Category: Other Beers

Last time I was up north in Bellingham, I picked up a few bottles of the local IPAs and splurged on a bottle of Pike’s Old Bawdy 2006 (a barleywine). Last night I cracked the bottle open, poured it in to a glass, took a tiny sip, then set it behind me, out of range of my daughter’s grabby hands. A few seconds later, while filming her new mobility, I backed up and knocked the whole glass over. You can even tell the precise moment because you can hear me say start to curse, but stop myself in the film.

There was another tiny sip left in the glass, but it was otherwise a tragedy. Barley (the dog) spent the next several minutes licking the site of the spill (after we toweled it up), so I suppose it wasn’t a loss for everyone.

This weekend I heard from a grower about 3 new hop varieties we’ll see in the next year or two. Sadly, the details were obscure, but it sounds like Sierra Nevada will be one of the first brewing with the “Bravo” hop. Another talked about the success of of their Summits, which are now being used in Widmer’s W’07. Quite tasty.

Michelle and I attended the Velvet Oatmeal Porter and Mountain Rescue Fundraise at Lucky Lab last night with some of the other folks in my Geography department. It was the first time we’d been to the Quimby beer hall, which has some charm to it, though the same poor accoustics of the other 2 pubs. We couldn’t really spend any time inside because it was so packed, and it took roughly 30 minutes to order a beer. The Oatmeal porter was ok, but I also got a pint of the Triple Threat IPA, which was quite good. Looks like a good collection of sandwiches too, but the wait was too long.

Joe and I decided it would be better to venture out together than stay at it alone during the stitch & bitch, so we decided to hit up Alameda for a pint or two. Joe hadn’t been there yet, and I hadn’t been there for nearly two years. Alameda makes some fine beers, and I for one, like the danish modern feel. Sadly, 45 minute wait’s worth of other people thought it was a good idea too. Given the option of floating outside Alameda on a slightly chilly night and the proposition of cramming in to the waiting area with young parents and grandparents, we decided to venture elsewhere.

The obvious choice was the Amnesia/5th Quadrant region, based on the assumption that Laurelwood would be similarly packed. Neither of us wanted to get smokey, so Moon & Sixpence and the HB were out. Rose and Raindrop was gone, and both Widmer and Produce Row would probably already be packed. Blue Monk might suffer the same, and we’d already been to everything in the Hawthorne area, so w settled on Oaks Bottom Pub, a place neither of us had been. The lengthy drive down gave us time to realize the other opportunities, but we didn’t want to cross the river and the Broadway/Weidler offerings weren’t calling us. Oh, and County Cork (maybe) and Philadelphia’s (pass).

that’s a lot of places.

We arrived at about 8 p.m. and were surprised to find a line of folks waiting for places. As it turns out, we got in to one of those time bubbles because prior to our arrival, and subsequent to our seating, there wasn’t much of a wait. Still, we signed in and sipped a beer while waiting for a seat. The place has the feel of a neighborhood pub unless you look too closely. Copper foil and painted green tiles present well, but still come up a little short.

The nice thing about the waiting ramp is that you get a chance to enjoy a beer and chat with strangers if only briefly while taking in the scene and letting the day’s stress fall away. When you get your seat, you’re ready to really enjoy that next pint. Oaks Bottom has some great beers on tap, and 3+ Lompoc beers never hurt anyone. Joe and I talked life, beer, work, wives, and enjoyed ourselves. The atmosphere is appropriate for that. While the closeness of everyone can make for some noise, there’s enough space that you’re able to convey your point through it.

One interesting demographic was the average age of the patrons. I’m a used to Concordia, Laurelwood, Kennedy and 5th Quadrant, which is the 25-35 crowd. Oaks Bottom was largely the 35-60 crowd. Probably more a reflection of the neighborhood, but that’s what a pub ought to be. All in all, a nice place with great beer and wise service.

We were almost run down by a gang of 15 year old girls on our way in, so you best look out for them.

My friend Steph brought these cans back from the midwest. They were brewed “especially” for Andy’s Crossroads Liquors in Rochester, Minnesota by August Schell Brewing. I wonder what drinking beer from a steel can is like.

The OLCC has dictated that minors will not be allowed on premises during this year’s Oregon Brewers Festival. After 20 years, it’s hard to know what prompted the change, but it’s a little disappointing that I won’t be able to take my shorty, now that I actually have one to put that orange “I am a minor” sticker on.

I don’t really have a strong opinion on this, but I was kind of looking forward to drinking a lot of beer with friends and having Ella keep me in the free tokens. Yes, I expect that by 11.8 months of age, she’ll be an accomplished pickpocket.