Seattle Beer News blogger Geoff Kaiser visited Portland recently and wasted no time getting around to beer.
Portland Paradise – Part 1 begins, immediately after checking into the hotel, with a visit to Hopworks Urban Brewery, where he and his companion Jeanne enjoy several beers, including the IPA, Doppelbock, Stout, Abominable Winter Ale and Sasquatch Strong Ale, but have some advice for the bartender:
STOP WASTING SO MUCH BEER WHEN YOU FILL YOUR GROWLERS!!!! We watched this guy fill 3 or 4 growlers, and he impatiently just let it overflow (quite a bit) to fill, rather than use a tube or be patient and let it settle. That’s just wrong.
Saturday, after the requisite Portland-visitor pilgrimage to Powell’s Books, our visitors stop by the Deschutes Portland brew pub. The beer they enjoy most is Big Red Oak, which judging from the description below, will require a sampling by yours truly soon.
This was essentially an Imperial version of their Cinder Cone Red Ale, which is then aged in Syrah and Cabernet wooden casks. This big beer was outstanding, with a dominant base of caramel malts mixed with citrus hops and just a bit of oak and dark fruit. It was incredibly smooth, and I’d never guess that it would approach its ABV of 9.8% (dangerous…).
And as every rigorous beer vacation demands, a 75 minute massage followed.
Portland Paradise – Part 2 finds our heros, post massage, sharing the sampler tray at Lucky Lab NW. Then it’s off to Bailey’s Taproom, and ultimately, after a long rest at the hotel, dinner at Higgin’s where they are delighted to score some Hair of the Dog Cherry Adam From the Wood to compliment the apple and cherry tart with brandy ice cream (a trip to Higgins is in the cards for yours truly too!).
Portland Paradise – Part 3 begins in Beaverton, at Raccoon Lodge. Portland craft beer pioneer, and owner of the lodge, Art Larrance sat down with Geoff to talk beer. One of Cascade Brewing’s sour ales, The Mouton Rouge was on tap.
Last stop, John’s Market in Multnomah Village, to peruse the awesome selection of beers: Holy crap. Holy crap. Holy crap. This place has an insane amount of beer available.
Read the rest at Seattle Beer News:
he better not be a Shittle fan….
I had the Big Red Oak at the beer dinner at Deschutes a few weeks ago. Yes, you must taste it – delicious.
markovitch – I saw no references to the Flounders . . .
Diane – On my way!
Since I do not share the same affinity for beer as the rest of the readers on this blog, I had to look up “growler” on wikipedia. I learned something today.