Haggen’s, the local “Ralphs” or “Vons” of Clackmas Oregon, has an enormous selection of beers for honestly, super ridiculous prices. I bought a Moonshine looking jug of Dead Guy Ale (consequently for a friend of mine who had a birthday while I was gone and enjoys being a part of “Rogue Nation”) for cheaper than a six pack of the same stuff. I bought 6 different beers so I could get a 10% discount, much like the wine/hard alcohol discounts they give out at Ralphs and such anyway. Plus Skull Splitter was supposed to be a 5 dollar beer, because it wouldn’t ring right, I got it for 2 bucks or so—and that’s TAX FREE I might add. All in all my trip to Haggan to buy 1 giant thing of Rogue, Naz Dravei, Pale horse, Boss Beer, Skull Splitter, and Celebrator only cost me about…20 bucks or so. No sales tax, which makes Oregon a wonderful state. The other great thing about Oregon is the "Northwest Brewery News" paper that they put out every couple months. In September there's going to be a "Biketobeerfest" in Portland, which touts itself as the World's Largest Bike in Beerfestival. Oh yeah, I will be there. In July, there's the Oregon Brewers Fest, in Tom MacCall waterfront park. I expect to make it to that too, but who knows.
Now I did also manage to visit a brewery while I was out there called “Fearless” brewing where my cousin’s husband had entered a contest and was consequently judging the affair as well. I’ve learned that I’m not quite into IPA anymore, although perhaps it was just their particular IPA that I didn’t fancy. However, their Scottish Ale is to die for. If you go, don’t even drink a sampler; don’t even look at the menu. Order the Beer Battered Onion Rings and a Pint of the Scottish Ale. Now my cousin-in-law did not win anything, well unless you count the raffle, which was basically won by the guys who bought half the roll of tickets. He walked away with some malt, hops, glasses, ah yes---and a giant Miller Lite poster. Yes, I shit you not, they were raffling off that at a Homebrew competition. I have photographic evidence.
Now my cousin-in-law’s beer was placed into a category that it probably shouldn’t have been in, since it received no awards or special mention. My father advised him to put more beer in more categories and to enter more contests. Which, let me tell you something about this homebrewer who’s married to my lovely cousin. He brews the greatest and finest beer, I think, than half the big “microbreweries” I’ve tried. When I went on my road trip, our standards of what beer should be were set by what this man had given to myself and my cousin from Ireland. We think his beer is great, we like it a lot, and I think he should keg it for me so I have a personal stash (hint hint wink wink).
The beer I bought at Haggen was pretty decent, I’ll give you some notes on what I selected and I recommend you try them.
Celebrator: Came with a cute little charm on it, import beer, Bavarian it tastes salty sweet--my aunt mentioned it had an aftertaste of Umami, I thought it was soy saucey. Ayinger Brewery double boch. It smelled sort of salty and was a dark nutty brown. 6.7% ABV. I'd drink it again. From Germany.
Pale Horse Export Stout:
SUPER BLACK. Thick, syrupy, smokey, comparable to Old Rasputin Stout. Salty scent. Salty on the tongue, good head retention, not strong or bitter like other stouts. Probably better a little bit warmer. From Oregon.
Naz Dravei: Czech style Pilsner with a golden color and a wheaty smell. Pilsner taste comes through strong but leaves a mild aftertaste. Makes a great summer thirst quenching beer! From Oregon.
Boss Beer: Wheaty tasting, bitter aftertaste. Crisp. Golden yellow. Tastes similar to Baltika no. 9 (see Baltika's review) but without the "shitty aftertaste". From Poland. Also a Pilsner.
Skull Splitter: Amber color. Figgy smelling, spicy, warm, with a strong thick taste that's rough--similar to a peaty scotch. Taste goes into velvet smooth finish and lingers on the tongue. From Orkney Islands.
Now after I returned home from my adventures in Oregon, I bought some very fancy beer. Le Merle is a Saison put out by Northcoast brewing, which while not being one of my favorites--when mixed with waffle batter, honey, and vanilla...makes damn good waffles. I also bought something I'd never seen or heard before, but apparently is damn hard to obtain (oops) called Cuvee Van De Keizer Blauw...which consequently...I didn't drink but added to waffles...
Cuvee De Keizer is an import, while also extremely expensive (12 bucks a bottle anyone?) and having a whooping 11% ABV. I have no idea what it tasted like, just that it made damn good waffles too.
Basically, take ready made waffle mix, sub beer (use about 12 ounces of beer or 1 bottle) for milk/water. Add 2 tablespoons honey and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Pam up your waffle maker and make those bitches. I stole the recipe off the internet from some cooking thing, although they recommended using self rising flour and such. It's a 5 star rated deal, so I figured I'd print it out. The link to it is at the bottom of this page.
Now I don't know when I'll find time to write again, considering I have a new potential business starting up soon, and no it has nothing to do with beer. Again people, if you recommend a product to me via email or comment. I will buy it and I will try it.
Have fun makin those beer Waffles...
Beer Batter Waffle!
