On this blog, and many others, the debate continues. Is Asheville, NC really deserving of the title Beer Town USA? I have never been there so I can’t really formulate an objective opinion. I will say this, it is very possible that anyone asserting that Asheville is Beer Town USA has not yet visited Bend, OR. The greater Bend area is home to at least nine breweries. Maybe more. I haven’t counted in a while. Having visited most of them, I can attest to their overall excellence.

Today we learn that one of Bend’s highly-decorated breweries is coming to Seattle. It’s been well over a year, but we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to 10 Barrel Brewing. Thursday (Feb 9), Urban Family Public House in Ballard will be the first Washington pub to serve the beers of 10 Barrel Brewing. Ballard’s newest beer destination will be pouring two different 10 Barrel beers: Oregon Brown Ale and Sinister Black Lager. The  fun starts at 4:00 p.m. The folks at Urban Family Pub tell us that this is the first beer from 10 Barrels to be poured north of the border. We’ll take them at their word.
Urban Family Public House
5329 Ballard Avenue Northwest
Seattle, WA

We just received some IPA news from Elysian Brewing Company. They plan to get a bit manic about IPA in the coming months.

Also, Avatar Jasmine IPA (one of Mrs. Beerblog’s most favorite beers ever) is about to make its return and is getting a facelift. The brewery reports that after a little hiatus due to difficulties securing quality jasmine flowers, Avatar Jasmine IPA will soon be returning to taps and shelves.

Here is the information about the manic IPA series straight from Dick Cantwell, brewmaster at Elysian:

They call it Foreplay Before the Big Day. ChocoFest takes place at Pike Pub and Brewery on Sunday, February 12th. This is a great event and you need to make your reservations soon. Kick-off your Valentine’s celebration a couple days early with some great food and drink.

ChocoFest is not merely about chocolate. The event involves chocolate, beer, wine, spirits, mead and food. And plenty of it. We’re talking about the good stuff, like chocolate from Theo Chocolate and cheese from Beecher’s Cheese. Beer will be provided by Pike Brewing as well as some other local favorites like Big Time Brewery, Lazy Boy Brewing, Diamond Knot Brewing, Fremont Brewing, and Epic Ales. (Complete list of participants.) For more info read the press release below.

For  $30 you are entitled to gorge yourself on delicious drinks and other treats. Proceeds benefit FareStart.
For reservations and information: Tara (206) 812-6604 | tshuttleworth@pikebrewing.com

Press Release:

FOREPLAY BEFORE THE BIG DAY: On February 12, 2012 Pike again gathers together top producers of beer, wine, spirits, and mead, along with select local restaurants and specialty food producers, to make ChocoFest 2012 the best ever. We will feature local producers, and for the sake of comparison, represent some of the best imported, too. This year we will open up the brewery, one floor below the Pike Pub, in order to accommodate greater numbers of enthusiasts.

BENEFIT FOR FARESTART: Proceeds from the event will benefit FareStart, a culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals. Over the past 19 years, FareStart has provided opportunities for nearly 5,000 people to transform their lives, while also serving over 4.5 million meals to disadvantaged men, women, and children.

CHOCOBREW FEST: We are inviting local breweries to brew and serve their own versions of beer made with chocolate. Pike will offer XXXX Cocoa Cherry Porter, specially brewed for the occasion in our new pilot brewery.

WINE, SPIRITS, MEAD, CIDER, RESTAURANTS, BAKERS, and CHEESE MAKERS: We have invited more wineries, distilleries, and cider makers, and even a meadery, along with restaurants, bakers and artisan cheese makers, in order to make 2012 Chocofest the best ever.

A SWEET HISTORY: Our goal from the beginning has been to expose food lovers to the natural harmony of chocolate and beer. Many people are unaware of this exquisite combination, and there’s no better time to expose them to it than around Valentine’s Day. Wine marketers first promoted chocolate and wine many years ago, so there is often more awareness of this pairing. Spirits, too, marry beautifully with chocolate, but until recently, we had but a few local spirit producers. With a substantial local chocolate culture and an abundance of great breweries, wineries, distilleries, and even a meadery, in 2008 we decided to have a festival. Pike ChocoFest was born and it was a hit from the very beginning.

Each year ChocoFest has had more participants, more guests, and has been more fun. The first year ChocoFest occupied only the two levels of our Museum Room, and in years two and three, in an effort to accommodate more guests and create better traffic flow, we added the Naughty Nellie Room, as well as our IPA level, to the event floor plan. This year
we are including the Pike Brewery.

Pike ChocoFest is a great way to enjoy a romantic, delicious, and sensuous evening at Pike, and feel good about it! Plus some participating vendors will have products available for sale if you’re looking for the perfect valentine gift.

Cost: $30, with proceeds benefiting FareStart
For reservations and information: Tara (206) 812-6604 | tshuttleworth@pikebrewing.com
Click here to see some of our confirmed vendors .

This Saturday, February 4th, the 3rd Annual Belgianfest takes place on Seattle’s waterfront. The event features 30+ breweries pouring 70-something different beers. All of them Belgian-style. Amazing. The choices are overwhelming, to be sure. You need help navigating your way through this one, we know. That’s why we provide you with this cheat sheet. This is our list of top picks. Something to get you started. It is only our opinion.

You should get your tickets now. Don’t wait until the last minute or you might miss out. There are two sessions. The first session starts at 12:00 p.m. and the second session starts at 5:30 p.m. Go to the official event website for ticket information. Also, think about transportation. This year’s new location offers a lot more transportation options. The Washington Beer Commission has even arranged a special deal for festivalgoers at the nearby Marriott, in case you want to spend the night. Details on the event website.Here is our cheat sheet. The complete list of breweries and beers follows.

Our Top Picks

Big Time Brewery

Trombipulator Belgian Tripel.  A nearly 1-year-old 1/4 bbl keg of our Trombipulator Belgian style Tripel features Fuggle hops, and Westmalle yeast. This was original brew #666 1st brewed in 1994 – named after the Parliament Album Trombipulation.

Black Raven Brewing

Bourbon Barrel Aged La Petite Mort. Belgian style strong abbey brown aged in bourbon barrels. 8.8% ABV.

Elliott Bay Brewing

Batch 1000 Sour Blend. Exclusively for Belgianfest: a one-off blend of our 1000th brew fermented and aged in four different red wine barrels.

Elysian Brewing

Backhanded Compliment Belgian IPA CASK. Backhanded Compliment Cask version dry-hopped with Citra. Brewed with organic pale, Munich, Cara-Hell and Cara-Vienne malts and bittered with Chinook and finished with Amarillo and Citra hops. Fermented with Westmalle yeast. 6.2% ABV

Engine House No 9 Brewery

Love child Kriek. 5.9% ABV Ruby in color with a pink head. Aromas of cherries and oak. With a cherry and slight sour flavor finishes bright and clean.

Bourbon Saison. 7.8% ABV Traditionally brewed saison, aged in bourbon barrel. With aromas of oak, bourbon, vanilla, clove and hints of sour. Giving way to flavors of banana, cloves bourbon and hints of sour finishing clean and dry.

Georgetown Brewing

Waldman. Modeled after an English Ordinary Bitter with a few decidedly Belgian stylings, Waldman is brewed with Northern Brewer hops and 36 lbs of Belgian Candi Sugar then fermented with a Belgian ale yeast. We finish with Brettanomyces “Wild” yeast strain and a heavy does of dry hops. The Brett is carried over to the bottles where Waldman continues to develop complex flavors throughout the bottle conditioning.  ABV 6.1%, IBUs 35

RAM Restaurant and Brewery

(You may not know it, but they kick ass at Belgian-style beers.)

1) Barrel #1. Light, tart and refreshing – a blonde ale fermented in a barrel by many a mysterious critter – 4.5% ABV

2) Barrel #2. An intensely flavored dark ale, fermented in an old wine barrel with a couple of Brett strains and hints of lactobacilius. 6.5% ABV

3) BBlage-a-trois. A blend of 3 wildly fermented bbls made exclusively for this year’s Belgian Fest.

Silver City Brewery

La Fat 2007. La Fat is Silver City Fat Scotch Ale fermented with a Belgian yeast noted for creating big, spicy phenol character. La Fat goes through a secondary fermentation on French Oak.  La Fat combines classic Belgian characteristics with Scotch like toffee and caramel notes with hints of oak and peat. ABV 9.2%

Sound Brewery

(Regular offerings from Sound, but if you haven’t had these yet…)

Dubbel Entendre. Comforting aromas of chocolate malt and dark toffee, with a hint of banana and stone fruits. A dark abbey style ale with a subtle rich maltiness and a dry, spicy finish. 8.0% ABV

Tripel Entendre. Complexity and balance from a simple recipe of the finest ingredients obtainable. Clear and light in color, this strong Belgian ale drinks smooth and easy but has the complexity to complement the finest meals or to savor alone at the end of the evening. 9.9% ABV

Koperen Ketel. Biscuity Belgian malt balanced with the finest Slovenian Styrian Goldings hops, Koperen Ketel has a delicate herbal, fruity aroma and a clean dry finish making for a refreshing, easy drinking copper color ale. 5.0% ABV

The Complete List of Breweries and Beers

7 Seas Brewing

1) Le Havre Belgian Winter Ale

This seasonal offering is fashioned with reverence towards the long-standing tradition of Trappist Abbey-style beers of Belgium. Brewed with Pale Ale malt, oats, and dark crystal malts, hopped with Fuggles, and fermented with authentic Belgian Abbey yeast, the ale reveals intricate layers of spice, fig, bitter chocolate.  ABV: 8.0%

American Brewing Company

1) Big Pucker

Wood Barrel aged Sour Beer. Double Flanders Sour Ale aged in a used, oak Cabernet Franc Barrel.

Anacortes Brewery

1) Peppercorn Saison

A lighter 4.5% ABV Belgian farmhouse style made with several varieties of fresh cracked peppercorn.

2) Dubbel

A strong dark ale made with demerara sugar, honey and chocolate wheat.

3) Trippel

A strong 8.5% ABV light colored ale hopped for balance with saaz and styrian golding varieties.

4) Sour Red

Red ale soured with lactobacillis and brettanomyces aged in a bourbon barrel passed between multiple breweries.

Big Time

1) Jack Candy Grand Cru

Jack Candy is a pale Belgian style strong ale fermented with both Westmalle and Achouffe yeast strains. Saaz hops lend bitterness and spiciness. The name was inspired by a Walkabouts Song. 9.3% ABV

2) Black Jack Candy

Black Jack Candy is our Belgian style Grand Cru with aseptic Blackberry puree added.

9.3% ABV

3) Trombipulator Belgian Tripel

A nearly 1-year-old 1/4 bbl keg of our Trombipulator Belgian style Tripel features Fuggle hops, and Westmalle yeast. This was original brew #666 1st brewed in 1994 – named after the Parliament Album Trombipulation.

9.0% ABV

Black Raven Brewing

1) Belgian Style IPA

Northwest IPA that has been through a secondary fermentation with brettanomyces. Dry hopped with calypso, nugget, citra and Chinook. 7.3% ABV

2) Bourbon Barrel Aged La Petite Mort

Belgian style strong abbey brown aged in bourbon barrels. 8.8% ABV

3) Cask Saison

Four grain saison with brettanomyces. 6.6% ABV

Boundary Bay Brewery

1) Belgian Style Tripel

Strong in alcohol, our Belgian Style Tripel is golden in color, medium bodied and moderately hopped. The flavor and aroma are both dominated by alcohol and Belgian yeast. It has a nice malt backbone, is spicy, slightly earthy and finishes dry. Hops: Tettnang, Saaz. Malts: Pilsner, Belgian Aromatic, Caravienne, Munich, Special B, Vienna Original Gravity: 1.082 ABV: 8.9%

Diamond Knot Brewing Co.

1) Strong Belgian IPA

Crisp golden in color with a complex yet delicate flavor with a big hop-forward aroma, that gives away to citrus and floral tones. This will leave you begging for another. IBU: 40 ABV: 7.3%

Elliott Bay Brewing Co.

1) Batch 1000 Sour Blend

Exclusively for Belgianfest: a one-off blend of our 1000th brew fermented and aged in four different red wine barrels.

2) Long Black Veil

Black Ale based on the Dry Stout style and fermented with our house Belgian yeast strain.

3) Nitwit Imperial Wheat (cask)

Cask-conditioned strong Wit-style ale = 8% ABV.

4) Brandy-barrel-aged Fuerte Strong Ale

Rich 9% ABV amber ale aged for three months in Kentucky brandy barrels.

5) Saison de la Chance Redux

Our 13th Anniversary Saison re-created for the patrons of Belgianfest. 8.5% ABV

Elysian Brewing Co.

1) Yuzu’s Belgian-style Golden Ale

Yuzu’s is made with 100% pale malt, Turbinado sugar and Belgian Golden ale yeast. Bittered with Magnum and finished with Styrian Goldings hops. Organic dried lemon peel is added at the end of the boil, and yuzu juice is added both pre- and post-fermentation. 4.5% ABV

2) Bete Noel Belgian-style Ale

Brewed with Pale, Munich, Castle Aromatic and roasted barley and black malts, with amber Turbinado sugar added to the kettle. Bittered with German Northern Brewer, finished with Hallertauer hops and fermented with Belgian Golden Ale yeast. 8.5% ABV

3) Krokus Saffron Sour Wheat Ale

Brewed with pale, malted wheat, flaked wheat and wheat flour and hopped with Hallertauer and U.K. Fuggles. Infused with American saffron and fermented with the 4th generation sour tank collection of yeasts and bacteria. 6% ABV

4) Ferme noire Cascadian Dark Sasion

Our dark and hoppy ale fermented with a Saison yeast. The resulting beer adds a bone-dry, barnyard twang to an already slightly roasty and moderately hoppy beverage. Malts: pale, dark Munich, aromatic, and Carafa III Sugar: 50 lbs of Demerara Hops: Chinook, Amarillo, Cascade 8.2% ABV

5) Backhanded Compliment Belgian IPA CASK

Backhanded Compliment Cask version dry-hopped with Citra. Brewed with organic pale, Munich, Cara-Hell and Cara-Vienne malts and bittered with Chinook and finished with Amarillo and Citra hops. Fermented with Westmalle yeast. 6.2% ABV

6) Bete Blanche Belgian-style Tripel

A twist on the French expression “Bête Noire.” Brewed entirely from Pale malt and augmented in the boil with clear Belgian candy sugar. Bittered with German Northern Brewer and finished with Styrian Goldings hops. Fermented with Belgian ale yeast. 41 IBU. 6.9% ABV

7) Nibiru Belgian-style Tripel

Infused with Yerba Mate. Combining the tasty esters of Belgian yeast and the compelling tea-like flavors of the South American herb mixture. A mixture of German Northern Brewer, Czech Saaz and American Amarillo hops round out the uniqueness of this first beer of the Apocalypse. 7.65% ABV

8 ) The Prefessor

With plums and brettanomyces, Marris-Otter pale, Munich and wheat, and East Kent Goldings to bitter and finish, at the Tangletown brewery.  4.65% ABV

Engine House No 9 Brewery

1) Love child Kriek

5.9% ABV Ruby in color with a pink head. Aromas of cherries and oak. With a cherry and slight sour flavor finishes bright and clean.

2) Bourbon Saison

7.8% ABV Traditionally brewed saison, aged in bourbon barrel. With aromas of oak, bourbon, vanilla, clove and hints of sour. Giving way to flavors of banana, cloves bourbon and hints of sour finishing clean and dry.

3) Belgian White

5.0% ABV Grainy spicy wheat aromatics with hints of coriander and orange. Pleasant malt sweetness with zesty citrus, coriander and subtle spicy hop flavors. Finishes with a slight wheat tartness

Fish Brewing Company

1) Monkfish Belgian Style Tripel Ale

A cracking fine example of the classic style, Monkfish Belgian Style Tripel Ale is the color of nectar, with a sweet malty flavor and subtle hop aroma. Mingling in its character, fruity and spicy esters impart a heavenly complexity to this medium-bodied delight. Brewed using Pale malt, Honey malt, aromatic malt, Belgian candy sugar, Styrian Golding hops and, of course, Belgian Abbey yeast, Monkfish stands firmly in the Belgian triple tradition. 32 IBUs 9.0% ABV

Fremont Brewing Co.

1) The Lamb

Saison aged in French Oak wine barrels with brettanomyces lambicus.

2) Return of Blood Funnel

Gallaghers Where U Brew

1) The Monk

A delicious Belgium Triple with a smooth 8.5% fruity bite. Coriander and orange peel add to the decadence of this ale. The use of Orange peel during the dry hop adds to the amazing aromatics of this popular brew.

2) Black Imperial Belgium

The use of our Belgium yeast allows the fruity character of this beer to stand out. Its dark color compliments the full body mouth feel and is enjoyed by all.

Georgetown Brewing Co.

1) Frosty “The Waldman”

In the Winter Warmer tradition, this dark ale is brewed strong with Pale, Pilsner, Special B, Crystal, and Chocolate malts, and 10 lbs/bbl of rich molasses boost the holiday cheer. Northern Brewer hops contribute the bulk of the bitterness, while Sterling hops, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg add a spicy nose. Fermented with a Belgian ale yeast strain to lend a smooth and complex character. ABV 7.6%, IBUs 40

2) Waldman

Modeled after an English Ordinary Bitter with a few decidedly Belgian stylings, Waldman is brewed with Northern Brewer hops and 36 lbs of Belgian Candi Sugar then fermented with a Belgian ale yeast. We finish with Brettanomyces “Wild” yeast strain and a heavy does of dry hops. The Brett is carried over to the bottles where Waldman continues to develop complex flavors throughout the bottle conditioning.  ABV 6.1%, IBUs 35

Hale’s Ales

1) Hale’s “25″ Belgian Dubbel

The first edition of this beer was brewed to celebrate Hale’s Ales 25th anniversary in 2008. True to style, Hale’s “25″ Belgin Dubbel is moderately strong, very malty and possesses the unique flavor characteristics imparted by Belgian yeast.  7.3% ABV, 20 IBU’s

2) Hale’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Belgian Gold

Hale’s Belgian Gold is made with Pilsner, C-40 and Carapils Malts with a blend of various sugars. The beer is hopped with Goldings. This delicious beer has been aged in bourbon oak barrels for most of 2011. The combination of the wood and whiskey overtones combined with the belgian beer flavors makes this beer a true delight.  9% ABV, 15 IBU’s

3) Hale’s Belgian Wit

A classic, unadulterated Belgian Wit brewed with no spices. Crisp, refreshing and slightly tart.  4.8% ABV, 5 IBU’s

Hilliard’s Beer

1) Hilliard’s Saison

Simple beer, complex taste and aroma.  A special yeast and unique fermentation profile give this beer hints of coriander, orange peel, and maybe a bit of pepper. Castle Malting Pilsner Malt and Golding Hops, no spices added.  7.4% AVB

Issaquah Brewery

1) White Frog Ale

Belgian Style Ale: Summer Wit Beer. Aromas of coriander and orange spice dominate the nose. A very light mouthfeel is countered with sweet orange peel, coriander and subtle notes of chamomile. It finishes with delicate banana and clove spices. Surprisingly light and immediately quaffable. ABV: 5.2%

2) Menage A Frog Belgian Trippel

Menage A Frog has a brilliant golden amber color. Inviting aromas of toasty baguette, orange blossom honey, and delicate bubblegum spice follow through on a round entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with caramel pear and peach custard tart notes. Finishes in a bold peppery spice, delicate grassy herbal and citrusy hops, and toffee fade with lingering warming alcohol.

ABV: 9%

Lazy Boy Brewing Co.

1)Belgian Golden Ale

2)Belgian Dubbel

McMenamins Pubs & Breweries

1) Reinhold’s Flying Armadillo Dark Belgian Strong

A nice, full bodied Dark Belgian with a mild hop presence and a flavorful malty character.  Made with Wyeast Belgian Abbey II yeast. 7.75% ABV

2) Girl Next Door Belgian Blonde

This is a light bodied, smooth tasting and highly carbonated Belgian Blonde Ale. It is made with Pilsner, Wheat and Aromatic malts and hopped with US Golding hops. Brewed using Wyeast Belgian Abbey II yeast. 6.0% ABV.

Naked City Brewery

1) La Touche De Mal

Belgian Strong Golden Ale

New Belgium

1) Belgo

Belgian style IPA made with an authentic Trappist yeast strain and 4 varieties of hops.  7.0% ABV and 60 IBU’s

2) Trip 11 Farmhouse Ale

Farmhouse ale brewed with Rosemary and Sage.  8.5% ABV

Odin Brewing Co.

1) Thor’s Equinox

this Belgian Dark Strong Ale is a brew that is big in flavor without the chewy body holding you back from finishing the whole glass. We have showcased malt and a unique woody note from Angelica spice, creating a beer that is still Belgian, yet can satisfy stout and strong porter lovers as well. Aroma– dark fruits and portlike notes, Top note– strong maltiness, some molasses, Middle note- malt sweetness,  banana, End note– light tartness, woody, Color– dark nut brown. 9% ABV, 20 IBUs

Paradise Creek Brewery

1) Paradise Hoe

A refreshing and traditional Belgian Wit with a nose that offers you wonderful orange, subtle banana, clove and other sweet fruit. One taste of this cloudy straw colored ale confirms what you smell and opens up notes of coriander and just a dash of pepper. The white wheat and a little oats give this beer a nice medium bodied mouth feel. ABV 5.8%

Pike Brewing Company

1) Saison

2) Pike Monk’s Uncle

Big, full-bodied and complex with a yeasty nose, fruity esters and malty dryness. Hints of honey, spice and exotic fruit play with the senses. Powerful, yet gentle. ABV 9%

Ram Restaurant & Brewery

1) Barrel #1

Light, tart and refreshing – a blonde ale fermented in a barrel by many a mysterious critter – 4.5% ABV

2) Barrel #2

An intensely flavored dark ale, fermented in an old wine barrel with a couple of Brett strains and hints of lactobacilius. 6.5% ABV

3) BBlage-a-trois

A blend of 3 wildly fermented bbls made exclusively for this year’s Belgian Fest.

Redhook Brewery

1) Allocation

Allocation is a super drinkable Belgian Session Ale. Medium in body and amber hued with ample handfuls of wheat malt to keep the beer’s finish light and dry. Mild phenolic notes from the Trappist yeast offer up mild hints of spiciness and banana. It is tradition for the Monastic brewers in Belgium to get a daily allocation of the lightest (session) beer they produce after their work is done.

Schooner EXACT Brewing Co.

1) Schoon White

Belgian-style wheat ale brewed with Pilsner malt, wheat malt, unmalted wheat and oats. Fermented with a traditional Belgian Wit beer strain. Hallertauer hops and a subtle addition of spices including citrus zest and hibiscus make this a thirst quenching and refreshing beverage. 5.2 % ABV

22 IBU’s

2) Biere de SODO

A hoppy Belgian-style pale ale brewed with Pilsner malt, sugar and a generous helping of Styrian Golding hops. Fermented with a blend of a unique Belgian yeast and a special strain of brettanomyces, this beer is easy drinking with an ever so slight funkiness.

6.4% ABV, 38 IBU’s

3) Abbaye de Schooner Dubbel

A Belgian-style ale brewed with a complex and distinctive blend of German and Belgian malts. Hallertauer hops, Belgian candi sugar and organic flame raisins complement the rich, toasted, caramel malt and yeast finish.

6.9% ABV, 20 IBU’s

4) Saison Goélette

A traditional Belgian farmhouse ale brewed with Pilsner malt, rye malt, turbinado sugar and Hallertauer hops.

5.8% ABV, 24 IBU’s

Silver City Brewery

1) The Giant Made Of Shadows

This Dark Strong Ale is rich in big malt character, candy like sweetness, and warming alcohol.  Suggestions of chocolate and dried fruits pair well with oak and vinous notes from extended aging in Tempranillo wine barrels. 9.5% ABV

2) Nutcracker 2005 Special Brown Ale

A festive beer (8.6 % ABV), Nutcracker rings in the Holiday Season with a medley of dark roasted malt, fruit and spice. Some hints of fruit (plum, cherry, peach) come from a wonderful and distinctive Belgian yeast strain. Additionally, ginger, orange and tangerine peel was added to spice things up.

3) La Fat 2007

La Fat is Silver City Fat Scotch Ale fermented with a Belgian yeast noted for creating big, spicy phenol character. La Fat goes through a secondary fermentation on French Oak.  La Fat combines classic Belgian characteristics with Scotch like toffee and caramel notes with hints of oak and peat. ABV 9.2%

4) Whitecap Wit

A Belgian witbeir (white beer) brewed by award winning Seattle homebrewer Nick Ladd in collaboration with Silver City Brewmaster Don Spencer for entry in the 2011 Great American Beer Festival Pro-Am competition. Wheat and oats are mixed with malted barley to make a light and hazy (white) beer. Coriander, Fresh Tangelo and Valencia orange peel are added for a vibrant citrusy appeal. 5.5% ABV

Snipes Mountain Brewing

1) Golden Ale

Belgian-style Golden Strong made with Belgian pilsner malt, clear candi syrup and NW beet sugar. Fermented with an authentic Belgian golden strain. 9.5% ABV, 27 IBU’s

2) Darkstrong

Belgian-style Dark Strong made with three types of rye malt, dark candi syrup and aged for a year with Lactobacillus. 8.5% ABV, 28 IBU’s

Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company

1) Triskaidekaphobia

Reminiscent of the Millennial Madness we created 12 years ago, Triskaidekaphobia is a great balance of crisp clean malt, lemony hops and spice. Unfiltered but clear to the eye, Trisky is made from 100% German pilsner malt, Belgian candi sugar, 100% Czech Saaz hops and Belgian ale yeast.8.6% ABV

2) Spring Fever

Orange hues, rich malt flavors, spicy coriander overtones and fruity, tropical aromas make this one beautiful beer for fans of Belgian styles. Spring Fever is crafted from the finest Two-Row, Munich, Carastan and Belgian Aromatic malts, Columbus and Czech. Saaz hops, spiced with coriander and fermented with Belgian ale yeast. 7.0% ABV

Sound Brewery

1) Dubbel Entendre

Comforting aromas of chocolate malt and dark toffee, with a hint of banana and stone fruits. A dark abbey style ale with a subtle rich maltiness and a dry, spicy finish. 8.0% ABV

2) Tripel Entendre

Complexity and balance from a simple recipe of the finest ingredients obtainable. Clear and light in color, this strong Belgian ale drinks smooth and easy but has the complexity to complement the finest meals or to savor alone at the end of the evening. 9.9% ABV

3) Koperen Ketel

Biscuity Belgian malt balanced with the finest Slovenian Styrian Goldings hops, Koperen Ketel has a delicate herbal, fruity aroma and a clean dry finish making for a refreshing, easy drinking copper color ale. 5.0% ABV

Wingman Brewers

1) Black Widow

A dark Belgian strong ale aged in a Pont21 Cabernet Sauvignon barrel from 21 Cellars. A Cab Sav nose is followed by the familiar Belgian flavors of ripe fruit and figs. 11.4% ABV

2) Cerise Noire

A light lambic influenced sour ale.  Featuring pediococcus, lactobasillus, brettanomyces, and black cherry tea. 6% ABV

1) Le Havre Belgian Winter Ale

This seasonal offering is fashioned with reverence towards the long-standing tradition of Trappist Abbey-style beers of Belgium. Brewed with Pale Ale malt, oats, and dark crystal malts, hopped with Fuggles, and fermented with authentic Belgian Abbey yeast, the ale reveals intricate layers of spice, fig, bitter chocolate.  ABV: 8.0%

Federal Way – It’s All Within Reach. That’s the city’s official slogan. I find the slogan a bit odd. To me, it suggests that whatever you want, it is somewhere else but at least it’s within reach. Like most other sprawling suburban municipalities, Federal Way is not generally recognized for cultural refinement, sophistication and life’s finer things. People who live there might take exception to me saying that, but I’m talking about perception and not reality.

Say what you will, disparage the city if you must, but know that Federal Way has at least one glowing beacon of sophistication, elegance and class: 99 Bottles specialty beer store. Federal Way’s esteemed beer destination is about to celebrate it’s fifth anniversary.  There will be a party on Friday, January 20th. Details below.

When 99 Bottles signed on as a sponsor of the Washington Beer Blog, we were actually proud. Not just happy to welcome them aboard, but proud to know that Tiffany and Craig Adamowski approve of what we do here at the Blog because we so seriously respect and appreciate what they do at 99 Bottles.

If you haven’t been there, don’t take our word for it. Go. The bottle selection is complete. The store is beautiful and thoughtfully laid out. If for no other reason, go to 99 Bottles to see the growler filling gizmo. It’s very cool. (See our previous post about it.)

In addition to selling great beer, Tiffany and Craig have been champions for the cause, helping to change laws and regulations to benefit their fellow bottleshop owners. In doing so, they have helped shape a better beer world for us all. You really must go see the growler filling gizmo. As you gaze upon its magical wonder, know that it wouldn’t be there if people like Tiffany and Craig had not convinced Olympia that the law needed to be changed to allow shops like 99 Bottles to fill growlers.

99 Bottles is about to celebrate its fifth anniversary. How time flies! We want to wish our friends a very happy birthday and much continued success. You are valuable and respected members of our beer community. Cheers to 99 Bottles!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012, FEDERAL WAY, WASH. — 99 Bottles specialty beer store will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Friday, January 20, 2012.

In its five-years of operation, 99 Bottles has grown from stocking 250 varieties of beer to more than 1,200, plus hard cider and mead. Over the years the store has provided thousands of people with beer style education through in-store events: First Monday Beer Adventure (themes ranging from beer styles to snack pairings), Sip&Shop Wednesday Eves (pouring two staff-selected beers), and special events with breweries and beer experts. As a result, many 99 Bottles patrons are now comfortable hosting their own in-home beer tastings with friends.

99 Bottles’s Five-Year Celebration festivities will be on Friday, January 20, where the swing-top 99 Bottles jug is included for the first 120 individuals to order a 32-ounce fill. Beers on for fills will be posted throughout the day on the store’s website at 99bottles.net/growlers. The annual 99 Bottles Beer & Cake Tasting kicks off at 4:00 p.m. and goes until 7:30 p.m., where three beers will be paired with specially made Irish Death cupcakes by Washington ’s #1 Cupcake Shop, Pinkabella Cupcakes, using Quilter’s Irish Death beer from Iron Horse Brewery of Ellensburg. The tasting fee is just $1 per person, with valid ID. There will also be celebratory drawings and giveaways at 99 Bottles beer store throughout the day.

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About 99 Bottles

99 Bottles is a premier beer store, voted #1 in KING 5’s Best of Western Washington Beer Store category in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and scoring “World Class” on the highly respected BeerAdvocate.com website. Discover more than 1,000 beers at 99 Bottles, including local microbrews, craft beers from around the USA , and beer from 50 countries. All beer is available by the bottle so you can mix your six packs. 99 Bottles also has eight rotating draft beers for fresh growler fills on a state-of-the-art Pegas CrafTap system. The family owned and operated beer store is located in the suburb of Federal Way , between Seattle and Tacoma , and has become a Northwest destination for beer lovers from around the world. For more information visit 99bottles.net or follow the store at Facebook.com/99bottles.

We are now just one month away from the 3rd Annual Belgianfest. The event organizer, the Washington Beer Commission, has now released a list of participating breweries (below). Belgianfest is an increasingly popular celebration of Washington-brewed, Belgian-style beers.

To accommodate the need for a bigger venue, this year Belgianfest moves to the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on Seattle’s waterfront (Map, directions and transit information). The event takes place on Saturday, February 4th. Advance tickets (recommended) are now on sale.

Belgianfest continues to grow in popularity in conjunction with the public’s appetite for Belgian-style beers. Since its inception in 2010, Belgianfest has landed at the top of the “must do” list for many local beer lovers.

In its first year Belgianfest was a comparatively petite event that took place in a crowded event space in the historic Seattle Brewing and Malting Company building in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. The event quickly sold out and the need for a larger venue was recognized immediately. Last year, the event moved to a larger event space at Seattle’s Magnuson Park. Again, the building was bursting at the seams. The event space at Bell Harbor offers more room for this year’s event and extra space for future growth if needed.  Hopefully Belgianfest has found a home for years to come.

Year one of Belgianfest.

Belgianfest takes place on Saturday, February 4th. There are two sessions: 12:00 – 400 and 5:30 – 9:30.

Tickets are available online via Brown Paper Tickets.

Belgianfest is organized and operated by the Washington Beer Commission–the first commodity commission of its kind in the United States. The Washington Beer Commission was formed in 2006 when the Washington State Legislature authorized the creation of a Beer Commission to promote the state’s microbreweries.

The event is expected to feature more than 50 beers from no less than 24 breweries (listed below).

ADMISSION AND ADVANCE TICKETS

• $30 advance tickets or $35 at the door.
• Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass & ten 4 oz. tastes.
• Designated driver admission is $5 and available at the door only (includes free water/soda).
• Must be 21 years old or older and have a valid ID.
• Bell Harbor International Conference Center (Map, directions and transit information)

BREWERIES EXPECTED TO ATTEND (as of 1/4/12):

American Brewing Company
Big Time Brewery
Black Raven Brewing
Boundary Bay Brewery
Diamond Knot Brewing Co.
Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
Elysian Brewing Company
Fish Brewing Company
Fremont Brewing Co.
Gallaghers Where U Brew
Georgtown Brewing
Hale’s Ales
Hilliard’s Beer
Issaquah Brewery
Lazy Boy Brewing Co.
McMenamins Pubs
Naked City Brewery
New Belgium
Odin Brewing Co.
Paradise Creek Brewery
Pike Brewing Co.
Ram Restaurant & Brewery
Redhook Brewery
Silver City Brewery
Snipes Mountain Brewing
Snoqualmie Falls Brewing
Sound Brewery
Valholl Brewing Company
Wingman Brewers
7 Seas Brewing

The other day I visited the Pyramid Alehouse in Seattle. It was the first time in a long time, I admit. For the past few years seeing the old brewery in mothballs made me a bit sad. Although the company’s headquarters is still in Seattle, Pyramid Breweries halted the last vestiges of its Seattle brewing operations in 2008. The Alehouse remained a good place to go for a beer and a bite before or after an event at one of the nearby stadiums but there was nothing local about the beer.

The dark days are over. Pyramid is once again brewing beer at its location across the street from Safeco Field. Once again, it is the Pyramid Alehouse and Brewery. The Washington Beer Blog welcomes Pyramid Breweries back to our list of Washington Breweries.

While the Pyramid products that you find on shelves around town still comes from the big brewery in Portland, Kim Brusco has resurrected the Seattle brewery and is making delicious beers in comparatively small batches. The Pyramid Alehouse on First Avenue South now serves Brusco’s 100 percent Seattle-brewed beers alongside other Pyramid products.

Perspective

I don’t want this to be a history lesson but to understand the significance of this latest development you need some historical perspective. Here’s why I think this is such a big deal.

In 1985 the Hart Brewing Company of Kalama, WA introduced a beer called Pyramid Wheaten Ale. Hart Brewing was the first American brewery to produce a year-round wheat beer since Prohibition. For many of us oldsters, Pyramid Wheaten Ale conjures memories of a time when good beer had not yet hit the big time. Back in the late 1980s I felt very lucky if I stumbled into a Seattle bar and found two craft beers on tap. And when I did, likely one of those taps was dedicated to Pyramid Wheaten Ale. It was a great product and for many people it was a gateway to the world of craft beer.

It’s a long story but, in short, Hart Brewing became Pyramid Breweries, Inc. There was a public offering in the mid 90s. There were painful mergers and acquisitions along the way. Eventually the great wheat beer from the little brewery in Kalama, WA became nothing but a memory. The Wheaten Ale of the 80s morphed into the Hefeweizen of the 90s and beyond. Still, Pyramid remained a strong brand with roots dating back to the earliest days of the craft beer revolution. For many of us it remains a “Washington beer” in spirit at least. Chalk it up to nostalgia.

One thing that didn’t change from the 80s to the 90s and beyond, Pyramid kept winning medals for its wheat beers.

Perhaps the most confusing episode in Pyramid’s history was the decision to rebrand its Hefeweizen in 2008. (Not coincidentally the same year they decided to shut down the brewery in Seattle.)  In a move reminiscent of the “New Coke” debacle, Pyramid decided to change the branding of its legendary Pyramid Hefeweizen to Haywire Hefeweizen.

Reintroducing Pyramid

The latest changes in corporate structure saw North American Breweries, Inc. (NAB) acquire Pyramid. That’s the short version, anyway. See our original post to learn more about the acquisition. NAB controls a number of different breweries, including Labatt, Genesee and others. Among the changes instituted by NAB, the company rebranded (un-rebranded) Haywire Hefeweizen, reintroducing Pyramid Hefeweizen.

The new, old Pyramid Hefeweizen. Nothing haywire about it.

Another significant change, NAB seems to appreciate a more crafty approach to managing the breweries it owns. Press releases, not to mention the current situation at the Seattle brewery, suggest that NAB intends to foster a spirit of independence.

“Moving away from the tradition that made us great was a mistake,” said Ryan Daley, brand manager for Pyramid. “Our consumers connected with our Pacific Northwest heritage and craft beer brewing tradition… Our beer no longer reflected our rich history.”

Local Flavor

Recent developments at the Seattle brewery seem to be evidence of a change in corporate culture. Pyramid brought in Kim Brusco, a well-known member of the local brewing community, to reopen the brewery and reintroduce Pyramid to the local beer scene. Not content to be just a faceless national brand, NAB seems to recognize the value of making Pyramid cool again. By all indications, it is willing to give Pyramid the freedom to do what it needs to impress the local audience.

I am not a fool and I truly hope this is a sincere sentiment. I have no reason to doubt it at this point.

With experience as a head brewer and brewery manager, Kim Brusco was perfectly qualified to come in and end the brewery’s hibernation. He began brewing professionally in 1990 at a small brewpub in Pioneer Square and then moved on to Pike Brewing. Eventually his career took him to Redhook in Woodinville where he most recently worked as the Brewing Manager.

“At this point in my career I wanted to make some changes,” Brusco told me over a delicious pint of his Imperial Porter. “I left Redhook with only two requirements for my next gig: I wanted to be able to ride my bike to work and I wanted to get back to doing more hands-on brewing on a smaller system. My plan was to take some time off, do some skiing this winter, and just let things happen. Then this great opportunity came up.”

Kim Brusco is also a musician—a bass player. A good rhythm section is always about structure. There is plenty of room for creativity and imagination, but only within the strict bounds of tempo and time. As for the opportunity at Pyramid, it seems that the size of the brewery (15-barrel brewhouse), the location within reasonable distance of his home in Seattle, and the combination of structure and independence appealed to Brusco. At this point in his brewing career, this is where he wants to be .

Currently the Alehouse is pouring Seattle-brewed Imperial Porter and Hop-Tep IPA. Next up is a Spring Bock that is currently conditioning. Expect it to start pouring in a few weeks, though Brusco says he wants to make sure it gets enough time to properly condition. I was particularly impressed with the Hop-Tep IPA, although the Imperial Porter was also delicious.

The name Hop-Tep IPA is homage to a quirky but critically acclaimed film, Bubba Ho-tep, which imagines Elvis Presley living out his senior years in quiet anonymity. Why did Brusco name his IPA after that film? You are free to read-in to it whatever you like.

In addition to feeding the taps at the Pyramid Alehouse, the Seattle-brewed Pyramid beers will soon be available at local pubs. Among others, the Latona Pub and the Beveridge Place Pub (blog sponsor) have already expressed interest in pouring Brusco’s beers.

Über Tavern is closing. There, do I have your attention? Über opened five years ago in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood and began dutifully pouring an outstanding selection of great beers, accompanying each pint with a fiery “Don’t call me small” attitude. With 17 beers on tap, the tavern offers more taps per square foot than any other bar in the city. According to the owners, Über Tavern is now in need of a facelift. The bar will shut down for three weeks to undergo a significant remodel.

What does this mean for you? Not only will you get to drink at a new and improved Über Tavern once it reopens in February, you will also get some special deals as the old Über closes. The final day is Saturday, January 21st. When the bar opens at noon that day, enjoy a $2.50 discount on each pint. Every two hours the price goes up 50 cents. Also, Über Tavern plans to pour a very special beer from Cascade Brewing to mark the occasion. Complete details are below.

January 21st is also Niko’s last day at Über. The beloved bartender is defecting to Portland. (Best wishes, Niko!). Find Niko behind the bar until 7:00 p.m. and find him under the bar shortly thereafter. You are invited to come help send him off in style.

Here is the news direct from Über:

BUT SAVE THIS DATE: SAT 1/21/12 @ 12:00 p.m.

WHY?

1) Last day / night of “Original Über”. – We are remodeling, slated to reopen Fri 2/10/12. More on that below.
2) Last day for Niko! Booooooo! – Our good friend & long time bartender is moving to Portland!
3) It is going to be a damn near free-for all. – Don’t miss it.

HERE’S THE DEAL

YOU CAN HELP BY DOING THESE 2 THINGS:

1) KILL EVERY KEG IN THE BAR (read on–we’ll make it easy)
2) Come say good-bye to Niko. It won’t be the same without him.

After 5+ years, our bar is ready for a facelift and we’re going kinda big…for our little place, hence the 3 week closure.  Über has 17 taps. Every one will be replaced with a new keg when we reopen. So let’s kill all the old ones on our last night.

STARTING AT NOON WHEN NIKO OPENS:

- EVERY SINGLE DRAFT BEER will be $2.50 off
- That means a lot of $2 pints and such
- Every 2 hours they go up .50
- By 10:00 p.m. they will be back to regular price, BUT…
- All growler fills will be half-price from 10:00 til close!

It wouldn’t be our style not to roll out some completely off-the-hook keg for such an occasion. We asked our friends at Cascade Brewery in Portland to come up with a VERY SPECIAL keg for Niko’s last hurrah (and ours). Details of the beer will come later, but yes it will also be featured at the same crazy discounts as all the other beers.

It goes without saying there will probably never be a day/night like this at our place again, and many of us will be saying
good-bye to a great friend.

Do it! You won’t regret it. Well you might. But you won’t remember it.

See you under the old bar for the last time,

Your friends at Über Tavern

PS: Niko will be there from 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. behind the bar. Then under it shortly after. Buy him a beer!

Note 12/27/2011 -  We just received word that The Publican (Tangletown’s new beer destination) will not open today as originally planned and as we posted the other day. We will keep you advised as we learn more.

Last night we joined our friend North Seattle Sarah for a soft opening event (preview) at The Publican. This new beer joint in Seattle’s Tangletown neighborhood is brought to you by the same people who run Brouwer’s Cafe so you can rest assured that the beer selection is outstanding and each pint is perfectly served. Here is Sarah’s report. I know many of you have missed North Seattle Sarah’s contributions. Let’s welcome her back to the blog.

– by North Seattle Sarah, North Seattle Bureau Chief –

I was one of the people who was very sad to see the note on Bandolero’s door one morning, saying that they were closed.  I enjoyed the food and drink there despite the lack of beer selection, and I loved the outdoor patio in the summer.  But much like my past failed relationships, I have moved on and started fresh as The Publican opens its doors this Tuesday, December 27th, in Bandolero’s old locale at 2253 N 56th Street.

I was privileged to attend their soft opening tonight, where beer and food samples were on hand to give us a taste of what’s to come next week.  The overall look inside hasn’t changed too much from its predecessor, but The Publican has some very big differences that are sure to bring in the crowds.

First, the beer.  The Publican has 21 taps for craft beer, and offers an incredible selection from an efficient storage system.  I sampled Fremont Brewing’s Publican IPA, made special for the occasion, but was excited to see a selection of stouts, saison, porters and pilsners accompanying the IPA choices. If you don’t want a beer on tap, just try their bottle selection – no wait, scratch that.  There is NO bottle selection.  Instead, there is a substantial menu of canned beers, which makes for a refreshing change.

One thing I love is that even though I’m a craft beer fan and was thrilled with my options, I can bring my non-beer loving friends here too.  Like Bandolero, they offer a hefty tequila selection (0ver 30 tequilas), a full bar, and a decent red and white wine cache.

Wondering what you’re in for with food at The Publican?  To start with, you’ll find brunch available all day, every day.  Although the menu hasn’t been entirely firmed up yet, you’ll find corned beef hash, salmon hash, two kinds of Eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, and family style hash browns on the side.  You’ll also be treated to sausages and beef ground IN-house, grass-fed beef, and house-made sauces.  Tonight, I sampled the hand cut frites with two different sauces for dipping – a chipotle, and a curry ketchup.

The Publican comes to us from the same folks behind Brouwer’s Cafe in Fremont, and is excited to be opening in the Tangletown location between Green Lake and Wallingford.  Welcome to the neighborhood, Publican!

Congratulations to Anthony Stone, the recipient of the 2012 Glen Hay Falconer Foundation American Brewers Guild scholarship.  Anthony, one of the brewers at Boundary Bay Brewing in Bellingham, will attend the American Brewers Guild’s Intensive Brewing Sciences and Engineering course. This year the Foundation entertained the largest number of applications in the program’s history.

The American Brewers Guild’s Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering course runs from January through June 2012.  The course is a 22-week distance education program with a final week of residential instruction. The course provides instruction for brewers and home brewers lacking formal training in brewing science. It covers all the fundamentals of beer production and quality assurance.

The mission of the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation is to provide opportunities for professional and aspiring brewers from the Pacific Northwest to further their knowledge and expertise. The Foundation strives to fulfill this mission by offering educational scholarships to an accredited brewing school. Since 2004, the Foundation has awarded fifteen full-tuition brewing education scholarships.

Other recent Foundation scholarship award winners from Washington include Dean Priebe (2010) of Icicle Brewing Company in Leavenworth and Dave Pendelton (2011) of Dick’s Brewing Company in Centrailia.

Here is the press release from the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — December 2011

** ANTHONY STONE PREVAILS IN LARGEST APPLICANT GROUP EVER FOR FALCONER FOUNDATION AMERICAN BREWERS GUILD SCHOLARSHIP **

From a large group of talented applicants, Anthony Stone of Boundary Bay Brewing Company (Bellingham, WA) has named recipient of the 2012 Glen Hay Falconer Foundation American Brewers Guild scholarship. Anthony will be attending the American Brewers Guild’s Intensive Brewing Science & Engineering course which runs from January through June 2012. The Intensive Brewing Science & Engineering course is a 22-week distance education program with a final week of residential instruction. The brewing scholarship is a full-tuition grant along with travel stipend that is offered with the generous co-sponsorship of the American Brewers Guild.

In making its final decision, the Selection Committee members were impressed by Anthony Stone’s hard work ethic, passion, and contributions to the broader brewing community. In the words of committee members, Anthony “embraces his homebrewing roots in the truest sense, even teaching homebrewing at a local college.” Anthony “continually demonstrates his hunger for knowledge” and “dedication to improving his knowledge base and to sharing this with others.”

The Foundation extends congratulations to Anthony and a sincere appreciation to all the applicants for their interest and enthusiasm for the Falconer Foundation American Brewers Guild scholarship.

Also, don’t forget to mark you calendars for May 11-12, 2012 for the 10th Annual Sasquatch Brew Fest in Eugene, Oregon, which is sure to be the biggest and best ever! Come join us for what will be a very special event and celebration of the brewing education, craft brewing, and Glen!! Visit www.northwestlegendsfoundation.org for more information.