I've told
this story often.
While attending a business conference a couple years back, I met a group
of people from St. Louis. As we introduced ourselves in the hotel pub
I couldn't help but notice they all were clutching their hometown macro
beer.
After a
few minutes, I suggested to one in the group that she try something different.
I went to the bar and asked the bartender to pour a small taste of an
Oregon beer from his tap.
He quickly
obliged, handing the small glass with a knowing smile as if he in on my
plan.
The woman
accepted my offer, suspiciously looking at the contents. She puzzled over
the golden, hazy liquid for a moment before raising the glass.
She sipped.
Paused. Sipped again. Then she smiled.
"What is
this?" she asked with one part surprise and two parts pleasure.
"It's an
unfiltered wheat beer from Portland," I answered. "It's a Hefeweisen by
Widmer Brothers."
She looked
to the bartender who had observed the taste test from his post. She gestured
and received a pint - with lemon - all her own. The previously ordered
bottle of beer from the self-proclaimed king if beers remained untouched
on the table.
I recount
this event to emphasize a point. Oregon microbrews will surprise you.
They're not like those watered down drinks from the national brewing heavyweights.
Oregon's beers are carefully crafted as if the brewmaster's name is on
each bottle.
In many
cases, in fact, that's true. The name's on the bottle.
New Oregon
Beer Section Debuts Today
With that introduction, I'm pleased to announce a
new beer section debuts today on Oregon.com. We want everyone to know
about the wonders of Oregon's more than 60 microbreweries - from the regional
breweries such as Widmer Brothers and Bridgeport to smaller operations
like Golden Valley Brewery in McMinnville and Standing Stone Brewing in
Ashland.
No matter
the size of the business, each brewery takes great care while working
with Oregon's freshest ingredients.
I still
remember my introduction to microbrews, sitting down to a sampler tray
to taste a little amber ale, a little IPA (India Pale Ale) and even a
little stout. I liked many and didn't care for a couple. Still, I quickly
discovered the passion behind Oregon beers.
Please take a moment to check out our newest information. Learn more
about Oregon's obsession with beer,
how to introduce yourself to Oregon
beer and even see a quick list of
our favorite beer terms. It's all written by Spence Lack, our new
beer expert. Spence is a former professional chef who knows his way around
food and drink.>
Then visit
us again in the weeks and months to come as we continue to add new information
to the section.
It's
Brewfest Season
Oregonians
don't simply make and drink beer. We celebrate it. Each year communities
host beer festivals. Here's a list of some upcoming brewfests. To learn
more about brew festivals not yet listen on our calendar, please
e-mail me.
March
11-12 - Suds on the Slopes at Mt. Hood Skibowl, Government Camp, 503-819-0712
March 25-26 - Spring Brew & Wine Fest, 11th annual event at the
Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland,
503-238-3770
April 16 - Oregon East Symphony's Red, White and Brew at the Red
Lion Hotel, Pendleton, 800-547-8911
Aug. 13 - Bronze, Blues and Brews Festival in Enterprise, 541-426-4622
Aug.
27 - 5th annual Brats, Brews and Blues Festival in Klamath Falls,
541-884-3129
For the latest calendar of brew festivals
and related events, see our beer page.
