The Champagne of Blogs

Last year nearly 2,200 people packed the parking lot for a festive night of good food, great music and even greater beer …and this year we’re back for more! The 3rd Annual Widmer Brothers Oktoberfest will be held on Saturday, Sept 8 at Widmer Brothers Brewery. Admission is $5 and the gates open at 4:00pm. Live music includes Curtis Salgado, Those Darn Accordions, Dr. Theopolis and Widmer’s own Colin Lake and Wellbottom. Be sure to arrive early to buy your special edition Widmer Oktoberfest Stein before they sell out. Test your catching skills at the world’s biggest “Lemon Your Widmer” Event in which lemon wedges will be dropped from the brewery roof to Oktoberfest-goers 40 feet below…all while enjoying delicious Widmer Brothers beers!
You must be 21 years of age to attend. Hope to see you there! Prost!

Widmer Brothers Brewery
929 N. Russell Street
Portland, OR 97227

Come out for live music by The Renegade Saints – rolling through on the Great Northwest Music Tour – and a whole slew of other great bands, plus the McMenamins Oktoberfest Ale, German food & drink specials, balloon twisting, and more! Wander about the entire property, beer and bratwurst in hand, to check out the fun. Golf enthusiasts, reserve your spots in the Oktoberfest Golf Tourney! Music starts at 11:00 a.m:

• The Renegade Saints
• Ashleigh Flynn & Killdeer
• Mary Flower
• The Quick & Easy Boys
• Gypsy Caravan
• Sassparilla Jug Band
• Midnight Serenaders
• Julie McCarl & Friends
• The High Five Fun Times Band

McMenamins Edgefield
2126 S.W. Halsey St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 669-8610

This year’s crop of backyard hops are coming in thick and green, cascading all over the pergola, even after suffering some unfortunate hail damage early in the spring. As harvest time draws near, though, I thought I’d ask you, dear reader, for some help with a problem I have. It is a bit like a math problem, but substitutes hops for trains leaving Chicago and Indianapolis.

Three hop varieties were planted two years ago: Cascadia, Chinook, and Centennial. Unfortunately, all but one died that first year. The next year, I planted another variety, this time with another “Oregon” name: Mt. Hood, Cascade, or the like. Maybe even one of the vines I killed previously. Trouble is, I forgot to write down which was which or what was what. Can you help identify which varities I have growing, given the clues above, and the photo below?

Hop Madness 2007 is a celebration of hops and their role in beer. Homebrewers come from all over the country to enjoy all that hops can offer. From brewing hop harvest ales to touring hop farms in active harvest, homebrewers can revel in all of the madness that is Hops!

The Hop Madness festival will be held on September 1st and 2nd from noon to noon at the Willamette Mission State Park just north of Salem.