The Champagne of Blogs

Ahh, spring. The damage you put your liver to over the holidays is finally healing. Sure, there have been a few barleywines here and there, and even a few new brews from the local breweries that needed sampling. But there’s nothing to worry about until summer, right? Just coast through the rest of the rain and you’ll be in tip-top tippling shape by June, right. Right?
RIGHT?!!

Alas, it is not to be. I present to you … April. The month in which your liver AND your belt will fail. Enjoy.

Conspiracy Release Party
April 5 , 7 p.m.
Horse Brass Pub
4534 SE Belmont St.
Portland, Oregon

“Conspiracyis a collaboration brew between Midnight Sun Brewing and Pelican Pub & Brewery. During a trip to Alaska for the Great Alaskan Beer & Barley Wine Fest, Ben Love of Pelican conspired with Gabe Fletcher and Ben Johnson of Midnight Sun to brew a Belgian-Style Black Beer. Conspiracy features a rich, spicy aroma with hints of dark fruit, raisin, roast and caramel. A toasted and slightly roasty flavor lead into caramel and a super smooth finish. Debittered black malt was used to get the jet-black color and tan head without adding significant roast flavor. The brewers also added Belgian candi sugar and Mexican Piloncillo sugar (a maple-sugar-like brown sugar) to increase fermentability and depth of flavor. Conspiracy comes in at 8.5 percent ABV and 25 IBUs.”

Via Belmont Station Beer Blog

Belmont Station’s “Meet the Brewer” No. 1
April 6, 5 – 7 p.m.
Belmont Station
4500 SE Stark St.
Portland, Oregon

“… Friday April 6th we’ll be hosting our first of many “Meet the Brewer/Beer” events. The first one will feature Ben Love (formerly of Pelican, soon to be head brewer at H.U.B.) and the brewers/owners from Midnight Sun.”

Via Belmont Station Beer Blog

Spring Beer and Wine Fest
April 6 and 7, 12:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Oregon Convention Center
777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Portland, Oregon

I’ve never been to the Spring Beer Fest (something about drinking in a convention center under flourescent lights doesn’t grab me), but I have heard good things. Alas, I’ll be out of town for this event, but perhaps one of my co-collaborators will report in my stead.

Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers
April 10
Rock Bottom Brewing
206 SW Morrison St.
Portland, Oregon

“This upcoming Belgian festival will be unique, as there are 10 Breweries who will be brewing 10 different Belgian beers, but all using the same Belgian yeast, Wyeast 1762. There are many different Belgian Yeasts, so this may be the first of many! So, the challenge is on and it will all be worth a taste!”

Via Dr. Wort’s Beer Blog

Jake’s Brewer’s Dinner: Caldera Brewing
April 15, 6:30 p.m.
Jake’s Famous Crawfish
401 SW 12th Ave.
Portland, Oregon

“Hair of the Dog sells itself, but the April installment should be even more interesting to Portlanders. It features Ashland’s Caldera Brewing, easily one of the most under-rated breweries in all of Beervana and one of the least-accessible in the Rose City.”

Via Beervana

Hair of the Dog Earth Day Dock Sale
April 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hair of the Dog Brewing
4509 SE 23rd Avenue
Portland, Oregon

“A one day ‘Sale’ at the brewery. Bottled “Blue Dot” will be on site for sale. Check out current and vintage selections of Fred, Adam, Doggie Claws and Rose, all for sale at this Dock Sale. You just never know what Alan will have for sale, there may be some surprises. Plus, get your ‘Dog Wear,’ HOTD shirts and other merchandise.”

Via Dr. Wort’s Beer Blog

Well, this week just flew by, and I wasn’t able to post a review from the Barleywine festival at the Lucky Lab this last weekend. I might get to it, but if I don’t you can read all about it on Dr. Wort or Belmont Station. My two favorites were Old Guardian from Stone, and Old Boardhead from Full Sail. The group I was with had never experienced a beer like Allagash’s Tripel, and it made me happy that it was so extremely popular with everyone I was with. I might have to add that one to my upcoming “Twelve Steps to Loving Beer,” post, a program I’ve designed that is intended for wine- or spirits-only people. Sneak preview: the first step is Lindeman’s Framboise.

I just ordered a set of Sam Adam’s much-hyped, high-tech (and overpriced) beer glasses. Expect a review here as soon as they arrive. I am wondering if these magical glasses will make all beers taste better, or just Sam Adams. Maybe I can save some money on libations and just start pouring Pabst into these glasses. Yeah, right. Oh, and click on some of those Google Ads to help me pay for these fool things, will ya?

Last night I kegged the “Bored Seamen” IPA in preparation for next weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities (yet another post forthcoming …). It smells, and tastes, great. I added some toasted oak chips to the fermenter a few weeks ago, and I can tell already that they were a very tasty decision. Nice floral hops, kinda sweet, 4.6% abv. Should be great, I think.

Finally, I’m off to Austin tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who helped out with recommendations for my trip. I will try to hit Kreutz Market as William suggested, as well as the Ginger Man for beers. I have also heard great things about the Salt Lick in Dripping Springs, as well as the County Line. Depending on where the hotel is, I will try to hit NXNW for some micros, too. Wish me luck, and if someone could sign me up for Jenny Craig while I’m gone, that’d be great. Thanks.