Charlie Papazian delcares a tie between Portland, Oregon and Asheville, North Carolina this year. “They are number one in the east and number one in the west.” I think this was a wise choice. For future record, the poll ended with Portland at 41% and Asheville at 37% out of 15,885 votes. I think the fact that 3 cities collected 85% of the votes says mucho about the passion of the people in those cities and how they feel about living in a good beer city.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote. Thanks to everyone who tweeted and retweeted poll info or put it on their facebook page. I want to thank Travel Portland and Travel Oregon and the NC and Asheville Tourism people for getting the word out. It also looked like the Asheville and Portland media specifically KGW @ The Square helped to push it also.
Until next year or not.

Read the poll results here or http://bit.ly/GzmbO

Full Sail Brewing Company, nationally known for its award-winning beers, was recently honored by Travel Oregon and the Oregon Tourism Commission with their 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award. The award recognizes Full Sail’s leadership in socially responsible practices. Just in time for Earth Day, the brewery received the award on Sunday, April 19th, at the Governor‘s Conference on Tourism in Salem, Oregon.

Over the last year, Full Sail Brewing has received
“Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow Award (BEST)” from the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development
“Governor’s Award for Sustainability” from the State of Oregon.
Full Sails Portland Riverplace Brewery and offices received recognition as a RecycleWorks business for its excellent track record of recycling, reducing waste and buying environmentally preferable products.

Some of the company’s sustainability measures include:
• Efficient brewhouse: The brewery is as sustainable and efficient as possible, starting with the parts of the building that were reclaimed and recycled when the brewery first opened in the old Diamond Fruit cannery. The company utilizes energy measures such as energy-efficient
lighting and air compressors, and compresses the work week into four very productive days, which helps reduce water and energy consumption by 20 percent.

• Sustainable brew process: Pure water literally flows from the peaks that surround the brewery, so Full Sail takes care to conserve this precious resource. While average breweries consume six to eight gallons of water for every gallon of beer produced, Full Sail has reduced its consumption to a mere 3.45 gallons, and operates its own on-site wastewater treatment facility. Local farms supply the other essential ingredients for award-winning brews: 85 percent of hops and 95 percent of barley come straight from Northwest farms.

• Reduce-Reuse-Recycle: Full Sail uses 100% recycled paperboard on all its packaging (and was one of the first in the industry to commit to long-term purchasing of recycled paper products). Everything from office paper to glass to stretch wrap to wooden pallets is recycled. Even dairy cows are beneficiaries of brewery waste: 4,160 tons of spent grain and 1,248 tons of spent yeast are sent back to farmers every year to use as feed for cows.

• Community-wide practices: Full Sail purchases 140 blocks of Pacific Power Blue Sky renewable energy per month. This practice results in the reduction of 168 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of planting 33,000 trees. Full Sail also supports over 300 events and charities each year, with a focus on those in Oregon. Employees at the company have inspired environmental change among other businesses in the Hood River area as well.

Full Sail was a founding member of the Hood River Chamber of Commerce’s Green Smart program, an initiative that helps businesses and organizations within the Hood River watershed increase their productivity and profitability by improving resource efficiency and by reducing waste and pollution.

About Full Sail Brewing Company
The independent and employee-owned Full Sail Brewery is perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the most epic wind and kite surfing spot in the world. At this very moment 47 specialists in the liquid refreshment arts are crafting barley and hops into your next beer. Among the company’s most popular brews are Full Sail Amber, IPA, Pale, LTD, and Session Premium American lager. Founded in 1987, the Full Sail crew has been fermenting godlike nectar for 21 years. Full Sail is committed to brewing great beer while adhering to socially and environmentally sustainable practices. Their award winning brews are now available in nineteen states. The Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub is open seven days a week. Swing by for a pint, grab a bite, tour the brewery, or just soak up the view.
For more information on Full Sail’s practices visit:
For more on the Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub, brewery tours or just to see what’s cooking, visit:

To find more information on the Sustainable Tourism Award and Travel Oregon’s website

Fred Fest
05/09/2009
Freds 54th Anniversary of his 29th Birthday
Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
4509 SE 23rd Avenue
503-232-6585
2-6pm
$50
Website or http://www.fredfestpdx.com/

This year is better than ever, with nearly 25 amazing, one-off beers. There’s also a raffle to win great prizes, including a Grand Prize of a Traeger pellet grill and an on-site silent auction of rare beers and great beer stuff! Tickets are still available, but limited, you have to buy the tickets on the website, thru the Paypal link on the front page.

The 2009 Brewery and Beer List:

• Astoria Brewing Company – Bitter Bitch
• Bend Brewing Company – Black Diamond Dark Lager
• BridgePort Brewing Company – Hop Czar
• Cascade Brewing Company – Bain de Brugge
• Deschutes Brewery – Mirror Mirror From the Wood
• Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom – Oak-Aged Inglemonster
• Firestone Walker Brewing Company – Abacus
• Full Sail Brewing Company – 1998 Boilermaker
• Hair of the Dog Brewing Company – Cask Fred of the Wood
• Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) – Bourbon BBL Noggin Floggin
• Laughing Dog Brewing – Dogfather Imperial Stout
• Laurelwood Brewing Company – Organic Portland Roast Espresso Stout
• Lucky Labrador Brewing Company – Pennsylvania Swanky
• McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse – Weisenbock 2007
• Midnight Sun Brewing Company – Brewtality
• New Belgium Brewing Company – “Mystery Beer”
• New Old Lompoc Brewery – 2008 Bourbon Barrel-Aged Proletariat Red Ale
• Ninkasi Brewing Company – Sasquatch
• Pelican Pub & Brewery – Nestucca ESB
• Rock Bottom Brewery – Super Duper Dunkelweizen
• Rogue Ales – Charlie 1981
• Saxer Brewing Company – Vintage Dopplebock
• Widmer Brothers Brewing Company – 8409 Double Alt

Eugene City Brewery Stark Fest
05/23/2009
Eugene City Brewery
844 Olive St
541-345-4155
12-?

Dave Stark has been elected President of Eugene City Brewery. In honor of this momentous occasion, on Saturday May 23rd, Eugene City Brewery
will present Stark Fest, Dave’s public inauguration party. Taps will start flowing at noon to kick-off Stark Fest, featuring 35 taps from Track Town and Rogue as well as guest taps from Terminal Gravity, Oakshire Brewing, Hop Valley, Ninkasi, Steel Head and many more.
At 1:00pm a super-sized poster of Dave Stark will be hung for a game of “Pin the Tattoo on the President,” an event that was not approved by the Secret Service.
At 2:00pm, Eugene City brewer Scott Sieber will unveil his special Stark Fest brew, a Presidential Wheat Wine brewed in honor of Stark.
Following this ceremonial tapping, a Kobe Blueball eating contest will take place at 3:00pm to put Oregon’s most iron-clad stomachs to the test.
At 4:00pm, President-elect Dave Stark will be escorted through downtown Eugene, upon his arrival, the President-elect will be sworn in by the Rogue Attorney General, officially marking the beginning of his first term in office.
At 6:00pm there will be a swearing-in of new Rogue Nation members followed by a State of the Nation Address.
The Washers Tournament will begin at 7:00pm and lead into the Presidential Ball at 9:00pm.

Sagebrush Sampler comes to Deschutes Brewery Portland Pub
05/11/2009
Deschutes Brewery
Portland Pub
210 NW 11th Avenue
Portland
6-9pm
$100
503-332-5000
Featuring seven talented Portland chefs pairing small-plate specialties with craft beers from Deschutes Brewery.
Participating Chefs:
Philippe Boulot – The Heathman Restaurant & Multnomah Athletic Club
Pascal Chureau – Fenouil Brasserie
Scott Neuman – Oba Restaurante
Pascal Sauton – Carafe Bistro
Cathy Whims – Nostrana
Jeff Usinowicz & Jill Ramseier – Deschutes Brewery & Public House – Portland
Entertainment: Aaron Meyer, concert rock violinist
Beneficiary: Morrison Child & Family Services
Tickets: $100 each.
Call 503-332-5000 / 800-601-8123 or stop by the pub.
Special discounts on tables, golf, and tickets for the Sagebrush Classic in Bend on July 17-18 are available to Sagebrush Sampler attendees.

05/11/2009
Full Sail Brewers Share Beer Release
Meet the Brewers Share Brewer
Chris Haveman
Chris’s Summer D-Lite
Berliner Weiss
Full Sail Brewing Co.
McCormick & Schmicks
Harborside Restaurant & Pilsner Room
0307 SW Montgomery
503-222-5353
5-6:30pm
Chris’s Summer D-Lite is a Berliner Weiss, which is an easy drinking unfiltered beer made with 50% wheat malt, a tiny amount of hersbruker hops and a touch of lactic acid to give it a refreshing tartness. Served straight this style has a sour tartness with a dry finish. A German tradition is to offer a splash of sweet woodruff syrup, called Waldmeister, for a fresh herbal character and a bright green color or sweet red raspberry syrup to provide a striking red beer with raspberry overtones. The syrups help to mellow to the sharpness and acidity of the beer, so be sure to ask for “Red” or “Green”!
ABV 4%. IBU 9.
Full Sail’s Brewer’s Share beers will only be available on tap at Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River, Oregon, and at Full Sail’s Brewery at Riverplace, in Portland, Oregon served straight or with the traditional accompanying syrups. Growlers to go are available. The next Brewer’s Share will be crafted by Full Sail brewer, Nathan Jacobson, and is expected in early July.

Meet the Barley Browns Brewer at the Belmont Station
05/13/2009
Meet the Brewer
Barley Browns Brewing Co.
Belmont Station
4500 SE Stark
Portland
503-232-8538
6-9:00pm
Brewer Shawn Kelso will bring some very special drafts:WFOIPA, Tank Slapper Double IPA, 18 Month Aged Double Whiskey Malt Ale, and Armstrong Double Golden.

Full Sail Brewers Share Beer Release
05/14/2009
Chris’s Summer D-Lite
Full Sail Brewing Co.
506 Columbia St.
Hood River
541-386-2247
5-6:30pm

Deschutes Brewery Portland Pub Stark Beerfest
05/18/2009
Deschutes Brewery
Portland Pub
Strong Beer Fest
210 NW 11th Avenue
Portland
503-296-4906
4-10pm
It’s Strong Ale week at the Portland Pub! Enjoy Strong Deschutes Ales and German Food Specials in Celebration of our German Brewhouse! Call Vince at 503-296-4906 for more information. Stark means strong in German.

Pelican Releasing New Belgium-Style IPA for Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers Festival

On May 1, the Pelican is releasing a brand new Belgium-style IPA called La Fleur Amère, which translates to “The Bitter Flower.” With an abundance of floral, herbal hops and a rich, malty foundation, La Fleur Amère marries an assertive English-style IPA with exotic Belgian-style yeast. Brewed especially for Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers Festival May 1-2, 2009, La Fleur Amère features a sparkling light gold color, an aroma of floral, earthy, herbal hops and a fruity, spicy yeast nature. A full-bodied, rounded malt character supports copious amounts of hop flavor and also provides a full-bodied silky texture. La Fleur Amère is dry-hopped with more than a pound of hops per barrel and finishes with a clean, snappy balance of malt flavor, hop bitterness, and slightly tart, spicy yeast character.

Pelican Releasing Heiferweizen & Surfer’s Summer Ale Memorial Day Weekend
On May 22, the Pelican is kicking off summer by releasing two of its popular summer ales—Heiferweizen and Surfer’s Summer Ale. Heiferweizen is a Tillamook County classic—smooth, quenching and eminently drinkable. This Belgian-style wheat brew is yellow in color and slightly hazy in appearance because it is unfiltered. It has a snappy yet mellow flavor in addition to a smooth, dry finish. Heiferweizen is fermented with Belgian-type yeast and lightly spiced with orange peel, coriander and cardamom for a light, delicious and fruity-spiced character.

Surfer’s Summer Ale is inspired by the Summer Ales of England. With a brilliant gold color and a fruity, floral and herbal aroma from Glacier hops, Surfer’s Summer Ale is a refreshing and tasty brew. A sweet, toasted malt flavor from the Golden Promise malt combines with a bread-like wheat character to give this beer a full-bodied, rounded malt aspect. Finishing smooth and clean, Surfer’s Summer Ale exhibits a wonderful balance and character. In 2008 this brew won a Gold medal in the English Style Summer Ale category at the Great American Beer Festival.

Save the Date for the Pelican’s Sixth Annual Brewers Summer Games

The Pelican Pub & Brewery’s sixth annual Brewers Summer Games is taking place on June 20, 2009, and will feature dozens of brewers, distributors and equipment suppliers from throughout the Northwest who compete at events including the “Keg Toss,” “Cheap Beer Toss” and “Service with a Smile.” This event is open to everyone and very family-friendly.

During the intermission of the Brewers Games, kids are given a chance to participate in the “Root Beer Games” which include a miniature keg toss, a three legged race and a water balloon toss. Winners of the Brewers Games will be selected by celebrity judges and after the awards ceremony, attendees can enjoy the sunset along with live music, plenty of food and a large beer garden featuring 18-24 different beers from breweries around the Northwest as well as hand-crafted Pelican beer and root beer.
WHAT: The Pelican Pub & Brewery’s sixth annual Brewers Summer Games
WHERE: The Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City, Ore.
WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 2009
Noon to 8 p.m.
COST: While admission to the event is FREE, all proceeds raised from the event benefit two local charities: the Nestucca’s Booster Club and the Caring Cabin. Nestucca’s Boosters supports athletics and other extracurricular activities in local schools. Supported by the Children’s Cancer Association, Caring Cabin is a lakeside retreat near the Oregon Coast for families of critically ill children and those diagnosed with cancer.

For more information about the event, please visit www.pelicanbrewery.com or contact Jason Schoneman at jason@pelicanbrewery.com or 503-965-7007.

MAY BREWERY EVENTS
Brewer’s Memorial Ale Fest
May 15-17, 2009
Rogue Ales Brewery
Newport, OR
541-867-3660
$10 admission fee gets you a Festival Mug and 3 taster tickets.
Pelican will be serving its award-winning Tsunami Stout and either India Pelican Ale or Nestucca ESB.

Zoo Brew
May 29, 2009
Oregon Zoo
Portland, OR
503-226-1561 ext. 0
5-10 p.m.
$25 for guests 21 and over includes commemorative tasting glass and 10 tastings.

The Pelican Pub and Brewery, located 22 miles south of Tillamook on the majestic Oregon Coast, has become a Northwest landmark for craft beer and fine food enthusiasts. The oceanfront facility includes an outdoor patio and banquet room with unobstructed views of Cape Kiwanda and Haystack Rock. Celebrating its 13th year in Pacific City, the Pelican has created countless masterpieces such as Kiwanda Cream Ale, which was just named to Draft Magazine’s Top 25 Beers in the World of 2008. Other award-winning brews include India Pelican Ale, MacPelican’s Scottish-Style Ale, Tsunami Stout and Doryman’s Dark. The three-time Great American Beer Festival “Brewpub of the Year” winner is open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information, call 503-965-7007 or visit www.PelicanBrewery.com.