Kona Brewers Festival 2015

It’s 6am, Saturday, March 14th. Getting out of bed was easy. We had 2 fantastic events to look forward to. First up, the 8th annual Run for Hops event fundraiser for P.A.T.H. (Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii). This year, 500 runners and walkers showed up to support a program which teaches Hawaii Island 4th graders important bike safety skills. We ran the event and had a great time. The weather was perfect (not too hot) and at the finish line there was a boat load of food and a generous amount of Longboard Lager flowing thanks to Kona Brewing Company.

After the run we went back to our rental, jumped in the pool and relaxed before our next adventure that day, the Kona Brewers Festival (KBF). We planned on getting down to KBF for the blessing that was scheduled to take place between 1:10-1:30, but sadly we missed it. It’s always a challenge coordinating a group of friends. All was good though. We weren’t stressed. After all, we were on the beautiful island of Hawaii.

Breakside Brewery's Woodlawn IPA

Bono from U2 still may not have found what he’s looking for, but I think I did. I stopped by Breakside Brewery on Sunday for a pint; a place I don't frequent often just because it's a little off the radar from the small radius I’ve defined around my house. At Breakside, I ordered one of their fairly new additions, an IPA appropriately named ‘Woodlawn’ for the neighborhood the brewery resides in. My first sip had me. This was the summer session-like IPA that I‘ve been after. It had the perfect balance of hops and a crispness to it that assisted in quenching my thirst on the warm day I was there. I’m no expert at describing beer, so here’s an excerpt I snagged from Breakside’s website:

Woodlawn IPA
A new addition to our full-time lineup, this second IPA showcases four pungent American hops that we don’t use in our regular IPA: Newport, Amarillo, Cascade, and Chinook. It is slightly darker, more full bodied and less bitter than our flagship beer, and at under 6% ABV, it’s a hoppy beer that you can drink all day long.

5.4% ABV
49 IBU

Until we meet again my new, dearest friend, Mr.Woodlawn.

Brewvana Tour

Have you experienced Brewvana yet? If not, you are missing out. I have to admit I was a little skeptical at first. I mean, I have been to most of the breweries, craft beer bars and bottleshops in Portland, so why did I need to take a special tour? To challenge my own question and stubbornness, I booked a tour with fellow friends and did it! Looking back, it was one of the most memorable Portland beer experiences I have ever had. The bus, Angel, our guide, Ashley and the tour combined to create a trifecta of fun.

Angel, the bus, was the coolest thing I had ever ridden in. It was equipped with drink holders, a fridge, interior rope lighting, a great ceiling mural and lots of other groovy, beer related knick-knacks. When you go, make sure you read the 'The Rules' of the bus above the rear emergency exit; serious, but entertaining. I think Shaggy Rogers, the owner of the Mystery Machine would proud of Ashley's decked out Beer Machine.

The Goonies with Angel.

Only the cool people got to ride in the back.

Ashley, our brew-venture guide was awesome. She knew mucho about beer and the brew scene in Portland. She has worked at Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) since it sprouted up on Powell and has been involved in the industry since age 17. You can not shake a stick at that. Ashley did an excellent job at sharing information with us along the tour, but she was never overbearing. If you asked her a question, she had the answer. She kept the tour relaxed. It actually felt like she was part of the group; something we all appreciated.

Our kick ass guide and owner, Ashley.

The overall tour schedule was well planned. We started at HUB on Powell in their downstairs, secret brewing empire. From here, we were handed over to Brew Master guru, Walker who filled our complimentary Brewvana glasses with samples and lead us on an amazing tour of their environmentally friendly facility. I thought this was a great way to kick off our outing. It was the educational section about how beer was made and the different tastes that result from combining various ingredients; it was the prelude to the rest of the afternoon. Our hats go off to Walker who did an outstanding presentation job.

Walker was da man!

Drinking from the source...it doesn't get
much better than that!

The next stop was Belmont Station. Not a regularly schedule stop on the tour, but Ashley can arrange whatever you like. At Belmont Station, we enjoyed a full beer of choice and were given ample time to chit-chat. Everyone was amazed at the incredible draft and bottle selection and loved the beer paraphernalia that scattered the walls. Before leaving we snagged (2) bombers of Hale's Supergoose to enjoy on our ride to Breakside Brewery. I think I forgot to mention that you can drink on the bus! Yet another reason why Angel is so cool.

The crew at Belmont Station

Breakside Brewery was our lunch and beer pairing stop. Ashley phoned in our lunch order in advance to make sure Breakside would have our food ready to go when we arrived. Sure enough, the food was promptly delivered after we were seated and it looked incredible. As we began to dig in, Scott, the owner, and Ben, the Brewer came by and provided each person with their own (6) glass taster tray. Each beer was explained to us by Scott; a nice touch.

Awesome Mac-n-Cheese + Great Beer = Happy Belly

Breakside's main man, Scott delivering the goods.

With our bellies happily full of Breakside's delicious food and brew, we set off to our final stop, Old Lompoc's, Sidebar. The Sidebar was a perfect way to wrap up the tour. The intimate setting gave us a chance to talk about what an excellent day we had while enjoying a few more generous pours of fine beer.

Serious beer talk.

Thanks Brewvana for a great time!

Dinining Out For Life, Blazers and Pasties at Saraveza

Thursday evening we hit Saraveza to watch the Blazers game, drink some amazing beers and support a great cause, Dining Out For Life.  Sara and crew were donating a generous portion of their dinner hour sales to Portland’s HIV Day Center, OHSU Partnership Project and Dining Out For Life.  Even better, in Saraveza’s back room, Double Mountain, Firestone Walker and Nectar Ales generously donated kegs for the evening.  The back room was hosting a 6-10pm happy hour which was sweet!  I would have paid full price though, because 100% of Double Mountain, Firestone Walker and Nectar Ales proceeds went back to the fundraiser .

We showed up at Saraveza around 6pm and met our good friend Mark who was already sitting at a table sipping a pint of Terminal Gravity Double IPA.  This was the first time the three of us had seen this beer on tap.  I thought it looked nice in the glass, but after a taste I was not moved by it.  I think Mark felt the same, because when he finished what was left he went for a pint of Amnesia’s Trail Hazer.  Actually, that is what we all ordered.  Trail Hazer came out around the winter holidays.  I believe it was supposed to be a seasonal release, but it was so popular, Amnesia decided to keep it on tap.  However, it is still not listed on their main menu board. Hopefully, with the end of the Blazers season, they will not decide to remove Trail Hazer for the season as well.  Trail Hazer is an amazing, very drinkable year round beer.

When our server came around again, we all put in an order for ‘The Potater’ pasty and grabbed a tavern treat; house baked Chex Mix.  The Chex Mix came first.  It was standard Chex Mix with flair.  It had some mixed nuts and some spice added.  It paired well with our beers.  The pasties showed up and looked delicious, and delicious they were.  My friend Mark commented that they looked like a calzone, which they did.  I was not sure on the origin of the pasty so I looked it up today.  I read that the exact origin is unclear, but it has a strong association with Cornwall.  I guess in Cornwall during the 17th and 18th centuries, tin miners and other workers adopted it due to its unique shape, forming a complete meal that can be carried easily and eaten without cutlery.  So there you go.  If you happen to see pasties on a menu, do not expect a pair of breasts with the areola and nipple covered.

Tasty Pasty!

Tasty Pasty?

We spent the 1^st half of the Blazers game in the front portion of Saraveza. The TV sound was muted.  This was somewhat disappointing, but I guess we were not at a sports bar.  People were still cheering on the Blazers though.  I would say about 75% of the people at Saraveza were watching the game.  I think some of the non-interested parties were startled when excited fans, including ourselves, would shout out a YEAH or an AH.  My beer goddess has severe sports turrets.  It is highly entertaining!  However, I almost lost my hearing in my right ear one time while watching a football game with her.

For the 2^nd half of the game we went to the back room.  This meant going outside and walking down the sidewalk to gain access.  A little awkward, but it was nice to take in a breath of fresh air. My buddy Mark had left us at this point.  He went to grab his squeeze at the airport.  We wish Mark would have stayed.  He was a valuable part of our Blazers cheerleading squad.  Mark and his honey caught the remainder of the game at their neighborhood haunt, Breakside Brewery.  Oh, and I forgot to point out that the sound was pumping in  Saraveza's back room.  Sweet!

Wallace, Aldridge and Matthews checking out their fans at Saraveza

Come to my mouth

As you know, the Blazers did not pull off the win Thursday night.  I thought for sure they were going to do it.   It was disappointing, but I believe we will have an even stronger team next season. The big winner of the evening was The Dining Out For Life fundraiser!  A well deserved win!

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!