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

Big Barrel of... | Brew Detective Best of 2020

Jackie Treehorn Presents:

The pandemic, police killing minorities, social unrest and protests, increased homelessness, the closure of far too many small businesses, and catastrophic fires along the west coast, were all tossed into one big barrel of WTF, better known as Portland, Oregon. To hell with an emotional state. My mind feels as though it's been overwritten. Things look fucked because they are. Time feels off, askew, now is a time for reflection, an opportunity to reconsider. 

Let's look inward to ensure a more positive direction moving forward. If we take action, if we prove that we care about one another, about the natural world, we will reap a more fruitful benefit. There's only one spaceship fit to fly us around the sun. We've been mistreating Mother Earth for far too long. Future generations are being dealt drastic doses of environmental deterioration. Reactive policies, tactics, and practices, have never been good enough. We have to do better.

Nature continues on, complete and perfect in its organic chaos, despite human influence. Time will not stop for us. We can make changes to give us new chances. There is so much to consider and I'm sorry if this was too sermon-like. I often use this platform as more of a digital journal, so as always, thanks for checking in. If you're still reading, hopefully my rambling reinforces the idea of, Do the Right Thing. Below is the positivity portion of this post. 

Buoy

I've assembled, for the first time in many moons, the best of Brew Detective. The list below showcases my favorite beers of 2020. Most selections were new beers released this calendar year, others were new to me. Having a tasty craft beer is one of life's pleasures — tastebuds need love too. Let's promote good energy through the rest of the year and beyond. Hopefully autumn feels kind, be safe out there. Enjoy these libations responsibly.

Best of Brew Detective | 2020

Dynamic Duo IPA | Ex Novo

Fanzine IPA | Fort George

Maiden West IPA | Little Beast

Eureka Pale Ale | Buoy

Panacea Pale Ale | Ex Novo

Pliny the Younger | Russian River

Jealous Butcher: Side A Pilsner | Fort George & Von Ebert

Farmers Annuary | Fort George \ Crosby Hops

Fields of Green | Fort George  \ Coleman Farms Citra Hops (canned: 9.25.20) \ 7.6% 

Shout-out to: Amalgamator IPA | BeachWood & Space Danger IPA | Fremont

Pale Ale | Beachcrest Brewing Co. 

Cheers, 

80choices

Brew Detective: Volatile Substance | Von Ebert

Another Portland brewery doing their best to maintain business during such otherworldly times is Von Ebert, makers of tasty beer. My Partner in crime swooped in for curbside pickup. Our order included fried chicken and potatoes, a bottle of Bouquet Blanc (review coming when I crack that rarity), and a four pack of Volatile Substance. It's nice to remember how lucky I am.

Volatile Substance is a NW IPA brewed with Mosaic and Simcoe hops (65 IBU | 6.9%). Prior to scoring these pint cans I'd only had it on draught. The can experience does not disappoint. As is our routine when the weather's nice Agent M and I took an extended neighborhood walk. We sipped a Volatile Substance while admiring the tree lined streets and beautiful homes.

Good bounce occurred when cracking open the pint. Notes of pineapple and grapefruit hit early and disappear from there. This IPA has some bite to it. Agent M noted that it was bitter and tingly, not for beginners. She also mentioned piney characteristics, hoppy and strong. I couldn't be more proud and stoked to take walks with someone.

Be safe during this time of physical distancing and try to support local businesses whenever possible. Keep on keeping on. Enjoy independent beer responsibly.

80choices