Beer Friday: The Substance by Bissell Brothers Brewing Co.

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

We drank a lot of great beer in the Pacific Northwest. But in my humble, liver-quivering opinion, nothing beats East Coast IPAs.

Many of them are juicy with just the right amount of hop presence on the tongue to prevent them from being too sweet - a fantastic balance of crushable flavors.

And Bissell Brothers, located in Portland, Maine, is one brewery that has perfected these "hop juice" creations. 

What: The Substance Ale by Bissell Brothers Brewing Co.

Style: IPA

ABV: 6.6%

Tasting Notes: Dank yet juicy and oh-so crushable, this IPA quenches my thirst no matter what time of the year it is. Available weekly via can and on tap at the brewery (they got new digs since we moved - great space!), this brew is one of the few that's worth the wait...as you will likely be in line to get it. Brewed with Falconers Flight, Centennial, Appolo, Summit, and Chinook hops, this beer packs a hoppy punch with a bright, well-balanced finish. 

Pairing Suggestion: Um, everything? But for a few recommendations: something spicy, like these Spicy Seitan Tacos or Spicy Chickpea Salad Sandwiches. Or, since this is a juicy beer - pair it with brunch! This Chipotle Sausage, Scallion, & Tomato Frittata would be a great pairing.

Where Can I Find It? The brewery in Portland, Maine! Or, if you're lucky, you might be able to find it on tap at these Maine locations. 

What have you been drinking lately?

Beer Friday: Fresh IPA by Fort George Brewery

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

Um, apparently I haven't written a Beer Friday post in over a month? I promise, at some point, this will be a regular thing again...

But for today, we're talking about fresh hops (sometimes called "wet hops"). Fresh hops are bold and unblemished hop oils, and they only drop in Oregon once a year - but they go quickly - so I've been trying to get my hands on #allofthebeers before they disappear!

One particular fresh hop beer I've enjoyed so far is Fort George's Fresh IPA (we actually visited the brewery in Astoria a few weeks ago). Here's why it rocks:

What: Fresh IPA by Fort George Brewery

Style: Wet Hop IPA

ABV: 6.4%

Tasting Notes: Super clean, and borderline crushable, this is a fantastic IPA for those of you who might not love the hop bombs. It's also a great transitional IPA from summer to fall - still light and slightly citrus-y, with a bit more malt flavor and floral, grassy notes.

Pairing Suggestion: Although this beer is nicely complex and flavorful, it's still on the lighter side - so I'd pair it with something a little more bold, like spicy Thai (or Indian) food. It can also stand up to the heaviness (read: grease) of a great bar pie...so go ahead and treat yo self.

Where Can I Find It? For my Oregon friends, this beer is widely available in 16-ounce cans and on-tap throughout the state - but only for a limited time! Click here to see where it's available near you.

What have you been drinking lately?

Three Magnets Brewing Co. | Olympia, Washington

Last weekend, Z and I hopped in the car and headed to Seattle.

Seattle's almost a three-hour drive from Portland, so we made a much-needed pit stop along the way at Three Magnets Brewing in Olympia, Washington.

We've tried several of Three Magnets' beers since we moved to Portland, and we've been big fans of every one of them - so we were excited to finally check out the source.

Three Magnets is setup where you can seat yourself, outside on their medium-sized patio (overlooking apartment building construction - normal stuff in these parts), or inside their bar/lounge area. We opted to stand at the small bar (that had a few stools), as we just drove over an hour and wanted to stretch our legs. The service behind the bar was odd at first - no one could understand why we opted to stand vs. sit, and we waited a solid 10 minutes before anyone even asked us what we wanted to order. Thankfully - and strangely - the service got much better as the night went on (and after we got hungry/a table), but the first impression was not ideal.

Regardless: the beer here is good, and the food was also quite tasty.

For beer, I loved the Little Juice IPA as well as the New Mex Lager - something I would typically never order, but it was delightfully refreshing on a hot night (and paired well with guacamole).

For an appetizer, we got the Nopales and Guacamole ($9), which included lime, cilantro, pickled red onion, tomatillo, queso fresco, and tortilla chips. 

This was some good guac, and all of the toppings worked nicely. The chips were also delightfully sturdy and salty - making them able to stand up to the thick guac and accompaniments.

For my entree, I went with the Grilled Sockeye Salmon Veracruz ($14), which consisted of grape tomatoes, Castelvetrano olives, caperberries, cilantro, lime, aji amarillo crema, and grilled flour tortilla.

The salmon was cooked a fantastic medium-rare, and the accompanying crema and vegetables made this dish really fantastic. The grilled tortilla, however, I found to be an odd choice as a "side." I would have preferred something a little lighter - like rice - to help soak up the sauce.

Overall, we really enjoyed checking out Three Magnets, and the location is a prime pit-stop between Portland and Seattle.

More on our Seattle adventures coming soon!

Beer Friday: Haze by Tree House Brewing Co.

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

Z and I have some awesome friends.

Last week, we hosted two of those friends here in Portland - they flew in from Boston - and they were gracious enough to bring us a whole slew of goodies.

Goodies like Tree House beer. One of my very favorite breweries from the East Coast. 

While all of Tree House's beers are good, I'm focusing on Haze today because that's what I drank on the beach. And it doesn't get any more "summer" then enjoying a good beer by the sand and waves...am I right?

What: Haze by Tree House Brewing Co.

Style: American Double/Imperial IPA

ABV: 8.2%

Tasting Notes: If you're not typically a fan of IPAs (or, Imperial IPAs), this beer might just change your mind. While it definitely packs a hop punch, it is in no way those hop/malt bombs we've all been burned by before. Instead, Haze is a refreshing, hoppy, tropical fruit-forward beer that tastes delightful on a hot summer day. (Let's be honest: it tastes delightful on a freezing cold day, too).

Pairing Suggestion: This beer could stand up to salty (and/or stinky) cheeses, like a sharp cheddar or blue cheese. IPAs always go well with spicy food, too - and for dessert? Carrot cake. Trust me.

Where Can I Find It? Tree House Brewing in Monson, MA! (Even though they're moving eventually). It's worth the short drive from Boston, and it's worth waiting in line for. I promise.

Cheers to the weekend!

Beer Friday: Dialed-In by Trillium Brewing

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

Ah, Trillium. Besides my family and friends out on the East Coast, I miss Trillium the most (although, Tree House is up there, too). Trillium - which just opened a second location in Canton, Massachusetts (complete with a tasting room!) - has their OG location right in Boston's Seaport (next to Row 34, if you're familiar with the area). The Seaport spot is for growler fills and bottle purchases only, but if you want some of their super fresh beers on tap, Row 34 typically has you covered. And when we were in town recently for a wedding, Row 34 is where I got to have this stellar beer on tap.

Here's why you'll want to be sipping on this beer all summer long.

What: Dialed-In by Trillium Brewing

Style: Double IPA

ABV: 8.5%

Tasting Notes: So juicy. So hazy. So refreshing. Sauvignon Blanc juice is added mid-fermentation, giving this beer a crisp, lighter body that's perfect for summer imbibing. Galaxy hops are also in the mix, giving each sip a fresh, juicy mango flavor that makes you eager for every sip. 

Pairing Suggestion: I had this with a lobster roll at Row 34, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Where Can I Find It? Trillium's two locations! Or, if you're lucky, it will be on tap again at Row 34. ;)

What beers do you love sipping on during the summer?

Beer Friday: Juice Box by Great Notion Brewing

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

When Z and I first moved to Portland from the East Coast, we immediately missed our juicy, super fresh IPAs. Tree House and Trillium were our go-tos back home, and the IPAs here in the Pacific Northwest just weren't cutting it (yet...).

Enter: Juice Box by Great Notion Brewing, one of the newest breweries to grace Portland with their brewed magic. (Great Notion also makes an equally juicy beer called Juice Jr., which has a little lower ABV than this here powerhouse).

Here's why this IPA can quench your thirst - and give you a buzz at the same time:

What: Juice Box by Great Notion Brewing, Portland, OR

Style: Double IPA

ABV: 8.2% 

Tasting Notes: So many hops (Juice Box is brewed with over four pounds of hops per barrel) are nicely balanced by the juicy, fruity flavors in each sip - think peaches, mango, apricots, and a teeny bit of citrus. For a double IPA, this brew goes down a little too easy - it honestly tastes like [hoppy] juice!

Pairing Suggestion: Breakfast, obviously - when's a better time for juice? But since an 8.2% beer first thing in the morning can really derail your day, may I also suggest pairing this with fish tacos, or a bomb egg sandwich (which can be had for lunch or dinner, not just breakfast!).

Where Can I Find It? At the brewery only, folks. It's almost always available on tap, and for crowlers to-go, if there's enough left on that day. The taproom's a great casual spot, with food on the premises to boot. (I haven't eaten there yet, but the food always smells delicious).

What have you been sipping on lately? Any beer recommendations I should try?

Beer Friday: Morph by Night Shift Brewing

 On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

Ah, Night Shift. How I miss thee! I remember when these guys first started out - just a few short years ago - and now they're killing it at their large, fun-to-hang-out-at brewery in Everett, Massachusetts. It's so great to see how much they've grown, and how much good beer they're still churning out.

One of my favorites from Night Shift, however, is their Morph IPA. Morph is their rotating IPA series, which means each batch is always a little different - but thankfully not too different from what makes Morph so delicious in the first place.

So, East Coast friends (and those who have East Coast hookups who will send them tasty beer), read on:

What: Morph from Night Shift Brewing in Everett, Mass.

Style: American IPA

ABV: 6.2% (current batch)

Tasting Notes: Super crushable! The current recipe features Simcoe, Citra, Topaz,and Mosaic hops, which helps to give this beer a juicier, brighter, borderline citrusy flavor. Notes of orange, peach, and melon are almost always apparent in Morph, which makes this brew the perfect beer to sip on during these sunny, warmer days.

Pairing Suggestion: The hoppy profile of this beer makes it pair well with spicier dishes, such as Mexican or Indian cuisine. But I also love this alongside a bomb-dot-com sandwich - even though Morph packs a flavor punch, it's still subtle enough to pair with a lot of more complex, flavorful foods.

Where Can I Find It? Morph cans (and draft pours!) are usually available at Night Shift's brewery in Everett (but I would call ahead to make sure it's available that day), as well as a wide variety of stores in Massachusetts (and New England). Here's a map to see where to buy Night Shift's beers near you. 

Cheers!

Beer Friday: Ballast Point Mango Even Keel

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

I definitely drink my fair share of high ABV beers. But sometimes - especially in the warmer months, which will be here oh-so soon - I like to sip on the lighter stuff. I've been a fan of many of Ballast Point's beers for quite some time now, but my current favorite canned beer of their's is definitely the Mango Even Keel. 

What: Mango Even Keel by Ballast Point, San Diego and Temecula, CA

Style: Session IPA

ABV: 3.8%

Tasting Notes: Super light, super easy to drink, and super full of mango flavor - without being overly artificial or too sweet. The juicy mango complements the floral, almost spicy hops well, making this one crushable and tasty IPA.

Pairing Suggestion: Cornhole in the backyard with the grill going! Seriously: this is the perfect outdoor-playing-yard-games-and-grilling brew. But, if you must have a food pairing, a delicate fish (and/or fish tacos) would be delightful, as would a soft, stinky cheese (Ballast Point even recommends Stilton, but a blue or Gorgonzola cheese would also be divine). 

Where Can I Find It? Many places! Mango Even Keel is a year-round beer, so it is widely available. 

What's your favorite warm-weather beer?

Beer Friday: Hopslam Ale by Bell's Brewery

On most Fridays, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers! 

You may know by now that I'm on an IPA kick...and this here IPA is pretty darn delicious.

Bell's Brewery is actually very rarely available in Portland, but they generously swung by last week to drop off a slew of goods at Belmont Station (among other places). Since Bell's is also not available in our home state of Massachusetts either, Z and I jumped on the chance to have some of their beers. And, bonus: a portion of the beers sold at Belmont Station went toward the victims of the Kalamazoo shooting that same week. #awesome

Anyway - here's why this beer rocks: 

What: Hopslam by Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Style: Double IPA

ABV: 10%

Tasting Notes: Grapefruit, a bit of spice, some floral notes on the background, and a ton of hops. This beer is definitely not for those who only kinda-sorta like IPAs. The hop profile is so apparent because it's made by adding six different hop varietals to the brew kettle which is then mixed with a huge dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops. Did I mention it's hoppy?

Pairing Suggestion: As with all IPAs, spicy food would be perfect with this beer. The grapefruit notes and generous hops help cut the heat, while still complementing the flavors of whatever you're eating. I, personally, would love this beer alongside some spicy Indian food.

Where Can I Find It? Here's where to find Hopslam - or any Bell's beer - near you. 

Are you an IPA fan? If yes, what's your favorite IPA?

Beer Friday: Brewery Tour in Eugene, Oregon

In this special edition of #BeerFriday, we're talking about one of Oregon's lesser-known brewery destinations: Eugene!

Z and I drove down to Eugene (about a 2-hour, 10-minute [mostly scenic] drive from Portland) on President's Day. We both had the day off, and the weather was beautiful - sunny and 60+ degrees. We had heard great things about Eugene's beer scene, so it seemed like the perfect day to wander around and check it out.

Immediately upon arriving to Eugene's quaint downtown (it's a college town, so it may not be the quietest), we found public parking - which was free, thanks to the holiday! We parked and walked one block to the hopping shop and restaurant area, and found some familiar Portland haunts: Sizzle Pie and Voodoo Doughnut. Other various local shops and businesses graced the well-kept downtown as well, and although it was small, it was still nice to walk around and explore.

From there, we scouted out our must-visit breweries, which were all a short walk from downtown. Here's where we went, in chronological order:

Falling Sky Brewing

A long, open brewery with plenty of communal picnic tables - inside AND outside - with board games to boot. Playing Connect 4 outside here while drinking an Alpha Acid Rain IPA was my ideal way to kick off our time in Eugene. (Falling Sky also serves food, but we just came for the beer).

Ninkasi Brewing Company

Any brewery with a decor focused on teal, black, and gray (and pulls it off) gets my nod of approval. We spent little time inside, as the large, sunny deck - with a fire pit to boot - had our immediate attention. I'm actually not a huge fan of Ninkasi's widely available brews, but I did really enjoy the Gingersnap Brown Ale. It was definitely reminiscent of a gingersnap cookie, without being overly sweet.

Hop Valley Brewing Co.

Another sunny outdoor patio? Sure, why not? We settled in this spot for another brew and dinner, and I'm glad we did. The Redside Prophet red ale was tasty, especially paired with dangerously delicious Stuffed Garlic Knots and the Mediterranean Panini with spinach, sun dried tomatoes, grilled onions, Feta cheese, basil pesto, and hummus, all on grilled Italian bread. The sandwich was served with housemade chips, and it was the perfect amount of food - along with the knots - to split between the two of us.

Oakshire Public House

The final stop on our self-guided brewery tour was Oakshire Public House. Here, there were so many tap choices that both Z and I decided to go with a flight (inside this time, as the sun was going down and we were getting cold). My sampler consisted of: Citrafonix IPA, Watershed IPA, The Perfect Storm Double IPA, and their Barleywine, from 2014. (Oakshire has more than just IPAs on tap - I'm just on an IPA kick these days!). In all honesty, none of these beers blew me away, but I did enjoy the Barleywine the most (go figure!). Still, this was a fun spot to check out, and I love being able to sample a few different beers when I visit a new-to-me brewery.

Overall, our day in Eugene, Oregon was absolutely delightful (and filling...). Being an easy day trip to Portland, I highly recommend checking it out!

What's your favorite town/city for self-guided brewery tours? In Oregon, or anywhere?

My Current Obsessions

I wrote about my "current obsessions" on my old blog many times, so I've decided to bring it back here! I am definitely one to go through phases when it comes to food, drinks, TV shows, books, exercises, etc. etc. etc. So this My Current Obsessions series will highlight all of the random stuff I am loving lately. Feel free to share in the comments what currently has you obsessed, too.

Here goes!

Breakfast Burritos
I have one almost every single weekday morning. I used to be a cereal and toast gal, but once I started making breakfast burritos at home...everything changed. I'm actually satiated until lunchtime, and I love that I can add whatever veggies, hot sauces, etc. to my morning wrap that I want, so it doesn't get boring. My current go-to: One scrambled egg, crumbled Field Roast Apple Maple Breakfast Sausage, a slice of Havarti cheese, avocado, cilantro, and hot sauce. Amazinggg.

Shameless

Source: http://www.sho.com/sho/shameless

I've talked about this show before, but I have been obsessed with "Shameless" since it began (well, I discovered it in their second season, but back-tracked and watched the entire first season eventually). Anyway, this show is FANTASTIC, and is on Sunday nights on Showtime. It's funny, dramatic, heartfelt, emotional, and hectic all at the same time, with some really real messages woven throughout each episode. It's phenomenal, and William H. Macy plays one perfect addict.

Sticky Hands' Tropical Slam

Block 15 - one of my current favorite Oregon breweries - recently canned this variation of their regular Sticky Hands IPA, and I am seriously obsessed. Like...can't-reach-for-any-other-beer-in-the-fridge-right-now-obsessed. This fruit-forward, almost juicy IPA comes in 16-ounce cans, making it that much more crushable. It's seriously delicious.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Kristen originally tipped me off to this book, and I am so glad I downloaded it (to my first generation Kindle). I've gone through a phase of dud books lately, but this one has finally grasped my attention. I seriously look forward to going to bed every night (even more than usual...) so I can read a few more pages! (Gillian Flynn is also the author of "Gone Girl," among other books).

Portland Coffee

Dragonfly Coffee House

I've always been a coffee fiend. Heck, when I was a teenager, I drank most of the coffee I brewed at Honey Dew Donuts and lived off Coffee Coolattas on my days off. (Super healthy!) But over the years, I've definitely become a bit of a coffee snob...and no java in Portland has yet to disappoint. Some of my favorite local haunts so far are Dragonfly Coffee House (cold brew year-round, which is apparently not a thing here); Barista; and Water Avenue and Portland Roasting Coffee, both of which I've only had in bean form thus far.

What are you currently obsessed with? 

Beer Friday: Alter Ego by Tree House Brewing Co.

Every Friday, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers!

Brewery: Tree House Brewing Co. in Monson, Mass.

What: Alter Ego

ABV: 6.8%

Tasting Notes: A dangerously easy-to-drink American IPA. It is available on tap/for growler fills at the brewery, but I prefer it in a tallboy can, as pictured above. I like my IPAs juicy (ew?), and Tree House always nails that citrusy, thirst-quenching IPA that I crave. This particular brew is similar to their Julius IPA (also fantastic), but is chock-full of Mosaic and Amarillo hops, as well as citrus (Tree House calls it the "Devil Julius"). We crushed quite a few of these as we traveled cross country (not while driving, Mom!), and it was the perfect companion after a long day behind the wheel. (It would also be the perfect beach...hiking...snowboarding companion, too).

Pairing Suggestion: This is best on its own, but as with all IPAs, spicy food is king (this + tacos would be my heaven). But really...I'd pair it with just about anything and be happy.

Where Can I Find It? Tree House Brewing in Monson for cans or growlers; or you might be lucky enough to find it on tap at these few places (scroll to the bottom of the page). Into beer trades? TRADE FOR THIS ONE. You won't be disappointed.

Side Note: For my peeps on the East Coast, it's a beautiful drive to Monson. Pick up some cans at the brewery then head to B.T.'s Smokehouse for BYOB and BBQ. They do have some vegetarian options, too!

Have you ever had Tree House's beer? If so, what do you think? 

Beer Friday: Fresh Squeezed IPA by Deschutes Brewery

Welcome to the first post in our "Beer Friday" series! Every Friday, I'll share a beer I particularly enjoy, and think you might as well. This series will feature beers from all over the U.S. (and when we're lucky, the world). Cheers!

Brewery: Deschutes in Oregon (I reviewed their Portland location on my old blog)

What: Fresh Squeezed IPA

ABV: 6.4%

Tasting Notes: A very easy-drinking IPA. Thanks to the Citra and Mosaic hops used in this brew, it's wonderfully juicy, and the apparent notes of grapefruit only add to its appeal. The mouthfeel is nicely effervescent, and the hop profile is obvious yet not overwhelming. This would be a great IPA for those who don't normally enjoy an overly hoppy brew. It's available year-round, and although it's great from the bottle, it's even better on tap (I had it recently at their Portland location).

Pairing Suggestion: I highly recommend pairing this beer with anything spicy (you can never go wrong with hops and spice), or it would also be fabulous with a nice cheddar cheese.

Where Can I Find It? Deschutes Brewery is located in Bend, Oregon (brewery tour, anyone?) and they have a fantastic brew pub in Portland's Pearl District (Get. The. Pretzel. It's amazing!). Otherwise, you can find where you can purchase a bottle near you here.

Are you an IPA fan? If so, what's your favorite IPA?