Event Planner: WA: Brouwer’s Cafe pours Cider 5/28 & 5/31 Double Mountain

The first event features something a bit different, cider. More importantly Brouwer’s will be featuring Crispin Oak Aged Marvin (aged with Molasses, Honey, Dark Chocolate, and Black Cherries) fermented with Stout yeast. Some call it Soul Cider, but we will let you name it, after you try it.

Monday May 28th, 2012 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM (or until the kegs are emptied. whichever comes first)
Crispin Oak-aged Marvin on tap
400 North 35th Street Seattle, WA 98103

But if cider isn’t your thing then swing in on Thursday May 31st, when they tap a couple of Double Mountain beers, including Clusterf#ck India Pale Ale.

About Clusterf#ck India Pale Ale (sourced from New School Beer Blog)

Spurred to action by the Amnesia Single Hop Festival, we ring in the summer with this hop-forward IPA. Clusters were the dominant hop in the US brewing industry literally for centuries, and the forerunner of many of our modern Northwest varieties. They have a unique aroma with quite a bit of citrus and a heft of herbal goodness. The Clusterf#ck recipe features Clusters in the kettle, in the hop back, and especially in the fermenter for dry-hopping. Pilsner and honey malts form the baseline; Clusters make the melody. 6.6% ABV, 75 BU. Clusterf#ck will be on tap in limited supply at select beer bars, and at the Double Mountain Taproom in Hood River.

Thursday May 31st, 2012 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM (or until the kegs are emptied. whichever comes first)
Double Mountain Brewery beers tapped including Clusterf#ck India Pale Ale
400 North 35th Street  Seattle, WA 98103

See you there

Cheers

About the Photo’s Author

Paul Gibson originally hails from Carlsbad, New Mexico, so it’s no wonder he prefers the Northwest’s cooler temperatures and its vast selection of hoppy delicious beers. As a kid, he first started taking photos with an Instamatic of his friends on their BMX bikes. Now he takes photos of beer, breweries and on occasion street photography, events and concerts—minus the Instamatic. You can see more of his photos on Flickr ( www.flickr.com/photos/p_d_gibson ).

Event Planner: OR: The Green Dragon Pub hosts Firkin Fest this June 2nd, 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM

Next Saturday June 2nd you are invited to head over to the Burnside neighborhood, for the 5th Annual Firkin Fest at Rogue’s Green Dragon. This unique event offers you the consumer to enjoy naturally carbonated beers from familiar breweries while supporting this year’s charity the Buckman Elementary School through Food Services of America.

With two runs starting at11:00 AM & 3:00 your $10 nets you 3 hours of access to 11 different brewery provided cask beers. Bear in mind $10 only gets you 5 tickets for over 20 ounces of tastings (or 5 tastes x 4 ounces). As always with festival drink tickets can be purchased for additional tastes.

Included in the list is Firestone Walker, Good Life, Lompoc, Fire on the Mountain, Silver Moon, Rogue Ales, Track Town Ales, Columbia River, Green Dragon Brew Crew, Buckman Botanical Brewery, and the Rogue Farmstead Brewery, with more being added each week.

About the Firkin Fest format

Each brewery will present a beer of its choice, prepared in the traditional English cask-style. Unlike most draft beers, Firkin beers are unpasteurized, unfiltered, naturally carbonated in the cask, and served at cellar temperature, approximately 55 degrees.

Look for cheese and chocolate pairings to be offered as a compliment for your beers during the event as well.

Saturday June 2nd, 2012 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The Green Dragon Buckman Brewery host Firkin Fest 2012
928 Southeast 9th Avenue  Portland, OR 97214

Cheers

About The Green Dragon

The Green Dragon has been named by DRAFT Magazine as one of the “Top 100 Beer Bars in America” and is listed by Imbibe Magazine as one of the “100 Best Places to Drink Beer in America.” The Green Dragon is located at 928 SE 9th Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.rogue.com, or in person or by phone at the Green Dragon at (503) 517-0660.

Beer Review *Revisited: Fremont Brewing’s 77 Select India Pale Ale, Is A Should Try

More beer notes have collected dust on the shelves of our cellar and we feel remiss that we didn’t expose this beer sooner.

Brewed at Fremont Brewing and made available several months ago, 77 Select Spring Session India Pale Ale was brewed for lovers of IPAs but at a lower ABV.

Brewery Description 

A crisp and refreshing 4.0% ABV spring wunderbeer, 77 Select is made with 7 choice ingredients and Fire Brewed in the pits of Fremont Brewing to achieve its rarefied Session IPA status. With this brew we respect Seattle's old Horlucks & Sicks Brewing Companies, predecessors of Rainier Brewing, and their flagship beers 66 Select and Rainier.

Available for the first time ever at our brewery, 77 Select can be found on draught & in growlers or 22oz bottles.

Our Thoughts
You Should Try This. Sadly this beer might be gone by the time this review is read. But we want to petition the brewery to revisit this beer, or at a minimum beer at this ABV. If you are feeling up to it and have one resting in the fridge, we suggest that you try 77 with a salty ham sandwich or some sharp cheese (ala cougar gold or Beecher's flagship).

From the 22 ounce bottle from the brewery, 77 Select India Pale Ale has a definite burnt yellow appearance with attention on clarity. Poured straight down into the glass the beer produces an initially, strong, inch and a half of foamy (off-white) head. Over time the presence of 'head' disappears, leaving behind only small island of lace on the surface, complimented by a crown of lace along the inside of the glass.

Taking that first sniff you pick up fruity-citrus notes of pineapple and sweet biscuit malt. Further allowance for this to warm up is rewarded by an aroma of fresh cut grass earthiness.

Sipping you get more of the biscuit, breadiness; than you would expect. This is a 4.00% India Pale Ale after all and they don't dissapoint as the palate is reminded by bits of grassy, earthiness; as well as some minor pineapple citrus. Overall 77 Fremont Select Spring Session India Pale Ale has a mild to medium weight to it and there is some stickiness.

Thoughts by your Colleagues
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/20680/77858
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/fremont-77-select-spring-session-ipa/164408/

Beer Release: NW: Get It Now (Finally) … Deschutes

I have only one thing to say about this announcement, wow!

What started out as a rumor, turned into a collaboration, before finally being bottled up. For this writer we are happy that I can finally say we have tried both No. 1 and No. 2 in the Conflux series from Deschutes.

This time around the brewery has collaborated with none other than Hair of the Dog and Alan Sprints. Whether you are a lover of Adam, Fred, Ruth, or Blue Dot; you will be rushing out to get your hands on this beer.

Making of the beer …

In the spring of 2010, four world-class beers were brewed: Deschutes Brewery’s The Stoic and The Dissident and Hair of The Dog’s Fred and Adam. These four classics continued their courtship for the next 24 months aging in a variety of cask barrels, including rye whiskey, cognac, sherry, pinot noir, bourbon, new American Oak, and new Oregon Oak.

In fact, more than 100 distinct barrel-aged rounds were sampled to identify prominent flavors and subtle nuances. Gary, Alan and the Deschutes Brewery brewmasters then began the fun and challenging task of determining the perfect blend.  In the end, Gary Fish declared, “We expected something really good.  What we got is really great.”

Fish continued, “It’s an industry where we can do things because it’s fun, because it’s interesting and intellectually stimulating.  We’re lucky we have a group of consumers that are passionate about what we’re doing.”

The result is a virtual “collage” of patience, time and collective curiosity. The final blend has so many flavors and gradations; it is unlike any other tasting experience imaginable. Alan Sprints marveled, “It was amazing how we blended all those different barrels together and you can still pick out individual characteristics from each barrel.”

And with that the announcement is finally made. Collage is (or has been) on the shelves right now. If you haven’t purchased your one or two bottles, you might soon be out of luck. Collage will be available in extremely limited quantities in 12-ounce bottles only starting May 15^th at Deschutes Brewery’s Bend & Portland brew pubs.

Congrats to Alan Sprints & Deschutes Brewery on their recent release / collaboration.

Cheers

About Deschutes Brewery

Located in beautiful Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Brewery is in the business of daring people to expect more from their beer. That's why we started off in 1988, on the banks of the Deschutes River here in Bend, Oregon, by selling Black Butte Porter at a time when others were sure a dark beer would never catch on. Our brewers love to push the envelope, especially if it makes someone nervous.  But for us, the highest praise is a raised glass and a toast of "Bravely Done!"  For more information about Deschutes Brewery and its courageously crafted beers, please visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com.

About Hair of the Dog Brewing Company

Hair of the Dog Brewing Company is located in Portland, Oregon and was created to produce bottle-conditioned beers that improve with age.  The main focus is to provide the beer lover with new and unusual beer styles, and is known for its barrel aged and high alcohol beers.   Hair of the Dog is one of the world’s smallest Breweries, producing a mere 120 gallons per brew, last year’s production was about 15,000 gallons.  For more information about the brewery and our beers, check out hairofthedog.com

About the photo’s author
"Matt Wiater is a photographer covering the Portland beer scene for portlandbeer.org."

Brewery News: OR: Widmer Brothers Brewing expands production

We have noted that Widmer Brothers Brewing has started the next phase of their brewery expansion. With a planned brewing capacity for between 10,000 to 12,000 barrels per month the brewery has installed the first of two 1,750 barrel fermentation tanks.

“We are thrilled to expand the brewery. Our last expansion was in 2008, and we’re to a point where increasing the brewery’s capacity has become necessary for further growth,” said Kurt Widmer, co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing. “This expansion is not only a significant landmark for Widmer Brothers, but for the Oregon craft beer community. While national domestic beer sales are declining, craft beer is on the rise and the Portland brewing community is largely behind driving the innovation and excitement for the craft beer industry.”

The purchase / installation of new tanks are part of a more than $3 million, multi-phased growth plan, starting with $1.7 million in fermentation tanks. Completing the more $3 million equation, the brewery is investing in a bright tank cellar which should be completed by Fall 2012.

With this increase in production the brewery hopes to increase their capacity by 140,000 barrels (or 280,000 kegs of beer) per year. Additionally the brewery hopes to be brewing 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by 2013.

“Nearly thirty years ago when Kurt and I sought out to start a brewery, we never imagined where it would lead,” said Rob Widmer, co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing. “The Widmer Brothers Brewing team is producing incredible beers and is really driving the potential of what craft beer can be. We’re extremely proud of how far the brewery has come and look forward to the opportunities presented by this expansion.”

About the new fermentation tanks

The fermentation tanks, built by Paul Mueller Company in Springfield, Mo., will be the largest in the Pacific Northwest. Because of their size, the tanks are being transported by truck on a specially organized route, and the installation will require one of the largest cranes available on the West Coast.

The tank installation process will begin at 6:30 a.m., and will include the removal of the roof on the brewery to allow for the tank installment. The final two tanks will arrive and be installed on Monday, June 4.

Congrats to Rob, Kurt, and the whole crew at Widmer Brothers Brewing.

Cheers

About Widmer Brothers Brewing

What started as a dream for two ordinary brothers who just loved beer has now become a reality for two ordinary brothers who still just love beer. Kurt and Rob Widmer helped lead the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement in 1984 when, in their 20s, they dreamed of brewing unique interpretations of traditional beer styles. In 1986, Widmer Brothers Brewing introduced the first American-style Hefeweizen; today, the unfiltered cloudy beer is the company’s signature brew and one of the best-selling wheat beers in the country. Based in Portland, Ore., the brewery currently brews a variety of beers including Drifter Pale Ale, Nelson Imperial IPA, Rotator IPA Series, Drop Top Amber Ale and Pitch Black IPA. For more information about Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit www.widmerbrothers.com.

About the photo’s author
"Matt Wiater is a photographer covering the Portland beer scene for portlandbeer.org."

Event Planner: OR: Mellow Mushroom hosts DrinkPortland.com Wednesday 5/30 from 6-9PM

A few weeks ago we notified you regarding a new website associated with Portland drinking culture.

Today we are happy to announce the first of many parties sponsored by DrinkPortland.com.

Starting at 6PM (with a conclusion at 9PM) the Mellow Mushroom (1411 NW Flanders St.; 503-224-9019) will host the launch party for DrinkPortland.com, the new PDX online drink magazine, event guide and happy hour finder focused on the craft brewing/distilling/winemaking culture in the Portland region.

Featured at the party will regional beers, a “special punch”, and drawing associated with drawing attention to one of Portland’s newest websites to promote the drinking culture, unique to PDX.

So what about the beers? Good question. Current list for this includes a (rare) firkin of Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout, Firestone Walker Wookey Jack Black Rye India Pale Ale, and Deschutes The Stoic (among other beers). Additionally the Mellow Mushroom will be pouring the Bol Genever cocktail, in punch bowl format.

Sweetening the incentives why you should go, the bar & DrinkPortland will be donating $1 from each beer and punch sold, to CreativeCares, Drink Portland’s charity partner.

So take some time off on May 30th, to meet the local and national editors of Drink Portland as they share their thoughts on what makes their website (s) and Portland so special.

To RSVP to the event, simply visit DrinkPortland.com/launch in your browser or on your phone.

Wednesday May 30th, 2012 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Mellow Mushroom hosts DrinkPortland.com
1411 NW Flanders Street Portland, OR

Cheers

About Drink Portland

Drink Portland is a local online magazine and bar guide focused on providing information to the sophisticated drinker. Through a combination of drink special listings, an event guide, a venue directory and up-to-date articles, Drink Portland  provides opportunities for educated drinking. Drink Portland is an edition of The Drink Nation, which started life as Drink Philly. In February 2011, Drink Philly and its founder, Adam Schmidt,  received the Wharton Entrepreneurship Conference People’s Choice Award for best new startup company, a far cry from its modest origins as an Excel spreadsheet shared among a few friends. Currently, The Drink Nation has local editions in Portland, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and the New Jersey Shore. For more information, visit DrinkPortland.com, follow @Drink_Portland on Twitter or find Drink Portland on Facebook.

About CreativeCares

CreativeCares connects nonprofits with creative volunteers so that together they can achieve a louder voice, a bigger presence and a greater ability to tangibly change the world. CreativeCares links an organization’s needs — social media strategy, photojournalism, web design, event planning, more — to creative professionals with the right skills and a passion for causes, to work on a pro-bono basis. Find out more at CreativeCares.org.

About Mellow Mushroom

Mellow Mushroom opened in 1974 when three college students founded a business that reflected their eccentric philosophies.  The company has grown over the last 35 years to encompass 100 stores in 16 states, but while the restaurant remains dedicated to making every visit to every location great, each franchise has its own character and works to be a part of the local community. Portland’s Mellow Mushroom opened in autumn of 2011 in The Pearl with 50 beers on tap and another 50 by the bottle, and is open 11 AM–10 PM, Sunday–Thursday and 11 AM–11 PM, Saturday–Sunday. Find out more at MellowMushroom.com/portland.

Event Planner: WA: 5/25 By the Bottle hosts Bison Brewing’s Dan Del Grande & Ashley “Beer Wench” Rouston

The calendar says Wednesday May 23rd but that doesn’t mean you can’t live it up this coming Friday. Either in Washington or across the Columbia River in PDX, we want to remind you that Bison Brewing is coming to town.

To most Bison Brewing is another brewery with its India Pale Ale, Chocolate Stout, or Basil Honey. But what many people seem to forget is that the brewery was one of the few along the West coast to go Organic.

If this isn’t enough to get you interested then congratulating Bison Brewing Rep. (and craft beer writer) Ashley Rouston on her recent marriage to … BREWPUBLIC’s founder Angelo De Ieso, then nothing will. That’s right, Angelo is leaving the Northwest for the warmer climate of California and Berkely.

Now is the time to get your all questions answered about beer cocktails, organic brewing, the California beer scene, and marrying our own Angelo De Ieso! Angelo will be attending with Ashley, ready for your good bye hugs and to cheers with everyone before his big move.

Current scheduled tasting menu for Friday May 25th, 2012

• IPA: Bison's Organic IPA is a medium-bodied ale characterized by a citrus, pine and slightly grassy aroma with a moderately bitter, refreshingly crisp flavor and a clean, dry finish. 6% abv.
• Chocolate Stout: Bison's Chocolate Stout is a medium-bodied ale characterized by rich cocoa and roasted malt aromas, charismatic flavors of dark chocolate and espresso, a creamy mouthfeel and smooth, dry finish. 5% abv.
• Basil Honey: Bison's Organic Honey Basil Ale a light-bodied ale, infused with organic clover honey & fresh, whole leaf organic basil, lending a floral and slightly herbal aroma, a hint of sweetness and mild basil after taste.

Friday May 25th, 2012 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Bison Brewing tasting feat. Dan del Grande & the Beer Wench at By the Bottle
104 West Evergreen Boulevard  Vancouver, WA 98660

Congrats to Angelo & Ashley on their recent marriage and god speed to our friend on his move to Berkley, CA.

Cheers

About the photo’s author

Kyle is a web designer, social media addict, craft beer aficionado living in Cleveland, Ohio. Read/see more at NorthcoastLifestyle.com

Event Planner: OR: BREWVANA Brewery Tours hosts Connoisseur Tour featuring Lucky Lab’s Ben Flerchinger

This Sunday (May 27th) BREWVANA Brewer Tours are hosting their Monthly Connoisseur Brewery tour.

This time the tour is happy to include Lucky Labrador (aka Lucky Lab) and their head brewer Ben Flerchinger.

During this 5 hour tour your $85 dollars gains you access to breweries Lucky Lab (NW), Migration, and Lompoc’s 5th Quadrant. Plus the tour will be visiting BeerMongers before finishing at Wildwood Restaurant for a food and beer pairing with Chef Paul Kasten.

Sunday May 27th, 2012 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
BREWVANA Brewery Tours hosts Lucky Lab’s Ben Flerchinger

Tickets are still available as of this story, on the BREWVANA website, and are going fast. For more information call call BREWVANA @ 503.729.6804 or visit http://www.experiencebrewvana.com/register/?regevent_action=register&event_id=366.

About Lucky Lab’s Ben Flerchinger

Ben is passionate about beer. He has been brewing at the Lucky Lab for 10 years, and homebrewing for 8 years before then. He started washing kegs and worked his way up to becoming a delicious beer maker for the Portland public. In 2006 the Quimby location opened and Ben was appointed to be the lead brewer. Before it opened he was brewing at the original Lucky Labrador Brewery on Southeast Hawthorne Street with Alex Stiles, the co-owner and head brewer for that location.  Flerchinger loves collaborations between the breweries because it’s fun to merge creative ideas that involve beer. Being creative is one of the many reasons Ben loves working at the Lab, he says, “I’m so lucky to be here.”  There are 20 beers on tap at all times.  Constant creativity, a good variety of beer, plus a whole lot of laid back attitude makes brewing Lucky Lab beer a  perfect job for Ben! 

About Connoisseur Tours

Each month, Brewvana’s Connoisseur Tour gives a different local brewer the opportunity to showcase the beers that they live to brew and create their own tour based on their favorite places around town. It is their chance to share their knowledge of beer with their community.

About BREWVANA

Committed to embracing the history and culture of the craft brewing industry in Oregon, BREWVANA is the Ultimate Craft Beer Tour Experience. Transportation is provided on a 14-passenger bus equipped with cup holders, a beer-inspired mural and the Beeriodic Table for reference. Weekly tours are offered Friday thru Sunday. In addition, BREWVANA offers Seasonal Tours, Connoisseur Tours (led by a professional brewer) and private, Build Your Own Tours. For additional information on BREWVANA Brewery Tours, please visit us at: http://www.experiencebrewvana.com/.

About the photo’s author
"Matt Wiater is a photographer covering the Portland beer scene for portlandbeer.org."

Event Planner: Seattle Beer Week: Our Last Minute Thoughts Part 2, 5/14 – 5/17

So if you are reading this you have already taken our advice or you are pondering the next set of days, during Seattle Beer Week.

We won’t bore you with some waxing, poetic, scripture. Instead we cut through the B.S. and get right to it.

Monday May 14th, 2012 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Stone & Pizza at Elliott Bay Pizza
5107 Ballard Ave NW Seattle WA 98107

Seems like we cannot stay away from the Ballard neighborhood. Turn on the GPS or take the bus to 5107 Ballard Avenue NW and give Elliott Bay Pizza a try, for lunch. A word of advice from some amateur food critics, try their hot subs. Namely the Chicken Caesar. From what I hear it might go pretty well with that Stone India Pale Ale or Ruination.

Afterwards and only if your feeling brave, you can head over to Big Time Brewery & Alehouse around 2PM for their first ever Bourbon barrel-aged Stout Heavenly Stout. Big Time Brewery is located in the historic University District on 4133 University Way NE. And if you stick around till 6 PM you can swing into Shultzy’s across the street as they host Bellingham’s Chuckanut Brewery. Shultzy’s Sausage is located in the historic University District on 4140 University Way NE, across from Big Time Brewery.

Tuesday May 15th, 2012 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Fremont Tasting at Whole Foods in Interbay
2001 15th Avenue W Seattle WA 98119

For some reason (unlike the other locations hosting a tasting) this one is $2. But this doesn’t diminish the opportunity to enjoy a few beers from Fremont’s newer breweries. Afterwards we have one of two suggestions, take 15th Avenue to Alaska Way and Pike or head North towards Leary Avenue and visit Brouwer’s Cafe.

Option #1 Pike Brewing near the Pike Place Market. Starting at 6:00 PM you will be treated to a one of a kind event as Pike Brewing hosts thirstysisters.

The thirstysisters evolved out of a growing desire for women involved in the craft beer industry in the greater Seattle area to come together and pool their resources. With the ever expanding involvement of women in the brewing business, the thirsty sisters recognized a need to not only celebrate their love of craft beer, but also to educate other women on the historic significance of females in the craft beer industry. Through events such as this one planned for Seattle Beer Week, the thirsty sisters hope to bring more women into the fold and foster a vibrant, diverse craft brew community.

So what does that mean to you and me? Honestly this is a rare chance to speak with women who rub elbows, drip sweat, and compete in the same space; that for years has been occupied by men.

For more information on this event visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ThirstySisters/info. Pike Brewing is located in the Downtown Neighborhood on 1415 1st Avenue.

Option #2. Brouwer’s Cafe hosts 5 brewers for a 5 burger battle.

Since its inception, the burger battle has been described as unhealthy, gastro-destructive, and awesome. And that was just the first burger.

Featuring 5 different brewer inspired burgers, you are asked to visit Brouwer’s Cafe from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM and decide which burger speaks to you. And don’t forget reigning champ Fremont’s burger will be available for consumption and judgment. Dig in. Brouwer’s Cafe is located in the Fremont neighborhood on 400 N. 35th Street.

Side item. If you are leaving Brouwer’s Cafe and had a brewer-inspired burger, we encourage you to walk the few blocks at 11:00 PM for drink with the Troll. Located under the Aurora Bridge, there will be a chance to take a load off from a heavy day of consumption. The Troll is located on the corner of N 36th St & Troll Avenue.

Wednesday May 16th, 2012 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Dinner w/Anderson Valley, Hopworks, & Chuckanut at Brave Horse Tavern
310 Terry Avenue North Seattle WA 98109

$55 gets you in the door of this rare dinner at Brave Horse. Current guest brewers or brewery reps include Chuckanut’s co-owner Mari Kemper, Hopworks’ head brewer Jamie Rodriguez, and returning to Seattle as a brewer Anderson Valley’s Fal Allen.

For this writer its the prospect of meeting Fal Allen that would be worth the $55 alone. But if you are more concerned with the food we can tell you that the menu is going to be awesome. It’s worth mentioning that there are still tickets available for this event, so call up the Brave Horse (at (206) 971-0717) today!

For those who want something a little different we would advise heading further north to Edmonds (WA) and visiting American Brewing. Near the Ferry Terminal, the brewery is hosting a rare event where you the customer get to slap the puck against head brewer Skip Madsen. The event starts at 6:00 PM and runs till 10:00 PM.

While your there, you should check out their award winning beers. American Brewing is located in Edmonds on 180 West Dayton Street in Warehouse 102, near the Ferry Terminal.

Thursday May 17th, 2012 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sausage Flights with Beers at Duck Island Saloon
7317 Aurora Ave. N Seattle WA 98103

A week later since kick off we have decided to spread things out with a visit to Greenlake &  Duck Island for their unique take on the word ‘flight’.

Usually associated with beer, spirits, or wine; the Alehouse is choosing to alter the definition to meats. Look to enjoy four different meats paired with sauces. Need a beer recommendation? How about Samichlaus Doppelbock, Double Mountain Goliathon Belgian-Style Dark Ale, Boneyard Hop Venom IPA, or Gulden Draak Belgian Quad.

Should you choose to enjoy one or more of the listed beers at Duck Island, we would advise NOT going to Epic Ale’s Gastropub for their $30 dinner. Subject to change, the menu is looking like … “morel salt cod fritters, chicken liver mouse and ramp merengue, purse of spring vegetables on potato bun with tea smoked duck, pork pate musubi, and ice cream beer float” Word has it there are 15 or so slots available. Send an RSVP to epicales@gmail.com. Epic Ales is located in the So’Do neighborhood on 3201 First Ave South, Suite 104.

If you are reading this you have survived the literal interpretation of Seattle Beer Week. Stay tuned for the final few days and our thoughts.

Cheers

Event Planner: Seattle Beer Week: Our Last Minute Thoughts Part 1, 5/10 – 5/13

So it’s the day before the start of Seattle Beer Week and you haven’t decided which events to check out. Then again Seattle Beer Week is an endless (for 10 days) promotion of craft beer and the epicurious, diversity, it represents.

With events like dinners and food pairings, it’s easy to get distracted from the usual fare of brewery nights and grocery sponsored sample tastings. So we elected (like every other blog out there) to help you make some decisions associated with each day.

We won’t tell you to check out a specific location and do everything. Instead we will simply offer our nudge in one direction or the other on what is the most interesting event.

Thursday May 10th, 2012 4:00 PM
Whole Foods on Westlake hosts Angry Orchard Cider
2210 Westlake Avenue Seattle, WA 98121

Think of this event as an aperitif (appetizer or warm-up) to the Kickoff at Elysian’s Capitol Hill location (1221 E. Pike St. Seattle, WA 98122). If on the other hand a meal sounds best after trying some ciders, we suggest stopping into Bambino’s (not a Seattle Beer Week participant, but listed on the site) on 401 Cedar Street.

After a stop into Bambino’s we suggest catching either the 8, 4, or 255 to Pine Box (1600 Melrose Avenue) . Another option would be to catch the 5 near Bambino’s to Naked City where they will be hosting the third leg of the Seattle Beer Week Kick Off.

Friday May 11th, 2012 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Cheese & Beer Pairing with Avery & Boneyard at Urban Family Public House
5329 Ballard Ave NW Seattle WA 98107

Stop into one of Seattle’s newest Public Houses in the Ballard neighborhood. With tentative plans to start brewing, the spot offers a cozy and well thought out beer selection. Paired with ala carte fare (right out of their toaster oven) you can’t go wrong with cheese paired with beers from Avery & Boneyard.

While you're in the neighborhood stop into Noble Fir which is practically across the street. There you will be able to sample from their current taplist of Double Mountain and Terminal Gravity beers. Noble Fire is on 5329 Ballard Ave NW in the Ballard neighborhood.

Saturday May 12th, 2012 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Kegs and Eggs featuring Elysian at Brave Horse Tavern
310 Terry Avenue North Seattle WA 98109

Admittedly for this writer I initially shuddered the idea of what a beer bar could be under the imaginative mind of Tom Douglas. With that said I can happily admit I was waaaay off.

With a focus on ala carte burgers and host sandwiches, often paired with their fresh made pretzels, Brave Horse gets this craft beer thing. Starting at 10:00 AM the Tavern in South Lake Union, opens its doors, and invites you take a load off from the week, while enjoying Elysian Beers paired with their breakfast menu.

Afterwards we invite you to take a rest up before heading out to Naked City in the Greenwood neighborhood. There you will be entertained as Don Webb & Donald Averil host beers from Colorado. Look for CO breweries Left Hand, Great Divide, Oskar Blues, Boulder, and Avery to be on draught. And who knows, there might be someone from one of the breweries there. Naked City is located in the Greenwood Neighborhood on 8564 Greenwood Avenue North.

Sunday May 13th, 2012 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Mother’s Day Lindeman’s Beer Tasting with Merchant du Vin at Beer Junction
4707 42nd Avenue S.W. Seattle, WA

Take the drive over to West Seattle and visit one of Seattle’s largest beer-centric bottleshops. Located on West Seattle’s answer to Main Street (California Avenue), the bottleshop is hosting Merchant du Vin as they pour various fruit beers from the European brewery Lindeman’s.

While there you should also pick up a couple of beers to take with you and possibly share with mom. But we won’t tell if you end up sharing them with Dad.

While in West Seattle don’t waste the trip.  Drive farther south on California Avenue to Beveridge Place Pub for their 5:00 PM Iron Brewers Triple Header. There you will get an opportunity to sample beers with a secret cooking ingredient. This time around Silver City and Seven Seas will be competing against current champion Black Raven. Beveridge Place Pub is on 6413 California Ave SW.

Stay Tuned. We still have a full week of suggestions for you.

Cheers