Brew Detective: Fresh Hops / 2020

OR Fresh Hopped Beers / O-R they?

Brew Detective | Fresh Hop Eliot IPA | Ex Novo 

    I believe Goschie Farms provided the Centennial Hops for this particular Eliot, which was canned on 08.31.20. The first thing I noticed was a wet, dank, earthy presence up front in the nose, which I enjoy. A doughy head formed. Surprisingly, the first good gulp showcased subtlety I didn't expect. Carbonation playfully added to the somewhat clear ale. Well placed notes of bitterness hit early, then eased off while still providing finishing flavor. 

Fresh Hop Eliot went down with ease (6.6%). This delicious beer pairs well with Little Creatures, by The Talking Heads. Ex Novo is one of my faves, and in my hood. Sorry for the hiatus. Hope you dig the tasting notes...

Brew Detective | Fresh IPA | Fort George 

    Strata Hops are front and center on this wet hopped and unfiltered IPA from Fort George, perhaps my favorite Oregon brewery. The can created a good 'popping' sound and a tropical nose pushed itself out. Guava and late summer blooms blended with the warm air. The clarity is crazy, an awesome cap of foam insulates the wood and pine aromas. Slight trickles of carbonation stream upward, this beer pours great.    

More bitterness is present in the tasting than the nose suggests, plus I smell a damp forest, and I like it. This fresh hop IPA was canned on 09.08.20 and registered in at 6.4%. Most of these tasting notes were hand written in a journal during the Oregon fires of 2020. Sorry for the late takes.

Brew Detective | Green Keeper | Little Beast 

    A crushable, fresh hopped American pale ale, thanks Little Beast. The smell of rained on veggies filled my snout. Once poured I noticed a much lighter hue than the aromas had crafted images of. It looks unlike any pale ale I've seen. The Centennial Hops offer some funkier aromas once poured. Clarity is almost pilsner-like as a fluffy head forms atop the ale. Crispness wins out, but there is a slight bitterness late. This was unique at 5.2% and approachable for those looking for a change of pace.

I'll be sleuthing craft suds a bit more regularly, with some additional fresh hop reviews too, as I sprinkle in some music along the way. Enjoy the seasonal transition as changes occur, fall has arrived in the PNW. Change is on the horizon in more ways than one. Be safe out there and try to be kind (it can be hard sometimes). Thanks for checking in. Consume craft beer responsibly. 

Cheers,

80choices

Born at the Beach

Pelican Brewing was born at the beach. Tasty beer and outlandish scenery await those fortunate enough to frequent Pacific City. A sandy beach, Cape Kiwanda, tame sets of waves, coastal breeze and warm sun, all triggering the senses as the day drifts away. A different level of ease washes over me at the ocean. It's the type of setting that allows my mind freedom, somehow affording me the chance to not be consumed by all that is going on. I actually decompress and feel unencumbered by thoughts.

On a recent voyage to the ocean, celebrating another trip around the sun, I remembered why I love the Pacific coast so much. It changes me, influencing me in ways I wish were more the norm. Pelican was merely a variable in the equation for what it was I was trying to obtain; relaxation and the ability to calm my mind. The unquestionable supremacy of nature is wonderful and constant, reminding us we're part of something bigger.

A huge thanks to the person who loves me the most. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am. Hello four oh — Yikes! Any reason to be at the beach is a good one. After enjoying the Pacific it was time to knock back some cold-ones. My first pint was the summery and crushable Updrift IPA. Illuminated by the sun, the hay-yellow body held brilliant color. A noticeable yet light head covering the top was aided by carbonation that had been dialed-in just right. Updrift IPA is a worthy summer beer.

Pelicano Extra Lager is a Mexican-style cerveza with eye-catching clarity. This ale is a summer's best contender. Bubbles stream continuously as wafts of Germanic lager mix with aromas often associated with Mexican lagers. Great beers are the ones you never tire of, those that you can have more than one of. Pelicano hits that sweet spot.

Next up was Our Dankest Hour IPA, which was being brewed again now that patrons could enjoy it. Originally brewed in March, this IPA is not playing around. Dank is in the name, but resinous is its game. The bold amber glow doesn't hide the punch this beer packs. Malt be damned, too many of these and your afternoon or early evening is askew. Strong color and a lingering head cannot mask the bold aromas and flavor. Think of Our Dankest Hour as a big fish story, fun to tell, just not all the time. Enjoy craft beer responsibly with fish and chips. 

Cheers,
80choices

Brew Detective: Astoria

On March 7th the world felt different. Maybe because it was. I'm glad we took the opportunity to enjoy Astoria. The Norblad supplied us with some much needed R&R. Our corner room captured beautiful light, dappling the cozy apartment-like setting. Minimalism and comfort softly drapes the energy of where you are over you. The Norblad is also located across the street from Fort George's barreling and bottling warehouse. Did I mention how much I dig Astoria?

We settled in at Buoy Beer Co., lucking in to the best window seat. Sunlight was beaming through big puffy clouds. Marine life casting energetic sounds into the air.

Possessing traits of bitterness and slightly resinous, my first pint was brewed solely with Eureka hops. A light amber hue lit the glass. Damn it was good.

My partner in crime had the Growler Guys IPA (6.6% | 58IBU) — a local taproom collaboration. This flashlight yellow ale resembled the outer edges of a daffodil. Its summery nose accentuated by a bubbly finish; unlike any IPA I've tasted. A collection of hops were generously used during the boil and again in dry hopping. After fermentation an array of citrus was added, melding with the hop profiles. I'm not exactly sure how to describe it, but I liked it. Craft beer pairs superbly with fresh fish and chips.

With our appetites satiated we reconvened at The Norblad for a little NBA and some BIG napping. The Blazers were still playing at the start of March. Damn I miss basketball. After powering up on rest and round-ball we moved through the cool, moist night over to Fort George. I fancy being at one of my favorite breweries.

I started with a Fanzine IPA (6.7%). This delicious nectar had recently hit shelves in PDX, but I'd been waiting to get it fresh from the source. As soon as you smell this IPA you want to drink it. Awesome aroma pushes through a cloud-like head. Below lies a crisp ale with resounding clarity. 

First course: corn and potato chowder with chicken and bacon, locally sourced, with a side of focaccia. A tasty combo for sure. As the slow night drifted along we devoured deliciousness. M had the rock fish sandwich with jalapeño jam and a mixed green salad. I went total glutton and took down the Fort George burger with Tillamook cheddar and a side of pickled garden vegetables. The pickled cauliflower in particular was amazing. 

We closed the night by spiraling upstairs to take down our favorite cast iron, chocolate chip cookie with vanilla bean ice cream and whipped cream. This dessert is a must have. The up-stairs portion of Fort George serves an entirely different menu focused on their brick oven. I washed down the baked goodness with a 12oz. Positive Contact IPA (7.4%).

The cool night turned cold as we breathed in a mixture of river and sea air. After a brisk walk we ambled to our room, ready to swallow us in until morning. We nestled in to a warm and inviting bed. Morning slowly unwound, eventually landing us in Street 14 Café down the block. Post brunch we scored a woven basket at Chariot Home and M grabbed up a Zine from Short Wave. Later we stocked up at Fort George and Blue Scorcher Bakery. We had an adventure in mind.

Making our way across the Columbia to explore various hamlets along the southern Washington coast was a great diversion. There were some pretty cute hideouts. As we drove back through Astoria we made sure to support Astoria Co-op, which is in an awesome new building on the east side of town. With fresh made burritos and munchies we made our way home, relishing in a wonderful weekend getaway.

Cheers to the good times,

80choices

Brew Detective: Fields of Green | Crosby Comet

Astoria's Fort George is helping to expand my appreciation of hops. The vehicle is Fields of Green, an IPA centered around a singular hop. This time it's Crosby Comet. Freshness can make all the difference and this particular pint was canned on September 30, mmm freshies. 

Succulent flits of mango ring out first, slightly muted but incredibly refreshing. I'm amazed by the carbonation considering how thick this IPA appears once poured. Dough-like foam develops overhead. Subtle acidity clings to the palatable brew. Hints of leafy agriculture unfold with each drink. If you typically vibe on notes of bitterness, this may be a bit subdued. 

Look for Fort George wherever you find craft beer. I eagerly await the next highlighted hop from the Fields of Green. Enjoy responsibly.

Fields of Green | Crosby Comet | 7.6%

80choices

Brew Detective: Skies of Wonder | Erotic City

Fort George continually crafts spectacular beer. The latest Skies of Wonder release is aptly named, Erotic City. This hazy homage to Prince is really good. Soft juicy pineapple wins out. Palatability is next level, it tastes so good. Overall hop profiles lean toward soft fruity notes rather than bitterness. Yellow tinged and opaque, carbonation continues upward toward a bread dough-like head.

Erotic City is labeled an Imperial IPA. This unfiltered IPA pairs wonderfully with spicy food, say chili or burritos. Grab a Skies of Wonder if given the opportunity. A canned-on date and type of hop is printed on every pint. Enjoy craft beer responsibly. 

Skies of Wonder | Erotic City | 8.7%

80choices

Brew Detective: From Astoria With Love

Sitting along the southern bank of the Columbia River delta, looking north at the tree-heavy topography of Washington while nursing a cold one, is how you take in a Saturday sunset. The local co-op fueled us with edible calories as we rediscovered the small shops and boutique hotels. After exploring we ambled toward Buoy for a pint along the water.

Buoy 
Enjoying a delicious beer above the waterline outside is the best kept secret at Buoy. M went for a beautifully clear and crushable Cream Ale. Excellent customer service allowed her to test drive before going all in. I elected the single hop IPA which helps support the local animal alliance by donating a dollar per pint. El Dorado IPA's tend to be in my wheel house and this was no different, crisp and clear with a bitterness ever so perfect. This west coast IPA's characteristics are reminiscent of a hop-heavy pale ale. I thoroughly enjoyed the flickering moments of the late afternoon sun as the river's shipping lanes made space for massive container ships. Craft beers with my favorite person on earth kept everything tick tock.

Cream Ale | 5.7% | 19 IBU _____ El Dorado Single Hop IPA | 6.7% | 65 IBU

Fort George 
Later in the afternoon we went to the top floor of Fort George. The secret's out; Astoria is a dope beer town. We started out with a couple of Germanic inspired offerings. Lager in the Rye had an earthy, grain-like summer feel. The rye aided in the makeup of the body while keeping it crushable. Rye's an adult lager to say the least. Agent M went for the Cathedral Tree, a barrel fermented pilsner. Such creativity added a lot of complexity and a slight murkiness. Glowing with a lantern-like yellow this soft skunky pilsner is sunshine in a pint glass. Considering that we both went for session style ales, I was stoked to pick up on the many differences that the brewers were capable of achieving. Once again customer service was superb. We were offered to try anything multiple times and felt comfortable spurring conversation with questions. 

Lager in the Rye | 4.7% _____ Cathedral Tree | 4.8%

M went for Crysknife, a hazy IPA, with her final choice. The deep golden hue was opaque. Apparently this batch was brewed in collaboration with Mutual Friends Brewing in Denver. My notes included; the smell, down the hatch and all day yo. Every year since opening Fort George crafts an IPA with hops grown by local community members who then donate those hops to the brewery. I was struck by this idea. Why don't more breweries encourage this interaction? Aptly named the Co-Hoperative Fresh IPA. Co-Hop looked and tasted traditional with a unique color sparked by transparency. Agent M's take was in tune with seasonal change, "it's a holiday beer, a winter IPA," she' crafty and cool. The night ended with a delicious cast iron cookie and vanilla bean ice cream. Do yourself a favor and order one of these every time you're at Fort George, you should probably grab a pint to go too.

Crysknife | 7.2% _____ Co-Hoperative Fresh IPA | 6% 

Blue skies, sunshine and the power of the Columbia delta are both true and heavy. The bait has been set, now take the hook. Beautiful late summer days never hurt either. Enjoy craft beer responsibly. From Astoria with love.

80choices

Brew Detective: Little Beast | Wolf Camp

Little Beast Brewing in Portland is a favorite of mine, rarely do I find myself at their taproom. They possess a cool, minimal aesthetic, and craft tasty beer. I highly recommend grabbing a Little Beast offering. As for the findings on the following information, I need to thank Agent M for scoring a can of Wolf Camp. Say it again, just because it's cool, Wolf Camp.

This hoppy saison held a very subtle nose early on. Wolf Camp was oddly lacking the Ag-centric notes I was expecting. A nice foamy head forms atop the see-through straw-yellow liquid. Bubble gum aromas became noticeable after pouring. Wolf Camp jabs softly in lieu of a hop-heavy punch. The initial carbonation gets muddled along the way. It's light, slippery and has bubble gum notes, a narrative fit for a Kölsch. Interesting to say the least. Enjoy responsibly.

Wolf Camp | Hoppy Saison | 6.2% | Little Beast Brewing

80choices

Level Up | Game On IPA

Well balanced IPA's are becoming a rarity. Thankfully Level Beer is crafting a superb example, Game On! This Portland IPA has great malt backing, a nice diversion. Don't worry, the hops are well represented, ultimately winning out. A nice jab of bitterness hits early and then fades into the smooth malt bill. I also picked up subtle notes of mango and traces of lemon. Always check the date on the can, these were fresh. Game On! Enjoy responsibly.

80choices

Level Beer | Game On IPA | 6.5% 

Brew Detective: Skies of Wonder

Fort George is damn near batting a thousand. Next up on the Brew Detective radar is Skies of Wonder, an imperial IPA that registers in at 8.7% and doesn't disappoint. Pop the pint can, and pow! Tropical smells blast your senses, there's a super slight cherry vibe too. It's tasty.

The thick haze barely creates a head before dissipating. It does leave some serious legs however. Regardless of its hazy character, it packs a bitter punch. The smell and look do not match the taste (for all of you juice-forward hazy fans), and I'm OK with that. It's unfiltered, so be on the watch when you near the bottom of the can. Skies of Wonder is available year-round, so take 'em slow.

Enjoy responsibly, 

eightychoices

Brew Detective: Level Beer + Ground Kontrol Vintage Arcade

I've Got Next is a delicious collaboration that encourages us to, "place our quarter on the screen and crack open this hoppy pale ale while you wait for your buddy to crash and burn!" The coolest of pairings team up as Level Beer and Ground Kontrol vintage arcade, combine forces to craft a beer. I mean c'mon.

When you crack the pint can it releases an IPA-like smell. A great doughy head forms and the liquid itself is pretty much opaque. Once you taste it, it brings you back somehow to the deliciousness of a hop driven American pale ale, even though it looks like a juice bomb. It's light in color, perhaps due to the type or amount of malt. I've Got Next somehow lets everything happen gradually in the experience. I highly recommend scoring a four pack of these should you see it. It has something for everyone and registers in at 5.8%. Level up responsibly and don't forget quarters.

Cheers,

eightychoices

Brew Detective: Fields of Green

Here I go again, jotting down tasting notes about another Fort George beer. Fields of Green, an unfiltered IPA warns you, "expect sediment." A noble heads up that also reveals some of its nuance. The fact that it's thick and juicy does not impact the carbonation, a fantastic achievement from this taster's perspective. Perhaps this is a progressive step that will push the hazy trend forward.

A great layer of foam settles atop the fruit forward aromas. Unexpectedly, the juicy profiles unfold into a healthy dose of bitterness on the back end. Fields of Green has layers that play out nicely and unexpectedly. It's 7.6%, but I feel as though it still pairs well with gluttonous foods (think burgers, mac and cheese, or fried smashed potatoes with hot sauce). It'll be hard to find outside of the Pacific NW, but worth your money if found. Cheers to more daylight and sunshine. 

Enjoy responsibly,

eightychoices

Brew Detective: City of Dreams

Fort George just keeps on crushing it. Their City of Dreams pale ale is outstanding, one of my go-to six packs. A little mango pushes through a tropical nose. It has a fruit juice-like smell that I just can't place, reminiscent of the old juice cans that you had to pierce in order to pour. It's vibrant color resembles a pineapple-yellow hue. It's pretty damn hazy once you pour it. The body is solid considering its juicy taste. It's a substantial beer, but not overpowering. Great flavors coalesce around a smooth finish. This is one of my favorites, I can't get enough, or can I? City of Dreams rings in at 5.5%, perfect for any situation. Definitely search for this treasure and enjoy responsibly.

Cheers, 

eightychoices

Brew Detective: EOD IIPA | Ordnance Brewing

Ordnance Brewing was established in 2014 by a multi-generational family of hop growers. The beer I first got my hands on was, EOD, their double IPA. Their Kölsch is also pretty tasty. Anyhow, back to the IIPA and its floral nose. Once the bouquet was poured you can't help but notice the clarity and color, an amber tinged with orange. Not all double IPA's look the same, but this was a much darker hue than I expected. Brewed with Mt. Hood and Columbus hops this double does not disappoint in drink-ability. The bitterness was subtle and its foamy top endures. If you happen to see this brew in your beer aisle, grab a six pack. Cheers.

EOD IIPA | 7.8% | 80 IBU

Enjoy responsibly,

eightychoices.

Brew Detective: Back & Forth

Back & forth is a collaboration between Ex Novo and Fort George, one resides in Portland, the other Astoria. Back & Forth was brewed in Portland with 6 pounds of hops per barrel, then it was triple dry-hopped with Mosaic, Nelson and Galaxy hops. The breweries define this as a hazy rye IPA. I know, it sounds like a lot is going on, but on draft or in a four pack, it's superb. My partner in crime and I made some notes.

Agent M. penned the following; it's a cloudy beer with a bright and sunny, tropical smoothie flavor. Summer in the mouth, mmm.

Mine were as follows; pops with juicy aromas of pineapple and mango, a very tropical nose. Hazy straw-yellow in color, with better than good carbonation. There's great bite up front. Perhaps the rye, maybe the hops? Regardless, the finish is outstanding with real legs. 

Back & Forth Hazy Rye IPA | 6.2%

Enjoy the Super Bowl responsibly,

eightychoices.