Walla Walla Trip #1 - Mill Creek Brewing

We just got back from a little trip to Walla Walla. The first question I got when I told people we were going was, "Why?" Well, after coming back, I can tell you why. About 140 Wineries, 3 Breweries, and one Cidery.
There are two breweries in Walla Walla, and a third one really close. The first one I want to talk about is Mill Creek Brewing.
Located right in downtown Walla Walla, this one definitely wins for convenience. We went there twice, as it is also one of the few places open relatively late. They only had three of their four beers available, so we will have to grab the other during a later visit.
We tried their Walla Walla Wheat, IPA, and a beer named Brew 22.
The wheat is served with a lemon, but isn't' quite as light as most Hefs. It was an ok beer, good for a hot day, drinkable, but wasn't my favourite.
Their IPA had a real nice, dense, amber color. It had a strong hop flavour, that disappeared quickly, and had the requisite floral notes. The menu says this is for the advanced beer drinker, but I am pretty sure a novice could handle it ok.
The Brew 22 was actually pretty good. We had heard that is wasn't, and that a previous recipe was far superior. Maybe so, but I really liked this beer. The menu says this has just a hint of attitude, which sounds more like a tag-line for a Scion than a beer. It had a dark amber color, a distant spiciness, and, again, was nice for a summer night. Not real heavy, but the most interesting of the beer we had there.
So, food wise, free peanuts that you can throw on the floor was an instant hit with me. The fish and chips, sadly, were not. But hey, I was dumb enough to order fish and chips in Walla Walla, so I got what I deserved.
The decor is sports bar , meets nick knack grandmother, meets beer advertising freebies gone wild.
But, I kinda liked the place. I am a simple man, easily won over by free peanuts.

Washingotn Series #4 - Pike Brewing

The last stop on our holiday last month was a visit to Pike Place Market. Erin had never been before, and it is always a thrill for me to play tour guide. One thing I had never done before was to check out Pike Brewing, located right in the market. Pike brew is relatively easy to find here in town, but a trip here is a must. The space they have is huge, and includes a beer museum. We had a pizza, which was very good, as was all of the beer we tried. The one that stood out, and that Belmont Station has now in a 22oz, is the Monk's Uncle. At 9% ABV, this is a beer that will slap you upside the head with goodness. It is an Abbey Style beer, brewed with Belgian Yeast and candy sugar. The website says it is avaliable only in the spring, so I would run and grab some before it is gone. For any fan of Belgian beer, this is a great, local, must try.
Really I have nothing bad to say about the place. You have to go into it with some knowledge though. It is downtown Seattle, so you will, unless your more patient than me, need to pay for garage parking. If you pick the wrong day, or the wrong time, driving around Pike Place Market area can make you wish you had stayed home, shoving pieces of broken glass up your nose, listening to the Jonas Brothers, and drinking Budweiser. Ok, I may have gone too far, forget the Budweiser.
But, if you can handle the traffic, and the comotion of a Seattle icon, check it out, the beer and food is top notch, as is the staff.

Washington Series #3 - LaConner Brewing

When we found LaConner Brewing, we weren't even looking for it. We were simply exploring the cutesy, yet gastronomically gifted little tourist town of LaConner, WA. Then, like a lightning bolt from heaven, I saw the word brewery out of the corner of my eye, and the rest of that night is hazy history. Well, almost.
Not to spoil the end, but this experience was one of the best I have ever had at a brewery. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, and even, after spying my camera on the table, offered to take a picture of us together. I have my favourite places, Ft. George, Double Mountain, and Belmont Station. They are my favourites because I leave with a smile, and eagerly anticipate my next visit. I spend hours at my shitty job, thinking about past times, and can not wait to return. LaConner is now in that league. The beer, and food, was awesome. Between us both, we tried the Vienna Style Lager, the ESB, and the Brown. I shall work backwards.
I don't like Browns, or should I say, I don't usually like Browns. The Brown here is listed as a "English-style Nut Brown ale." A overly simplistic description for quite a complex beer. It was light brown in color, had a very nice, heavy body, a very pleasant aftertaste, and had a subtle chocolate mouth feel. My only regret about this beer was that I didn't have my trusty travel growler ready to take some home.
The Lager and the ESB were both excellent. Each, showing far more interest than I am used to in each of their styles. You think lager, and if your like me, you think boring. A few stand out of course, Heater Allen comes to mind, and now, so does LaConner. Erin enjoyed her ESB, and noted hints of orange, and was nicely balanced with 6% ABV. As with other offerings, it uses imported hops and malts.
The food was great, we shared the Wood Fired Chipotle Cream Clams. The dominate kitchen focal point is a beautiful, wood fired brick oven. You can taste it in the clams, between the spice and heat of the chipotle sauce. That, combined with the beer, make it quite an experience.
It is a bit off the beaten path, which is usually where you discover hidden gems anyway. It isn't easy to find info about, and it has no dart board. But, it is absolutely worth a trip, and, yes, I would call it a destination brewery. The rest of the town is interesting, and has other good places to eat, but anyone even in the remote area of LaConner, and doesn't stop here, is paying themselves a huge disservice.

Holy line around the block batman

Just got back form the first night of the Puckerfest at Belmont Station. Wow, I have personally never been there when the line, literally, went out the door, and around the side of the building. The occasion was a release of two Double Mountain sours, which I didn't get to try, because it wasn't relased until 6pm. But, if you can make it, there is a great slection of other Belgian styles, and sours. The one that made me the happiest was the BJs Enfant Terrible, which has been cellared since BJs stopped brewing in Portland. The ABV is listed as unknown, but, I would guess it to be around 6.5-8. Go and check it out, grab a glass, stand in line, and enjoy this celebration of beer that isn't IPA. It's ok, the mighty Oregon gods will forgive you.

Washington Trip #2.5 - Scuttlebutt

I just wanted to make a quick note about a beer I found up there, that I really enjoyed having at my campground. Initially, of course, the name and label intrigued me, but after tasting it, I absolutely loved this beer. It is impossible to find in Oregon, due to some wonky distribution laws, but a quick trip to By the Bottle in Vancouver, WA will reap rewards for you and your beer loving friends. Scuttlebutt is some great beer, and a good excuse to check out the tiny By the Bottle, a cool place in it's own right.

Washington Series 2 - Skagit Brewing

Skagit Brewing in Mt. Vernon is located right n the "downtown" area, close to the train station, and spitting distance from I-5. Skagit makes the eye catching labeled Sculler's IPA , which most here have no doubt seen, decorated with a pirate logo, which the whole tavern seems to latch onto. I liked the Sculler's, and the Dutch Girl Lager I tried. Neither were anything groundbreaking, but they were both well made, nicely balanced beers, ranking better than some, and worse than others I have had in there respective categories.
The real reason I went here, was to try some local cider from Red Barn Cider on tap. That was a nice treat, and really is a well made cider. Clear, pleasant aroma, not too sweet, not too dry, and actually uses real cider apples for some welcomed tannins, missing from so many cheap, macro cideries.
So, the food was good, edible, non diarrhea causing. But, really there to make sure your 5th Sculler's doesn't leave you passed out on the train tracks. I thought it was a bit pricey, but, I am also a big cheap ass.
A destination brewery it is not, but if your in the area, Skagit is definitely worth a visit.

Washington series #1 - Anacortes Brewery

I just got back from a long, wonderful trip to northern Washington, and Vancouver Island. Three cideries, and four breweries later, I am back in town, and ready to report. Up first, Anacortes Brewery, in Anacortes, WA.
Anacortes Brewery is located right on the little, cutesy main street area in Anacortes. Surrounded by antique and curio stores, it is a nice little place to spend some time waiting for the next ferry to the San Juan Islands. It is not, however, a destination place to swirve off of I-5 and go to.
I had two beers, and their version of fish and chips. I first ordered the Beligian. After ordering it, the waitress asked if I wanted a sample, I told her no, that was ok, she then nearly insisted I tried it first, saying it is pretty sweet. Sweet? So I tried a little sample, thank the beer gods I did. It was very sweet, flat, and unlike any other Belgian I have ever had. I was dissapointed, and then ordered their Vienna beer. It was quite good. It was a dark amber, well balanced, a little bit of a spicy aftertaste, slightly smokey, and even had hints of orange. Good, and nicely cleansed my pallete of the lack-luster fish and chips. When at a stones throw from salt water, I expect fish and chips to be better than the average Portland bar. Sorry.
The bar itself is bright yellow inside, covered with blues and jazz posters, with the middle defined by tons of hanging merchandise, a pet peeve of mine. If you want to pimp out your logo covered wares, make it subtle, not a dominate design factor in your space.
So, long story short, go if you just missed your ferry, and are waiting for the next one, check it out, some of the beer is pretty good. When not to go? If you have a short wait, are speeding down I-5, or are seeking killer seafood.
Next up in my Washington series..Skagit Brewing in Mt. Vernon.

Trip

So, for about a week, I am going up north to attend a cider making class in Mt. Vernon, WA. So, of course, I won't be able to blog, as I don't have a laptop. But, I will come back with pictures, and stories from what I learn, and find out. I will go to the most excellent Skagit Brewing, which I have enjoyed before, and may make it over to Anacortes to the Rock Fish Grill. Hopefully, a bar or two will have a dart board, and I can get a game in. But, I will be in class everyday, plus fitting in a day trip to Vancouver Island, BC. Wish me luck, and throw a bull for me.

Saraveza

After a enjoyable game of disc golf up at Pier Park in North Portland, we decided to give Belmont Station's distant cousin, Saraveza, a try. I have been wanting to have a go at it for awhile now, but, damned if I could come up with a proper reason to head up that far north, and leave my beloved SE behind.
I liked Saraveza, except for a few gripes. They did have a nice selection of bottles, but, of course, no where near the selection of Belmont Station. Although, I will say, the snacks were considiberly better, more creative, and more pickled-tastic (a new word I made up after this visit). While we didn't have any of the pasties, we saw a few go out, and they looked amazing.
The taps availiable is small, but the selctions were interesting. I had a Great Divide Belgian IPA, which, tasted exactly like the name implies. Erin had a pint of Black Ale from 10 Barrels Brewing in Bend. Erin liked it a lot, and the beertender described it as a easier to drink Stout for the summer time, and it was.
So, I do have to point out a few things that I was annoyed, ever so slightly, by. They do, obviously sell bottles. But, the bottles have no price anywhere near, or on them. For the price, you have to pick up a seperate, price menu and walk around with it. That is one less hand I could be carrying bottles with. Also, I am a big fan of the honest pint project, although, Saraveza must not be.
I guess I am spoiled by Horse brass and Belmont Station, but now, I am dissapointed in a establishment, especially a bottle shop, that does not serve a proper pint.
The low down, if you are in North Portland, this is a nice little shop, with tasty food, that is worth a visit. If you are anywhere south of 84, head to Belmont Station for your rare, beer nerd tastes.

Horse Brass

After a successful beer buying trip from Belmont Station, a trip down the street to Horse Brass to play some darts was in order. Of late, I have been changing my drinking preferences. I used to be a die hard, hard drinking, IPA devotee. Well, now, for some unknown reason, I have switched to Belgian style ales. The flavors, and complexity I have found, has really been amazing. I can close my eyes, and taste the centuries of honing this style in every bottle. So, if you , too, are a IPA fan, try a Belgian, then try two, you will discover a whole new range of taste.
Of course, I rant this long to delay the news, I barely won our first game, and got slaughtered on our second. I had a Helles Lager from Caldera that softened the blow, followed by a Duvel. Erin was on fire, and I was throwing like a blind man.
So, I have an open question, dart board etiquette, I am claiming ignorance. Is it proper to play one game, then sit down, or can you play as long as you see fit, until interrupted? Or, if you want the board, what is a polite way of getting it if others are playing? While in the middle of our second game, someone came up, and asked if he could have the board after us, which, was fine, though I was hoping for a 2 out of 3 kind of situation. Is there any rule, as in pool, you put quarters down, or, your darts down? Can you offer to play for control?
If anyone has any insight, let me know.