The 3 things you can do to help fight House Bill 2461

The Oregon brewing industry is facing a nearly $50 per barrel increase on beer taxes – an increase of over 1900% – which would make the Oregon beer excise tax the highest in the country.  If House Bill 2461 passes, it could result in the loss of up to 3,400 Oregon jobs and devastate an industry that currently supports 5,200 direct and 10,000 indirect employees.  

If you oppose this excessive and unfair tax increase, here are 3 simple things you can do to make your voice heard:

1.     Write your legislator – This may sound like something you’d hear from your grandmother, but nothing has a stronger impact on legislators than getting a good old-fashioned piece of snail mail.  Take a peek at our template letter then customize and send your own version.  You can find your legislator at http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/ and a list of Revenue committee members at http://tinyurl.com/crw2gj .

2.     Get social – The Oregon Brewers Guild has created several social networking applications devoted to connecting consumers opposed to House Bill 2461.  These groups are a vital online community and help spread the word when news and events happen.  We’re on Facebook (http://tinyurl.com/d6×6sn ) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/NoNewORBeerTax ).  Sign up.  Tell your friends.

3.     Sign the petition – The Oregon Brewers Guild is collecting signatures for an electronic petition against HB 2461.   This might seem self explanatory, but the more signatures we’re able to collect, the bigger the impact on legislators. You can sign it here http://bit.ly/8rB0Y.  After you’ve signed it, you can generate additional support by sending a link to your friends and posting the URL on websites and/or forums.

4.

Here is a sample letter that you can send off to your legislator or send out to your e-newsletter or blog.  Please feel free to add in your own experience where it talks about how the tax will affect you directly.

Dear Honorable Representative ______________,

Oregon is in the middle of an economic crisis, facing major budget deficits and the potential loss of thousands of family wage jobs.  Now, more than ever, the public is looking to our government to provide strategic and smart leadership to turn the economy around. 

It is neither strategic nor smart to raise the beer tax by more than 1900%; in fact, it would be unwise and harmful to the economy to approve any increase in Oregon’s beer tax.

The craft brewing industry has been extremely good for Oregon.  Oregon breweries directly employ more than 5,200 people at a family wage; 2,300 of those jobs were created in the last 5 years.  For every 1,000 barrels of Oregon brewed beer consumed in Oregon during the past 5 years, more than 30 jobs were created. 

This green and entrepreneurial industry  - which is built on uniquely Oregon advantages such as agriculture, people, and lifestyle – contributes $375 million to the Oregon economy every year.   It does this without receiving state tax breaks or subsidies, while continuing to pay tens of millions of dollars in existing excise taxes. 

The proposed 1900% tax increase – from the current tax of $2.60 a barrel to $52.21 – would be the single biggest tax increase on beer in US history, giving Oregon the dubious distinction of having the highest beer excise tax in the country.   (Insert information about your brewery or beer experience here.)

Any tax increase, and especially the proposed House Bill 2461, would devastate what has been an incredible economic success story for the State of Oregon.  At this time and in this economy, our state cannot afford to put more people out of work and harm an industry that is serving Oregon – which is exactly what a tax increase will do.

Sincerely,

02/26/2009-03/01/2009
Beer Brawl V2.0
Concordia Ale House
3276 NE Killingsworth
Portland
11am-Midnight
503-287-3929
www.concordia-ale.com
Cam O’Connor from Deschutes Brewery-Portland Pub wins the beer brawl for 2009.
After hearing he won – Cam announced he was going to Disneyland.

Here are the results:
Flight 1 – Pale Ales
1. Walking Man, Pale Ale (WA)
2. Full Sail, Pale Ale (OR)
3. Speakeasy Untouchable, Pale Ale (CA)

Flight 2 – IPA’s
4. Bend Brewing, Hophead IPA (OR) [2*]
5. Anderson Valley 20th Anniversary DIPA (CA)
6. Lazy Boy IPA (WA)

Flight 3 – Stout’s
7. Moylands Dragoon Stout (CA)
8. Flyer’s Sick Duck Stout (WA)
9. Pelican Tsunami Stout (OR) [4*]

Flight 4 – Brewers Choice
10. Silver City Scotch Ale (WA)
11. Deschutes, Amory XXPale (OR) [1*]
12. Bear Republic Apex IPA (CA)
(* Popular vote ranking)

I don’t really ever editorialize on the old bloggo but man I blew it on this Beer Brawl thing. I thought each brewery captain brought their breweries version of Pale Ale, IPA, Stout and Brewers Choice. So I thought Deschutes Brewery, Bear Republic and Lazy Boy each brought their own Pale Ale, IPA, Stout and Brewers Choice.

As you can imagine, I had a hard time picking out what I figured Mirror Pond would be in Flight 1 – none of the yeasts seemed like the correct yeast.

In flight 2 – I could not pick out Inversion IPA. Beer number 4 was hugely hoppy but did not seem like Hop Henge, was is it Bear Republic’s Racer5?

In flight 3, I thought beer 7 could be Oregon or California, beer 8 was big and boozy and seemed way too sweet to be the Abyss, beer 9 was hoppy, balanced but very neutral yeast wise, beer 9 once again did not seem like a Deschutes beer but that’s what I voted for anyways.

In flight 4, the first beer I passed on it being Bear Republic or Deschutes, Beer 11 I marked as the Deschutes beer in the flight and beer 12 I guessed to be Bear Republic RacerX.

M.O.B. Award (Most Outstanding Beer) went to Oregon’s Deschutes Armory, XX Pale BEER BRAWL beer #11 and help lead the way to Oregon’s VICTORY and big Knock-Out punch.
FINAL SCORE: Oregon 1160 Washington 941 California 840

Concordia Ale House launched a new website, which features both tap and bottle lists.

03/13/2009
BridgePort Brewery’s Big Brews
Heathman Brewers Dinner
1001 SW Broadway
503-790-7752
Reservations Required
$55
Includes Dinner and Beer but not Gratuity

Culinary Director Philippe Boulot and Chef de Cuisine Karl Zenk prepare menu of crispy sweetbreads, Penn Cove mussels and stout braised beef cheeks paired with handcrafted ales by BridgePort Brewing Company. Beer lover’s now have the chance to see how some of BridgePort Brewing Company’s “Big Brews” stand up to a five –course menu prepared by Culinary Director Philippe Boulot and chef de cuisine Karl Zenk.

BridgePort Brewers Dinner at the Heathman Restaurant and Bar
March 13, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
Passed assorted hors d’ouevres

First Course
Crispy Veal Sweetbreads Choucroute
Alsatian braised sauerkraut and fingerling potatoes
Hop Czar, Imperial IPA

Second Course
Moules a la Biere
Penn Cove Mussels steamed with fresh hopped ale, hop shoots and andouille
Hop Harvest: Triple Hopped Imperial Style Ale

Third Course
Stout Braised Beef Cheeks
With potato gnocchi and roasted root vegetables
Raven Mad, Imperial Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter

Cheese Course
Chimay Poteaupre washed rind cheese tart
Fallen Friar, Belgian Abbey Style Triple

Dessert
Apple Galette
Stumptown Tart: Oregon Marionberry Belgian Style Infused Ale

The Heathman Restaurant exemplifies the best of the Pacific Northwest using seasonal ingredients inspired by the flavors and cuisine of France. Gourmet Magazine recognized the Heathman as one of Portland’s best restaurants in the 2005 Restaurant Guide. Recipient of the James Beard Best Chef: Pacific NW award in 2001, Culinary Director Philippe Boulot partners with the region’s select growers, producers and vintners to find the highest quality ingredients. Boulot was honored by the Academie Culinaire de France as the Academie’s Chef of the Year.

03/14/2009
Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom
8 4th St.
Hood River
541-387-0042
Noon-11pm
Free

BEER LIST:
1. Kölsch
2. Alpenbrew
3. IRA
4. Hop Lava
5. Standard Porter
6. Black Irish Stout
7. Das Boot (Dry-hopped Altbier)
8. Ardennes (Belgian-Style Strong Golden Ale)
9. IRB (India Red Blend, Barrel-Aged)
10. FaLaLaLaLa (’08 Reserve)
and…
11. the premiere of some bourbon-barrel brown ale, aged at the brewery since summer.

MUSIC SCHEDULE:
3:00pm: Chickweed
5:30pm: Jack Straw
8:00pm: Quick & Easy Boys

FOOD MENU:
-salmon burgers and other goodies outside on the grill
-our regular pizza/salads/sandwiches menu, too.

WEATHER FORECAST:
-Variable, could be a bit chilly and/or rainy. No worries — we’ll be setting up a 40′x40′ tent out front in the street, with a 10′x20′ tent which will connect it to the garage. We’ll have several propane heaters around… but make sure you bring a sweater just in case.
For those of you attending from out of town who’d like to spend the night, there is a special discount rate at the Hood River Hotel, within walking distance of the brewery. Rates start at $89/night, which includes a buffet breakfast. Call them at 800-386-1859 and mention the Anniversary Party when you reserve.

FAMILY FRIENDLY:
Yep, kids are welcome until 8pm.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
The Hood River Hotel, within walking distance of the brewery, has discounted rooms starting at $89/night, which includes a breakfast voucher. Call them at 800-386-1859 and mention the Anniversary Party when you reserve. Almost all booked up. Other good options include the Hood River Inn and the Vagabond Lodge. For the most comprehensive list of lodging options, check out the Mt Hood Meadows website: “MHM Get Here Stay Here — Lodging Info”

2009 Firkin Fest
March 21st, 2009
Presented by Green Dragon Bistro and Brewpub
928 SE 9th Ave
Produced by the Oregon Brewers Guild
2 sessions
11-2:00 pm
SECOND SESSION
IS SOLD OUT
3 hours each session
Each session limited to 200 people.
$30
Click here to purchase tickets or go to http://oregonbeer.org/ff09/

16 Beers from BridgePort Brewing Co., Deschutes Brewery-Portland Pub, Eugene City Brewery, Full Sail Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Laurelwood Brewing Co., Lompoc Brewing Co., Lucky Lab Brewing Co., Ninkasi Brewing Co., Pelican Pub & Brewery, Rogue Ales, Roots Organic Brewing Co. and Rock Bottom.
$30, $5 Discount for SNOB’s, Brewery Members..
Tickets can be purchased online and will be picked up at will call – please bring an ID.
21 and over only.

20 oz souvenir OBG beer tasting glass
8-6oz beer tickets, two food tickets
Food Provided by Green Dragon Bistro, Snake River Farms and Vosges Chocolate
Artisan Oregon Cheese plate from Steve’s Cheese featuring Willamette Valley Cheese Company, Rogue Creamery and Pholia Farms.

Brewers Union Local 180 That Dark Beer Black Molasses Stout 4.6%
Brewers Union Local 180 North Fork Ordinary Bitter 3.5%
BridgePort Brewing Co. Raven Mad Imperial Porter 7.4%
Deschutes Brewery-Portland Pub Cinder Cone Red American Red 5.4%
Double Mountain Brewery Hop Lava IPA 6.8%
Eugene City Brewery The Hammer Throw Irish Red Ale 5.7%
Full Sail Brewing Co. Broken Paddle IBA India Black Ale 6.0%
Hopworks Urban Brewery HUB Organic 150 IPA 6.8%
Laurelwood Brewing Co. Workhorse IPA 7.2%
Lompoc Brewing Co. Oak Barrel C-Note Imperial Pale 7.0%
Lucky Lab Brewing Co. Super Dog IPA 6.3%
Ninkasi Brewing Co. Spring Reign Pale Ale 6.0%
Pelican Pub and Brewery India Pelican Ale IPA 7.5%
Roots Organic Brewing Co. Nevermind Pale Ale 5.3%
Rock Bottom Brewery Maltnomah Porter Porter 5.3%
Rogue Ales Mogul Strong Ale 6.5%

Sponsored by:

2009 Firkin Fest
March 21st, 2009
Presented by Green Dragon Bistro and Brewpub
928 SE 9th Ave
Produced by the Oregon Brewers Guild
1 session
11-2:00 pm
SECOND SESSION
IS SOLD OUT
3 hours each session
Each session limited to 200 people.
$30
Click here to purchase tickets or go to http://oregonbeer.org/ff09/

20 Beers from BridgePort Brewing Co., Deschutes Brewery-Portland Pub, Double Mountain Brewery, Eugene City Brewery, Full Sail Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Laurelwood Brewing Co., Lompoc Brewing Co., Ninkasi Brewing Co., Pelican Pub & Brewery, Rogue Ales, Roots Organic Brewing Co. and Rock Bottom.
$30, $5 Discount for SNOB’s, Brewery Members – $5 More Day Of.
Tickets can be purchased online and will be picked up at will call – please bring an ID.
21 and over only.

20 oz souvenir OBG beer tasting glass
8-6oz beer tickets, two food tickets
Food Provided by Green Dragon Bistro, Steve’s Cheese, Snake River Farms and Vosges Chocolate
Tix go on sale Friday, February 27th.

Brewers Union Local 180 That Dark Beer Black Molasses Stout 4.6%
Brewers Union Local 180 North Fork Ordinary Bitter 3.5%
BridgePort Brewing Co. Raven Mad Imperial Porter 7.4%
Deschutes Brewery-Portland Pub Cinder Cone Red American Red 5.4%
Double Mountain Brewery Hop Lava IPA 6.8%
Eugene City Brewery The Hammer Throw Irish Red Ale 5.7%
Full Sail Brewing Co. Broken Paddle IBA India Black Ale 6.0%
Hopworks Urban Brewery HUB Organic 150 IPA 6.8%
Laurelwood Brewing Co. Workhorse IPA 7.2%
Lompoc Brewing Co. Oak Barrel C-Note Imperial Pale 7.0%
Lucky Lab Brewing Co. Super Dog IPA 6.3%
Ninkasi Brewing Co. Spring Reign Pale Ale 6.0%
Pelican Pub and Brewery India Pelican Ale IPA 7.5%
Roots Organic Brewing Co. Nevermind Pale Ale 5.3%
Rock Bottom Brewery Maltnomah Porter Porter 5.3%
Rogue Ales Mogul Strong Ale 6.5%

Sponsored by:

03/12/2009
Beer Belly Dinner
C.B.P. Brewery
Dylan Goldsmith

The EastBurn
1800 E Burnside
Portland
503-236-2876
Event Website
6:30-9pm
$25

03/12/2009
Full Sail Brewing
French Mediterranean
Beermaker Dinner
Full Sail Tasting Room
506 Columbia St.
Hood River
541-386-2247
5pm
$25
Full Sail’s Brewmaster, Jamie Emmerson &

Chef, Ron Penrose have teamed up to create a French Mediterranean menu as a part of Full Sail’s monthly Brewmaster Dinner series. The new Brewmaster Dinner menu will be available Thursday, March 12th, at Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River beginning at 5:00 pm. The four course menu features a French Mediterranean themed menu paired with four of the brewery’s award winning brews. The cost of the dinner is $25 per person. The Tasting Room and Pub is open daily from 11:30am to 9:00pm. For more information call 541-386-2247 or visit www.fullsailbrewing.com

1st Course
Croque Monsieur
Classic French Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
PALE ALE

2nd Course
Sundried Tomato and Kalamata Olive Crostinis
AMBER ALE

Main Dish
Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Herbes de Provence
Served with Rich Portobello Mushroom Polenta and Sauté Winter Vegetables
WASSAIL

Dessert
Strawberry Crepes
With Mascarpone Cheese and a Touch of Mint.
BIG DADDY JAY’S MALT LIQUOR

3/6
Double Mountain Beer Release
Das Boot Alt
Saraveza Bottle Shop
& Pasty Tavern
1004 N Killingsworth
503.206.4252
5-?pm
Website

Come join Double Mountain

Saraveza staff as we tap the first kegs of a new Double Mountain specialty offering while enjoying some seriously comfortable German-themed food goodie. The fun starts at 5pm with some free mini Sauerbraten pasties – get them while they last! We’ll also be raffling off some Double Mountain shirts and glassware throughout the evening.

About the beer: Brewmaster Matt Swihart has been kicking out batch after stellar batch of Double Mountain beers for nearly two years now…but this one is co-owner Charlie Devereux’s turn. (Matt and Charlie met as shift brewers at Full Sail back in the early ‘90s.) “Das Boot” is a dark ale broadly in the style of an altbier, brewed with Pilsner, Munich and chocolate malts, Kölsch yeast, and a variety of German hops. A velvety malt character is nicely balanced by herbal bittering-hop notes. Das Boot is dry-hopped with whole Hallertaus for extra aroma. 6.2% ABV, 50BU.

03/06-03/07-2009
Lucky Lab Beer Hall
1945 NW Quimby
Portland
503-517-4352
12-10pm
Free Admission
$1.75/4oz taste

For a list 2009 Lucky Lab Barley wine

2009 Lucky Lab Barleywine Festival Inventory
Vintage Brewery Beer Style ABV
2007    ANCHOR            OLD FOGHORN        BARLEYWINE
2006    ANCHOR            OLD FOGHORN        BARLEYWINE
2006    Ad VALLEY        HORN OF THE BEER    BARLEYWINE
2008    ASTORIA            BITTER BITCH        STRONG ALE
2007    B.J.s                     TATONKA STOUT        IMPERIAL STOUT
2008    BEER VALLEY        HIGHWAY TO ALE        BARLEYWINE
2007    BEND BREWING        OUTBACK X        OLD ALE
2008    BEND BREWING        OUTBACK X        OLD ALE
2008    BISON            ORGANIC BARLEYWINE    BARLEYWINE
2007    BRIDGEPORT        OLD KNUCKLEAD          BARLEYWINE
2008    BRIDGEPORT        OLD KNUCKLHEAD        BARLEYWINE
2007    BUTTE CREEK        TRAIN WRECK        BARLEYWINE
2007    CASCADE            YARLEY WHINE        BARLEYWINE
2007    CASCADE            DEFROSTER        WINTER IPA
2008    DE PROEF         TOMME ARTHUR        BELGIAN STRONG
2005    DESCHUTES        MIRROR MIRROR        BARLEYWINE
2008    DICK’S            BARLEYWINE        BARLEYWINE
2008    FISH            LEVIATHAN        BARLEYWINE
2007    FRIAR TUCKS        GLUTIUS MAXIMUS        BARLEYWINE
2007    FT. GEORGE        XVI CHAPEL        BARLEYWINE
2007    GREAT DIVIDE        OLD RUFFIAN        BARLEYWINE
2007    HALES            RUDYARD’S RARE        BARLEYWINE
2008    HALES            RUDYARD’S RARE        BARLEYWINE
2008    HOPWORKS        NOGGIN FLOGGIN        BARLEYWINE
2007    KONIGSHOEVEN        QUADRUPEL        DARK QUAD
2007    LAGUNITAS        GNARLEY WINE        BARLEYWINE
2006    LAGUNITAS        UNDERCOVER SHUTDOWN    STRONG ALE
2008    LAUGHING DOG        DOGFATHER        IMPERIAL STOUT
2008    LAURELWOOD        OLD RELIABLE        BARLEYWINE
2008    LHAT NEPPUR        ENIW YELRAB        BARLEYWINE
2006    LUCKY LABRADOR        OLD YELLER        BARLEYWINE
2005    LUCKY LABRADOR        OLD YELLER        BARLEYWINE
2007    LUCKY LABRADOR        OLD YELLER        BARLEYWINE
2008    NINKASI            SASQUATCH        BARLEYWINE
2008    OAKSHIRE        SASQUATCH        BARLEYWINE
2006    PELICAN    GRAND CRU    GRAND CRU
2004    SIERRA NEVADA        BIGFOOT            BARLEYWINE
2008    SPEAKEASY        OLD GODFATHER        BARLEYWINE
2008    TERMINAL GRAV        SUPERFEST        STRONG ALE
2008    THREE CREEKS        ??            BARLEYWINE
2007    WALKING MAN        OLD STUMBLE FOOT    BARLEYWINE
2008    WALKING MAN        OLD STUMBLE FOOT    BARLEYWINE
2007    WIDMER    KGB        IMPERIAL STOUT        IMP STOUT