Lucky Labrador Barleywine fest

The Lucky Lab Barleywine fest was today. It was held at the NW Lucky Lab location on NW Quinby. As is my norm for brewfests, I showed up as they opened (noon). Over the next 5 plus hours I samples 28 different brews. I'm not about to mention them all, but here are a few highlights:

--Roots 2006 Oak Aged Epic Ale: Great nose. It was quite sweet, almost too sweet, I wouldn't be able to drink this regularly or in large amounts. 6.5/10

--Caldera Russian Imperial Stout: The nose on this beer was amazing and complex. The flavor was the similar. 9/10

--Golden Valley Barrel Aged Black Panther: Similar to the Caldera, but not quite as good flavor. 8.5/10

--BJ's Barrel Aged Imperial Stout: Sweeter than the Caldera and Golden Valley, and an slightly odd nose. 7/10

--Widmer KGB Imperial Stout: very little nose, the initial taste is a bit sour with a nice coffee after taste. Not as good as the other stouts I have mentioned, but typical Widmer beer, solid and flavorful, but nothing outstanding. 8/10

--Tuck's Glutius Maximus: Complex, nutty nose. Somewhat sweet flavor, reminded me of New Belgum's Abbey. 7/10

Beer:


The Fest at the NW Lucky Lab location


Beer:

Hillsdale Brewfest!

I spent 6 hours today at the McMenamins Hillsdale Brewfest, also known at the Battle of the Belt. Every year McMenamins brewers from all over the Kingdom compete against each other for the honor of providing the McMenamins beer for the Oregon Brewers Festival the following summer.

Past winners were:
1995: Old Bushwacker Barley Wine - Bart Hance - Westlinn
1996: Chewbaccan Strout - Mike Hougan - Lighthouse
1997: Brahmamama Pale - Clay P. Riley - LSD
1998: Jabba the Porter - Jon Greene -Hillsdale
1999: Reincarnation Pale - A. Collins & C. Culla - Crystal Brewery
2000: Armadillo IPA - Vince Howell - Highland
2001: Beltfester Lager - B. Hance & A. Gonzalez - CPR Brewery
2002: Stronghold Imperial Stout - Jason McAdam - Hillsdale
2003: Hoot to the head - Organic Oatmeal Stout - Greg Balch - Hillsdale
2004: Big Bully - Organic IPA - Greg Balch - Hillsdale
2005: Royal Oil Oatmeal Stout - Mike White - Fulton
2006: White Lighting Whiskey Stout - T. Proctor & B. Riely - Concordia
2007: No Mas Lento IPA - Chris Haslett - Fulton


There wer 20 different brews, ranging from fantastic, to ones I could barely get down (but hey, beer is beer).

Although I don't really like IPAs I am hoping that an IPA wins theis year. that brew is Rose City 'Til I DiePA, a brewed by a fellow TA.

Some pictures:
First 10 brews:


Sectons 10 brews:


The belts:


Obi also did some live blogging : http://hesaidwhatagain.blogspot.com/2008/02/strange-brew-live.html

Edit:
The Winner will be anounced at 4pm at the Back Stage Bar at the Bagdad Theater and Pub, on Wednesday Feburary 12. I plan to be there and will post the results.