Oregon Brewers Festival 2009 beer list & descriptions

It’s getting to be that time when I plan out what beers to try at the Oregon Brewers Festival at the end of July, so it’s handy that they put together a more robust list this year than in previous years. Now the list has name, style, description, ABV, and IBUs. Nice!

Now I wish someone would tell the breweries that we don’t need so many types of IPAs, and that maybe, just maybe, they could bring an interesting specialty beer or two instead of the same stuff they bring every year. If I can buy it in a bottle at New Seasons, do you really need to have that as your OBF entry? I think not.

The Story of Beer: A History Lesson

History of Beer

Check out this great timeline showing the history of beer, with entertaining illustrations and commentary. Maybe the facts aren’t all 100% true, but then again, what about history ever is?

99, 98, 97 Bottles…

Ever wished there was a site where you could easily post beer reviews, read about beers people have tried, and make a list of beer you want to try? Maybe you find Beer Advocate, Rate Beer, or The Full Pint intimidating or frustrating to use? Enter 97 Bottles — currently in private beta — made by the folks at BlueFlavor.

It’s an ambitious project, since there are other beer review sites out there, but this one is geared more toward the “average Joe” reviewer. Some people have complained about having to fill out too much information for reviews, but I’d argue that in order for a review to be helpful there need to be some basic standards for information. Users are prompted to select the beer source, serving type, and even free-form some attributes to help with tagging. Don’t know what “mouthfeel” means? No worries! You can post your review anyway.

I’ve added a few reviews to the site, including some for beers not cataloged in their database, but I just can’t get in to the habit of using the site. The reviews are almost too subjective and “average” as to have no meaning. One person may love every beer made by Leinenkugel, but I know I think they’re all mediocre. The quality of the reviews seems to have a direct correlation to the type of beer. For example, the more rare, Belgian, stout, or exotic a beer is, the better the review might be. More experienced beer drinkers seek out these beers, and the reviews are more detailed. Other times, a relative newbie to craft or specialty beers might post a review that just describes the beer as “pretty good” with no details on why they thought this.

While it’s nice to get a list of all currently reviewed beers sorted by style or brewery, it doesn’t match up to the experience of going to a bottle shop and scanning the shelves for that rare find or favorite malty friend. In a town like Portland with so many fantastic pubs that carry all kinds of specialty beer, I’m more likely to follow a pub on Twitter and read about their latest tap list, or mosey over to a favorite brewpub and try something new. I know others aren’t this lucky, so I’d be curious to see if 97 Bottles has more value or interest for people who don’t live in Beervana.

And I think that is why I forget to use the site; it doesn’t match the experience I want to have when I’m seeking out new beers. I don’t really care what other people may think of it, the joy is in the hunt for something new and trying it without knowing what you might be about to drink. If I want to write about a beer, I do it here. If I want to tell more people about that beer, I’ll do it in person or on Twitter.

If you’re curious to find out about 97 Bottles for yourself, let me know. I’ve got a few private beta invites left and would be happy to share them. I know the team at BlueFlavor is looking for feedback on the site!

A new generation of woman brewers hailed by LA Times

It comes as no surprise to me that more ladies are brewing these days — either at home or professionally — but it’s great to see the LA Times covering the rennaissance in woman brewers. Also note the reference to Portland’s Lucky Lab and Imbibe magazine. Beervana we are!

It’s nice to see more people moving beyond the idea that beer is for boys, especially when it comes to brewing. Brew on, ladies!

Hops springs eternal

Finally, my hops is putting on some flowers! I already had to slay a bunch of the vines because the darn thing was taking over the garden. So far there aren’t a TON of cones coming, but it’s not bad. It looks like the hops season will be 2-4 weeks behind usual on account of the weird weather we’ve had this spring and summer. It didn’t stop plant growth, but certainly inhibited flowering. My guess is that I can harvest the cones in mid-September, at which point I may try making a green-hopped beer.

Have hops but don’t know what kind? Check out this photo-list from the Oregon Hop Commission! Yep, I’ve got Willamette even though the friend that gave them to me thought they were Cascade. I love that we have our own hops commission in Oregon. What a perfect place to live!