As members of Portland’s esteemed press corps, it was absolutely essential that we travel in style.
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As members of Portland’s esteemed press corps, it was absolutely essential that we travel in style.
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Our first stop was McCormick and Schmick’s Harborside Pilsner Room, where Full Sail brewmaster John Harris concocts a handful of exclusive brews.
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Our first stop was McCormick and Schmick’s Harborside Pilsner Room, where Full Sail brewmaster John Harris concocts a handful of exclusive brews.
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The Dunkopple is actually the brainchild of a Full Sail lab tech Kristy Holsopple (hence the cute name). It’s a full-bodied, lightly hopped brew with a firm malty foundation.
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The Dunkopple is actually the brainchild of a Full Sail lab tech Kristy Holsopple (hence the cute name). It’s a full-bodied, lightly hopped brew with a firm malty foundation.
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Rock Bottom brewer Van Havig makes a point about his American Dream IPA, a vibrant and hoppy brew with abundant citrus notes.
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Rock Bottom brewer Van Havig makes a point about his American Dream IPA, a vibrant and hoppy brew with abundant citrus notes.
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Brian Butenschoen, the head of the Oregon Brewers Guild gets a bright idea at Rock Bottom Brewery: "Let’s have some more beer!"
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Brian Butenschoen, the head of the Oregon Brewers Guild gets a bright idea at Rock Bottom Brewery: "Let’s have some more beer!"
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In addition to the American Dream IPA, Rock Bottom brewer Van Havig also poured samples of his Saison, a light, Belgian-style ale.
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In addition to the American Dream IPA, Rock Bottom brewer Van Havig also poured samples of his Saison, a light, Belgian-style ale.
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The view from the back of the bus. I-5 traffic never seemed so tranquil.
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The view from the back of the bus. I-5 traffic never seemed so tranquil.
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Lompoc brewmaster Jerry Fechter regales the assembled bloggers and brewers about the origin of Big Bang Red. By this time John Harris and Van Havig had decided that a double decker bus ride in the afternoon sun was a fine idea so we invited them to ho
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Lompoc brewmaster Jerry Fechter regales the assembled bloggers and brewers about the origin of Big Bang Red. By this time John Harris and Van Havig had decided that a double decker bus ride in the afternoon sun was a fine idea so we invited them to ho
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Lompoc’s barrel-aged Big Bang Red was the most potent brew of the tour. Still bearing traces of its bourbon-barrel incubation period, with lively shades of vanilla and spicy mustard, the Big Bang had many of the same opulent characteristics as a
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Lompoc’s barrel-aged Big Bang Red was the most potent brew of the tour. Still bearing traces of its bourbon-barrel incubation period, with lively shades of vanilla and spicy mustard, the Big Bang had many of the same opulent characteristics as a
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At Widmer Brothers, the beer of choice was the mighty Odin. Despite the formidable moniker, the beer proved to be a refreshing and highly drinkable gose-style lager with banana and light mustard flavors.
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At Widmer Brothers, the beer of choice was the mighty Odin. Despite the formidable moniker, the beer proved to be a refreshing and highly drinkable gose-style lager with banana and light mustard flavors.
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A meeting of the beer brain trust: (From left) Rob Widmer, Kurt Widmer, Van Havig (Rock Bottom Brewery), John Harris (Full Sail), and Jerry Fechter (Lompoc Brewing).
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A meeting of the beer brain trust: (From left) Rob Widmer, Kurt Widmer, Van Havig (Rock Bottom Brewery), John Harris (Full Sail), and Jerry Fechter (Lompoc Brewing).
I don’t drive—I ride the bus. And I consider myself a master of all things in the bus universe. I know when to ring the bell so as to give the driver plenty of time to stop. I enter in the front and exit in the back to alleviate corridor congestion. I cheerfully surrender my seat to the elderly and infirm. I am stoic when confronted by the hygienically challenged. I remain calm when fellow passengers are suffering from grand mal seizures, conniption fits, and full-blown psychotic epi…
