Northwest Brew News
April, 1999BridgePort Expands Pub
The BridgePort Brewing Company of Portland began a $700,000 expansion of its pub in mid-January. Located adjacent to the brewery in the city's historic Pearl district, the pub will be enlarged upstairs from the current capacity of 75 to 250 people. It will continue to be used as an event venue and for private rentals. A new stairway will be added for secondary access upstairs from the main floor , and additional changes will be made to the popular retail shop/outdoor dock area as well. BridgePort plans to complete the project by mid-June.
Rock Bottom Opens in Bellevue Galleria
The newest Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery opened at the Bellevue Galleria shopping center in Bellevue, WA, on March 8. The 11,000 square foot facility will seat over 400 people on two levels inside and at an outdoor patio. Head Brewmaster Josh Dalton has a 10-barrel brewhouse and will produce a variety of ales at the site.
Paul Scott is New Head Brewer at Flying Pig
Former assistant brewer Paul Scott has become head brewer at Flying Pig after the recent departure of Tom Munoz. According to co-owner Joel Starr, beer sales at the Pig have grown 30-40% in the last year, and the brewery plans to begin distributing its draught beer off premise in 1999.
Firkin Tuesdays
at BridgePort
Portland's BridgePort, which has trademarked the name "firkin" for its cask-or bottle-conditioned ales, has now introduced "Firkin Tuesdays" at the brewery. Every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. , BridgePort brewers will tap a firkin for direct (gravity-only) dispense. The will also be available to answer customer questions. For more information, call the brewery at (503) 241-7179.
MacTarnahan's To
Sponsor Promotions with Portland Trailblazers
Portland Brewing Company has announced a sponsorship agreement with the Portland Trailblazers of the National Basketball Association for three home games this season - February 20, March 19, and April 3. Brewery patriarch Mac MacTarnahan will hide in the crowd while the Blazers announced asks "where's Mac?" Cameras will scan the audience until he is found, after which he will distribute prizes to fans in his section. After the game, fans will be invited to meet Mac at half-time at Havannah's bar for autographs and conversation.
MacTarnahan, namesake of the brewery's Scottish Amber Ale, has won more than 50 World Master gold medals in wrestling, steeplechase, and distance running.
Harmon Brewpub Introduces Mt. Rainier Centennial Beers
Tacoma's Harmon Pub & Brewery has announced the introduction of a series of commemorative ales to celebrate this year's centennial of Mt. Rainier National Park. According to Pat Nagel, managing partner of the brewpub, seven different ales will be produced throught the spring, summer, and fall. They will include Cowlitz Cream Ale, Pinnacle Peak Pale Ale, Gibraltar Rock Bock, Sunrise Session Ale, and Summit Honey Wheat. A portion of the proceeds of beer sales will be donated to the Rainier National Park Fund. For more information, call (253)-BREW.
Rogue Adds B&B (Bed & Beer) in Newport
Visitors to the Rogue Ales Public House in Newport, OR can now spend the night. Apartments above the pub on Newport's historic working bayfront are now available for rent nightly or weekly. They once belonged to the legendary Mo Niemi of Mo's Restaurants, who built the Front and Case Street building and rented it to Rogue originally because she "always wanted to live above a tavern." The apartments include TV, VCR, fully equipped kitchens, and a washer and dryer. Pub fare and 22 different Rogue ales are available downstairs. According to Rogue, the bathrooms have a collection of soaps, shampoos, and lotions "borrowed from fine hotels all over the world." For reservations at Rogue's Bed & Beer call (541) 265-3188.
Oregon Homebrew Festival Competition Set for May 22
The Heart of the Valley Homebrewers of Corvallis, OR will present their 17th annual homebrew festival at the Benton County fairgrounds in Corvallis on Saturday, May 22. This year's homebrew competition is a qualifying event for the Masters Championship of Amateur Brewing (MCAB II), with the finals to be held in St; Louis in 2000. The AHA / BJCP sanctioned event will include the judging of entries in all 28 recognized styles of beer, mead, and cider. Entry fee is $5 per 3-bottle entry for the first 3 entries, $4 per additional entry. The deadlione is 5 p.m. Monday, May 17. For further information contact Lys Buck, competition organizer at (541) 928-3531 or yoone@ucs,orst.edu or Herky Gottfried, registrar at (541)757-8009 (herkyg@cv.hp.com). Particpants may enter online at: http://www.mtsw. com/hotv/fest.html
New Brew Releases
Full Sail Mercator Doppelbock - the third in a series of Brewer's Reserves from Full Sail. First bottled at Hood River on February 2 (1200 cases only). Limited availablity also on draught. Full-bodied, rich, and very strong (7.8% a.b.v.) Made with nine different malts, German and Styrian Golding hops. Brewed on August 25, 1998 and lagered for five months at the brewery.
Maritime Pacific May Bock - a rich and densely malty, strong lager balanced with Hallertau hops. To be released by May 1.
Skagit River Dutch Gold - a special bottling of the brewery's Kolsch-style ale with a commemorative label for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in April
Freunden Helles Bock - a deep golden, strong German style Bockbier available at all McMenamins Pubs and Breweries through May. 5.4-5.6% alcohol by weight.
Portland Brewing Thunderhead Stout - a black brew that is fruity rather than overly roasty with some hop aroma and plenty of hop bitterness in the finish (more thunder than cream)
Tapps Paradise IPA - a Northwest-style IPA with a nice floral hop nose and a strong fruity/citrusy hop bitterness. Available on draught this spring in the Puget Sound area.
Snoqualmie Falls Spring Fever - a strong Belgian ale made with Belgian and British malts and Czech Saaz hops and well spiced with coriander.Orange in color, 7% a.b.v. Available in Seattle-area alehouses.
