Bend Brewfest.

The annual beer festival, 51 breweries (including cider) brought 100+ beers as wells as "X-Taps" for special kegs of special beers. It was 98 degrees and full of great beer loving people. List of beers sampled. Big Sky -Moose Drool always good Boneyard Beers- Diablo Rojo - a great beer, terrible warm Brew Werks Brewing -Audacious Amber- spoke with the brewer and owner (i like when they are there to talk up there beer). it was good. Crux Fermentation Project -Hefeweizen - a good European style hefe. Elysian Brewing -Night Owl Pumpkin - a great pumpkin and spiced ale Fort George - Hellcat, a jalapeno beer Gilgamesh Brewing- Vader, a dark cascadian, pretending it is not a coffee stout Lost Coast - Tangerine Wheat - my favorite and it was so cold it was great. Oakshire - Overcast Espresso Stout- good beer, but not as good as the VADER Pelican - Kiwanda Cream Ale- good beer, but too warm Stone Brewing - Stone Smoked Porter- a beer I don't generally like, I actually enjoyed the keg form. 21ST. Amendment - Hell or High Watermelon- i have had this beer in can and disliked it, but in the kegs it was good, the flavor was what i expected Vertigo Brewing - Apricot Cream- a good beer with good fruit flavor and refreshing. Wasatch Beer- Squatters Imperial - a 10% beast, which knocked me sense less. And last but not least Dog Grog. A non-alcoholic beverage made for dogs, with spent grains from the brewing process. I had a taste (why give something weird to your dog, before you what it is?) and the dogs loved it (later)

Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout from Anderson Valley in a can. I usually buy it in 22 oz, but can't always find it. I saw it at the store in cans and decided to try it. It was a rich dark odor. It smelled smooth and rich, with no bite and a great flavor. I enjoyed the beer, bummed I bought the 6 pack and went back for more, only to find they don't stock it any more. I recommend it.

Kolsch-10 Barrel

Found a new 10 Barrel 22 oz. The Kolsch was a good made beer, with a sweet hop smell. It was light and thin, but compared to other Kolsch it was not crisp and leaned towards an IPA. Still a good beer though and recommended.

Monk's Blood

Made by 21 st Amendment Brewing-billed as Belgian Style ale with cinnamon, vanilla, oak and figs. I thought I was not going to like it with figs and being a Belgian Style, but it came together very well, especially with the 8.3% alcohol. It was a great beer, even in a can. All the flavors came through appropriately. I would recommend it and drink it on occasion.

Ching Ching

Bend Brewing made a hibiscus and pomegranate beer. It has a tart style flavor which reminded me of grapefruit, but not that bitter. It was a well made beer, but not something I would drink again. I do have 3 extra bottle purchased by loving family, which while be saved for holidays and "ninja beer fest"

Adventures in Homebrewing

I am back to small batches of beer, not having the enough time or a good enough kitchen to really do the 5 gallons with any success. The jalapeno beer turned out great, just a little pale ale with spice. I attempted my first clone at Tangerine Wheat. I used re-hydrated orange peel in a wheat recipe. The beer turned out okay, not enough orange and more carbonation then there should be. Its drinkable, but not what I was hoping for.