Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Meet the Brewer: Amnesia Brewing

Tuesday Night Green Dragon continued their popular series, Meet the Brewer. In the weeks past Lazy Boy Brewing, Salmon Creek Brewery and others have shared their beers and stories of creating fine NW Craft Brews.
Last Night was a special treat for Amnesia Brewing Fans, a rare appearance by head brewer
Kevin Young and assistant brewer Chris. (Pictured to left Kevin, Craig Nicholls of Roots Brewing and Chris)
Kevin did not disappoint and brought a variety of his delicious beers including my new favorites Sleighjerker & Frosty's Revenge. Both beers we smooth & hoppy the way that I like them.
Kevin was happy to talk about his beer and his experience as a brewer. He first started off as a home brewer and brewed every Saturday with his friend for Five years. Then he worked his way through quite a few breweries including Pyramid, McMenamins & Rogue to name a few. He has obviously put his time in and learning the craft of brewing and it shines in his beers.
Amnesia has experienced continuous growth and looks to expand its brewing capability later this summer with a new production facility.

Next Week up at Green Dragon is Nikasi Brewing and Jamie Floyd will be bringing something special which is ok with me.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Kevin Young from Amnesia at Green Dragon Tonight

Kevin Young makes a rare appearance tonight at the Green Dragon for their regular "meet the brewers" event.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Belmont Station runs out of the Abyss

I just read on Belmont station's blog that they ran out of the Abyss last night. Bummer, but they suggest that Whole Foods on W. Burnside had 20 cases as of last night.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Portland Brewpubs Map


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The Abyss Arrives at Belmont Station


The much anticipated and national recognized beer from Deschutes Brewery, The Abyss arrives today. I went to Belmont Station yesterday and they told me Deschutes delayed their shipment one day. They will only be getting about 50 cases so you better pick yours up today. Belmont station expects the Abyss to be sold out by early next week.

The Abyss is a Russian Imperial stout aged in aged in French oak, pinot noir, and bourbon barrels since March. The description on Deschutes website says has immense depth with its rich and complex flavors. True to its name, subtle notes of coffee, chocolate, molasses and licorice pull you in deeper and deeper. Cherry bark and vanilla bean added during the dry-hopping process are the proverbial “cherry on top”!

So why is this beer getting all of this buzz. Well the answer is simple; because of all of the awards the Abyss has received as mention on their website.
"Best Stout in the World" by Men's Journal October 2007
Top 10 on BeerAdvocate's World's Best Rankings,
"Gold Medal Imperial Stout" at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival
"Best beer above 7% International Champion Beer & Supreme Champion" at the 2007 International Beer Challenge
Not to mention the many fans of Deschutes brewery's fine beers.

I think I am like most beer fans and look forward to trying this beer. Off to Belmont Station.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The Hallucinator @ Green Dragon

Last night I can respectfully say that I was the first to get a sample of the collaborator beer, Hallucinator between the Oregon Brew Crew and Widmer. At 7.7% it will get you seeing double sooner than you might think. I impatiently waited for Jim Parker to give me the first pour. It was delicious and my first strong ale. Jim told me that this type of beer is harder to find. He mentioned that there are a few types he thought Belmont Station would have. Unfortunately I forgot the names, (I blame the Hallucinator) but the guys over at Belmont Station will help me figure it out.

I have a $40 gift certificate to Belmont Station that is burning a whole in my pocket for a strong ale. It was nice to see previous collaborator brewers on hand including Preston Weesner, Ken Johnson, Gary Corbin and a few others that I did not have the chance to meet. Ken Johnson told me it was pretty exciting to have 1 of your beers actually on tap, well now he is use to that being the head brewer and owner of Fearless Brewing in Estacada.