BridgePort Supris!

by
Dave Dronkowski C.M.C.

What a nice Surprise! I just had my first bottle of the new Big Beautiful Blond Ale from Portland's BridgePort Brewery. It was a very smooth Belgium style Blond Ale and I must say very tasty. < http://www.suprisbeer.com>. It is about time that a Portland brewery stepped up to what I believe is one of the most under explored style in the US. I raise my beer glass to you, Karl Ockert
& BridgePort! Cheers!

2006 Brewcast

2006 Brewcast

By Gary Corbin
It's time to look into the crystal beer-ball and see what's on tap for 2006. Openings: Expect to find new places to imbibe the good stuff in the year coming. Bridgeport's flagship pub on Northwest Marshall Street reopens in February, and rumor has it that the Lucky Lab will open one near the Pearl soon. Who will open something to satisfy the new residents of the South Waterfront? Buyouts: The march of big capital will continue to consolidate the market, as happened last year with Pyramid buying out MacTarnahan's (formerly Portland Brewing). With cash-heavy big players looking to capitalize on the growth in the micro market, expect a more few locals to gain national - or international - financial partners. Medals: Even with the buyouts, our local brew wizards will retain local control of the product and keep producing new, prize-winning brews at the Great American Beer Festival. I predict at least one gold medal for Portland-area brewers. Collaboration: Widmer's partnership with local home-brewers will continue to bring innovative, forgotten and seasonal styles to market. The McCracken Scholarship Fund will benefit and reach its self-sustaining mark, enabling Oregon State University to keep turning out top-notch brewers, winemakers and chefs. Wi-Fi: It's all the rage now. Flame wars will replace bar fights at your local watering hole. But will we be able to tip via PayPal? What do you think lies ahead for 2006? Give us your predictions at www.guestontap.com.

News

Fifth Quadrant is now open! Fifth Quadrant is from the people who gave us the New Old Lompoc and the Hedge House and is at 3901-B N. Williams Ave., at North Failing Ave., near Emanuel Hospital. The name celebrates the fact that we're open in North Portland, the fifth of the four geographical quadrants that divides the city by their addresses.The restaurant is more upscale than either of the other two Lompoc restaurants. It features New Old Lompoc beers, a full bar and a great new menu. It will be servicing steaks, burgers, seafood, salads, pasta dishes, desserts and a wonderful list of appetizers. Kids are welcome. The Fifth Quadrant will soon open a new brewery and, by the end of 2006, a distillery.

The Concordia Ale House's (3276 NE Killingsworth, Pdx. #503.503.287.3929)New Year's Eve celebration promises to offer some beers that are rarely seen in the area. We recommend that you check it out.

Roots Epic?

Roots released their Epic ale yesterday. It is 14% ABV, 70 IBU, they smoked 60 lbs of malt over cherry wood smoked in Glenlivet, Cognac and Cherry juice as part of the grain bill. I am having one now (they have wireless so I can give you a live update) and I would recommend it. They only have three kegs of it, so don't wait to long to get to the brewery.
Posted to Oregon Brewcrew listserv by
Abe Goldman Armstrong on 12/22/05

Any more comments from those who have tried it?

Hop To It!

Hop To It!
By David Hayes

The New Year will be here before we know it, and one of my resolutions is to take better care of myself. Keeping this goal in mind, I was thrilled to hear that Oregon State University researchers have found that xanthohumol, a chemical found in hops, slows the growth of cancer. While they stop short of recommending beer as health drink, I don't want to take any chances. Hops are the flowers of Humulus lupulus. When added early in the boil, they provide a bitterness that balances the sweetness of the malt. Added later, they bring citrusy, flowery, piney, herbal or spicy flavors and aromas. But don't rely on your average Schludwiller-type brew to provide your xanthohumol. They just don't have enough hops to do the job. Imports are a good place to start. German and Czech Pilsners feature spicy European hops, while earthy, woody hops are found in English pale ales and bitters. To find a truly hopped-up brew, however, try the American, and particularly Pacific Northwest, craft brewers. Their pale ales and ambers are full of citrusy hops like Amarillos, Cascades and Centennials. India pales ales kick up the hop bitterness, flavor and aroma even further. Barleywines require massive amounts of hops to offset their malt bill. Americans have also bumped up the fragrant flower quotient in their porters, stouts and brown ales. Not sure where to start looking for xanthohumol? Visit one of our fine local breweries. Here's to more hops in 2006

My 21st Birthday(December 19, 2005)

My 21st Birthday
by Jason Dronkowski
Honorary Beer Scribe to Guest on Tap!
My roommate recently had his 21st birthday. During the early morning of the next day while I was holding his inoperable head and body to the side of the toilet, I remember asking him what he had to drink. His reply in between compulsive heaves said “Too Much”, but the strong stench in the bathroom retorted “cheap whiskey and beer.” Is that what my generation’s drinking community has become? A world where drinks are rated on the best inebriation per cent then on taste?
I know on my 21st birthday I will be looking for a brew which combines great flavor and mass inebriation. Perhaps, something like a dark and think Rasputin Stout will be a perfect initiation for that winter night of drinking. After that strongly furious stout, I’ll move on to something a little lighter. My transition will go to Lagunitas’ beer, which is on tap at a bar not more than two blocks from my humble hippie abode. In the future, I will make this tavern my safe-haven where I sit and sip a salacious pint after an easy-day’s lounging.
However, there will be no calm drinking the night of my 21st birthday. I will down pitchers of Lagunitas’ IPA, Lagunitas’ Censored Copper Ale, and the occasional PBR when my wallet grows thin. Perhaps friends will offer me a mixed drink, I will only decline with laughter and say “Tonight I’m at war; and in war, there is no role for your cowardly mixed drinks.” Instead, I will inhale numerous and plentiful shots of Jack Daniel’s and Maker’s Mark whiskey like a hiker breathes the sweet northwest air. And during the following two days, my hangover will be an indication of a horrendous battle and a sinful victory.
Jason Dronkowski (Eugene, OR), 12 Nov. 2005

Our Christmas Wish Lists for a Hoppy New Year!

By Lisa Morrison

Our Christmas Wish Lists for a Hoppy New Year! By Lisa Morrison
Dear Santa,
It's time for the annual Christmas wish list. I hope it won't be too difficult to fill. There's a little something in it for everyone! I hope you enjoy the winter warmer I plan to leave on the hearth to help cheer you on your annual voyage. I trust you will find it a change of pace from the ubiquitous milk and cookies, which could make the jolliest of souls a bit, well, lactose intolerant. Here's the list:
Christmas Wishes 2005
1. For every Portlander who says they don't like craft beer: a friend who can show them the light (and I am not talking Bud/Miller/Coors Light).2. For our state and local visitors associations: To finally realize they are sitting on a gold mine called the Craft Beer Movement. People travel from all over the world to experience Beervana - and it's right here. Artisan beers are our quiet legacy here in Oregon - so quiet we take it for granted. Our world-class craft beer culture deserves homespun pride.3. For everyone: a toast in support of the Davids in a world of Goliaths. Craft brewers face tough competition from national brands with huge marketing budgets and years of name recognition. These artisan brewers are our neighbors. When we support them, we support our community.Oh, and Santa, some friends who I think have been pretty darn good this year have included a few beers for their Christmas wish lists. You can find them at GuestOnTap.com.Warmest holiday wishes,
Lisa MorrisonLisa Morrison is an honorary beer scribe for the Portland Tribune.
See some of the Christmas List sent in by you readers at www.guestontap.com under Christmas Wish List!

Christmas Beer Wish Lists Celebrities and Readers!

Honorary Beer Writers and Celebrities:

A Beery Christmas Wish List
by Lisa Morrison

Dear Santa,

It's time for the annual Christmas Wish List. I hope it won't be too difficult to fill. There's a little something in it for everyone!

I hope you enjoy the winter warmer I plan to leave on the hearth to help cheer you on your annual voyage. I trust you will find it a change of pace from the ubiquitous milk and cookies, which could make the jolliest of souls a bit, well, lactose intolerant. Here's the list:

Christmas Wishes 2005

1. For every Portlander who says they don't like craft beer: A friend who can show them the light (and I am not talking BudMillerCoors Light).

2. For our state and local visitors associations: To finally realize they are sitting on a goldmine called The Craft Beer Movement. People travel from all over the world to experience Beervana -- and it's right here. Artisan beers are our quiet legacy here in Oregon -- so quiet, we take it for granted. Our world-class craft beer culture deserves homespun pride.

3. For everyone: A toast in support of the Davids in a world of Goliaths. Craft brewers face tough competition from national brands with huge marketing budgets and years of name recognition. These artisan brewers are our neighbors. When we support them, we support our community.

Oh, and Santa, some friends who I think have been pretty darn good this year have included a few beers for their Christmas Wish Lists. You can find them at GuestOnTap.com.

Warmest Holiday Wishes,

Lisa Morrison
Subject: Re: Christmas Wish List and changes to the website!

Beers I want for Channukah (that way I get eight right?)

A cask of Deschutes- Jubelale (Bend, Oregon)
Rogue- Shakespeare Stout (Newport, Oregon)
Schumacher- Alt (Dusseldorf, Germany)
Hoegaarden- Verboden Vrucht (Belgium)
Roots- Epic Ale (Portland, Oregon)

and for the other three days:
Hair of the Dog- Adambier #1 (Portland, Oregon)
Golden Valley- Double Tannenbomb (McMinnville, Oregon)
Crannog Ales- Back Hand of God Stout (Sorrento, British Columbia)

Cheers, Abe
Abram Goldman-Armstrong – Honorary Beer Scribe


My wish list is pretty close to the Imports at the Holiday Ale this year, with a few exceptions:
1- Vintage Samichlaus Draft*
2- Hitachino Celebration ale 2006 ( only keg on the west coast!) Draft
3- N'Ice chouffe (Belgian Barley wine)Draft
4- Fish Brewing Monkfish Draft*
5-Chimay Triple Draft (Perfect breakfast beer!)

Wish list of beers if there was a beer Santa, and I had been a good boy this year!
1- Vintage Chimay Grand Reserve Blue Draft
2- Aventinus Weisen-Eisbock Draft
3-Widmer Golden Bock Bottle
4- Vintage Anchor Brewing Old Foghorn barleywine Draft
5- Collaborator Halucinator Draft
By Preston Weesner- Holiday Ale Festival Director
_________________________________________________
Okay, here's mine.

Laurelwood Vinter Varmer
Alameda Old Ale
Sierra Nevada Celebration (Not as hoppy as years past but wonderfully balanced)
Deschutes Jubel Ale
and... (drum roll...) He'Brew Jewbilation 9 Chanukah Beer

The last isn't "Christmas" but it's a dreamy 9% alcohol warmer, kind of a cross between a porter and a barleywine. Found it in Seattle. (And - equal time for my Jewish friends!)

Gary Corbin

Subject: RE: [Brewcrew] Christmas Wish List contest!




Dupont Saison "Avec les bons Voeux"
N'Ice chouffe
Scaldis prestige (wood aged)
Hitachino Celebration (Unbelievably great beer, be there Friday for the
tapping)
Hair of the Dog "doggie claws" Alan shoots, he scores!


FYI Fred, Russian River Pliny would be on my list too if you could get it here, tried it at the brewery in September and it was great, it will be coming up in late '06 with a bit of luck and prodding.

MG – Columbia Distributing
Ok
Just for the helluvit, my 2-cents worth: FIVE plus 1.

Delerium Noel, because I've never tasted it.
Scaldis/Bush Prestige at 13% and because it costs more than $30/750ml at Concordia I MUST HAVE IT!
Russian River Pliny the Elder, Imperial IPA: Gold at GABF05, Great stuff, but you can't get it here, can you?
Alesmith Old Numbskull barleywine at 11%, fantasticle if ever there was and worth dipping your oreo at 108F.
Rogue Shakespeare Stout, another Gold at GABF, and a beer I never tire of.
(Uv which I never tyre).
AND just for good measure: a session beer with great flavor, with which to wash all this heavy stuff down:
Mt. Hood Milk Stout


FE – Honorary Beer Scribe to Guest on Tap
Top Five

Elysian Bifrost
Full Sail Wreck the Halls
Saison Dupont
Great Divide Hercules
Rochefort 10

--Jeff
Jeff Frane
Here is my list, subject to change at any moment...

Ommegang Three Philosophers (Cooperstown, NY)
Rochefort 10 (Belgium)
Elysian Ambrosia Maibock (Seattle, Wa)
Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner (Newport, Or)
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (Chico, Ca)

Thanks,

Dave Hayes – Newest Honorary Beer Scribe






Our Honorary Readers:

Our winner’s List!:
Yvette Uber:
#1 Fest Ale from Terminal Gravity in Enterprise, OR Brewer: Steve Carper
#2 Wreck the Halls (Full Sail ) :Brewer: John Harris
#3 Doggie Claus (Hair of the Dog): Brewer: Alan Sprintz
#4 Pittock Wee Heavy (Mt. Hood):Brewer: Tom Rydjewski
#5 Sled Crasher (Collaborator at Widmer):
Brewer: Ike Manchester, Widmer
Happy Holidays and see you at the Holiday Ale Fest :)

Yvette Uber HB, OBC, HDGK.
...you can't take it with you...
___________________________________________________________________________________

> Subject: 5 Christmas beer requests
>
>
> Hello Santa on Tap,
> Thank you for considering my requests. I haven't been very naughty
> this year, honestly.
>
> 1) Bridgeport Ale, circa 1985. This complex chestnut colored gem
> changed with each sip and introduced me to how good beer can be. I
> want to try it again to see if it's as great as I remember.
>
> 2) Golden Valley barrel aged Imperial Stout. I've passed through
> McMinnville two times now on the day after the last keg blew (d'oh!),
> and once an hour after that year's last keg blew (D'OH!!).
>
> 3) 1975 Thomas Hardy's Ale. The first year is rumored to be the best.
> I've had a line on it a few times but have yet to get a sip.
>
> 4) I want the beer that Noel Blake described in the contest that
> inspired Ommegang's Three Philosophers. If that's not available I'll
> settle for De Dolle Stille Nacht Reserva.
>
> 5) I want a bottle of Hair of the Dog Dave. I wonder if it can
> possibly be as good as Eve or Thor were in their prime?
>
> Skal, Alan J. Moum
Subject: My top 5 beers


My top five beers for X-Mas....
1- Magic Hat Brewing; Chaotic Chemistry
2- Brouwerij Bosteels; Deus
3- Ohantons; Thomas Hardys Ale
4- Russian River Brewing; Pliny The Younger
5- Westvleteren Extra 8; Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus

Gabe Kutcher

Beer is good food:)

___________________________________________________________________________ Our Winner is
Ms.Yvette Uber! Here is what she wrote:
> >>My local wish list is as follows:
> >#1 Fest Ale from Terminal Gravity in Enterprise, OR (is it Festivale?
> >Festive Ale? just "Fest"?)
> >#2 Wreck the Halls (Full Sail)
> >#3 Doggie Claus (Hair of the Dog)
> >#4 Pittock Wee Heavy (Mt. Hood)
> >#5 Sled Crasher (Collaborator at Widmer)
> >
> >
> >Happy Holidays and see you at the Holiday Ale Fest :)
> >
> >Yvette Uber HB, OBC, HDGK.
> >...you can't take it with you...
_____________________________________________________________

>
Subject: my top five beers for christmas
>
>
> there are so many incredible beers in the world, and a lot of them are
> usually available at good bottle shops here in Portland. this is a
> wishlist, not a shopping list, in no particular order.
>
> 1) Westvletern (St. Sixtus) 12 trappist ale
>
> this is the infamous belgian trappist beer that sold out this year due
> to high demand and limited supply from the monastic brewery. "We are
> no brewers. We are monks. We brew beer to be able to afford being monks."
> I've had (and enjoyed) other trappist beers in the past, but I've
> never had this one. based on previous experiences with trappist ales,
> I have no doubts that st. sixtus is a tasty beer, but I'm more curious
> what the fuss is about more than anything else.
>
> 2) Saxer's "Three Finger Jack"
>
> Saxer was purchased (although I see the term "merged") by portland
> brewing in 2000, which promptly killed off a large portion of Saxer's
> line, no doubt due to high production costs and low sales. Three
> Finger Jack was described as a "roasted red hefedunkel" and it wasn't
> until a few months ago in my studies for the BJCP that I made the
> connection between Three Finger Jack and the classic German dunkel lager style.
> after having some great dunkel on a recent trip to Germany, I now long
> for three finger jack more than ever, if even to find out if my memory
> serves me correctly.
>
> 3) unblended lambic
>
> I know of only one domestically available commercial offering in this
> style: cantillon's broucsella. I have been nonplussed by my limited
> sampling of cantillon's offerings, with broucsella being no exception.
> I was fully prepared for the bone-dry palate-collapsing sourness, but
> I was not prepared for the significant vomit character that my sample
> exhibited. eventually I'll have to take a trip to belgium and somehow
> arrange a tasting of various pre-blended straight lambics, but until
> then other samples of unblended lambic remain on my wishlist.
>
> 4) long trail "double bag"
>
> a friend of mine in new hampshire swears by it. I'd love to try it,
> but sadly it's unavailable in Portland.
>
> 5) uncle otto's weisse
>
> yet another great beer discontinued by portland/pyramid. there have
> been some funky things going on with portland brewing in the past, but
> a recent sampling of mactarnahan's was heartening, and I have faith
> that if professor rudolf could convince the brewers to do another
> bavarian- style wheat, it'd come out well. while widmer's hefeweisse
> is plenty drinkable, it's a completely different style than the wheat
> beers found in munich.
>
> --
> Aaron J. Grier "Not your ordinary poofy goof."
"silly brewer, saaz are for pils!" -- virt
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Beer List
Top Five Beer List...

I wish I had a case beer-
Black Boss Porter- The antithesis of a hopheads dream, it's for the other half who revel in the malt. It's big, it's black and it 9+ ABV. Tasty.

The "Import"-
Belhaven Scottish Ale- Good in the bottle, but BEST In the NITRO can, (had to import it from outside PDX), Malty, not sweet, won't overwhelm your senses, and tastes great with most food.












The stock up because I can't always buy it beer-
Jubelale 2005- Just a good easy to drink beer that tastes like winter, plus it's sweet and tart.

The I could drink it everyday cause I like it that much beer-
New Belgium 1554 Black Ale- Yeah, it's good.

And the I've got to share a bottle with friends----
Dogfish Head Worldwide Stout- There are few words to describe this-



Thanks for looking-

Jamie Koty

ps...I'll be at the Holiday Beer fest in my shirt made for the ocassion. ("Nothing under 6%")



Subject: Christmas Wish List


Only five top beers--wow, that makes for some hard choices...

1) Deschutes Brewing Mirror Mirror

2) Deschutes Brewing Double Bail Quail

3) Dogfish Head Brewing 120 Minute IPA

4) Dogfish Head Brewing World Wide Stout

5) Stone Brewing Oak Aged Double Bastard



John Lorentz
Subject: Re: [Brewcrew] Christmas Wish List contest!


> It might open a can of worms, but I personally would like to see
> crewers top 5 wish list beers for the holidays! I have mine pretty
> much down.

Delerium Nocturnum
Pelican Tsunami Stout
Einbecker Dunkles Ur-Bock
HB25 Collaborator Dunkles Bock
Bend Brewing Hophead Imperial IPA
---Mitch –OBC
Christmas Wish List contest!
Rogue's Santa's Private Reserve is definitely on my list! --- mark maibock
ML -OBC
This time of year brings a hankerin' for beers gone by. My Christmas beer list includes a couple that Santa my have trouble finding:

1- McMenniman's 'Blackberry Porter' - Not your mom's typical berry beer. As far as I know they only brewed this once years ago at Edgefield, but I've lusted after it ever since.

2- Terminal Gravity's 'IPA' - Okay, I'm a hophead. While there are more mainsteam, everyday IPAs closer to home, TG makes the most satisfying.

3- Colorado Brewing Company's 'Black Canyon Cream Stout' - Alas, the brewery's long gone but I never found a more drinkable stout before or since.

4- Kona Brewing Company's 'Longboard Ale' - A great fair weather standby now being brewed and bottled by Widmer, so available locally.

5- Pelican Brewery's 'Dorryman's Dark' - A perfect brown ale for this time of year, whether after an unseasonably warm day's play on the beach or watching a storm building off Cape Kiwanda from their pub.

I'm thirsty. Gotta go...

Happy Holidays!
The Beer Shaman
Don Klover
Subject: top 5 list
Alaskan Smoked Porter 2005 (Awesome beer, they do such a great job and make a great smoked beer. Good sitting around the fire night time relaxing reading my BYO mag beer.
Deschutes Jubelale 2005: Awesome beer and will get better with some more time behind it. Good Stuff.
Lagunitas Brown Shugga 2005: Just an awesome barley wine that sips great and is a warmer for the frosty outdoor Ice Skating sessions.
Pike XXXXX Stout: A great seasonal beer that just hits the spot once it has warmed up and the flavors really come out.
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale: This is an awesome beer already and I am ready to buy the case for letting this get old and drink over the years. Sierra Nevada did an awesome ob with this beer.
Cheers...Mike Besser
AKA BrewDad



David Dronkowski
Editor and Publisher
Guest on Tap

e-mail:
By the way: If you have something to say about Beer in Portland, say it at <http://pdxbeer.blogspot.com/>

Holiday Beers

BY JEFF ALWORTH
Hoppy Holidays
From Willamette Week on 12/7/05
As a contented citizen of Beervana—a.k.a. Portland—you do not fear any beer. You sip from Oregon's rich, hoppy tapestry as well as indulge in case after case of macro suds. But what if the boys from, say, Budweiser tried to muscle in on traditional micro turf and brewed a couple of winter seasonals? With the vast teams of Ph.D. chemists and unlimited test markets at the St. Louis-based company's disposal, would Bud be able to brew a better seasonal beer than our Northwestern brethren?
Well, now we face that very question. This year, Anheuser-Busch has unveiled two winter seasonals—Budweiser Brew Masters Private Reserve and the "oak-aged dark vanilla" Michelob Celebrate.
To address this bold development, we assembled a panel of local hop-heads and held a 100 percent blind tasting of a few seasonal, regional brews (plus one Belgian for fun), as well as Busch's two new offerings. Last Friday evening, as rain pounded the city, we sat down to see whether these macros deserved to take an honored place next to our beloved micros. The panel consisted of three ringers: celebrated brewmasters Alan Sprints (Hair of the Dog Brewing Co.), Christian Ettinger (Laurelwood Brewing Co.) and Matthew Williams, a bartender at the local pub the Green Room. To be fair, we also included average Heineken drinkers like Calendar Editor (and former McMenamins bartender) Amy McCullough, News Editor Hank "the Tank" Stern, and two thirsty interns, AP Kryza and Michael Byrne.
The results? Although drinkers differed on their faves (Hair of the Dog's Doggie Claws barleywine and Pyramid's Snow Cap Ale garnered the most soused appreciation), the panel was unanimous on one thing: Sadly, Bud's nicely packaged holiday presents ain't all they're wrapped up to be. The chart below includes some of our more inebriated revelations, from the oddball flavors we tasted in each brew to which holiday shopping destination each beer would be a perfect match for this season. Drink up!
All the seasonal beers we taste-tested are available at local grocery stores.
Holiday Beer scorecard
THE BREW
KEY FLAVORS
GUT REACTION
RETAIL DESTINATION
BEER GEEK FACT
Sierra Nevada "Celebration"Chico, Calif.—Chico is totally NW, people. ($6.99 for a sixer)6.8 percent alcohol
Herbal, citrus, crisp
"Goes down smoothly—I could accidentally drink 17 of these." —AP
Abercrombie & Fitch
Sierra Nevada is the second-largest craft brewery in the nation, behind Sam Adams.
Michelob "Celebrate"St. Louis, Mo.($5.70, 750 ml bottle)10 percent
Marshmallows, Peeps, cough syrup
"I can't finish this." —Michael
Rite-Aid
Labeled "ale" on bottle, but "lager" on the glossy, black gift box—they're two distinct brewing processes, people.
Pyramid"Snow Cap"Portland, Ore./Seattle, Wash.($8.50, sixer)7 percent
Chewy, dark, robust
"Toasty!"—Matthew
Columbia Sportswear
Brewed in Portland at the MacTarnahan's plant.
Budweiser"Brew Masters Private Reserve"St. Louis, Mo.($8, magnum)6.5 percent
Tasteless, sweat-socky aroma, pale
"If you're having a crappy holiday, this Bud's for you."—Matthew
Forever 21
After tasting the beer, the panel felt its huge, 46.5-ounce bottle screamed, um, "overcompensation."
Full Sail"Wassail"Hood River, Ore. ($8.50, sixer)6.5 percent
Winey, strong, berries
"Makes me think of the kids-in-the-bed, post-holiday mellowness." —Hank
Goodwill (in a good way)
A "wassail" is a drink traditionally made of ale or wine, and prepared during the holidays.
Brouwerij Huyghe "Delirium Noël" Ghent, Belgium($10.45, 1 pint,9.4 ounces)10 percent
Peppermint, cloves, inexplicably meaty
"I'm a vegetarian, and this beer makes me worried." —Michael
Good Dog, Bad Dog
Years by which Ghent's oldest brewery exceeds Portland's in age: 330.
Hair of the Dog "Doggie Claws" Portland, Ore.($18, sixer)10.5 percent
Pine boughs, warming, alcoholic
"It tastes like home."—Amy
REI
Hair of the Dog's "Fred" is named for Fred Eckhardt, a Portland brewing icon.

Belmont Station's Holiday Beer Newsletter

Welcome to Beer Update!
The Newsletter of Belmont Station
December 6, 2005

"It’s Holiday Beer Drinking Season!!!"
Living in the beautiful state of Oregon, we have available to us not only some of the freshest, most delicious food in the country, but also the most spectacular American craft brews and legendary imported beers in the world!
The beginning of a brand new year is approaching. Now is the time to stop and reflect, appreciate our blessings, spend quality time with our friends, enjoy the children in our lives. Particularly this year, send your meditations and prayers for peace and prosperity the world over. Keep in mind the adage — most assuredly invented in Oregon:
"Relax — have a microbrew!!!"
In this issue:
- New Beers
- Gifts & Goodies
- Kegs to Go
- Brasserie de Silly

New Beers at Belmont Station
Winter beers have been pouring in from all our beverage distributors.
Nothing wrong with a little competitiveness! We love it (the more beer the merrier!)
Here at Belmont Station, Beverage Buyer Chris Ormand has been putting his best foot forward to keep up with the overwhelming number of new beers, significantly more - in our 8th year - than in any previous year. We hope you find his descriptions helpful. They will give you an idea of what a fellow beer lover’s first impression was of these new brews!
Please note: Thanks to Chris, our New Beers List is now back up on our website at http://www.belmont-station.com/bst_beer.html

First off, though...we now have our own beer! Read on...
NEW! (Our Own) Belmont Pale Ale: It is cross between Mirror Pond and Sierra Nevada, with the dry hoppiness of Hazed and Infused. Brewed by Alex Ganum, former staff member who now brews at BJ’s Portland. Available in kegs. $50 per 1/6 Bbl, $120 per ½ Bbl.
Scaldis Prestige (Belgium): Hazy reddish amber. Pours thick with no head.
Complex aroma of oak, anise and cherries. Super rich soft, dense toffeeish malt dominates. Vinous. Despite it’s exceptional strength it stays reasonably dry. Salty, woody finish. It’s amazing how extremely well suited Dubuisson’s beer are for wood barrel aging. A fantastic brew for those lucky enough to get a bottle.
Scaldis Noel Premium (750ml): Orange-brown. Very lively with rich head. Malty nose with ripe fruit and a hefty dose of alcohol. Loads of toffee, some red berries, very sweet - too much so. The rich malt flavours struggle to compete with the sweetness. Some grassy hops manages to shine through in the finish.
Scaldis Noel: A deep red beer with a fantastic head. The aroma is sweet malty with fruity and spicy notes. The flavor is rather sweet with notes of fruits, spices, berries, peaches, and caramel.
J.W. Lee’s Harvest Ale (England): Pours a clear chestnut brown, with a tan head. Aroma is sweet, alcohol, prunes, raisins. Taste is full bodied, very sweet, lots of alcohol, and numerous dark fruit flavors (prune, raisin, etc)
De Dolle Stille Nacht (Belgium): Dark and cloudy, with an aroma of spice, licorice and citrus. Complex flavors balanced well with the alcohol.
Notes of caramel, fruits (plums & banana), and strong presence of malts. Finishes dry and remarkably smooth.
N’Ice Chouffe (Belgium): Amber with a nice lasting creamy off white head.
Aroma is malty, a bit yeasty, creamy, with some mild spices, vanilla, milk chocolate and some wheat. Malty flavor, a bit fruity, some figs. Very nice mouthfeel, nice lasting and a great body. Kinda malty finish with some alcohol.
Harvestion’s Old Engine Oil (England): A superb, rich, full-bodied beer derived from a traditional Celtic recipe. Wickedly smooth chocolate dominates the flavour, which is nicely balanced by the bitterness of the hops.
Cropton’s Rudolph’s Revenge (England): A dark bitter, using finest Cascade and Styrian Goldings hops and English malt, providing a unique hoppy beer with a fruity aftertaste.
DuPont Avec Bon Vouex (Belgium): Pours a nice golden with a firm white head.
Aromas of citrus fruit, white fruit and herbal hoppiness. Also some mineral notes. On the palate it is medium bodied, highly carbonated and with firm bitterness. The flavour is spicy (white pepper,
coriander) and hoppy.
Sinebrychoff Porter (Finland): Pours oily black. Aromas of roast malt, a little smoke, and chocolate. Roasty flavor w/hints chocolate, coffee and hops.
Carnegie Porter (Sweden): Pours black with small tan head. Aroma filled with chocolate malts. flavor is very interesting, starting off with a very nice chocolate and coffee combo and finishing with a very raisin aftertaste.
Eggenberg Dunkel Eisbock (Austria): Pleasant, full, and creamy body, with the aroma of coffee, surprisingly light on the tongue despite the alcohol content.Upon warming it presents a toffee-like malty sweetness, balanced by bitter finish.
Delirium Noel (Belgium): Murky brown with pillowy head. Aroma is moderately sweet, fruity (orange), with bubblegum and spice. Taste is mildly sweet, fruity, yeasty, and only slight alcohol burn less than would be expected with 10% ABV.
Gouden Carolus Noel (Belgium): Dark brown, beautiful beige head. The aroma is sweet and fruity with notes of caramel, cloves, and dates.
The flavor is very complex - malt sweet with notes of fruits, cloves and dates. A great Christmas brew.
Lucifer (Belgium): Malt dominates the nose, lightly sweet with a fresh crispness and a little yeast. Starts malty and sweet, finishes "devilishly bitter" and bone dry. The hops are delightful in their spiciness with long finish..."belly warming."
Liefmann’s Frambozen (Belgium): All-natural, no syrups added, only whole raspberries pressed into juice just before being added to the beer. Massive raspberry aroma and the fresh, lively character of champagne.
Liefmann’s Kriekenbier (Belgium): Clear red, small pink head. Balsamic nose with loads of cherries. Malty and sweet in the mouth, usually with a very dry finish. A highly refreshing fruit ale.
Kasteel Brown (Belgium): Pours dark ruby with rich head. Aromas of toffee, roasted malt and burnt sugar. Sweet, vinous and very malty.
Reminiscent of a full bodied red wine. The mouthfeel is soft and it is flavourful. Balanced finish contains a slight trace of hop bitterness to balance the "port wine-ness."
Rockies Killer Penguin (CO): Clear reddish-brown with a small, short-lived tan head. Aromas of raisins, plums, toffee, and some light vinous notes. Palate was light bodied, slightly syrupy, yet somehow dry. Flavors of raisins, toffee, a bit of nuttiness with a bittersweet, dry finish.
Marin San Quentin Stout (CA): Black body with medium dark-tan head. Aroma is malty -- strong roasty mocha, and some cocoa. Taste is semi-sweet, some cocoa, and good roasty bitterness. Creamy, especially once it warms. Not overpowering, but very nice nonetheless.
Marin Mt. Tam Pale Ale (CA): A dark golden color with a creamy tan head.
The pine, hops, and citric notes rip through the nose with furious vengeance. It's clean and smooth in the mouth. It leaves the pine and hop residue on the palate. I like my IPA's like this.
Marin IPA (CA): Nice hearty earthy hops in the nose, some amarillos or something, a bit of malty sweetness. The flavor is rich and creamy, nice and palatable. Finishes lucid and a bit bitter.
Rogue FestiveAle (OR): Made with traditional farm house brewing methods from the Flanders region of Belgium. A unique Belgian yeast coupled with available spices, Belgian malts and European hops deliver a delightfully pleasant Belgian-style Saison. FestiveAle is made from Weyerman Pilsner Malt, Belgian Malted Wheat, Saaz Hops, Grains of Paradise, Ginger Root, Sweet Gale, and Curacao Orange.
Santa’s Private Reserve (OR): Pours a somewhat murky orange/red color.
Aroma is hoppy and slightly sweet. A little candy and grapefruit in the nose. Nice and hoppy with a mildly bitter finish. Good balance of maltiness to go along with the hops. Good stuff indeed.
Bison Gingerbread (CA): Clear, deep copper ale. Spicy nose of gingerbread and apple juice. Malty, chocolatey, spicy flavor with a hint of dark raisins. Medium-bodied with a lightly creamy mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Chocolatey finish.
Bison Honey Basil (CA): Light golden ale with a sweet nose. Smooth, lightly sweet, and surprisingly dry mouthfeel. The basil comes through at the end, providing an herbal edge to the mild hops.
Butte Creek Christmas Cranberry (CA): A reddish orange color with a thin diminished tan head. A sweet cranberry aroma. Rather light in body, a little pine/spruce and earthy flavor with the fruit coming through at the finish.
Hitichino Celebration Ale (Japan): Full bodied beer with sweet wheat flavor and dense head. It has a pleasant bitterness and unique spicy aroma with Orange Peel, Coriander, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Vanilla Beans.
Complex yet soothing.
Find the a complete (reguarly-updated) list of our beers at www.belmont-station.com/bst_beers.html

Other Gifts & Goodies
We have lots of British candies and goodies, some of which is only available during the holidays, including biscuit tins with Walkers shortbread, Liquorice Allsorts and Cadbury assorted biscuits. We have Cadbury Stockings with assorted candy bars for the kids.
Lots of the British goodies and some nice Guinness items are on sale right now.
We also have a new collection of authentic German steins and flasks, many of which are silver-plated or made from heavy grade English pewter, and they make an impressive gift.
A natural for a beer lover, check out our Day-By-Day Calendars describing 365 different craft beers, one for every day of the year.
We have our ever-present glassware collection, with goblets from Belgium, pilsner glasses from Germany, and microbrewery glassware.
Beer Head T-shirts are here, imprinted with a famous beer quote from the likes of Edgar Alan Poe, Kaiser Wilhelm, Queen Victoria, et al.

Kegs To Go!!!
Don’t forget — we now have kegs to go at Belmont Station. Come to the store and check out our impressive line up of on-site beers, ready to go. Or give us a couple days notice and order the keg of your choice.
We can get you any beer currently available in the State of Oregon.

A Bit O' History: Belgium's Brasserie de Silly
During World War I, Mr. Adelin Meynsbrughen, owner of Brasserie de Silly, had been cunning enough to convince the Germans to define his brewery as the single supplier for the German army. The family believes that it was the quality of their beer that was the deciding factor. Mr. Meynsbrughen didn't stop there: he painted his copper brewing vessels black to hide the copper, since copper was confiscated by the Germans to make bombshells.
Right after the war in the winter of 1918, the Scottish regiment of the British Army based in Silly asked the brewery to brew for their army, as all other breweries were closed and dysfunctional since they had lost their brewing vessels to the Germans. The Scottish regiment requested certain style and taste of beer from the Brasserie de Silly, resulting in the creation of the Scotch de Silly.
Scotch de Silly is one of the last remaining Scottish style beers in Belgium, and certainly one with an interesting history. Hops were imported from Kent through the channels of the British Army, and the same happened for the candy sugar, used to boost the alcohol content in the second fermentation. Both hops and candy sugar were unavailable in Belgium during and right after the war.
During World War I, soldiers of every army were only allowed to drink beer, the only healthy beverage available. The average consumption was one gallon per soldier per day.
__________________________________________________
BELMONT STATION COUPON
Free 16oz Microbrewery Pint Glass
with Any $20.00 Purchase!
Offer Good Throughout December, 2005
__________________________________________________

The store for people who love great beer…to go!
Belmont Station
4520 SE Belmont St.
Portland, OR 97215
(503) 232-8538
www.belmont-station.com
We think of beer
as drinkable art
Comments or suggestions? Write to "mailto:admin@belmont-station.com

Brews and Browse: Portland's Wi-Fi Friendly Pubs

by Gary Corbin

Portland is at the forefront of both craft brewing and wireless Internet connectivity. It makes sense, then, that Portland should marry the two and take the lead in yet another cool way: Wi-Fi access in Portland pubs.Wi-Fi has caught on big time in Portland. One Web site lists 72 free local "hotspots" (not including the plethora of Starbucks that offer Wi-Fi). But the list focuses mostly on coffeehouses and the like. What about those of us who like to sip a different brew while we browse? I recently surveyed Portland-area pubs and found 24 that offer some form of Wi-Fi access (see sidebar). Many pubs advertise it - like Main Street Ale House in Gresham and the ever-expanding McMenamins chain, which sports Wi-Fi in 13 of its Portland-area pubs. And there's "more to come," boasts the groovy brothers' Web site.The Lucky Lab will have Wi-Fi "within a few weeks," says owner Gary Geist. Ken Johnson of Fearless Brewing says he will, too, once he "finds a secure way to do it." Bridgeport will have it in its Northwest Portland pub when it reopens (but not in the Hawthorne Ale House - sorry.)Others are riding the wave for free. You can "hijack" others' signals at Alameda Brewhouse, the Hedge House, Oak Hills Brewpub and the Hazel Dell in Vancouver, Wash. Amnesia benefits from free Wi-Fi on the entire Mississippi Street strip. Then there's that plan of the city's to implement free Wi-Fi; if that goes through, all of Portland's pubs will be Wi-Fi friendly. Now there's a vision!
Get out of town
In case you want to get away from it all - but not quite all - you can find Internet access here and there in resort areas. For the most part, coastal pubs haven't found the need for this competitive edge; only McMenamin's Lighthouse Tavern in Lincoln City shines the Internet beacon for seaward travelers. For skiers, the going is a little easier. Mt. Hood Brewing in Government Camp takes care of our local lift-riders. For those traveling a bit further for the magical pow, McMenamin's Old St Francis School in Bend will get you connected.
Gary Corbin
our latest honorary beer scribe!

Side Bar
Portland's Wi-Fi Friendly Pubs
East side
*Alameda Brewhouse, 4765 N.E. Fremont St.Bar of the Gods, 4801 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
*Hedge House, 3412 S.E. Division St.Kennedy School, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave.
Laurelwood Public House, 1728 N.E. 40th Ave.
Main Street Ale House, 333 Main St., Gresham
The Mash Tun, 2204 NE Alberta Street
McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 S.W. Halsey St., Troutdale
Rose and Raindrop, 532 S.E. Grand Avenue
Roots Organic Brewing, 1520 S.E. Seventh Ave.
Coming soon: Lucky Labrador, 915 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.

North Portland/Vancouver
*Amnesia Brewing, 832 N. Beech St.
*Hazel Dell, 8513 N.E. Highway 99, Vancouver, Wash.
McMenamins on the Columbia, 1801 S.E. Columbia River Drive, Vancouver, Wash.
White Eagle Saloon, 836 N. Russell St.
West side
Blue Moon Tavern & Grill, 432 N.W. 21st Ave.
Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, 405 N.W. Cornelius Pass Road,
Hillsboro Daily Double Cafe & Pub, 2037 S.W. Morrison
St.John Barleycorns, 14610 S.W. Sequoia Parkway, Tigard
McMenamins Greenway Pub, 12272 S.W. Scholls Ferry Road, Tigard
*Oak Hills Brewpub, 14740 N.W. Cornell
RoadRock Creek Tavern, 10000 N.W. Old Cornelius Pass Road, Hillsboro
Rogue Ales Distillery and Public House, 1339 N.W. Flanders St.
Coming soon: BridgePort Brewing Co., 1318 N.W. Marshall St.

Out of Town
Golden Valley - 980 4th St, McMinnville
McMenamin's Grand Lodge - 3505 Pacific Ave, Forest Grove
McMenamin's Lighthouse - 4157 Hwy 101, Lincoln City
Mt Angel - 201 Monroe St, Mt Angel
Mt Hood Brewing Co. - 87304 E. Government Camp Loop, Government Camp
Walking Man - 240 NW First, Stevenson, WA
* = Signal borrowed from nearby provider

Guest on Tap has developed a map showing all of the Pubs with Wi-Fi. Please look to our website at http://www.guestontap.com/map.shtml for this information. Guest on Tap wants to know of any Wi-Fi friendly Pubs that we might have missed. Please e-mail us any pubs that we need to add to our list!
Cheers! Prost!