Boilermakers with Bulleit

We've been cheating a bit on beer lately, exploring the wide varieties of whisky/whiskey. For the most part we haven't had them together but we recently played around to see if we could find some pleasant pairings, better known as boilermakers. Armed with boilermaker suggestions from Ninkasi Brewing Company using Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and supplied with a couple of fifths, we were eager to try our own hands at it.

Bulleit Bourbon
Ninkasi selected their flagship Total Domination IPA to pair with this "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey" and we agree that an IPA (even a hazy IPA) is the way to go with this one. We didn't happen to have any Total Domination on hand however we did have cans of their new-ish Prismatic Juicy IPA that created a far more complex pairing than we anticipated. Another local IPA, this time from Culmination in the form of their Phaedrus, made for a pairing that we'd be happy to enjoy for a significant session. Going further afield, the result of recent beer mail, we appreciated the fruity/juicy hops in Track 7 Brewing's Sukahop New England-style IPA as a compliment to this whiskey. Going even more intensely hoppy we also found Pelican's Beak Breaker DIPA to be a pleasant pairing with its combination of Mosaic, Citra and Centennial hops.

Diverting from hoppy beers were two others that to our surprise were also great pairs with the Bourbon. First up was a very interesting collaboration between Rogue and Brew Dr. Kombucha called Kulture Clash. Labeled as an "imperial blonde ale blended with kombucha tea" the 6.9% beer was a bit sweet on its own with a fruitiness that may have come from the beer or may have come from the kombucha. Either way the fruitiness was enhanced quite pleasantly by the Bourbon.

Going to a truly big beer, we cracked open a bottle of Brewery Ommegang Game of Thrones - Hand of the Queen. Billed as a barleywine with a hefty 11% ABV it drank far lighter and fruitier than any barleywine that has ever passed our lips. Putting the surprise on the beer aside, one half of our tasting panel loved the way it created a smooth, boozy pairing that might be further enhanced with a cigar, a lovely evening and plenty of time to enjoy the trio.

Bulleit 95 Rye
A fan of the aroma of the rye whiskey, the flavor takes a backseat to the Bourbon for us and made us more skeptical about being able to select beers that would make suitable boilermakers. Ninkasi chose their Yours Truly Easy-Drinking Ale, a beer with "a sweetly-toasted malt profile and delicate hop bouquet" to pair and we were happily surprised to find Stickmen's lightly flavored The Bee's Knees a winner. Using Pilsner malt, a sweetly flavored,  lightly colored malt, and floral Tettnanger hops this beer likely works due to similarities to Yours Truly. 

In thinking about other beer styles that might work, we reflected on rye-containing beers we've had in the past. Often the lighter based varieties allowed more of the spiciness of the rye to come out more than we would prefer whereas those with a darker base have tended to taste more balanced and "right" to our palate, even some that leaned malty. While overtly malty beers, like Pelican Sea 'N Red Irish Red Ale don't generally make our hop-loving taste buds sing we happened to have some on hand we figured we should at least give it a try. Indeed, when paired with 95 Rye the beer found redemption in our eyes. Here the maltiness of the beer made a fine companion to the rye of the whiskey.  

Many thanks to the hearty souls who went on this adventure with us. Many thanks to the faithful readers who didn't pass over this post because there was something besides beer in it. We're always open to experiences that expand our minds and palates and hope you enjoy learning along with us.

Opening Day at Holiday Ale Festival 2013

Yesterday kicked off the 18th Annual Holiday Ale Festival at Pioneer Courthouse Square. It was an appropriately chilly day but between the bright sunshine and the heaters, it was cozy inside the tent.

I came armed with my trusty cheat sheet of beers I wanted to try and determined to drink them in the pre-thought out order that roughly started with the lowest alcohol, most mild tasting beers. Right away my resolve was put to the test as I was told by multiple people that the High West Whiskey barrel aged Cappuccino Stout from Lagunitas was amazing. It was one of the highest alcohol beers at 12% ABV and the one I had designated to be last on my list.

As I started in I did take into consideration the input of my fellow, trusted beer friends and ended up skipping a couple of beers I had intended to try due to poor reviews. I mean, heck, it wasn't like there would be any lack of beers to try. In fact, I knew that it would be surprising if I tried all of the ones that I wanted to on this first visit.

Of the 12 beers that crossed my lips my favorite, and one that I ended up getting a full glass of, was The Twerking Elf from Stickmen Brewery & Skewery. This 7.2% ABV Northwest Sour Brown was the second beer that I had and was an excellent example of the style. For every person that told me about the Lagunitas, I told them about the Stickmen.

Other beers that I enjoyed included:
- Old Town Brewing Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum, a 7.5% rum barrel aged old ale. I hope that Bolt made more than the amount he sent to HAF because I'd love to have this again, served at a more appropriate, warmer temperature.
- Coalition Brewing Shenanigans, a 9.8% barleywine. The same goes for this beer, it was good at the festival but I think it would be even more enjoyable warmed up a bit.
- Lagunitas High West Whiskey barrel aged Cappuccino Stout, a 12% stout. My friends were right, the aroma was intoxicating, the flavor even more amazing. Michael hit the nail on the head when he said that it was, "the Velvet Merkin of two years ago."

There are still four more days of the festival so there's a fair chance I'll make it back. One beer that will be on my visit #2 list will be McGuinness from Nation Brewery. Mag really enjoyed this 9.2% imperial milk stout that was aged on Kahlua-soaked oak. I'll also be keeping my ears out for what you, my beery friends recommend.

Using Social Media & Using it Well

A Facebook post (which was also fed to their Twitter account) by Stickmen Brewery & Skewery in Lake Oswego Sunday morning quite impressed me. In case you don't follow/like them on one of these mediums here's what they had to say.

We're seeing more & more people stop by before AND after catching a movie next door - keep it up, we love hearing your reviews!
 
Perfect Sunday: Brunch & coffee porter at Stickmen > movie next door > boutique shopping > Big Honey Imperial Kölsch, skewers & sports at Stickmen. Remember that parking is available every weekend at the professional building lot next door.

Showtimes for Lake Twin Cinema |106 N. State Street

Silver Linings Playbook - 12:15 - 2:45 - 5:15 - 8:00pm

Argo - 12:45 - 3:15 - 5:45 - 8:30pm

Not only did the post show their followers how to "use" their product but they went above and beyond by giving movie times for the two films playing. I've often lamented about the lack of use of social media by breweries and brewpubs so it was refreshing to see one who is not just using social media but being thoughtful and creative.

Hopefully others will take notice and imitate because I for one am a fickle consumer. I need reminders of why I should visit an establishment. Certainly the release of a new beer or some other event is something that might draw me in but as the above post shows, it's possible to promote an establishment even when there isn't something special happening. It's about staying in the forefront of customers' minds.

Stickmen Brewery & Skewery

Tuesday night we checked out the interestingly named, relatively new brewery in Lake Oswego, Stickmen Brewery & Skewery. With so many great places much closer to home I have to congratulate us on making it there while they can still be called new.

We were tipped off that parking in the area would be difficult so we parked a couple of blocks north and walked down State Street/Hwy 43. Our plan turned out to be a good one as the low building next to Lake Twin Theater had only a small sign to identify it. We could have easily driven by multiple times before we had actually found it. Inside we found our friend had arrived a few minutes before us and secured a table in a large alcove of the bar.

The first order of business was of course to order a beer. Of the 13 taps they unfortunately only had one house-brewed beer, Saison, which Mag took one for the team and ordered. He declared it very Saison-y, which I agreed with, meaning that it was most certainly not something I liked. For Saison fans, it might be just the thing. The rest of the taps offered a thoughtful selection of styles from primarily Oregon breweries.

Flat bread piled high with toppings.

With "skewery" as part of their name we knew our food order would have to include some of their skewers. The handful of skewers we ordered were hit and miss but both the fries and flat bread were clear, delicious winners. While their menu is mostly skewers and small plate items they also offer an assortment of salads, sandwiches, burgers and entrees.

Being in Lake Oswego it is unlikely Stickmen will become a regular haunt but I'd like to go back when they have a more of their beers available. If that isn't until summer, well then, perhaps I'll be able to find myself a seat on their patio. It snugs up to the lake and will likely be quite popular in the summer. If you're in the area stop in, have a beer, the flat bread and decide for yourself.