Samuel Adams Infinium, a collaboration between Samuel Adams and Weihenstephan, the Bavarian State Brewery. Barley, Hops, Water, and Yeast. Dry hopped with Bavarian Nobel hops. Bottle conditioned at 10.3 ABV. $19.99/25.4oz.

Firestone Walker Double Jack Double IPA, Premium Two Row, Munich, and Simpsons Light Crystal Malts. Bittering: Warrior, Columbus Hops; Late kettle, Cascade and Centennial; Dry Hops, Amarillo, Cascade, Centinnial, and Simcoe. 9,5% ABV.$7.69/22oz.

Three Creeks Brewery Hoodoo Voodoo IPA, Sisters, Oregon. New kid on the block. 6.2%ABV, 82IBU’s. Golden, light, attractive lacing after a brief but full head of foam. Very hoppy on the nose and in the mouth. Pine and malt. Refreshing bitter finish. $4.29/22oz.

Our tastings this week:

• Friday, Feb. 4, 4 p.m. – Wines of the Loire, JP Baron Rouge, Raymond Morin Rouge, Cédrik Bartin Sancerre Blanc.

• Saturday, Feb. 5^, 5 p.m. – Laurelwood Brewery.

• Sunday, Feb. 6, 5 p.m. – Maipe Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec 2009.

In the Beer cellar this week, several new arrivals have created a stir. From Bridgeport, the Kingpin Double Red is triple hopped using locally grown Liberty hops. Frothy head that disappears rapidly leaving minimal lacing. Red ochre in the glass. Malty, Lightly sweet with very floral hoppiness. Bridgeport Café Negro Coffee Infused Porter: Black in the glass with a frothy head that disappears rapidly. Light lacing. Nice elaboration of mocha espresso in the mouth with a dry, clean body and finish. $7.29/6-pack plus deposit for these.

From the ‘Ghost of the Ardennes,’ I pulled out a well-aged cache of Brasserie Fantôme Black Ghost from the ‘09 vintage. 8% ABV, bottle-conditioned Belgian strong ale brewed with soy. $11.99/25.4 oz plus deposit. Brewer Danny Pignon has changed the formula for this beer over the years, but will not reveal all the ingredients that go into the final kettle.

Also on tap the winter seasonal from Brasserie Dupont Avec les Bons Voeux is a Belgian Golden Ale at 9.5% ABV. Refermentation, as with the Fantôme, is in the bottle and results in a beer that is age worthy and holds its bubbles nicely without the addition of gas. Unfiltered, again this is a brew that is not for those who fear cloudiness and stuff floating around in the glass. A santé! $10.99/25.4oz. plus deposit.

In the beer cellar this week, we have several new arrivals:

Captured by Porches Brewing Co. is located in St. Helens and is a family owned company that started as a homebrewing club (OLCC take note). Their beers are unfined and unfiltered thus exhibiting cloudiness in the glass.

Invasive Species IPA: Pale gold and cloudy in the glass with good lacing and nice creamy foam that recedes slowly. Piney on the nose with notes of spice. Medium body in the mouth with pine nuts, cardamom and hints of barley. $4.99+dep / 25.5oz. reusable swing top bottle.

From 21st Amendment, Back in Black is an American-style IPA. 65IBU’s, dark malts, Columbus, centennial and Simcoe hops make for a rich, dark drinking experience. $8.49/6pk +dep 12oz cans.

Beer Tastings:

• Friday, July 23 from 2-4:30 p.m. – Silver Moon Brewing, Bend.

Ninkazi Maiden the Shade – A delightfully light pale ale with 72IBU’s and seven different hop varieties. Hoppy with pine  on the front and a light malty underpinning. $5.49/22oz.

Weekend Tastings:
• Friday, July 9, 5-7 p.m. – Joseph with Bacchus Fine Wines will be pouring Goldwater Sauvingnon Blanc 2008 and Angeline Pinot Noir 2008
• Saturday, July 10, 5-7 p.m. – Eugene City Brewery will be here – join us!
• Sunday, July 11, 5-7 p.m. – Enjoy a tasting from Cliff Creek Winery