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

A Microhopic Saturday!

Saturday!  What a day!  The sun was out and it was surprisingly temperate.  Not only that, but the Trail Blazers won their second home game of the finals.  GO BLAZERS!!!  As nice as the day was, I was looking forward to the evening.   We were going out with great friends for dinner and for an event taking place at Migration Brewing called Microhopic.  Microhopic is Brewpublic’s baby.  This would be their third installment of the ongoing series and it was fantastic.  The affair showcases new and interesting breweries and beer styles from around Oregon.  Brewpublic did an excellent job at hosting the event and the breweries represented all brought something different to tantalize the taste buds.

The evening began early; around the 4^th quarter of the Blazers game.  My friend showed up with a case of 22’s of his latest homebrew; a super hopped IPA that is to die for.  I think he said it was around 108 IBUs.  Yowza!  He has been brewing beer for over a year now and has it dialed in.  It would be great to see him advance to nano brewery status.

A delicious homebrewed beverage

After a few pints of scrumdiddlyumptious home brewed IPA, the nail biting Blazer game wrapped up in our favor and lifted our already good spirits even higher.  It was now time to take the jaunt to Ken’s Artisan Pizza for dinner.  We waited for a table for about an hour, but it was well worth it as always.  Our friends had never been and thought it was delicious.  A must visit if you like pizza, just do not get in the way.

Our hour wait at Ken's was soothed with
a variety of fine beers

Where's my pizza!

With our bellies full of pie and pints, it was time to hit the main event:  Microhopic at Migration Brewing.  We arrived to find it not as busy as we had anticipated.  There were some staples from the beer community present, including Angelo and crew from Brewpublic, Carl from Belmont Station and several brewers.  Ashley’s Brewvana bus, Angel was parked street side with a dog in the driver’s seat.  I asked the dog if it knew Ashley’s whereabouts, but the furry little fellow was too busy trying to figure out how to get the bus started so he could hit the nearest Petco.

Hop on the bus Gus

Brewpublic's mastermind, Angelo and
some random guy

We seated ourselves at a table in Migration and my hop goddess ordered us a taster tray of the (5) beers being represented.  Breakside Brewery furnished a Rye Kolsch and used their famed randall filter to give us a special treat; a beer infused with juniper berries and cucumbers.  Our neighborhood favorite, Amnesia, provided a fine dry-hopped ale called Red Handed.  Burnside Brewing presented their Stock Ale, which I tasted at their headquarters a few weeks ago.  The Stock Ale is a nice ESB that is rich in copper color and goes down smooth.  My favorite of the evening was Migration’s baby dubbed PDX.  It was similar to a Kolsch, but had a hoppy bit and well balanced flavor.  I have only been to Migration a few times before this evening’s event and had never taken a strong hold to any of their beers, but this one had me at hello.  Beetje, a nano brewery that operates out of their garage and relatively new to my vocabulary was also in the house.  They brought forth a Belgian Inspired Ale that was favored by the patrons.

The crew at Migration

This was my first Microhopic event and it was a good one.  I am looking forward to the next one Brewpublic graces us with.  Thanks guys!