From Andy Crouch's BeerScribe: For Charlie Papazian, founder of the Brewers Association, inspiration struck twice in remarkably similar ways. In the late 1970s, Papazian traveled to London, England, to attend the British Beer Festival. While sampling stouts, porters, and cask conditioned ales from around the United Kingdom, Papazian, an avid home brewer, started thinking about beer in the United States. When Papazian wondered aloud about whether Americans could host a similar festival, famed beer writer Michael Jackson famously quipped, Yes, but where will you get the beer?  read more »

By Angelo M. De Ieso II

2008's Oregon Brewers Festival was the best yet with more beer and more attendees than ever before. The state's rich culture of craft beer was highlighted by more than 70 breweries offering their tasty selections to a boisterously jolly quaffing crowd.

The crowds on a Thursday afternoon at the OBF are big, but nothing compared to those on Friday and Saturday.

I always enjoy getting down to the festival early to ensure short lines and that the beers I really want to sample are still available. One thing I've learned from years past is that by Friday and Saturday, the festivities are in full swing and Tom McCall Park can feel a bit more like a moshpit with seemingly endless lines. Another time that I like to visit the festival is early Sunday afternoon. At this time I hoped to try the remainder of the beers undiscovered by my palate in hopes that many of them will still be available.  read more »

Given that Dogfish Head Craft Brewery touts its line of singular beers as "off-centered ales for off-centered people," you naturally expect its owner, the 39-year-old Sam Calagione, will be a similarly eccentric character. But he's as down to earth as his beers are out of this world.

After earning an English degree from Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania in 1992, Calagione moved to Manhattan to take writing courses at Columbia with an eye toward joining its master of fine arts program. Instead, he discovered craft beer. He fell hard, becoming a home brewer almost overnight.  read more »

Diner: I'll start with the foie gras terrine and spaetzle salad, then I'll have the salmon tartare for my main course and the Guittard chocolate souffle for dessert. Server: Shall we pair the foie gras with a nice Tokaji, the salmon with ros Champagne and a lovely Port to finish the meal?  read more »

New Belgium Brewing today announced that it is now packaging mixed twelve packs called "Folly Packs." The sampler packs are the only place where beer lovers can find bottles of an old favorite, Old Cherry Ale, and the introduction of a new beer, Mighty Arrow Pale Ale. The Folly Packs are available in all New Belgium markets with the exception of Iowa due to its slightly higher alcohol content (6.5% abv).

Brewpub
Date and time reviewed: Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:13:02 EST

Overall Score: 73.3
Selection: 4.25 | Service: 3.75 | Atmosphere: 3 | Food: 3.5

Reviewer: Curmudgeon

Fremont is a small community neatly tucked in between downtown Seattle and the University of Washington. (I include the "U" as a township since it has its own police force & post office!)

It has become a haven for the eclectic & artistic full of pubs, restaurants, book & music stores, costume shops, their very own gay pride parade & bathtub races every year (although not at the same time!)

It's also home to Hale's Ales, the only brewpub remaining from the enterprising mind of Mike Hale who, after traveling through Europe by bicycle was so impressed with the beer, decided to try his hand in his native Washington. The little town of Colville saw his first brewery open 25 years ago, followed soon by a second on the shores of Lake Washington in Kirkland. Eventually the Colville "store" closed its doors & the Kirkland location moved to Fremont where "the main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing."  read more »

Correspondents send word of two more beer festivals (in addition to the March 1 Philly Beer Festival). Drew Schneider says that the Celebration of the Suds is taking place at The Atlantic City Convention Center, two sessions on March 8 and one...Rob Kasper

Someone pointed out that I hadn't posted anything since last month, but unfortunately I haven't been feeling the writing groove lately (and thus, no ranting and raving), and to be honest there hasn't been much in the way of new arrivals. That all changed today when we got several new beers, including 5 from from Snoqualmie Falls Brewing in Washington that have never been distributed in Oregon before.

New Imports:

Gouden Carolus - Triple: We've had this on tap a couple of times in the BierCafe, and it's always been well received, so I was pretty thrilled when they finally decided to bring in the bottles. Clear golden color, and topped with a billowy white head, this brew is almost as pleasant to look at as it is to drink. Fruity yeast character, light bready malts, and a long spicy finish characterize this beautifully made triple. One ratebeerian commented that it pairs well with Tillamook cheddar, and it would probably make a great accompaniment to most other "non-stinky" cheeses as well.  read more »

Brewpub
Date and time reviewed: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:39:49 EST

Overall Score: 71.7
Selection: 4 | Service: 3.75 | Atmosphere: 3 | Food: N/A

Reviewer: Curmudgeon

Stix Brewery is lucky.

Not only does it sit next to Lake Union providing a wonderful view and backdrop for its customers, but it also has brewer Tomas Munoz who is doing some exciting things with his brews.

With 16 years experience in other Washington brewpubs (and 6 medals from the National American Brewers Association and the Great American Beer Festival) "El Guapo" is becoming innovative.

Stix (with it's half dozen pool tables) offers the regular (and expected) Golden Boy ale, IPA, Amber/Red & Pool Shark Porter (that reminded both wife Persimmon & I of smoked ham, believe it or not quite tasty!) but also serves up Old Stixxxxxxxx BarleyWine that was fruity but not obscene...  read more »

Brewery
Date and time reviewed: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:48:30 EST

Overall Score: 88.3
Selection: 4 | Service: 4.25 | Atmosphere: 5 | Food: 4.0

Reviewer: Curmudgeon

Washington state's Georgetown community is not like the famed Georgetown of D.C. fame. This is not the place where senators & congressmen hang their out when not in session. This is not the enclave of the wealthy & privileged. This Georgetown is a working class community with deep roots & a sense of pride in reclaiming their neighborhood.

There are ancient shells here, turn-of-the-century brick buildings that advertise what they were once. There are also record stores (not CD's but vinyl), 21st Century coffee houses mingle with 19th century taverns and 20th century motorcycle repair shops.  read more »