A Big Week in Beer!
January is typically a slow(er) time around here in the craft beer world, but apparently that’s no longer the case! There’s quite a bit going on, with two southeast Portland establishments even holding two separate “weeks”: Belmont Station’s Bigger, Badder, Blacker Week and Cascade Barrel House’s Scottish Week.
Here’s what Belmont Station says about B3 Week:
We turn the taps to thick, dark, extreme brews for one cold week. Expect limited beers from Barley Brown’s, Great Divide, Lagunitas, Deschutes, Full Sail, Hebrew, Emelisse, Brewdog, Evil Twin, Mikkeller, Block 15, and more.
Bigger Badder, Blacker Highlights:
Monday January 23: We Begin the Descent into Darkness at 3PM with two amazing beers from Barley Brown’s, possibly the last we’ll have that were brewed by Shawn Kelso, the 13 (dark strong ale) and Turmoil CDA. Plus Mikkeller Tequila Barrel aged Black Hole alongside Peated Whisky Barrel aged Black Hole, Laurelwood Moose & Squirrel Imperial Stout, New Belgium Clutch (sour stout), and Deschutes Black Butte XXI.
Wednesday January 25: Full Sail Barrel-aged night. Brewmaster John Harris will tap 3 Barrel-aged beers: Top Sail Imperial Porter 2010, Black Gold Imperial Stout 2011, and the brand new Top Sail 2012. This is a special preview of the 2012 Top Sail before it’s offically released in February, so don’t miss it!
Friday January 27 Fort George Stout Night: As a prelude to this Astoria Brewer’s Stout Month in February they will debut four of the best here: Maker’s Mark Barrel-aged Cavatica, Spank (Pepper) Stout, Mexican Chocolate Stout, and Squashed Stout (with Butternut Squash).
And here’s the info for Cascade Barrel House’s Scottish Week (just in time for Robert Burns’ birthday, appropriately enough):
Join us for Mc Shagger Strong Scotch, a seasonal offering from the brewers designed to cut the chill and warm from within. Sweet malts with hints of chocolate and smoked peat greet you in the nose. Dark malts and hints of molasses and chocolate on the palate lead to a creamy finish with notes of peat and whiskey (7.9% ABV, $5 teardrop);
Lil’ Bo Peat, a peated Scotch blonde that features light sweet malts and grains that greet you in the nose. Soft grasses and grains lend a creaminess to the palate that leads to a light, sweet crisp finish with notes of hop spice (5.6% ABV, $4.5 Imperial pint);
Black Sheep Stout, an easy drinking stout designed to shepherd you at any time on your beer journey, be that breakfast, lunch or supper. Sweet chocolate and roasted malts greet you in the nose. Smooth round notes of coffee and roasted barley on the palate lead to a creamy dark malt finish with a slight spiced hop bite that lingers like fog in the Highlands (5.8% ABV, $4.5 Imperial pint); and
Scottish IPA, an off-kilter seasonal from the brewers that’s a showcase for Calypso, Citra and Sorachi Ace hops. Dark citrus, hop spice and caramel malts greet you in the nose. Light peppery notes and a slight hop burn on the palate lead to a lingering hop presence that leaves you wanting more, much like a bagpiper’s last note (6.8 % ABV, $4.50 Imperial pint).
In keeping with the theme, tomorrow’s Tap It Tuesday at 6 pm is Soured Mc Shagger, a Northwest style sour Scottish ale that was barrel aged for 12 months in French oak. Smoke, peat and caramel malts greet you in the nose. Rich dark caramel, dark breads, peat and a hint of smoke on the palate are followed by a sweet dark candy finish that ends with a crisp dryness that lends itself to another sip for further contemplation (8.9% ABV, $6.50 glass).
Chef Troy has created some delicious specials for this week to pair with our Scottish beers, including: Lamb Shepherd’s Pie featuring braised lamb, celery, onion, carrot, mushroom, peas & corn in a rich red wine sauce and topped with creamy mashed potatoes ($5.5); Scottish Egg Deconstructed – breaded pork sausage topped with a barrel-brined hard boiled egg, whole grain mustard hollandaise & sweet roasted beet relish ($4.5); and Mixed Berry Irish Cream Trifle, a layered individual dessert with Irish cream-soaked pound cake, vanilla custard, tart mixed berry jelly & whipped cream ($4). Soup of the week is Chicken Leek. We’ll also be offering white & dark chocolate nibs for $1.
Go forth and drink good beer!
Posted by Lisa Morrison on January 23, 2012
