2015 Oregon Brewers Festival- Picks & Pans

Now in it's 28th year, the Oregon Brewers Festival is a summer requirement for most Portland beer-lovers.

Yes, it's crowded and hot. The beer lines can be long and the bros are out in full force. But there's also lots and lots beer to drink, so really, why not join in?

With over 100 beers pouring at the festival, there's more than enough options. Here are our picks for the beers that are worth waiting around for and the beers that you shouldn't waste your precious tokens on. Oh- and it's Doug's policy to stay away from any beers that are available in the bottles, just FYI.

6 Must-Try Beers

Hamber from Melvin Brewing (Trailer 6)
This dry-hopped amber was Doug's favorite beer of the festival. It's the perfect balance of malty richness and hoppy bite. 

Hop Syndrome from Epic Brewing Co (Trailer 5)
A delicious, citrusy hop bomb. Wouldn't expect anything less from Epic.

Dump Truck Summer Bock from Bayern Brewing(Trailer 10)
This is what we want to be drinking all summer. Simple, but so good.

Lil' Raspy from Sixpoint Brewery (Trailer 4)
Sixpoint is not playing around with this refreshing, raspberry sour.

Evie Radshine from Hopworks Urban Brewery (Trailer 9)
Looking for a beer that doesn't feel too heavy for summer but still packs a good alcoholic punch? Evie Radshine's your girl.

Rainbows & Unicorns from Breakside Brewery (Trailer 2)
Sadly, this session IPA was gone by the time I made it to the fest on Thursday, but everyone in our group agreed that it was really, really good.


4 Beers to Avoid 

Vanilla Valley Pale Ale from OBC/Widmer (Trailer 2)
This one just wasn't doing it for us, especially with it's strange vanilla aftertaste.

1-Up Mushroom Ale from Old Town Brewing Co (Trailer 3)
Points for creativity- but man, this beer was weird and not in a good way. 

Gunnamatta from Yeastie Boys (IBG)
A pale ale with earl gray tea sounded interesting, but just didn't pan out.

Cold Pressed Pale Ale from Flying Fish Brewing Co (Trailer 7)
Do yourself a favor and avoid the long lines at this one. Good idea, poor execution.

Cheers!

SALEP Topic: Beer Cocktails

After a nice little holiday season hiatus, we finally managed to get together for another SALEP meeting (despite #snowpolcalypse keeping half of our members at home). Doug was in charge this time around and chose a topic near and dear to his heart: beer cocktails! 

Beer Cocktail: A libation made by mixing beer with another beverage

 Category 1: beer + a non-alcoholic drink 

Example: Radler

3 parts German Lager or Pilsner + 2 parts Lemonade

Literally meaning “cyclist” in German, this blend was invented in 1922 by Munich bartender Franz Xaver Kugler. Finding his beer garden over run by “13,000” cyclists on a hot summer day, Kugler saw his beer was starting to run out. To keep up with demand, Kugler mixed the remaining beer with lemonade and pretended he created the mix especially for the cyclists so that they could drive home without the risk of falling off their bicycle. During the summer months, radler is still very popular in Bavaria and the rest of Germany, due to its reputation of being a thirst-quencher. Many beer gardens will sell premixed radlers or will refill a half empty beer with lemonade.

Category 2: beer + beer

Example: Black and Tan

1 part Guinness + 1 part Harp Lager

Originated in England, the first written records show Black and Tans dating back to 1889, but many believe they date further back, all the way to the 1700s. The drink is not served in Ireland due its controversial name: the term “Black and Tan” is a reference to the uniforms of British paramilitary forces who opposed Irish independence in the 1920s and the name is seen as contentious and disrespectful.

Category 3: beer + spirit + other stuff

Example: Mai Ta-IPA

1 ½ oz IPA Ninkasi Total Domination IPA + 2 oz aged rum + 1 oz lime juice + ½ oz orgeat + ½ oz triple sec

Created by acclaimed mixologist Jacob Grier, this hoppy summer drink is Grier’s answer to the traditional syrupy island drink. As Jacob writes on his blog, "the classic Mai Tai offers a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spirituous elements. It doesn’t offer anything bitter. The addition of a hoppy IPA brings just a touch of bitterness to the drink while the carbonation makes it deliciously light and frothy."

Where to Find Beer Cocktails in Portland:

Free House

Try: Horse Blanket

What: IPA, whiskey, bitters

Why: Some may call it “one of the top five cocktails in Portland” (Quote: Doug Franz)

Hop and Vine

Try: Averna Stout Flip

What: Averna, stout, egg, bitters, nutmeg

Why: Head bartender Jacob Grier is the godfather of beer cocktails, creator of the Mai Ta-IPA and forthcoming book, Cocktails on Tap:The Art of Mixing Spirits And Beer.

Hopworks Bikebar

Try: Radler

What: See above 

Why: Mixing the house Lager and lemonade, it’s a perfect thirst quencher while sitting on Hopwork’s

outside patio.

Your Local McMenamins

Try: Rubinator 

What: Terminator Stout + Ruby 

Why: If you have to be at a McMenamins, might as well make the best of it. McMenamins' chocolatey stout with its raspberry ale is a winning combo every time (especially when paired with Cajun tots). 

Past SALEP Topics: 

• Vermouth
• Green Chartreuse 
• Campari