The following notes vary in quality and comprehensiveness. Some beers I merely took two sips, while others lingered in my presence for a half pint. Since I simply jotted down impressions without much thought, I refrained from passing objective (scored) judgment on the beers. In fact, the only beer at the festival which I took comprehensive notes on was the Tabernash Weiss. I figured that it would be downhill following that experience, so I had a decidedly relaxed and enjoyable time for the remainder of the fest.
Beer: Ball Park Brown
Brewer: Breckenridge Brewery; Breckenridge, CO
Notes: nutty. light-brown. (deep, huh?)
Beer: Anniversary IPA
Brewer: Bridgeport Brewing Co.; Portland, OR
Notes: a shade too malty. nice nose. not enough alpha.
Beer: IPA
Brewer: Full Sail Brewing Co.; Hood River, OR
Notes: light-gold. hoppy nose. aggressive, stick-to-yer-ribs
bitterness, which lingers. nice balancing maltiness, not too much.
Beer: James Page Burly Brown Ale
Brewer: James Page Brewing Co.; Minneapolis, MN
Notes: neither burly nor brown.
Beer: Ice Axe IPA
Brewer: Mt. Hood Brewing Co.; Government Camp, OR
Notes: nice hoppy, malty nose. good hop flavor, nice bitterness in
finish. copper color, excellent lacework. lack of maltiness in flavor makes
beer somewhat insipid.
Beer: Pacific Beach IPA
Brewer: Pacific Beach Brewhouse; San Diego, CA
Notes: nice nose! good hop flavor.
Beer: Baderbrau Pilsener
Brewer: Pavichevich Brewing Co.; Elmhurst, IL
Notes: quoting the brewer's description: "This pilsener is made from
malted barley and Beta-Saaz hops." A query for you: what is a "Beta-Saaz"
hop? I have to admit, I was quite relieved to learn that Baderbrau was brewed
with real malted barley. At any rate, my notes: good nose but insipid flavor.
no body. watery hop flavor. assumption is domestic 2-row as base, and it
shows.
Beer: Rogue Grand (Dopple) Mogul
Brewer: Rogue Brewery; Newport, OR
Notes: Bitter!
Beer: Texas Cowboy
Brewer: Texas Brewing Co.; Dallas, TX
Notes: self described: "This vienna is made from Pale 2-Row,
Crystal, Black Patent malts; Cascade hops." That sure doesn't look like a
recipe for any Vienna that I have experienced. Patent and Cascade???
At any rate, my notes: Black Patent in finish. is this really an amber lager?
Beer: 3-Grain Special Ale
Brewer: West Seattle Brewing Co.; Seattle, WA
Notes: rye bite -- almost. acidic flavor. lactic? mediocre at
best.
Beer: Kolsch
Brewer: Widmer Brewing; Portland, OR
Notes: right color and body. way too hoppy! hoppy nose, flavor!
wrong! bittering hops dominate finish. this aint a kolsch, folks. Maybe
a Portlsch?
Well, that's it.
David Brockington, Seattle, USA