The Mirror Pond. The inspiration for one of the NW's faves. (photo: jjandames)

I love Deschutes. There is no debating their consistent grasp on NW beer consumers’ hearts. There is no debating my love for all they do, from their incredibly adventurous beer, to their NW-esque graphics, to their amazing pubs in PDX and Bend. Well now they are making short films to promote their beer – and its kicking up the beer nerd chatter.

Alan McLeod is an excellent beer blogger. If you don’t already follow his “A Good Beer Blog” – do it. His blog is a worthwhile read, written by someone who is not afraid to speak his mind. While I disagree with him, a lot of the time, I still appreciate his willingness to not pander to brewers and outwardly like everything, as most beer bloggers do. We try our best, but unfortunately Timperial’s iron-clad pallet finds something to like in almost everything. Damn you, Tim.

So today, Alan posted some comments on a new short film/commercial that Deschutes decided to launch about, um, well, I guess their beer? From the objective point of view, you might think it’s a love story, a road trip adventure or a think-piece of self-exploration.  What we know is that they gratuitously toss in some sideboob around the mid-point, so beware those of you watching at work.

Alan seems disappointed in this rugged NW brewery – one that he very much enjoys. His comments find the video over the top, “creepy” and even “uncomfortable.” What ensues is a long back and forth between Alan and a number of other beer bloggers from around the country, trying to decide if this was a good idea.

I get it. It’s weird and a bit too emotional to try and capture a love story to promote a NW beer.  But I like it. I also think it’s a good decision for Deschutes.

Why not be unconventional and why not show something passionate about your beer? I too believe that beer is more powerful than a mere intoxicant. It brings people together and it creates careers and life passions. If the thing represents more than a buzz, why not celebrate that through a representative video? I think that Deschutes shot from the hip, and hit a winner. But this is only a minor part of what I like.

The coolest part of this video is the story behind the beer. The great minds at Deschutes don’t name their beer something clever, they celebrate the great, almost surreal, world around Bend, Oregon. Black Butte, Green Lakes, Mirror Pond, the twilight at Smith Rock, the inversion at South Sisters and the obsidian stone found at Newberry Crater. Having recently visited Bend, I can vouch for its uncanny incomparable character. The world around this small town is otherwordly, and certainly invoking of an existential experience.

I’m not the most touchy-feely guy out there, but I appreciate the Deschutes naming trend. In a beer world where Arrogant Bastard, Hopslam, Dark Lord, Pliny the Elder and a bunch of other creative and clever names do the marketing, Deschutes finds its inspiration organically. And its hard to promote that. Faced with being captured by a beer named after a small pond in downtown Bend or the czar of the underworld, you probably steer clear of subtlety. But Deschutes has not wavered, and in fact it put some considerable time and effort into creating a video that shows you the inspiring world that crafted their message. I dig that. I bet you do as well.

So, take a gander and let me know. I’m all ears about this approach. Who knows, it could be some good research for the Blotter’s future brewing operation (its happening).

Video is below. NOTE: if you don’t see it right away, wait a few minutes. If you wait and nothing – click link below it.

Deschutes Landmarks from NORTH on Vimeo.

The tulip glass gains a greater meaning

Enjoyed on 12/31/2011

Brewery: Southampton Publick House

Location: Southampton, NY

Beer: Saison

Web: http://www.southamptonpublickhouse.com/Home.aspx

Presentation: 750 ml brown bottle, corked and caged.

ABV: 8.2%

Hops: N/A

Malt: N/A

Adjuncts: Lavender, Chamomile, Calendula, Rose Hips

From the Web:

Cuvèe des Fleurs roughly translates to “batch of the flowers”. This most distinctive ale is flavored with a variety of edible flowers. Aromatic and medicinal flowers such as Lavender, Chamomile, Calendula, Rose Hips and Hops (they’re flowers too!) are added to this special brew to impart a distinct aroma and flavor.

Beer Advocate: 91 (4.2)

Rate Beer: 99 (3.8)

Music Accompaniment: Pulse Emitter – Meditative Music

Timperial’s Notes:

Background.

When I lived back East I always had a deep respect for the ales of Southampton.  I think their saison was one of the very first that I deeply enjoyed.  When I started this column and planned to ask my sister to send me some East Coast saisons, Southampton’s was the first one I thought of.  Apparently I wasn’t specific enough with my request and this is what I received.  I didn’t even know this existed.  From what I gather, this “mistake” is going to be even better than that which I was seeking.

It also seems worth noting that I have felt stricken with a case of writers block lately.  Not necessarily in the traditional sense that I couldn’t find word but just that I haven’t been happy with those I’ve found.  One thing that I have always know about myself is that I have above average social chameleon abilities.  One such example is that when surrounded by stimulating, inspirational conversation/writings, I seem to adapt accordingly and, suddenly, I find myself not only speaking but thinking with greater intelligence.  Of course, that’s subjective, but my own judgement is often all I have.  With this in mind, I began to reread a book that is most inspirational to me.  I’ve quickly felt its effects.  May you be the judge.

Appearance.

After some muscle went into popping the cork I feared my jostling could spawn a gusher but there was little signs of life in the bottle once the air was introduced.  On the pour, again, the liveliness was minimal, but a pure white head did present itself on a medium pour.  The hue below the froth holds a most pleasant, soothing, hazy yellow-orange.  It gains a bit of clarity in direct light but looks most cloudy on the table, like a clairvoyant image of a hazed sunrise through a crystal ball.

Bubbles rise at a rate that seems disjointed given the head’s subtleties, but it makes the sight all the more magical and life filled.  Lacing is most minimal, and even a heavy swirling leaves only a splotch or two on the glass.

Odor.

You think the odor of this beer is relevant?  Flowers added?  Good gracious!  I don’t even know where to begin.  Maybe at flowers – there’s some here to be wafted.  A mighty zephyr of petaled perfume has virtually punched me with Spring rites.  I’ve gained entrance to the secret garden and the winds seem to be bellowed from the blossoms themselves.  I’m a slow-motion humming bird with beak probing this glassen tulip I hold…yeah, it sprouts poetry from me. I’m almost brought to tears.

To speak in beer review adjectives seems daunting.  What do I sense other than fantasy?  Mundane “floral” description withdrawn, we really must get creative.  Bubble gum is present, which is familiar enough to pose as yeast derivative.  Herbal tea thoughts spin me to jasmine, chamomile, rose hips…but only as association.  I can’t specifically place any of them.  I get a note of honeydew, maybe even honeysuckle, and no stretch to honeymoon with flower strewn upon bed spread.

There’s an underlying spiciness that is likely an agent of the most common flower within, that of lupulin.  From those holy cones does too come some earth and citrus.  Every new inhale wields its own initiation of wonderment.  There’s some sweet malt in there too.  I sense Pilsner, possibly Aromatic.  A bread like permeation, twisted up with garden gifts, peaks this radiating meditation to rosemary loaf or sage leaf sourdough.  And…incense, like aura of used record store peddling Marley posters and Joplin t-shirts.

Flavor.

Cuvee is surprisingly sweet.  It’s a nice change of pace, and who knows, maybe the brewer’s determined that the floral elements became too overwhelming in arid climates, dried to a more concentrated version of themselves.  That which blooms in the nose is not so easily tasted, and thus the yeast and hops regain primary dominance.  It’s decidedly spicy with a lot of white pepper present.  Still, herbal tea is not out of the mind by any stretch, which is also reassured with bearing on the near stillness of the fluid, or, lack of carbonation.  Despite a deficiency in tongue prickle, the fluid’s body remains bold with sugar density.

Booze is not a silent attribute but it’s easily over-looked with the cacophony of flavor/aroma elements.  I’m feeling it and flavor inspiration is surely striking attrition to writing sense.  Be it the ultimate downfall of combining my loves.

Aftertaste.

Post swallow, the coating sweetness tends to linger and satisfy.  Only the intensely unique flavors beg for another sip.  There is a faint bitterness present, but it’s mostly smooth malts and soft florals.  It’s almost like what the lasting aftertaste of a traditional British tea time with Earl Grey and lemon scones may be.  Wow, yeah that kind of strikes a chord.  You’ve got the citrus, herbs and earth that the tea brings coupled with the sweet, doughy maltiness and added citrus element of the lemon accent.  It’s distinguished.  A treat meant for royalty.

Summary.

I feel strongly that this beer is going to end up changing my life in some small but significant way.  The farmhouse ale brewed with farmhouse flowers.  I now know how beautifully it works.  My future brewery will make a unique version of this beer.  It’ll be estate grown.  It’ll be of the earth about the brewery.  It’ll be delicious, distinguished, and fit for royalty.

I raise my glass to 2012!

Shall we rendezvous on the board walk? Yes, we shall.

Enjoyed on 12/23/2011

Brewery: Left Coast Brewing Co. ||| Lakefront Brewery

Location: LCB – San Clemente, CA ||| LB – Milwaukee, WI

Beer: LCB – Saison ||| LB – Biere De Garde

Web: http://www.leftcoastbrewing.com/  |||  http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/

Presentation: LCB – 22 oz brown bottle, capped ||| LB – 22 oz brown bottle, capped

ABV: LCB – 7.8% ||| LB – 7.2%

Hops: LCB  – Tettnanger, Mt. Hood ||| LB – Saaz, Mt. Hood

Malt: LCB – Some percentage of wheat, otherwise unknown ||| LB – 2-row, Munich, otherwise unknown

Adjuncts: LCB – Bitter orange peel ||| LB – N/A

From the Web:

LCB – There is nothing like summer, and no better way to celebrate than with an ice cold Board Walk Saison. The Saison yeast strain provides this beer with a pleasant citrus aroma. Our addition of bitter orange peel at the end of the boil gives it just the right hint of orange and a slight bitterness. Wheat malt balances out all of the flavors keeping this beer silky smooth.

Can’t you picture yourself enjoying a Board Walk at the end of the board walk? Cheers!

|||

LB – A Biere De Garde—literally, “a beer to keep”—is a style conceived in the hills of Northern France. This traditional farmhouse ale is brewed with a special French ale yeast, giving it a subtle, yet delightful ester fruitiness. Ample amounts of 2-row malt give Rendezvous a luscious, full body. Generous amounts of Munich malts are added for additional sweetness and give Rendezvous an impassioned red hue. Saaz and Mt. Hood hops are added for a mild bitterness and clean finish. Robust, smooth, and surprisingly refreshing, the effect on your palate is an intense, fleeting episode: a rendezvous.

Beer Advocate: N/A (3.71) ||| LB – 84 (3.71)

Rate Beer: LCB – 58 (3.11) ||| LB – 70 (3.19)

Music Accompaniment: Earth – Live

Timperial’s Notes:

Background.

I’ve collected a long list of saisons in preparation for this column.  This is problematic for me because I have very little time to write these days, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, and I want to write about them all, but saisons don’t keep very well.  This presents quite a predicament.  A quandary indeed.  Solution: tackle two at once and find the god damned time Tim!  Let’s hope that working 6 days a week at a brewery and a homebrew shop has made me a more educated writer.  Thanks for bearing with me/us.

I’d also like to take this time to briefly send endless props and respect to DSR.  Not only is he a proud 1/3 of Beer Blotter but he is my best friend and future business partner.  I sit here telling you that I’m crazy “busy” after posting my first article in over a month and he, with his newborn and his own multiple entrepreneurial duties, finds time to keep BB out of complete hibernation in my stead.  Next time you see him, if you know him, hug him.  I plan to (as he is currently in NYC as our Facebook indicates).

Appearance.

LCB -Pours a clear amberish gold color topped with a pure white, fluffy head.  Bubbles rise rapidly and keep the head in tact for some time.  The clarity is really a sight to see.  Some minimal lacing is left on the glass.

|||

LB – Pours a slightly cloudy red color that was very much not expected.  The head is off white and is sizable on the pour but settles to nothing but a ring where the beer, glass and air all meet.  No lacing is found.

Odor.

LCB – This beer smells much better than a 54 on rate beer would ever suggest.  It’s fantastic actually.  So complex in it’s esters and phenols.  For being a super clear beer, I’m amazed at how yeasty it smells.  There is a chemically type of heat coming off the top that reminds me of smelling beer right out of the fermenter.  I do not think that I would have picked out the fact that orange peel was added to this.  There is surely some fruitiness, but I get mostly spice in the nose.  It almost smells like caraway.  I’d suspect that the brewers allowed this to ferment on the low end of the yeast’s temperature range to pull phenols and balance the bitter orange.  It works exquisitely.  There is also a faint tartness that makes for a mighty authentic saison nose.

|||

LB – This beer does not smell like a saison in any way.  I guess that’s because it isn’t, technically, a saison.  A biere de garde is the saison of France, or the farmhouse beer of France, but if you read the BJCP style guideline, like I literally just did, this beer fits in very well.  It’s surprisingly malt forward with huge notes of Munich malt imbued biscuit flavors.  There is a distinct fruit quality to it that inspires thoughts of plum flesh.  If you told me this was an amber ale I’d say it was one of the best I’d ever smelled.

Flavor.

LCB – There is something about the flavor here that really reminds me of a starchy, under-ripe banana mixed with a tart, spicy guava or passion fruit.  The spices and fruits of the nose are equally present on the tongue, but it’s slightly easier to hash them out with the use of a second receptor source.  There’s a tartness that stimulates the back corners of the mouth, but it’s still subtle in the grand scheme of things.  The spice tastes more of white pepper than the aforementioned caraway.  There is an appropriate bitterness and it’s effect adds one more level of pull on the tongue, which is really asked to work overtime here.  This is an exercise that reminds me, yet again, how much I love saisons.

|||

LB – Is this a German amber lager?  I’m so confused right now.  OK, yes, it’s evident that this isn’t a normal, clean lagered beer.  It has yeasty nuances, but it’s challenging to really appreciate them in light of that other beer I’m drinking right now.  Honestly, this beer is a really nice change of pace.  I can’t say I’ve had anything like this in the recent past.  It’s exciting that it’s make in America’s Heartland.  Respect!  But oh, the flavor…it’s quite rich is a very toasted malt fashion.  There is some light caramelization that I can’t quite pinpoint the source of.  Possibly crystal malt, possibly melanoidin, possibly heavy boiling, possibly just an ass load of Munich.  I also can’t decide if that fruitiness is a yeast derivative or just a byproduct of the above malts.  Did they do a pure decoction?  Good lord I feel like I need to take a class.  Maybe I need a venture to Milwaukee.

Aftertaste.

LCB -This brew finished with a long lingering spice and a dryness that is all too familiar.  Well after the swallow, the flavor remains with very little degradation.  Highly impressive.

|||

LB – The overall richness of this beer allows for an aftertaste in stark contrast to the saison.  The malt flavors are unchanged and linger.  The mouth waters with sugarlust.  It’s like the sweet crusty exterior of a bran loaf.  Grain is in center stage and it’s shining in the spotlight.

Summary.

LCB -This is an excellent example of the style in my opinion.  The yeast is a work horse.  The added orange peel may be non-traditional but it just adds a balance and is in no way outlandish.  The color, clarity, ester and phenol production, dry finish…all pieces to the saison puzzle.  I want more.

|||

LB – I must admit, I was thrown off by this beer.  It is not at all what I expected – which is amazing!  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it, it’s just that I expected these two beers to be much more similar than they are.  Here, the yeast is very much not the workhorse.  The malts, or the mashing, or however the hell this beer is brewed is what defines it.  I can’t help but respect the brewers.

Alchemy.

As an added experiment, in light of my double fisting, I’ve decided to blend the two and see what sinister concoction remains after the smoke clears.  50/50.  Surprisingly, the lighter Board Walk’s yeast juggernaut stands up to the malt stronghold of Rendezvous.  Somehow, the combination allows for alcohol to rush out in retreat, as though the abv was not averaged but summed.  There is a slight smokiness (coincidence) that must be phenol meets biscuit.  The finish becomes insanely smooth – almost a perfect middle ground between the two.  The appearance is a fucking mess with a dank haze and a very unattractive hue, but I’d be OK drinking this blindly, before the smoke cleared.

Get a taste of whats in these amazing bottles tonight at the Beer Junction!

Tonight, don’t miss your chance to get a sip of Sound Brewery’s best and brightest. Seattle’s (actually Poulsbo, WA) bright young star – and the brewing home of a BeerBlotter.com writer – will showcase five of its best ales at West Seattle’s Beer Junction this evening!

Around a year ago, Sound Brewery popped on the scene with a short line of Belgian style ales. While the early releases were indeed intriguing, we were blown away once Tripel Entendre, Monk’s Indiscretion and Humulo Nimbus hit the taps. Now, Sound is garnering attention from national beer publications.

Last month, Sound announced that they would begin bottling their beers. If you have yet to see the packaging, take a look at the early promos above in the image. With a sleek wrap-around design and cap  strips, these are some of the best looking bottles on the market. Beer Junction will have a bunch of these in stock for tonight’s tasting, so be sure and snag a few for your cellar.

This brewery was so exciting that it beckoned BeerBlotter.com writer Tim Gormley. Tim is now happily brewing with the Sound team and will be on hand tonight to discuss Sound beer and help promote one of Seattle’s fastest-growing brands.

The Beer Junction will be pouring Humulo Nimbus Double IPA, Monk’s Indiscretion Belgian-style Strong Ale, Tripel Entendre, Dubbel Entendre, and Koperen Ketel Belgian-style Pale Ale from 5:00-8:00 PM. There is a $4 tasting fee and the last call for alcohol will be at 7:45.

We hope to see you all there – though we hope you save some bottles for us!

Been busy making beer - like this Rauchbier that made our turkey even better.

Alright, alright. Let me apologize for our noted absence. For the past 15 days we have failed to make a single post. Yep, not one. We recognize this displays extreme apathy and want to apologize. Don’t give up on us!

What have we been doing? Baby raising, holiday gorging, business traveling, vacationing to see families, and planning a move. But, we have also taken the time to build the Blotter. We are currently developing an iPhone/iPad Application with some local developers (and buddies of the Blotter) and brewing up a storm of beers for some near events. Oh yeah – and the Beer Blotter shirts. Look for those being worn by the cool kids.

We have also been finalizing a retooling of this site, which will begin focusing more on intense examination of beer, breweries and watering holes – and less on the current events (Hey, you have Kendall and Geoff for those things). We have found that our readers really love Timperial’s incredible journeys through beer – and we will bring more of that in the future.

But lets forgive and forget. For tonight is BIG WOOD!  Thats rights, Brouwers Cafe kicks off their “who knows” annual festival of wood-aged brew. Personally, this is my favorite event of the year. A few years back I had an organic viagra experience when I met Fred From the Wood (i recognize that just sounds gross).  I cannot wait to embark on a new journey through the barrel this afternoon.

So, the doors open at 11 AM today. I expect there to be a pretty sizable crowd by mid-afternoon. This is especially true after seeing this remarkable listing of beer!! Check out the whole list by following this link.

A few suggestions for those of you in need:

Alpine Beer Co Imperial Porter in Bourbon Barrel — What the hell? How do they have this? I have become accustomed to seeing Alpine and thinking Eastern Washington. But this is from my favorite San Diego brewer, Alpine Beer Co. Get this, you won’t see them in Seattle again (probably).

Double Mountain Wooden Nipple — I love Wood-Aged Trippels. They are remarkably flavorful and have a rich butterscotch flavor that beckons you.

Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout — This was all the rage last year, and is sure to be again. It kicked in about an hour.

Glacier Makers Eisbock — Um, whats not to like about an Alaskan brewer with a massive beer, aged in Makers Mark barrels.

Hair of the Dog Fred Flanders &  Michael — 2008 Alan Sprints specials will not last long. Primary reason that I will be there early

New Belgium Love in Wood — Perhaps the best base beer on earth. I haven’t had it for awhile, but Love serves as the basis for a lot of NB’s great sour beers.

Elysian Perseus Lost Sour — Here is my local pick. I presume this is a batch of their porter that got infected and came out good. Ill give it a shot.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=alpine%20imperial%20porter&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ratebeer.com%2Fbeer%2Falpine-beer-company-token-bourbon-barrel-aged-imperial-porter%2F153593%2F&ei=bvfgTubfK6_KiQKTt4SMDw&usg=AFQjCNEawDD-Hh7xkqSsQoJ4qcrMujVXdQ&sig2=jXMSL5fibKFGZCGxzdt-OA