Belmont Station, Saraveza in New York Times

So here I am brushing my teeth, reading the New York Times on the iPhone and what do I see? In the list of most-emailed stories, a curiously titled article: "Tastings With Craft Beers." The lede talks about some pub in Oakland with a lot of taps. Not particularly newsworthy, I'm thinking, but it's cool the Times has taken notice. But then these eye poppers:

The cultivation of gourmands is a common goal for the outfits, which put a premium on education. Belmont Station (4500 Southeast Stark Street; 503-232-8538; belmont-station.com) in Portland, Ore., which stocks more than 1,200 different beers alongside a 26-seat taproom, offers one or two free tastings a week. “Over the course of the year you can taste well better than 500 bottled beers,” said Carl Singmaster, the owner.

And

Food and beer pairings play a central role at the brick-walled Saraveza (1004 North Killingsworth Street; 503-206-4252; saraveza.com), which opened in Portland at the end of 2008. The kitchen turns out housemade sausages and a different special pasty, a savory pastry similar to a calzone, every few days. To accentuate the mildly spicy curried lamb and cauliflower creation on a recent menu, Sarah Pederson, the owner, recommended a lightly hopped pale ale from Amnesia Brewing in Portland. Then she said other pairings were possible: “It depends how you’re trying to drink and how you’re trying to eat.”

Whoa! (Eugenies will be pleased to see that the Bier Stein and Ninkasi also get a shout-out.) Nice work, folks--

In the News

Top Sail Release
I meant to do this post yesterday, in advance of Full Sail's roll-out of their bourbon-barrel-aged porter, Top Sail. Aged in barrels from three different distilleries--Maker's Mark, Stranahan's and Four Roses--and then blended. If you live near Hood River, you can still attend the release there on Thursday. They will offer the final product along with a flight of beer from each of the casks so you can see what they contribute.

Top Sail Release
Thursday, February 4, 2010, 5-8pm
Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub
Hood River

Big Bottle Tasting at Saraveza
Another event in the near future is a "big bottle" tasting at Saraveza a week from today. Preston Weesner has corralled and aged a batch of rare beers in big bottles (which are named, I learned as a result of the event, things like Methuselah and Salmanazar)--like six and nine liters big. The beer list: 2006 Chimay Grand Reserve, 2007 Duvel Tripel, 2007 Samichlaus, 2008 St. Bernardus Abt 12, 2008 St. Feuillien Triple, 2007 Unibroue La Fin Du Monde and 2006 Val-Dieu Winter.

Accompanying menu: 15-month-old aged gouda cheese from Willamette Valley Cheese, house crackers and Marcona almonds; cherry smoked black pepper duck sausage with a Chimay beer and prune reduction; and a cider braised lamb and parsnip potato mash pasty with warm spiced butternut squash and pickled garnish. The event ain't cheap, but if you're bearing up under the financial strain, it's sure to be a great event. Preston is knowledgeable and entertaining.

Big Bottle Tasting
Saraveza, Feb 9, 6:30 pm
Tickets $60, call 503-206-4252 to reserve.

Draft Mag's Best Beers
I've been getting emails lately by the Oregon breweries who found themselves on Draft Magazines top 25 beers of the year. Mirror Mirror, Vlad the Imp Aler, and Kiwanda Cream Ale found themselves on a list that included Orval and Duvel. (Yes, Oregon had the most beers. We rock. Yawn.) I will refrain from my usual pooh-poohing; while this isn't the list I would assemble, it's quirky and brave enough to warrant a look.

Oh, and while we're talking Draft Mag, they also have a Q&A with Rogue about the Green Dragon. A shorty, but you might be interested. Teaser quote:

It’s always been a plan to brew there. In October, we put in a homebrew system, and we have Portland’s homebrew club, the Oregon Brew Crew, homebrewing on it. We buy whatever ingredients they want, and a portion of the proceeds goes back to their club. They make amazing stuff -- a barleywine, a golden strong ale, an IPA. And we’re putting in our own 15-barrel brewing system in January.

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Saraveza One-Year Anniversary

I will be out of town this weekend, but for those sticking around, consider this event:

Saraveza One-Year Anniversary Celebration
1004 N Killingsworth St
503.206.4252

On Sat, Oct 17th, Saraveza will turn one year old and we couldn’t have made it through the year without you!! Be there to help celebrate and join in on our festivities!

All Day: Baby Brewer Contest! S.N.O.B. discounts (wear your t-shirt or bring your ID)! Employee draft favorites!
Noon-5pm: FREE housemade brats
10pm: FREE Consecration Toast & Sugar Pimp Bday cake

I am especially sad to miss the brats--authentic Badger-state brats are not to be missed!