BRAIN vs. LIVER: The organ clash over the soon to be Hopworks Bike Bar.

As you most likely know, Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) will be opening their second location on N. Williams Ave in mid-June. What does this mean? It means us North Portland peeps will have another great brew pub to frequent. It also means not having to trek across town to take in their award winning beers and delectable food.

You may be wondering why I am blogging about this when there is already a wealth of information on HUB’s soon to be second home. The reason is personal; ever since news broke that HUB was moving in to the neighborhood my brain and liver have been at battle. My liver feels great places already exist within walking distance to drink amazing beer. It enjoys Lompoc’s Fifth Quadrant, which is literally next-door to HUB’s future location. It is also an Amnesia groupie; a brewery about 8 blocks west. Oh, and that guy below the lower part of my right ribcage told me not to forget about the other fine beer purveyors slightly further out, such as Saraveza, Breakside, McMenamins, Widmer, The Hop and Vine and The Lucky Labrador.

Please do not get me wrong, my liver loves HUB’s beer, which is why my brain is so concerned. My brain is afraid that my liver will dedicate a good portion of its free time to drinking beer at HUB and slowly forget about the other places that it once patronized.

So, what will happen? Good question. After some thought, I believe I have determined that my brain and liver are two separate entities. My brain has made the decision to remain true to the other incredible beer establishments in the area; HUB will certainly become part of the rotation. My liver says “f%#k you brain, when HUB opens you are going to be my bitch.” However, I still believe my aging brain has capable power to trump the desires of my weakening liver.

           Stupid Liver 

 Homer and I have some things in common  

Welcome to the neighborhood HUB! Well almost.


With Love,
Brain and Liver

Puglandia @ MacTarnahan's Brewing Company

Puglandia in pictures!
(An Oregon Humane Society benefit that took place yesterday at MacTarnahan's Brewing Company)

My First Blog-icized Beer Review: Sierra Nevada’s Estate Homegrown Ale

I love beer, or eyeluvbeer, but I typically do not geek out on trying to describe it in detail.  Since I had a rare-ish bottle of Sierra Nevada’s Estate Homegrown Ale in my possession, I thought I would challenge myself and attempt to describe my tasting experience with words.  I swear I did not look at any reviews of Sierra Nevada’s Estate Homegrown Ale before writing this.  This was on purpose.  I wanted to compare my notes to those who write about beer tasting on a regular basis.  I will admit there were some hints on the bottle's label as to what I was supposed to expect.   Words like, grapefruit-like flavors, layered spicy aromas, toasted flavors, etc.

So with out further delay, here is my review.  More of a synopsis taken from my bastardized sticky notes. 

Sierra Nevada’s Estate Homegrown Ale

(Alc. 6.7% by Vol.)

Bottle:

Standard 22 ounce bottle with a well designed, attractive label that conveyed the beer's origin.  I think Sierra does a great job with their labels.

The label described the beer as an organic, wet hop ale.

Waxed sealed top.  Took a little effort to remove, but was worth it.

Disappointing, standard Sierra Nevada Pale Ale bottle cap.  I was expecting something nicer since this was deemed a rare beer on the label:  “One of the few estate made ales produced anywhere in the world”.

I feel pretty, oh so pretty...

Nicely done Sierra!

The 411

Pour and Visual Analysis:

Left the bottle like any other beer, but the rich, caramel coloration grabbed my eye.   

Good carbonation; tiny bubbles wandered up through the slightly unfiltered/cloudy liquid to produce a nice head.

Nice head! Standard SN Pale Ale cap =(.

Cloudy, unfiltered look.  Hi tiny bubbles!

Smell:

Pleasantly fragrant; strong caramel overtones and a somewhat grassy/earthy smell from the fresh hops.

Taste:

Bold, sweet, citrusy, spicy, not overly hoppy, border-line barley wine. 

My professional beer tasting notes.

Conclusion:

My mouth and nose were very impressed with Sierra Nevada’s Estate Homegrown Ale.  As mentioned, it did have a slight barley wine flavor, which I still have not developed an inkling for, but it was not so over powering as to take away the many other excellent qualities of this beer.  Part of me is beginning to regret opening this bottle as it was not a special occasion.  With beer, I seem to be like the kid at Christmas who can not wait to open presents.  I was especially disappointed with myself when I went back to the market where I purchased this gem and it was gone.  Is this beer as rare as the label conveys?  Nonetheless, each sip was thoroughly enjoyed.  It is now time to search the net to see what others are saying about Sierra Nevada’s Estate Homegrown Ale.