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

Victory Brewing Baltic Thunder Porter is mahogany brown in color with a creamy, medium-to-light tan head. This beer has aromas of mocha, roasted almonds and toffee; on the palate there are notes of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg followed by chocolate toffee on the finish. Imported German two row and roasted malts with European whole flower hops. 8.5% ABV and 5.99/22 oz. bottle

Carlton Cyderworks has just released its newest cider, the Duke. This English-style cider is brewed with blueberries. The color is slightly pink with floral notes and subtle hints of bosc pear, and finishes dry. Pairs well with pork, sausage or cheeses. 7.99/16.9 oz. bottle.

Russian River Brewing Pliny the Elder is here, but only one case. Short supply issues, but we’re happy to get some. Come quickly!

Our tasting schedule this week:
• Friday, June 18, 4-6 p.m. – Carlton Cyderworks will be here to pour their Citizen and Duke ciders.
• Saturday, June 19, 5-7 p.m. – Artisanal Wine Cellars will be here to pour their Pinot blanc, Viognier and Pinot noir
• Sunday, June 20, 5-7 p.m. – Try Penner-Ash Roseo and J.K. Carriere Glass 

Brewdog Tokio Intergalatic Fantastic Imperial Stout (although we got it in last week), I finally tasted this big brew. Not a wimpy beer by any means. The cranberries and jasmine were noticeable but subtle; I expect they will come out as the beer ages. There were notes of coffee and chocolate intertwined with the floral notes from the jasmine and hops. The cranberries came out in the finish, but more notes of red berries seemed to show through. This beer will continue to age over the next five plus years. Comes in at 18.2% ABV and available for 12.49/11.2 oz. bottle. 

 

The latest beer to be bottled from Oakshire Brewing: Line Dry Rye Ale, a pale rye ale brewed with honey. The beer is golden amber in color and starts out with an aroma of sweet hops and rye. On the palate the flavors open into sweet caramel malt with notes of toffee followed by subtle notes of honey. The finish is dry with moderate hops. 5.3% ABV, 35 IBU and retails for 4.49/22 oz. bottle. 

 

Weekend Tastings

• Friday, June 4, from 4-6 p.m. – Monika will be pouring a selection of German wines.
• Saturday, June 5, from 5-7 p.m. – Taste Rogue John John Juniper Pale Ale.
• Sunday, June 6, from 5-7 p.m. – Try Peirano Estate Vineyards The Immortal Zin.

Oakshire Brewing Amber Ale has a sweet bright nose, floral and citrus hops balance out the butterscotch and caramel from the malts. The finish is dry, full and rounded with a touch of nuttiness, 24 IBU, 5.4% ABV. $3.99/22 oz. bottle.

Hopworks Rise-Up NW Red ale is dark amber in color and full in flavor. This is not a wimpy Red Ale; the hops used are Cascade and Centennial which gives the beer floral and citrus notes.  The malt balances the hops, rounding out the finish with notes of caramel and a bit of roasted nuttiness.  60 IBU 5.8% ABV. $5.19/22 oz. bottle.

Our tasting schedule this week:
• Friday, May 21, from 5-7 p.m. – Todd from Hop Valley Brewery will be pouring their IPA Imperial Red and Cream Ale

• Saturday, May 22, from 5-7 p.m. – Joseph from Bacchus will be pouring Norman Zinfandel, Les Traverses de Fontaines, and Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc

• Sunday, May 23, from 5-7 p.m. – Mas de Daumas Gassac Rosé and Blanc