Green Options

Portland, Oregon is a beautiful city, known for its roses, organic food, environmentally conscious citizens, and its beer.  It has truly become a destination for Oregonians and travelers alike searching for locally made micro brews and craft beers.

It’s hard to walk two blocks in Portland without encountering a brew pub, ale house, or beer bar, but there’s one that stands out as being truly exceptional.  Located in downtown Portland, Bailey’s Taproom is a cozy, modern facility that specializes in Pacific Northwest microbrews and craft brews.  They serve up everything in every imaginable style from a “brutally hoppy IPA, a clean lager, a sour Belgian, a thick stout, or a boozy barleywine”.

As Barney, from the Simpson’s so elegantly said,

Hey, Homer, I’m worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there’s only one case left.

All beer use to be seasonal but now seems to be the domain of the craft, micro-brewing world. The Brewers Association, who’s goal is to promote and protect the U.S. craft brewing community’s interests, put it best,

These beers are to be appreciated, and they represent the best in creativity and passion that a brewer can deliver. Seasonal beers focus on seasonal ingredients and highlight flavors that harmonize with the fare of the moment.

Since the weather has turned nippy let’s talk about warming up with a cold one - a hearty winter brew.

Don't ever pass up the opportunity to judge beer. Ok, I know you do that anyway, but I'm not talking about your personal opinion of Pabst Blue Ribbon. It turns out that real-life beer competitions require amateur beer judges to work alongside the pros. Apparently, amateurs provide useful feedback to brewmasters with their 'average Joe' opinions.

And that's where I come in.

May 19th was the 25th annual Heart of the Valley

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