Coming Soon: Portland Holiday Ale Festival, Airways Brewing Co, Trade Route Brewing Co, and a couple of tasty 22oz brews. December 18, 2011
upcoming book signing in Seattle! November 24, 2011
AUTHOR CHRISTIAN DeBENEDETTI TO HOST
THE GREAT AMERICAN ALE TRAIL BOOK SIGNING PARTY
DURING PIKE BREWING COMPANY’S “MEET THE BREWER” NIGHT
SEATTLE, WA – On Thursday, December 1, from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., author Christian DeBenedetti will join Head Brewer Dean Mochizuki at Pike Brewing Company (1415 First Avenue, 206-622-6044) for a beer tasting and book signing of DeBenedetti’s first book, The Great American Ale Trail: The Craft Beer Lover’s Guide to the Best Watering Holes in the Nation (Running Press; September 2011; Paperback; $20.00 US).
“The well-traveled beer enthusiast will be signing copies and talking all things ale alongside Pike’s head brewer, Dean Mochizuki and Pike Brewing owners, Charles and Rose Ann Finkel. For the event, Mochizuki will be offering his Pike Double IPA, which has been dry hopped with summit hops, for $3.50 a glass. In his book, DeBenedetti lists Pike Brewery as one of the “Best Watering Holes.” Books will be available for purchase, and guests are also invited to bring their own copy if they have already bought one to have it autographed. Following the meet-and-greet and signing, the event will feature live music from Atlas Stringband, and of course, plenty of great draught beer. ” – Jennie Hatton, Profile Public Relations
WHO: Pike Brewing Company and author Christian DeBenedetti
WHAT: The Great American Ale Trail Book Signing Event
WHEN: Thursday, December 1 from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: 1415 First Avenue, Seattle, WA
Cheers!
Liz
The Best of Tacoma (part 2) November 13, 2011
Part two of my Best of Tacoma series starts off at a little hole in the wall just about five minutes up the road from the Parkway Tavern: Magoo’s Annex Ale House & Eatery. Located in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Tacoma and operating almost 
continuously since 1943, Magoo’s offers great microbrews, a nice pool table, and the best jukebox in the state of Washington! The Jam, Ramones’s, The Clash, -X-, and other alternative and punk rock legends are queued up to be played while you toss back some fine microbrews from around the country. Eclectic decor on the inside this is another great pub that gives a nod to Tacoma’s history and the microbrew beer culture. A bit more rough around the edges than the aforementioned pub in my last posting, but Magoo’s has an old school rustic charm about it that makes it laid back and cool, and the beer is really cold and fresh.
Changing the pace a bit I would like to take you down town to a little Irish pub I fell in love with the moment a crossed the threshold: Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub on Pacific Ave. Paddy Coyne’s is not only one of my favorite Tacoma pubs, but it is one of my favorite pubs period. Warm and inviting dark wood-paneled walls and hand carved antique bar really gives me the feeling of being in a pub in dear old Ireland. The best Irish and English beer on tap a long with a couple of guest brews are always fresh. The 
best Irish and Scottish whiskeys line the back of the bar and are carefully guarded by the old souls carved into the back bar. If you are into rustic Irish pub food (Lord knows I am) then look no further. Traditional fish and chips, banger’s and mash, ploughman’s lunch, shepherd’s pie, and other UK favorites are done up right and served up with fresh Irish soda bread. It’s a great place to visit on a cold, rainy day. The fireplace in the middle of the restaurant will always be on. Paddy Coyne’s has two other locations: Seattle and Bellevue.
So I know many of you are thinking about some great bars and pubs that were not mentioned. Let’s be honest, Tacoma is a potpourri of great bars, taverns and pubs. Talk to the locals, they know best where all of the hotspots are.
Cheers!
Liz
Magoo’s – 2710 N 21st St, Tacoma,WA 98406
Beer…the cure for what ‘ales’ you! October 13, 2011
Feeling a bit under the weather last weekend I made the difficult decision to bow out of The Great Pumpkin Beer Fest. Instead, I decided to take it easy and just visit a few breweries on the peninsula and see what they have in store for autumn. After all, why let a little sniffle take me completely out of the game?
First stop was Hale’s Ales in Silverdale. I much prefer Hale’s location in Seattle. It just feels odd visiting an ale house in a
mall. Luckily once you’re inside the ale house that feeling goes away. This month Hale’s is pouring O’Briens Harvest Ale. At 6.9% ABV this is just the warmer I needed to pep me up at bit. This ESB style ale is hoppy and crisp with a toasty finish. It has a
really pretty pumpkin orange color and essence of autumn leaves. Full-bodied and malty, O’Briens is just what the doctor ordered. I followed up with the H.S.B. (Red Menace on nitro). This was a pretty beer. Smooth, creamy head and a malty
mouthfeel, I detected a hint of toffee. The finish is lightly hopped and very enjoyable.
Next stop was one of my favorite PNW breweries: Slippery Pig in Poulsbo. Now, I know this particular brewery is known for producing some crazy beers…but I think Hog Thai’d is their craziest one to date! And, at 9.5% ABV this baby packs a wallop. Ready for the ingredients? Glazed, smoked summer squash, toasted coconut, and zucchini. This beer starts out smoky and ends the same way. Hoppy, medium to full body with a touch of sweetness from the coconut, this baby would be worth a growler full! 
Also on tap was their Black Boar Hefe. I have never had a black hefeweizen. I’m talking this puppy is ink black. Black Boar is malty and full-bodied with a slightly sweet-tart finish. According to owner/brewer Dave, the wheat used in Black Boar is sautéed in a wok creating a lovely toasty element. Well done!
My last stop on my “Feeling A Bit Cruddy Tour” was Valhöll Brewing. I could hardly wait to try the brewery’s newest creation: Hop Fuk Wet Hop IPA. Beautiful Belgian lace floated elegantly above the amber-colored brew. Hop Fuk has a great hoppy aroma, starts out sweet and then pounds you in the face with an oily, full mouth feel. 7.6% ABV. I was very pleased.
I finished up with the very dark, very pretty Punkin Stouty. Served in a goblet, this elegant looking brew is strong (8.8% ABV) but easy to drink. Brewed with real pumpkin and spices, Punkin Stouty is malty, full-bodied and carried notes of brown sugar. Great little sipper.
So after a relaxing day at the breweries and about twelve hours of sleep, I was finally able to shake whatever it was that
ailed me. I guess beer really is the great “cure all.
Cheers!
Liz
Information about Slippery Pig Brewery can be found on facebook.
Another Great Pacific Northwest Beer Festival: Anacortes Oktoberfest Bier on the Pier September 28, 2011
WHEN: October 7: 5PM-9PM & October 8: 12PM-6PM
WHERE: 1st & Commercial, Port Warehouse. Located on the pier over-looking the beautiful Guemes channel in Anacortes.
HOW MUCH: 2 day advance passes and single entry tickets available online at Brown Paper Tickets.
- 2 day advanced pass $35 plus 12 tasting tickets and festival glass—$45 at
the door. - 1 day ticket $20 advanced plus 6 tasting tickets and festival glass—$25 at the door.
- 1 day ticket sales begin August 15
- 21 and older, must have ID
30 breweries will be pouring their finest for…2 days! The event will also feature live music and a variety of food vendors with festival style seating.
So many festivals…so little time!
Cheers!
Liz
Elysian Brewing Company’s 2011 Great Pumpkin Beer Festival
Hey kids! It’s that time of year again! Elysian Brewing Company will be holding their annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival in their new location in Seattle’s Georgetown Neighborhood. Elysian will serve 11 of their own beers brewed just for the occasion and 50 guests beers will also be sporting their best. Linus would be so proud!
WHEN: OCTOBER 8-9, 2011
Sat. 10/8 from 12-10PM
Sun. 10/9 from 12-6PM
The Great Pumpkin is tapped at 4PM each day.
WHERE: 5510 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA 98108
HOW MUCH: $20 Presale and $25 at the door – includes souvenir pumpkin glass and 6 drink tickets. You can purchase tickets through Brown Paper Tickets, at any of Elysian’s pubs, or from Full Throttle Bottles.
ELYSIAN BEERS: Mr. Yuck Sour Pumpkin Ale, Night Owl, Great Pumpkin, Dark o’ the Moon Pumpkin Stout, Hansel and Gretel Ginger Pumpkin Pils, Coche de Medianoche (new!), Kürbitinus, PK-47 Pumpkin Malt Liquor, Headless Horsey (new!), Ursa Orange (new!) and another TBA. Elysian collaborations will also be poured: Kick Sour Cranberry Pumpkin Ale (New Belgium), Saison of the Witch (Tom Douglas) and Le Citrueille Celest de Citricado (Stone, The Bruery).
GUEST BREWERS: Silver City, Big Time, Rock Bottom, Ram, Schooner Exact, Fremont, Georgetown, Naked City, Black Raven, Snoqualmie, Elliott Bay, Pike, Anacortes, Rogue, Anderson Valley, Russian River, Allagash, Jolly Pumpkin, Avery, Cambridge, Iron Hill, Howe Sound, St. Arnold, Utah Brewers Collective, Nøgne Ø and more TBA!
Food trucks will be on-site.
See you there!!!
Cheers,
Liz
info@elysianbrewing.com or 206.860.3977
A Brewery Looks At 30 September 20, 2011
I’m not talking about a certain “parrot head” and his mid-life crisis, I’m talking about a Washington icon celebrating 30 years as
one of the Pacific Northwest’s best breweries. This year Redhook Brewing turns 30 years old and boy do they know how to throw a party! Mitten, the Tom Tom Club, Psychedelic Furs, and headliners DEVO performed during the event. And I got a chance to sample Redhook’s Extra Special Birthday beer making this the best birthday bash I have ever attended. More about the
Jeffrey, Shannon, Master Brewer Greg and Robert
entertainment in a bit; first things first…the beer!
We started off the event with an enjoyable lunch and conversation with the Redhook crew: Jeffery, Shannon, Ciea, Robert, and Master Brewer Greg. The Redhook staff was decked out in their 1980’s best and I had some serious flashbacks (Why did we ever dress like that? I think I owned a pair of those fish nets! Did makeup really need to come in neon?) But back to the beers…Scott & I threw back a couple of the Redhook’s best…
Tina Weymouth of Tom Tom Club
Big Ballard Imperial IPA (8.6% ABV) – Dark amber color. Hoppy yet surprisingly sweet for an IPA. Nice malty texture. Well balanced hop/caramel character with a crisp hoppy finish. Great beer for the “hop heads.”
ESB (5.8% ABV) – One of the brewery’s flagship beers, the ESB is dark red in color with a spicy nose. Crisp, medium bodied, and hoppy. Malty caramel notes without being too sweet. One of my favorites!
Blonde (5.7% ABV) – Smooth and malty with a soft honey sweetness. Just a hint of hops giving it a nice citrus snap. Great for
hanging out by the pool.
Pilsner (5.3% ABV) – Dark honey color and think honey flavor. Crisp and clean with a nice medium body. Light hops and spices brings out a lovely floral character. The summer to autumn transition just got a little easier.
Wit (5.3% ABV)- Another Redhook favorite of mine! Gorgeous banana clove aroma and flavor. Master Brewer Greg and I had a
Psychedelic Furs
great discussion about this beauty. He informed me that tea from the famous Market Spice located in the Pike Place Market in Seattle is used in the brew, creating the lovely spicy aroma and flavor. I truly love this beer!
Extra Special Birthday Beer (7.0% ABV) – Now for the Pièce de résistance! Don’t let the dark color of this gem fool you. Paying homage to the original ESB, Redhook modified their recipe and uses a special yeast strain to create a lovely banana clove character. Very rich and slightly toasty with a little bit of a dry finish. The Extra Special Birthday Beer is a great tribute to Redhook’s brewing legacy! The Extra Special Birthday Beer is in the process of being bottled and will hit the stores soon…but only for a limited time!
As the day progressed we joined the crowd of 5,000 Redhook fans outside for the birthday party featuring live music from some great music icons: Tom Tom Club, Psychedelic Furs and DEVO. Opening New York band Mitten took the stage first followed by Tom Tom Club. Tina Weymouth still has it after 30 years!
DEVO
The rain held out as long as possible but the Psychedelic Furs took the stage and the sky opened up! The Furs still sound as great as they ever did and Richard Butler’s raspy vocals and sexy stage presence still captivates!
As the rain Gods continued to pummel us, DEVO strummed their first chord and we all suddenly forgot we were getting soaked. Being true showman the band played on without complaint…and they were getting just as soaked as we were. DEVO is just as great to watch now as they were when I was a teenager in the 80’s!
Well as I said earlier, Redhook knows how to throw a party. Thank you again to Redhook for inviting me to this great event. The brewery should be proud of their accomplishments over the last 30 years and I’m proposing a toast to the next!
Cheers!
Liz
For more pictures of the 30th Birthday Party visit my Facebook page.
Americana Music Festival – Saturday September 10, 2011 September 8, 2011
Where: Poulsbo Waterfront & Marina. Poulsbo, WA
When: 12:00pm – 7:00pm.
Live music, yummy food and great local beer from Slippery Pig Brewing, Sound Brewery, and Valholl Brewing!
Cheers!
Liz
New Facebook page! September 5, 2011
I just started a new Facebook page…look up Pnwbeerchick on Facebook and click “like.” Thanks for looking!
What to get a viking who has everything… September 1, 2011
Lo, there do I see my father. 
Lo, there do I see my mother.
Lo, there do I see my sisters
and my brothers.
I see the line of my people
back to the beginning….grabbing a beer???
Well they are at a Poulsbo, WA gem…Vahöll Brewing. I have wanted to write about Vahöll Brewing for quite some time and last weekend was finally my chance to sit, sample some great beers, and enjoy a chat with the owner, Jeff.
The tasting room is open air and cozy. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. And hey…there’s a big Viking on the wall! How can you go wrong with the Viking? The beers are fantastic and give me a feel of the old country…well, Poulsbo anyway.
Poulsbo Abbey Wit (5.2% ABV) – Light banana clove nose and flavor. Soft spices with a “bubble gum” finish. Light to medium bodied and very easy to drink. Great beer for a hot day.
Blackberry Wit (5.0% ABV) – Very clean and fruity. Brewed with fresh blackberries, the fruit is not too overpowering. Sweet but not too sweet. A beer that even the most faithful of hop heads would enjoy!
RyPA (5.5% ABV) – My favorite of the day! “Bready” aroma and a lovely hoppy bite. Medium bodied, very clean beer and a crisp finish. I could have had ten of these…ok, maybe five.
Bob’s Amarillo Bitter (7.7% ABV) – Merging over into a darker beer, the Bitter is a lovely balance of hops and caramel. White oak is used during the process giving the Bitter a nice “organic” feel. Ægir would certainly indulge in this beauty.
Blackberry Stouty (7.0% ABV) – Another favorite of the day was this amazingly sweet yet smoky stout. 2lbs of blackberries were dumped into the mix creating a gorgeous fruity aroma and jammy finish. Dark color, full bodied, and great to share with that special someone.
Vahöll Brewing is another great brewery that is not afraid to take chances with ingredients. Soon to be added to their tap: Crimson
Cove Cherry Rye. I love this brewery and can hardly wait for more of their creative brews.
Now I know this is the third blog I have done on breweries in Poulsbo, but trust me, the beer culture here is really taking off. A darling little Norwegian town with a water view, who wouldn’t want to brew here?
Cheers!
Liz
Information for Vahöll Brewing can be found on facebook.
Pacific Northwest Beer Chick 