Beer Friday: PM Dawn by Trillium Brewing Company

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! 

Since we moved home, I've been drinking basically nothing but Trillium (and Bissell Brothers...) beers. I have been a huge fan of Trillium since they entered the Boston beer space a few years ago, and I've been very eager to visit their second brewery - with full pours and all! - in Canton, Massachusetts (they opened it when we were living in Oregon). 

On Thanksgiving weekend, my opportunity to check out their new spot came - and boy am I glad it did. Canton is only about a 40-minute drive from Boston, and Trillium's new space is fantastic. The large, open setting was crowded on this Saturday afternoon, but lines moved swiftly (and, smartly, Trillium has a separate line for cans, etc. to-go and one for pours and/or bottles to be consumed on-site).

I usually opt for Trillium's hoppy beers, but after a few of those, I decided to try their latest batch of PM Dawn as well. And good god, it was delicious. Here's why:

What: PM Dawn by Trillium Brewing Company

Style: American stout

ABV: 9%

Tasting Notes: Freshly roasted coffee beans (they infuse this brew with their neighbors', Barrington Coffee Roasters', cold brew), smooth vanilla, rich cocoa, and a hint of peanut butter makes this beer delightfully sweet - but balanced out nicely with some necessary bitterness from the coffee. The mouthfeel is also silky smooth, making this 9% stout go down a bit too easy. 

Pairing Suggestion: I'm drooling over the thought of pairing this with a piece of chocolate cake, but if sweets aren't your thing, I love pairing good coffee stouts with brunch, too.

Where Can I Find It? Both Trillium locations in Fort Point and Canton currently have PM Dawn available in 22-ounce bottles or growlers, but it also can be found on tap at the Canton location, when available (their Fort Point location only sells bottles, cans, and growlers to-go - no pours on-site).

Have you had any great beers lately?

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?

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: Hallelujah Hopricot by Reverend Nat's Hard Cider

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're switching gears this week from beer...to cider! And we're talking about one of the best cideries here in good ol' PDX (in my humble opinion).

I've only been to Rev Nat's a handful of times - although I've enjoyed their bottled ciders several times as well - and every time I visit, they always have a wide, unique variety of ciders available. Not usually being a cider person myself (they tend to be too sweet and artifical-tasting for me), I love how Rev Nat's ciders are always crisp, not too sweet, and super spot-on in terms of flavor.

Last weekend, we visited their taproom again and I ordered this year-round gem that's even more ideal for summertime imbibing. (Note: Many of Rev Nat's taproom ciders rotate regularly, but this one is always available).

What: Hallelujah Hopricot by Rev Nat's

Style: Hard Cider

ABV: 6.7%

Tasting Notes: Cascade and Amarillo hops give this cider the dry, hoppy qualities it needs to help balance out the sweetness of the apricot juice and heirloom apples. I loved how crisp, refreshing, and not artificially sweet this cider is, while still letting the apricot notes be the star of the show. I can see why it's one of Rev Nat's best-sellers!

Pairing Suggestion: A huge bonus is that Rev Nat's has Sizzle Pie available at their taproom! But, if you're not hanging out there and just want a bottle to share at home (yes, Hallelujah Hopricot is also available in bottles) I recommend pairing this with a cheese plate. The subtle spice from the hops and sweetness from the fruit would make any cheese pairing that much more epic. 

Where Can I Find It? At Rev Nat's - on tap, in bottles, and/or growlers to-go! Their taproom is located at 1813 NE 2nd Avenue in Portland. However, you can also find bottles at a slew of local gourmet or specialty foods markets in Oregon, Washington, and Southern California. (You may also have luck if you live in Idaho, Hawaii, British Columbia, or Tokyo, Japan. True story). I'd just recommend calling your local shops to see if they carry Rev Nat's ciders.

Are you a cider fan? What's one of your favorites?

Beer Friday: Passion Fruit Kicker by Green Flash

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'm usually not a fruit-flavored beer person. In order for me to like a "fruity beer," it usually has to be sour, or a super juicy IPA with just a hint of fruit. But a wheat ale brewed with fruit, or fruit juice? That really has to be good in order for me to like it.

And this here beer is one such wheat ale that my palate enjoyed. And, quite, frankly, it just might be what I sip on as the hot weather rolls in for good here in Portland (but it's also available just about everywhere - read on!).

What: Passion Fruit Kicker by Green Flash

Style: Wheat Ale

ABV: 5.5%

Tasting Notes: Passion fruit juice meets a subtle hint of iced tea, while the evident malts and barely helped to balance out the fruit's sweetness. At 5.5% ABV + a light, crisp, refreshing mouthfeel, this was also dangerously easy to sip on in the sun.

Pairing Suggestion: This beer packs a passion fruit punch, so I'd pair it with more "basic" food - such as happy hour snacks (pretzels, popcorn, French fries, as we did). If you're looking for a more hearty meal to pair alongside this, I'd stick with a big ol' green salad, or a simple halibut dish. (Really, any dish that isn't wildly spicy or has a lot of competing flavors, as this beer has a lot of flavor all on its own).

Where Can I Find It? Green Flash's Passion Fruit Kicker is widely available. Check out this map to see where you can try it near you!

Are you a fruit-flavored beer person?

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: The Kimmie, The Yink, and The Holy Gose by Anderson Valley

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! 

Happy [almost] Memorial Day weekend! As you raise a glass this weekend, may I recommend this easy sipper that's perfect for any summertime celebration - but seemed most fitting to share at the unofficial start of the summer season!

What: The Kimmie, The Yink, & The Holy Gose by Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Style: Gose

ABV: 4.2%

Tasting Notes: The evident sea salt and touch of coriander (two flavors that should always be found in gose-style beers) are balanced out beautifully with notes of peach and citrus. The combination of flavors is interesting at first (salty! slightly sweet!), leaving you longing for each bright, bubbly sip.

Pairing Suggestion: Goses go very well with oysters, so find some fresh ones this weekend and get shuckin'!  

Where Can I Find It? This beer is widely available - click here to find it near you. (Side note: Anderson Valley's website says this gose is only available July-August, but I've already seen it around these parts (and it typically lasts on the shelves for much longer after August).

What will you be sipping on this weekend?

Happy Memorial Day! And a giant thank you to all of the service men, women, and their families. 

Beer Friday: Cucumber Crush by 10 Barrel 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! 

Let's just say the word "crush" in this beer's title is an understatement. This here beer tastes like dang seltzer...in a very good, crushable way.

Z and I first had this at 10 Barrel Brewing's Portland pub (right around the corner from us) and loved it, so when it came out in cans, we were stoked. And it just happened to come out in cans right when the weather was getting to a record-breaking (for Portland) 90+ degrees.Good timing, 10 Barrel. Good timing.

What: Cucumber Crush by 10 Barrel Brewing, Portland and Bend, Oregon & Boise, Idaho

Style: Berliner Weisse

ABV: 5% 

Tasting Notes: Fresh, juicy cucumber without the vinegar-y, too-much-like-pickles taste. It's basically like drinking a bubbly cucumber water with a subtle background of fresh-tasting hops and a little citrus. At only 5%, it's perfectly acceptable to crush several of these on a hot summer day.

Pairing Suggestion: Cookouts! Lawn games! A mid-bike ride refreshment! Really, this beer possesses enough flavor to stand up on its own, but I'd also kill to pair it with a grilled [veggie] burger right now.

Where Can I Find It? It's available on tap right now at their three locations. In cans, it's available at a ton of places right here in Portland - I'd list them out for you, but it would take a large amount of time. I'd suggest just calling your local grocery store/beer store and confirming they have it before trekking over. Chances are, they will!

What's your favorite "crushable" beer?

Beer Friday: The San Francisco [Area] Edition

Oh, San Francisco. How I love thee! (Although my bank account begs to differ...).

Last week, Z and I traveled to San Francisco (first time since our honeymoon in 2013!) for work...and plenty of play. Heading to SF anytime soon? Here's where to grab a great beer.

Fieldwork Brewing Company, 1160 6th St., Berkeley, CA

The first stop on our unofficial beer tour provided a great first experience with this new-to-me brewery, which just opened in February of last year. The beers were fresh and solid, and their simple yet quality menu provided us with some delicious (and much-needed) after-travel fuel. (Get either the Kale and Mushroom or Curry Vegetable pasties!).

Beer to try right now: Salted Cucumber. Trust me. We went home with a crowler!

City Beer Store, 1168 Folsom St., #101, San Francisco, CA 

Great bottle/take-home selection, solid beers on tap, and a very friendly - and knowledgeable - staff to boot. They also have a few tables and light snacks, so you can stay and enjoy a few draft brews before taking your loot home.

Cellarmaker Brewing Company, 1150 Howard St., San Francisco, CA

Easily one of my favorites of the trip! Cellarmaker was a new-to-us stop, and it did not disappoint.

Besides all of the beers we tried being clearly fresh, well-made, and dangerously delicious, the atmosphere at Cellarmaker was also on-point. Although the tasting room is small - and busy! - we were able to find a barrel and stools to sit on while we relaxed and sipped on our brews. 

Beers to try right now: Mo'Simcoe IPA (pictured) or Sabrosa Mexican Chocolate Porter.

Sante Adairius Rustic Ales, 103 Kennedy Dr., Capitola, CA

A little over an hour and a half drive from San Francisco, Sante Adairius is worth the trip. The open, casual setting gets loads of natural sunlight, and has a plethora of games to boot (Connect Four, anyone?). The story behind their beers and brewing process is also quite impressive - you can read more about that here. 

Beer to try right now: Doble Lúpulo, double IPA brewed for Lupulo's second anniversary. 

Toronado, 547 Haight St, San Francisco, CA

The staff at Toronado may be infamous for their less-than-pleasant attitudes, but if you can get past their abrasiveness, Toronado is a must-visit for any beer lover. The setting itself is nothing special, which, in my opinion, only adds to this place's shtick, but the impressive beers on tap (and in bottles)

will have you forgetting about that - and the service - in no time. 

Mikkeller Bar, 34 Mason St, San Francisco, CA

We first checked out Mikkeller Bar on our honeymoon, only days after it opened. Three years later, we were eager to revisit - and we're so glad we did. The beer list is lengthy, featuring plenty of Mikkeller and guest taps (as well as bottles), and the food menu is quite impressive. (Get the Cauliflower Tempura, $13 - served with farro risotto, asparagus, tomato, snow pea leaves, and pesto).

Beer to try right now: Mexas Ranger, brewed with spices, almond milk, cocoa, chile, black beans, and avocado leaves. (Sounds weird, but I swear it's tasty!).

Monk's Kettle, 3141 16th St,, San Francisco, CA

I love this bar. Again, we first visited on our honeymoon, and this was high on my to-revisit list for this trip. Monk's Kettle is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch (the food's great!), but we just came here this time for a brew. Their draft beer and bottle list is lengthy and varied, and the staff is quick to greet you with a smile. It's a great spot to sit at the bar (or one of their window-side booths) and sip on a good beer.

Beer to try right now: We stopped in on Cinco de Mayo, so I had the just-tapped Taco Hands, a collaboration brew between Cellarmaker and Tired Hands. It was brewed with tortilla chips, cilantro, lime, etc. - and it was surprisingly delicious, without at all tasting like a taco (thank god). It tasted more like a juicy, hoppy IPA - my favorite!

Where have you had a great beer lately? 

Beer Friday: Parabola 2016 by Firestone Walker

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! 

OK, I get it: Spring's here, summer's coming, and stouts are so last winter. But, that is so not the case. Stouts gets a bad rap for being seasonal brews - but they're available year-round for a reason, my friends.

Enter this newly released Parabola from Firestone Walker. Parabola comes out once a year, and like many stouts, it's best if aged for a bit (6 months-1 year, I'd say) before consuming. However, it's also great right off the shelves, which is how we enjoyed this year's concoction.

What: Parabola 2016 by Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Paso Robles, California

Style: Russian Imperial Stout

ABV: 13.1% (seriously)

Tasting Notes: Parabola is aged for a year in a blend of bourbon barrels - including Elijah Craig, Four Roses, Pappy Van Winkle, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace - giving it a boozy, bourbon flavor that's a little extra apparent in this new bottle (again, aging should help mellow this out a teeny bit). The rich, bitter chocolate and sweet vanilla notes help to cut the alcohol nicely, while the mouthfeel is wonderfully silky - albeit a bit thin.

Pairing Suggestion: This beer is hefty, so it really doesn't need to be paired with anything. However, given the ABV, I'd highly recommend having a satiating snack or meal before sipping on it. ;)

Where Can I Find It? Parabola bottles are usually easy to find, but it's a seasonal release, so I wouldn't wait too long to try and snag a bottle. Drafts are also available from time to time at select bars, but they are much more limited. To see where you can find a bottle near you, check out Firestone's beer finder. 

Do you drink stouts year-round? Or are you more of a seasonal stout drinker? 

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?