Craft Beer Month: Days 10-12

After a fallow few days, Craft Beer Month picks up steam again today for the final push through the OBF. Below are a few highlights in which I suspect you may find interest:

• Puckerfest, today through July 16, Belmont Station. Still no word on the beer line-up following tonight's release of Devil's Kriek by Double Mountain. Watch their website and twitter feed for updates.

• Beer, Brats, and Music Fest, July 11, Raccoon Lodge. The best info on this event is in John Foyston's A&E beer column--but of course, the Oregonian has uselessly decided not to post it online. But you only need to know one word: gose. Ron Gansberg has brewed one, and it will be on tap tomorrow. (The style is wild, wonderful, and fantastically rare.)

• 8th Annual Roadhouse Brewfest, July 11, McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse. Meet eight McMenamin brewers, listen to live music (Freak Mountain Ramblers), eat, drink, and be merry.

• Parking Lot BBQ & Party, July 11, Fort George Brewing. Features the Dry County Crooks, "an outlaw country/rock outfit with punk roots." (Okaaaay.) More info here.

There are two more events I don't know a whole lot about. This first one feature yet another brewery I haven't heard about, Mt Emily Ales. (They're blooming like spring roses!) Mt. Emily Ales Beer Garden, La Grande Crazy Days, Depot St. between Adams and Washington, La Grande; 541-962-7711; 12-11:30pm

And finally, Saraveza and the Hop and Vine are sponsoring a 5k run in North Portland called the Craft Dash tomorrow morning. You won't find me there, but runners may be interested.

As always, check the full listing if you want to see all the events.


Update.
Here's one more. Lisa Morrison asked for bloggers to spread the word on a fundraiser she's hosting for the Falconer Foundation. On July 12, the Horse Brass is holding a joint birthday party for Lisa, Don Younger, and Point Blank Distributor Scott Willis--all who share a birthday. A batch of special beers including HotD Adam from the Wood, Full Sail Saison, and a Belgian IPA from Walking Man.

Pucker up for the Devil

Craft Beer Month takes one of its finer turns beginning tomorrow as Belmont Station kicks off "Puckerfest," a weeklong celebration of sour beers. The inaugural event is tomorrow, starting at six. I'll go ahead an excerpt Double Mountain's entire listing here:

Devil’s Kriek Release/Puckerfest
Friday, July 10, 6-9pm
Belmont Station,
4500 SE Stark, Portland

It’s an honor for us to kick off Puckerfest at Belmont Station with the release of this year’s Devil’s Kriek, our Belgian-inspired ale brewed with cherries from [brewer] Matt [Swihart]’s orchard in Odell. Matt will be on hand to give a short talk, and to share some cherries from this year’s harvest. We’ll also have a quarter-barrel of Rainier Kriek, a super-limited sister brew made with Rainiers instead of Bings. This is an event not to be missed. Check back later this week for a blog post from Matt with more detail on the brewing process, tasting notes and whatnot.

Last year I got all of a couple mouthfuls of Double Mountain's Kriek, and that was enough for me to strongly consider awarding it the coveted Satori Award. This year's version is going be different, but I've been anticipating it for a year. That there will be a bonus kriek on the side means I'm likely to be there by 5:45 just to make sure I don't miss the tasty goodness.

No idea what's on tap this year for Puckerfest, but it's always good. Adjust your calendar appropriately.

Craft Beer Month: Days 7 - 9

Only one event scheduled in the next three days--the only real bare patch in the month's schedule. That event is a beer and cheese pairing at Hopworks tomorrow at 7. But have no fear: the tenth is when Puckerfest kicks off.

Craft Beer Month: Days 5 and 6

July 5 - Today
Running slightly late on this update, but in a few minutes the modestly-named Intergalactic Washoe Tournament kicks off at Hopworks. Given that title, I think a hearty amount of almost-ironic fun can be expected.

Washoe Tournament
12 p.m. Hopworks Urban Brewery
2944 S.E. Powell Blvd.,
503-232-4677

July 6, Monday
On Monday, Taplister has organized a launch party for their (very cool) app at EastBurn. (Read my full post about it here.) In order to lure you down, they have a few special treats lined up:

EastBurn will be offering $10 pitchers of beers and we will be giving away craft beer swag as well as demo-ing our website and free iPhone app called Beer Signal. This will be an event that you’ll not want to miss. As an added bonus, Hopworks Urban Brewery and Upright Brewing will be bringing special beers and the brewers themselves will be in attendance to talk about their beers.

Taplister Launch Party
Monday July 6th, 7pm
EastBurn, 1800 East Burnside

The full list of events for Craft Beer Week is available here.


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PHOTO: John Foyston / link

Craft Beer Month: Days 3 and 4

As you might guess, there's not a whole lot happening eventwise over the holiday weekend. If you're going out to catch a pint, however, you really can't go wrong. Nearly every pub worth its salt has busted out special beer, and a glance through the taplists of the pubs in the right column will make your mouth water. (Though what's up with the Horse Brass website?--it's been down for weeks now.) Oh, and if you're hankering for an IPA, Deschutes Portland is currently pouring five.

If I get around to it, I'll put up reviews of Sierra Nevada's Kellerweis and Full Sail's LTD 03--two beers that would serve you very nicely in your effort to chill on these 90-degree days. (But no promises.)

Craft Beer Month Best Bets

Today is the launch of Craft Beer Month, a loosely configured celebration of good beer across the state. Just about every day of the month someone will be releasing a beer, throwing a party, or staging a festival--86 in all, according to the Brewers Guild listing. I will do my best to note the ones that look the most interesting to me, but you should check that list if you want a more comprehensive guide.

As an overview, there are several events I'd like to highlight. Make sure to note the dates and put them on your mental calendar. (Throughout the month, I'll post updates about events, including some not on this list.)

• All Month - Bailey's Taproom "Winter in July." They've already got a couple winter beers on tap.

• Today, 5 pm - Horse Brass kick-off event with beers from around the state.

• July 10-16 - Puckerfest at the Belmont Station Biercafe. It will kick off on the tenth when Double Mountain brewer Matt Swihart debuts Devil's Kriek.

• July 17-18 - Sagebrush Classic in Bend, hosted by Deschutes. There's a golf tournament but also a huge feast featuring 18 world-class chefs. All for charity (website).

• July 17-19 - Portland International Beerfest in Portland's North Park Blocks (website).

• July 21 - 18th annual Beer and Cheese tasting with Fred Eckhardt, Rogue Flanders Pub in Portland (call 503-222-5910 for tix).

• July 23-26 - Oregon Brewers Festival, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland (website).

• July 24-26 - Nano Beer Fest, Max's Fanno Creek, Tigard. Features beer from ten small breweries in Oregon. (More info to come.)

Again, have a look at the full list to make sure you don't miss something important.