Craft Brew Cast Blog

Organic brewers from around the world celebrate sustainability June 27-29 in Portland, Oregon at the  North American Organic Brewers Festival (NAOBF). The 2007 festival featured 50 organic ales and lagers, drew 7000 attendees and raised over $2000 for local charities. The largest organic beer festival in the world, the NAOBF was first held in 2003 in Gresham, Oregon, and has been an annual event since 2006. In addition to organic beer the festival features live music, local and organic food, and sustainability-focused vendors.  

WHY ORGANIC BEER?

Until the 19^th century all beer was organic, but chemical fertilizers and pesticides are now the norm in barley and hop production. The Pinkus-Mueller brewery, in Muenster, Germany (sample Pinkus beers at the NAOBF) brewed the world’s first modern organic beer in 1980, as the brewmaster was concerned with the declining quality of malting barley grown with chemical fertilizers. Organic beer made its debut in the US in the mid 1990s’ and production has grown by leaps and bounds since then. Organic beer is now a more than 20 million dollar market in the US. The festival celebrates the diversity of styles of organic beers from pilsners, pale ales, porters, and ambers, to stouts, India Pale Ales, and a plethora of Belgian styles.

CHARITY

A benefit for Oregon Food Bank, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and Oregon Tilth, the NAOBF celebrates numerous facets of sustainability. The chemical pesticides and fertilizers used in conventional agriculture are one of the leading causes of cancer. The Leukemia Lymphoma Society, helps those suffering from leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. The Oregon Food Bank feeds the hungry, and Oregon Tilth promotes sustainable agriculture and is one of the most stringent organic certification bodies in the nation.

This year the festival also features a special guest beer, the 2008 Sasquatch Legacy brew, the proceeds from which will benefit the Glen Hay Falconer Memorial Foundation, which maintains a Brewing Scholarship to the Siebel Institute of Technology brewing school. Eugene brewer Glen Hay Falconer was an organic beer pioneer while at the Wild Duck Brewery and Restaurant in Eugene. This years Sasquatch Legacy Project is the Imperial Vienna, brewed by 2007 scholarship recipients Corey Blodgett and Jacob Leonard using organic malt.

SUSTAINBLE PRACTISES

In the interest of sustainability the NAOBF is working to reduce its waste stream, and minimize its carbon footprint. This year the NAOBF has switched from plastic to cornstarch tasting glasses, which are 100% compostable. Conventional plastics not only take up landfill space, but have been linked to cancer, and are made from foreign petroleum. The cornstarch cups are made from domestically grown corn by Colorado-based Eco-Products, .a zero-waste, solar-powered company. Onsite compost receptacles will be provided at the event for the cups and food waste. All food vendors are required to use compostable flatware and plates.  A Biodiesel-fueled generator provides the festival’s energy needs, and attendees are encouraged to take MAX light-rail to the event. Vendors at the NAOBF promote sustainable living through their wares and services

EVENT DETAILS

Overlook Park N. Interstate and Fremont Streets, Portland, Oregon Friday June 27 3pm-9pm, Saturday 12-9pm, Sunday 12-5pm. Admission is free, a tasting glass is $5, and 4oz samples of beer are $1. A $1 discount will be given for a valid Tri-met transfer OR three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank. The event is all-ages. Service animals only. There is no onsite parking, attendees are encouraged to take public transit. (MAX Yellow Line to Overlook Park stop). Bicycle parking will be provided.

Links:

Technorati Tags: beer, festival, organic, scholarship, tilth, biodiesel, portland, oregon, brewer, international

From Roots’ MySpace blog:

Join us at Roots Organic Brewing Company on April 5, 2008 for the 2nd Annual Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers Festival. This festival was launched in the spring of 2007 and was held at Rock Bottom Brewery in it’s first year. Ten local Portland Breweries were challenged to create their own Belgian Style Beer Recipe with the same yeast strain. Proceeds generated from the festival were donated to charity.

Festival goers voted for their favorite Belgian Beer, and Roots Brewery won for its Eastside Abbey Belgian Ale. Therefore, the Master Brewers at Roots have selected the yeast strain for this year’s challenge, and will host the festival at their pub at 1520 SE 7th Avenue in Portland on Saturday April 5th, 2008. You will be able to sip delicious Belgian Ales from fancy commemorative glassware and feel good about it at the same time. All proceeds benefit the Oregon chapter of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society
Yeast Strain 2008: Ardennes/ La Chouffe

Participating Breweries:

Roots
Alameda Brewhouse
Rock Bottom Brewery
Hopworks Urban Brewery
New Old Lompoc
Lucky Lab Brewery
Amnesia Brewing
Philadelphia’s
BJ’s
McMenamin’s Crystal Brewery and John Barleycorn’s (collaboration)
Laurelwood
McMenamin’s CPR
Hair of the Dog
Raccoon Lodge

LINKS:
Roots Organic Brewing Co.

Root’s myspace page

Technorati Tags: belgian, brews, beer, festival, Leukemia, organics, festival, Portland, Oregon, brewer

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Rogue has taken its flagship ale Dead Guy to the next level with a Double Dead Guy.

Scheduled to being released as the latest of John’s Locker Stock and on the books for release in Rogue’s trademark Ceramic 750 ml swingtop bottles later this year.

Here’s what Master Brewer John Maier says about his latest creation:

“D2 is the new reincarnation of our classic Dead Guy Ale. It is mahogany in color. It’s full bodied and has an amazing mid palate richness of toffee and caramel. The hops are evident also, with just enough to keep the maltiness in check. The finish lasts > 15 secs. D2 is Double the fun! Enjoy!

Prost! John C. Maier

Portland, Oregon-The world’s largest gathering of organic brewers, the North American Organic Brewers Festival will be June 27-29^th at Overlook Park in Portland, Oregon. In response to the success of last year’s festival, with more than 50 organic microbrews, which drew over 7000 attendees, event organizers have added a Sunday tasting session.

The NAOBF, presented by Roots Organic Brewing Company is in its fourth incarnation, and promotes organic beer and sustainable living. The non-profit event benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and the Oregon Food Bank. In addition to brewers, local organic and sustainable restaurants, and sustainability oriented vendors will be on site. A diverse program of music runs throughout the event, and a new children’s area will provide activities for youngsters. Compostable corn-starch cups are a new addition to the festival this year, replacing the plastic mugs commonly used at beer festivals.

Last year the North American Organic Brewers Festival featured beerstyles from pilsner to porter, amber ale to Belgian wit, and plenty of Northwest India Pale Ales. With over 30 breweries from across North America, England, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, the festival showcased some of the finest organic beers on the planet. Over the last decade organic brewers have carved out a solid niche within the craft brewing movement, with organic beer sales growing from $9 million in 2003 to $19 million in 2005.

“I see organic as the next step in the craft brewing revolution’s return to traditional beer ingredients and brewing methods,” says festival organizer Abram Goldman-Armstrong, of the growing popularity of organic beer. 

The festival includes an Organic Brewers Symposium, allowing brewers to share information about ingredients and techniques.

The NAOBF will be open from the public 3-9pm Friday June 27, 12-9pm Saturday June 28, and 12-5pm on Sunday June 29. A tasting glass is $5, and 4 oz. tastes of beer are $1 each.

The NAOBF was first held in 2003 at Port Halling Brewing Company, and since 2006 has been an annual event in Portland, Oregon, one of the greenest cities in North America. Portland is home to two all-organic breweries, NAOBF presenter Roots Organic Brewing Company, and Hopworks Urban Brewery, which debuted its beer at last year’s NAOBF. A number of other brewpubs in Portland produce significant amounts of organic beer, including Laurelwood, Lucky Lab, and Alameda Brewhouse. Portland also tops the list of bicycle-friendly cities, and is a leader in green building. It is also home to more breweries than any city in the world.

Overlook Park, between Fremont and Overlook Streets on North Interstate Avenue is located on the Yellow Line MAX, Portland’s award winning light-rail system, two stops from downtown Portland. Festival attendees are encouraged to use the MAX, walk, or bike to the event to reduce the carbon-impact of the event. There is no on-street parking at the site, making responsible transportation choices the easiest way to reach the event.

The event’s website may be found at www.naobf.org

–Abram Goldman-Armstrong

Root’s Jason McAdam on the Craft Brew Cast

I Just recieved the following from 21st Amendment’s Shaun O’Sullivan: 

Brewer’s Library Beer Dinner

Hey Gang,

We hope everyone had a great holiday season. We have something special planned for the New Year. Join us January 11th in the Brewers Loft for the first and one of a kind Brewer’s Library Dinner.

For the past 7 years Shaun has amassed a collection of unique, rare and aged beers from other brewers, visitors and on his travels around the world and it is time to open up the cellar and try these extraordinary beers with great food. Chef Lorenzo has put together quite a meal that will be paired with the beers from the
library.

The fun starts at 6:30 PM with hors d’oeuvres in the brewery
followed by a five-course beer-paired meal on the mezzanine and then cigars and after-dinner beers outside in the beer garden.

We are limiting space to 20 people for this special event, so reserve now and tell your friends. Price is $120 per person, including tax and gratuity. Here is the menu just to tease your appetite.

21st Amendment
Brewers Library Dinner

January 11, 2008
6:30 PM

Hand Passed Amuse Bouche

Sea of Cortez Scallops with Morel Mushrooms and Sauce Americain

Roasted Acorn Squash Gnocchi in “sguazet” with White Truffle and Shaved
Reggiano

Salad of Haricot Vert with Gratin Galapagos Island Shrimp and Roasted Hop
Vinaigrette

Intermezzo

Mari e Monti- Roasted Niman Ranch Tenderloin and Maryland Striped Bass with
Fine Herb Bernaise Sauce

Chocolate Lava Cake with Crème Anglaise and Blood Orange Sauce

We hope to see you at this special dinner and soon at the 21A

Thanks for your support,

Nico and Shaun

21st Amendment Brewery
563 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

www.21st-Amendment.com

The Cans are here!
Now selling Watermelon Wheat and 21A IPA in Cans.
Join the Revolution and Take Back the Cans!

Technorati Tags: brewery, brewer, microbrew, dinner, events, San Francisco, California

Green Dragon Bistro and Brewpub in Portland Oregon is hosting Meet the Brewer Tuesdays. First up we’ll have an opportunity to meet Hopwork Urban Brewery’s brewers Christian Ettinger and Ben Love.

Long time Publican and Craft Brew Cast regular Jim Parker has 4 “Meet the Brewer” nights scheduled thru January 2008. Dates and brewers featured are included on the Craft Brew Cast Calendar.

You can subscribe to the calendar feed and event listings will be delivered to you automatically. As alway there is no charge. But feel free to buy  me a beer thru the link at craftbrewcast.com

Head to the Green Dragon on December 18th at 6pm and have an exceptional microbrew from this award winning brewing team. Introduce yourself, thank them for the brew, ask them anything…..they may answer.

I hope to see you there.

Green Dragon on Myspace
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Hopeworks Urban Brewery Blog

Technorati Tags: brewery, brewer, microbrew, portland, oregon, calendar

The 4th episode of the Great American Beer Festival series Has been posted. In it you’ll hear from Rogue Ales’-Brett Joyce, Samual Adams’-Jim Koch, Snake River Brewing’s-Tim Harland. We find out what their very important roll in the Journalism awards was, and about the beers they brought, crowd favorites and medal winners. Snake River Brewing goes in depth about the brewery, where it’s going, the big changes ahead, and its history and discusses the phenomenal small batch experimental microbrews that brewer Paul is making at their Lander location, Gruets, Lambic like beers, and medal winning barley wines.

Many thanks to Rogue Ales for sponsoring this GABF series!

Technorati Tags: beer, gruet, lambic, barley, brewing, brewery, brewer, interview

GABF Brewing Industry Interviews 4

Samuel Adams

Boston Beer

Rogue Ales

Snake River Brewing

 Great American Beer Festival

Brewers Association

American Homebrewers Association

 Rolling Boil Blues Band

 Three beer events to raise funds for the Glen Hay Falconer Memorial Foundation and their Brewing Scholarship are happening in Portland Oregon this month. Thanks to the SNOB newsletter for details.

You may have known about these, but it never hurts to share info.-Christine

The Horse Brass Pub

4534 SE Belmont

Thursday, November 8th

A benefit for the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation Laurelwood Brewing Company has donated a firkin of the Life of Brian, a 10 degree plato beer, made with German malt, English yeast and Cascadian Hops.

Come drink a pint before heading over to the Oregon Brew Crew annual election meeting, you’ll need it.

          Green Dragon Bistro and Brewpub hosts

Glen Hay Falconer Scholarship Fundraiser Saturday, November 10th 5pm till the beer runs out The four taps on the side bar

928 SE 9th Ave

503-517-0660

Head on over after the Fall Classic or the Hair of the Dog dock sale to try four very special Oregon Beers. All proceeds from sales go to the Glen Falconer Scholarship.

Belmont Station

4500 SE Stark

Starting Thursday, November 8th through Sunday, November 11th A benefit for the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation A silent auction of vintage beer - listed below are the vintages and quantities.

97 Full Sail Imperial Porter - 2

98 Full Sail Old Boardhead - 3

99 Full Sail Old Boardhead - 3

97 Bridgeport Old Knucklehead - 3

98 Rogue Old Crustacean - 2

98 Sierra Nevada Bigfoot - 3

00 Sierra Nevada Bigfoot - 3

96 Alaskan Smoked Porter - 1

Fred #1 - 1

Horse Brass Pub

Green Dragon Bistro on Myspace

Belmont Station

Glen Hay Falconer Memorial Foundation

Sasquatch  Brew Festival

Glen Hay Falconer Foundation Brewing Scholarship

Technorati Tags: beer, scholarship, auction, microbrew, brewery, pub, guild, vintage, barley wine, porter