Y’all probably think it’s easy doing this blog thing. You’re wrong. It’s work. Hard work. Plowing through 14 of the finest beers in the state can take the punch right out of a man. All the great Oregon breweries did the business to our livers, all in the name of Fred Eckhardt.
In attendance from BS Brewing were Dave, Bruce, Nate, Andrew and myself. And the paparazzi.
BridgePort Cask Old Knucklehead: One of the other knuckleheads in tow will have to review this one. I somehow missed it.
Deschutes Coffee-Infused 20k Imperial Bourbon Porter: Somehow, missed this one, too.
Full Sail Black Gold Imperial Stout: What’s up with them putting all the beers I missed at the top?
Hair of the Dog Cask Fred: Oh my syrupy sweetness. I believe this was the second beer I tried, and it was silly delicious.
Laurelwood Green Mammoth Imperial IPA: A beautiful beer. Great floral nose, and fantastic citrusy hoppy goodness.
Lucky Lab Russian Imperial Stout: We bundled up our courage to tell Fred a happy birthday. I couldn’t resist asking which beer stood out to Fred. He picked the Lucky Lab Russian Imperial Stout. He was right. Smoky and manly, yet not overly heavy, it was a beer to put hair on your chest.
Max’s Fanno Creek Golden Alt: Lightest beer of the day, and a great respite from the gloomy clouds. Beautiful malty goodness.
New Old Lompoc Oak-Aged LSD: The classic, taken to the wood-shed, came out stronger for it. My first beer upon arrival, and I instantly wondered if I’d survive the day. I am not a strong ale sorta guy, but it grew on me with a few sips.
Pelican Grand Cru de Pelican: A good roasted malty cru. Sweet, but not treacly. I’d love to try this again — I think by the time I got around to it, I was a little worn out and didn’t give it the chance it deserved.
Raccoon Lodge Sour Wild Blackberry Aged in Oak: Dark with a pink head. Cute. Cut and refreshed the palate on a heavy day. Not cloyingly sweet — souring it was a brilliant move, and kept it light.
Rock Bottom Ned Flanders Red: Amazing. Flat out delicious sourness.
Rogue Dad’s Little Helper Malt Liquor: Skipped it. Bruce tried it.
Roots Pinot-Barrel-Aged Epic: Epic + wine barrel = Epic-er. Dang. That’s some great big beer they’re making.
Widmer Collaborator Continuum Brown: You know you’re at Hair of the Dog when a good brown ale can seem refreshing, but such was the day. Widmer teams up with a local homebrewer for special occasions such as this. We even met the gentleman from the Oregon Brew Crew who took responsibility for it. He had a sweet glass-holding contraption he wore around his neck — clearly, a dude who takes his beer tasting seriously. I think Dave’s got a photo of the BS boys with Rob Widmer and the Oregon Brew Crew brewer — shoot, I totally spaced his name.
OK, last but not least was the food. White chedder with peaches. Cocoa puffs. Jalepeno chocolate truffles. Chicken marinated in Hair of the Dog Fred and herbs, then smoked. Tri-tip marinated in Hair of the Dog Adam and garlic. As Bruce said, “That’s some freakin’ expensive marinade.” Oh, but it was amazing. As the beer line went past the buffet table, everyone snuck little slices of meat with their fingers. So utterly fantastic that we couldn’t stop.
“I really couldn’t be happier right now,” Dave said. “Name me one place on earth better than where we are right now.”
Dave nailed it: Oregon perfection. Of course he’d think that. He won the raffle. Lucky bastard.
Dave Says:
May 13th, 2007 at 8:26 pmVisit Dave
I went for the Black Gold too late; it was gone by the time I got to it. I have had it in the bottle before, and it was a little sharp for my tastes, almost acrid, but I was told by many other tasters that it was “much better on tap.” Have to watch for it at the Horse Brass, I guess.
The Deschutes 20K Coffee-Infused Imperial Porter was tied for my first place pick with the oak-aged LSD. The former was like drinking an alcoholic latte. Which sounds disgusting, but it was incredible, by far the most coffee-flavored beer I’ve ever had, with a sweet, thick, rocky head and subtle heat that tied it all together.
The oak LSD was incredible. There were a lot of “oak-aged” beers here, but for me this was the champion, well-balanced (as balanced as an oak-aged beer called “LSD” can be, I guess), and plenty bitter, to my liking. It was a beer designed for me, and I was grateful.
All day, I kept asking the crew, “Aren’t you glad you live in Oregon?” I am. Just an incredible day. Thanks, Fred.
My Beer Pix: A tribute to the many beers I have known » Best of Beer Blogs #1 Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 12:38 amVisit My Beer Pix: A tribute to the many beers I have known » Best of Beer Blogs #1
[...] Fred-Fest 2007 Y’all probably think it’s easy doing this blog thing. You’re wrong. It’s work. Hard work. Plowing through 14 of the finest beers in the state can take the punch right out of a man. All the great Oregon breweries did the business to our livers, all in the name of Fred Eckhardt… [Read the rest] » The Champagne of Blogs [...]