Oregonians, zealots for specialty beverages, want a comforting cup of brew that’s evocative of a walk through the woods, a romp in a citrus grove, or a stroll past fresh-cut herbs and flowers at the farmers’ market. But are these earthy, piney, floral notes from a pint of hoppy beer or a pot of tea? Sometimes, the answer is both.
DID YOU KNOW? Portland is host to more nonprofit organizations per capita than any other city in the United States.
Headquartered in Belgium, Anheuser-Busch InBev is the world’s largest brewing company, thanks to well-known brands including Budweiser and Corona. The company has annual revenues of more than $43 billion, sells 200 brands of beer, brews more than 500 million barrels of beer and operates in twenty-four countries. Hop farmers in Oregon once were part of the massive conglomerate’s supply chain.
With over fifty breweries operating within the city limits of Portland, there is no shortage of
new beer to explore and discover. Though Portland boasts more breweries than any other
city in the world, Portland isn’t the only hub for suds. Oregonians across the state clamor for
delicious pints of craft brews from neighborhood breweries. In an industry contributing almost
$3 billion to our local economy and providing over 29,000 jobs in our state, breweries are
becoming the poster child for Oregon’s economic recovery and industry. Whether you’re on
a road trip or tucked away into a quiet corner of our state, there is bound to be beer brewing
nearby. (There isn’t a brewery near you yet? Wait a week. One will come.)
Travel is a multi-sensory experience, extending well beyond just what you see, and Pacific City is a virtual playground for the senses, especially the palate. A prime spot for savoring is at the oceanfront suites of the Cottages at Cape Kiwanda, steps from the world-renowned microbrews and expert food pairings at Pelican Pub & Brewery and locally roasted coffee at Stimulus Espresso Cafe. With a charming and luxurious beachfront cottage that includes a fully equipped, contemporary kitchen, you also can hit the local seafood and farmers’ markets and enjoy summer’s bounty right at your own table, with one of the West Coast’s most spectacular views, of Haystack Rock and the Pacific Ocean.
Long before they were coupled as the classic boilermaker (whiskey with a beer back), beer and whiskey shared the most humble beginnings—sugar-rich grains steeped in hot water. This “wash” provides the building blocks to both of these quintessential American drinks. Chemistry In the same way malt lays the foundation for beer, so it goes for whiskey. Some craft distillers are adding ale yeast to ferment their whiskey wash, enjoying the subtle fruity and floral nuances imparted on their final product. The same base can be used by brewers, though they add hops to the wash (known in the beer world as “wort”) before fermenting it. Distiller Andrew Tice of Portland’s House Spirits has its own type of chemistry with Breakside Brewery in Milwaukie. The two entities have paired to produce a high quality “distiller’s beer” base. “Breakside … produces an un- hopped beer for us consisting of 100% Northwest pale…
Imagine “drinkable landscape portraits” of your favorite forests, parks and lakes in Oregon. Would you taste thimbleberry on the Pacific Crest Trail in Ashland? Could you sip the cool blue of Crater Lake? What would the Wildwood Trail in Portland’s Forest Park taste like? One man is bringing that very opportunity to beer enthusiasts across our state with Beers Made By Walking. Challenging local brewers to literally take a hike, Eric Steen connects brewers with local guides to explore regional areas, identify edible and medicinal plants along the trail, and then use the plants as inspiration for a new brew. The beers help raise money for various local, environmental, nonprofits. photo by Eric Steen Roots Organizing events on a situational and freelance basis, Steen started in 2008 with an Art & Beer event at the Portland Art Museum, where he invited Lucky Lab, Lompoc and Laurelwood Breweries to make beer…
We introduce eight creative female brewers who are reshaping the once male-dominated industry with a new sensibility.
Fans of barrel aged beer and small-batch whiskey braved the winter chill January 17 and 18, 2014 at the perfectly suited Leftbank Annex in Portland to celebrate the inaugural Big Woody Festival. Inspired by the five-year running Little Woody Beer Festival in Bend, Oregon, the Big Woody Festival celebrates the historical relevance of barrel aged beers, featuring a wide range of beer styles.
