Dear Blog, I've Missed You.

Dear Blog,

I’ve missed you. Please accept my apology for not adding text and pictures about beer related things to your Post Editor page. I’ve been very busy at my job that actual generates income and with life in general. There’s no question, I love you more than you’ll ever know, but in life there are priorities. Having beer, food and shelter are at the top. I’ll be back though, you can count on that. Also, I did want to let you know that I’ve branched out some and having been writing occasionally for other beer blogs, such as your friends over at Brewpublic and #pdxbeergeeks. Can you believe that other blogs like text and pictures just as much as you! I know, you’re a little jealous, but please don’t be. Jealously requires you to focus energy on the object of your jealousy rather than yourself. Blog, I want you to concentrate on your own goals and live your life to the fullest. Well, it was nice to have a brief visit with you today. See you again soon my friend!

Cheers,
Chris

Session #62: What Drives Beer Bloggers?

This is part of an ongoing series called The Session. The Session, a.k.a. Beer Blogging Friday, is an opportunity once a month for beer bloggers from around the world to get together and write from their own unique perspective on a single topic. This month’s topic was chosen by one of Portland’s most notable craft beer promoters and bloggers, Angelo De leso. What follows is an attempt to give some insight as to what drives me to write my blog.

Eyeluvbeer’s blog roots are rather shallow. The first post was written in April, 2011. Before that, Eyeluvbeer, which began in the spring of 2010, was and still is a company that promotes our beer culture with “cleverly” designed stickers and t-shirts. The blog is an extension of that and was begun because I missed writing. At my day job, writing is limited to business like emails and blurbs that are technical in nature. The blog allows me to be creative. You may or may not be interested in reading everything or anything I write and that’s okay. It’s more of a personal outlet for me that brings inner satisfaction. I think my Fiancée thinks I’m crazy, but she’s very supportive. I could be doing worse things for sure.

The blog itself covers a wide variety of topics. I like writing about events I attend, new places I visit, people in the beer community and sometimes off the wall stuff. I don’t foresee any major changes in the future, except for maybe writing more posts per month, potentially getting into video and hoping someone out there might want to occasionally guest blog. Right now, my buddy Mark and his wife Brenda are my only contributors. The ultimate dream for the blog would be to have an editor (laugh). No matter how many times I look over something I always find mistakes. Fortunately those can be fixed after your post is live. Modern technology does have its advantages.

Cheers Fellow Bloggers,
Chris

Beer Buzz 01: Widmer, The World Famous Kenton Club and The End of The World

We hope your 2012 is off to a great start. Since the end of the world is scheduled for December 21^st, we thought we better get out as many blog posts as possible. Yeah right.  We do have a few updates to share with ya though.  My friend, and fellow guest blogger, Mark turned me on to an article last July that said Widmer was going to build an outdoor beer garden (see our original post: 'Widmer Brothers to Build Beer Garden').  The rumor was true at the time, but on a recent, pre-Blazer game visit to their Gasthaus Pub I was informed that it was put on hold for at least a couple of years.  I also inquired about a remodel to Widmer’s innards.  That I was told may happen within the next year or so. Regardless, Widmer is always great, and will continue to be my go-to spot before a Rose Garden/Coliseum events.  I heart their Pitch Black IPA!

The second round of news came by word of mouth.  Angelo, from The World Famous Brewpublic told me that he saw on OLCC’s website that The World Famous Kenton Club applied for a brewing license.  It looks like it has been in the works for a while judging from some old articles I came across, including this one in The Willamette Week: 'Drink 2011: The World Famous Kenton Club'.  Hopefully it happens.  I love the Kenton Club.  As a matter of fact, we’re playing there this Saturday!  Check it: http://kentonclub.com/event/428/.  Sorry, I couldn't resist throwing in a personal plug.

Enjoy the rest of the year, and remember to book your Escape Earth 2012 Tickets. I highly recommend the Superluminal Package!

1st Annual Winter Beer Festival at Plew's Brews

The 1^st Annual Winter Beer Festival at Plew’s Brews was a major hit this past weekend.  Key organizers, Greer Martin of NoPo Brews, Trevor Thurston (Plew’s Craft Beer Expert/Event Chair and Competition Co-Chair of NoPo Brews/The Festival's Organizer/Homebrew Exchange employee), and Randy Plew, Owner of Plew’s did an excellent job at making this first time event a huge success, but they couldn't have done it without all the kind volunteers that donated their time to make sure our glasses weren't empty. Excellent promotion significantly helped as well. Words written by beer bloggers, a few radio segments highlighting the event, a ton of posters tacked up around Portland, Facebook, and Twitter helped draw people from all over to wonderful, downtown St. Johns. I actually met a couple from Seattle that came down just for the festival.

Greer Martin of NoPo Brews / Festival Super.  One great gal!

Lee of NoPo Brews and Trevor Thurston of Plew's / Festival
Organizer.  Trevor contributes tons to the Portland beer scene
and we totally appreciate his dedication.

The Man himself! Randy Plew hanging with (2) lovely,
horned ladies.

The house was hoppin’on Friday when the doors opened and a continued steady stream of people kept the festival's momentum going strong until close on Saturday. Sunday afternoon was a little lighter, as to be expected, but Plew’s still saw its fair share of hardcore beer enthusiast. Many came to the 3-day festival to check out the offering being made by a brand-new brewery, Humble Brewing. Humble was serving up a CDA (Cascadian Dark Ale), which according to one of the brewers, Chad Freitag, is something a little different for them. Chad said that Humble’s aim is for a more simple, single-hop type of beer using minimal grain varieties. I’m sure whatever Humble does, it will be great. Their CDA was nicely done and the (2) kegs they brought ended up empty on Saturday.

Action packed evening.

Avid beer fan (name unknown), Jocelyn from The Homebrew
Exchange and Chad from Humble Brewing.

It was great to see some of Portland’s finest in attendance at Plew’s. The entire crew from The Homebrew Exchange popped in to partake in the action. Angelo, from renowned, Brewpublic made it by as well and volunteered his superior beer pouring skills behind the bar. I’ve know Angelo from his KPSU days. He always has something interesting to say that is worth lending an ear to, and if you have a question about beer, he’s the man. Bottles owner, Brant Kunze made it by too. If you haven’t been to his place on NE Fremont, check it out. They always have an excellent rotating draft selection and coolers stocked with bottles to go. Brant said that their famed outdoor patio is enclosed and heated for the winter months. Lastly, many members of the North Portland Fermentation Association (NoPo Brews) were roaming around. A friendly bunch of lads and gals that brought several homebrew kegs to the festival. Two that really stood out to me were their Sour and Dr. Pepper beer. The Sour was done with Chartreuse, a green liqueur which made the beer, yes you guessed it, green. I thought it was the ultimate Holiday beer! Their Dr. Pepper concoction was a little too sweet for my taste, but I heart Dr. Pepper and had to try it. It’s great to see NoPo Brews pushing the brewing boundaries with their unique creations.

Brant Kunze from Bottles, with his wife and friend.

Grinch approved green beer.  

Besides beer, the event also featured delicious food. Veggie and carne tacos, Philly Cheese Steaks, Silly Cheese Steaks (veggie version), hot dogs and sausages were available to tame hunger. Local vendors were also on-hand. Olive & Vine and Salty Teacup were there showcasing their products. If you still need to complete your Holiday shopping, check them out. Olive & Vine actually supplied spices for the food that everyone enjoyed.

Salty Teacup and Olive & Vine showcasing
their goods.

Hot dog or sausage anyone?

The festival came to a close Sunday evening and it appeared that everyone was pleased with the results. Although we were all a little tired, it was well worth it. If you didn’t attend this year’s Winter Beer Festival at Plew’s, then you should at least stop by their 8409 N Lombard location for a pint. The price is right at $3.50 for 16 ounces of goodness, plus you can get your Growler filled for $7.00! It’s not the prices that make Plew’s attractive though, it’s the people and the atmosphere. You feel at home there. I can’t think of many places in Portland that have that vibe.

Some additional pictures just because - - -

My good friends, Jeff and Kay showed up
Saturday and Sunday!

The girls serving it up.  It was nice to meet you Ruth!

Plew's Brews ceiling entertained me for hours.

Sunday afternoon began with some nice classical
guitar Christmas tunes.

If I wasn't engaged...

Just one of the fantastic Hombrew Exchange posse.

Guys rockin' some ugly Holiday sweaters.

Where the awesome tacos and cheese
steaks were made with love.

Canine craft beer enthusiast are always welcome 

at Plew's too!

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!