Portland Beer Tour Part IV: More OBF Reviews

Beer Luvvas,

Thanks to the 2 folk who clicked on a couple ads. I'm $2.50 closer to real time blogging!

Back to OBF Reviews...

Eel River Brewing Organic IPA: This was beer #1 for my 2008 OBF, and it was a pleasant way to kick things off. Not too hoppy, but definitely a bit more punch than what I've come to expect from some organic brews. Maybe we'll be able to get sustainable/organic farming into mainstream??

Grand Teton Brewing Bitch Creek ESB: This beer was surprisingly dark for an ESB, but the flavor was very traditional ESB - a light quaff that went down smooth. Another winner in my book!

Green Flash Brewing Hop Head Red: Freebird's fav (since Kona did not bring the Lavaman Red as advertised on OBF's website). This red had almost enough hops to qualify it as an IRA - or "Red IPA," which is why I also enjoyed this beer more than most.

Hazel Dell Brewpub IPA: Unfortunately, nothing about this IPA stood out for me to make any kind of comment a few days after tasting it....CLICK ON AN AD! please.

Iron Horse Brewery Quilter's Irish Death: This dark ale was my biggest disappointment of the fest (unless I said that about another beer on my previous post). Too sweet! Almost sweeter than the Razberry beer. Yech!

Laurelwood Brewing Workhorse IPA: Yet another excellent brew from this mighty Portland brewery. I'm beginning to feel that there's enough evidence out there to support Laurelwood as the best local brewery/pub in PDX....if they only toned down the "kid-friendly" atmosphere. I know, how un-PC, but I love your kids when they aren't disrupting my dinner and beer drinking.

Lompoc Brewing Lompoc Extra Special Pale: It was pale, but was it extra special? I don't think so.

Lucky Labrador Brewing Solar Flare Ale: Had to be quaffed just to support Lucky Lab's new solar water heated facility. It was light, and easy drinking.

Mad River Brewing Jamaica Red Ale: It was red. Freebird quaffed more than her fare share.

McMenamins Hillsdale Brewery & Public House Madman Jack's Insane Pale Ale: Now, this is an example as to why everyone should periodically withstand the extremely poor service, and standard pub-grub of their local McMenamins pub. This beer capped the IBUs @ 113 and unbelievably did not ruin your palate for later tastings (unlike Stone Ruination). Wow! 113 IBUs!

New Holland Brewing Dragon's Milk: This was another shocker. This bourbon barrel aged strong ale was fabulous. Unlike other bourbon beers, this brew never overpowered you w/bourbon flavor or aroma. It was a very easy drinking ale, and easy to knock you out @ 8.5%.

Again, that's all the time I have for this post...Still more to come.

Prost to OBF & Madman Jack's Insane Pale Ale!