredibly hoppy aroma and flavor but finishing very smooth.  For those of you looking for something a bit darker I would recommend the Terminator Stout. The black beauty is full-bodied and toasty with flavors of coffee and dark chocolate. I enjoy this one on the Olympic Club back patio next to the fire pit. The Olympic Club has seasonal beers on tap so always ask the bartender what’s new. McMenamins also owns a winery and a distillery creating some pretty potent spirits.

Tickets to the movie theater and access to the pool tables are free to hotel guests. I love the Olympic Club. One could spend the day browsing through the nearby antique stores or playing pool in the pool hall. It’s a great way to spend an evening or even a long weekend.

Cheers,

Liz

www.mcmenamins.com

 

For those of you serious about the craft beer industry,….. March 24, 2012

Filed under: beer,breweries,Craft Beer Trade,Micro brew,Pacific Northwest Beer,WA — pnwbeerchick @ 9:51 am

   I received this publication from Valerie Chapman-Stockwell of Central Washington University.

                                                                                  

CWU’s Craft Beer Trade Certificate Responds to Industry Needs

March 24, 2012

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Central Washington University is one of a very small number of universities in the nation to offer an academic program about beer. The Craft Beer Trade Certificate is open to individuals 21 years or older who are interested in craft beer brewing and the craft beer industry. Launched in 2010, the goal of the program is to prepare students for careers in this important and growing Washington industry.

Craft beer is an important part of Washington’s economy. The state has more than 120 breweries, ranking second in the nation only to California in that category. Overall, the brewing industry is responsible for about 100,000 jobs in the United States. That means CWU’s certificate program produces highly sought-after graduates.

“One of our major challenges is finding new employees with the knowledge and skill set we need to staff our growing businesses,” says Dan Lee, owner of Odin Brewing Company in Seattle. “The CWU craft beer program is helping us meet that need by preparing qualified applicants for the job market.”

With an advisory board of industry professionals from companies such as Hop Union, Northwest Brewing News, Hale’s Ales, Diamond Knot, and other well-known Washington breweries, the program is geared toward industry needs. The board provides important feedback and direction to CWU faculty, ensuring that the program stays current and provides students with skills and knowledge that the industry is looking for.

Along with math and chemistry prerequisites, students in the certificate program must complete four courses (16 credits) to receive the certificate: Brewing Microbiology, Principles of Malting and Brewing, Merchandising Management for Micro Brewing, and Brew Process Technology. The program includes lectures, laboratory work, field trips, industry speakers, brewing, and tasting components. Most students can expect to complete the program in less than a year, graduating with a well-rounded knowledge of brewing and the craft beer industry.

In 2011, A.J. Keagle, a senior recreation and tourism major from Selah, was among the first to receive the certificate. ”In the courses, we explored not only the science and the equipment used in brewing, but also the business side of the industry,” he said. “I’d like to open my own brewery someday, and this program has given me opportunities that I would otherwise not have had.”

Last year’s program graduates are already working in the industry, and the second wave will graduate this spring.

The Craft Beer Trade Certificate program is a collaboration of CWU’s Office of Continuing Education and the departments of Biology, Industrial & Engineering Technologies, and Information Technology and Administrative Management.

For more information visit http://www.cwuce.org/beer_education or e-mail pangrazi@cwu.edu.

Media Contact: Franklin Pangrazi, CWU Office of Continuing Education, 509-963-1563, pangrazi@cwu.edu

Valerie Chapman-Stockwell, CWU Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, valeriec@cwu.edu

Cheers!

Liz

 

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
 

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

 

 

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