Beers of the Northwestern United States
Here will follow a rundown of the 17 beers I sampled during my six-day trip. I have offered a Top 5 list of favorites, an additional 5 also worth a mention, and then a brief list of also-rans.
1. Rogue Morimoto Soba Ale
While Rogue’s excellent international reputation owes more to the Chocolate Stout, Morimoto's signature series now also includes both a Black Obi version of the Soba Ale and an Imperial Pilsner. Still, both Morimoto (Iron Chef) and Rogue are great favorites; Sebbie Buhler, who appears on the Chocolate Stout bottle, introduced the brewery to me and a number of my friends through a guest lecture series at a certain Central NJ club.
2. Pike Naughty Nellie’s Ale
Although some naysayers would no doubt challenge the assertion, Pike is a serious brewery that offers a range of English- and Scottish-style ales. While some of its aptly named “session beers” are a little on the sweet side, Naughty Nellie’s is a more interesting place to begin your session -- which should always begin, and not end, with a hint of bitterness.
3. Saint Rogue Red
Though far from the best Rogue has to offer, the Red goes very well with the Kobe beef burger (available at the Public House and Distillery in Portland). I wouldn’t recommend the optional blue cheese version, which despite being the excellent product of Rogue’s own creamery doesn’t allow the quality meat to speak for itself. The “Distillery” part of the pub’s title, a detail over which you are surely wondering, refers to a white rum-making operation that is visible from the bar below.
4. Big Time Meerkat IPA
Of the three IPAs currently offered by the Big Time Brewery at its University District pub and restaurant, the Meerkat is the most bitter. But though I generally prefer milder IPAs, this one has a pleasant grapefruit underbrush and a robust hops nose. It was perfectly suited to the evening’s fare: a very respectable fresh-ingredient pizza.
5. Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale
A notch or two above the other Ales in terms of both alcohol content and heft, the Scotch Ale is more balanced than the Imperial Brown (see below), with equal parts delicate sweetness and steady, hops-built foundation. As far as the food is concerned, you’d probably be better off at the Athenian (also located in the Pike Place Market, with an excellent seafood menu, a solid list of local beers, and views across the bay to the mountains). For the more adventurous traveler, the fish stands adjoining the restaurant offer King and Dungeness Crab at prices near five dollars a pound, and will ship whole Salmon and Trout anywhere you wish.
6. McMenamins Crystal Ale (available at Olympic Club, Centralia, WA)
7. Pike Bootleg Brown Ale
8. Rogue Honey Cream Ale
9. Elysian Zephyrus Pilsner (available at Tangletown in Green Lake, Seattle, and Henry’s Tavern in Portland)
10. Pike Pale Ale
Others:
11. Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger Christmas Ale
12. Pyramid Pale Ale
13. Fat Tire (not local, but a favorite nonetheless)
14. Alaskan Amber
15. Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale
16. Pabst Blue Ribbon (on draft, no less!)
17. Foster’s (available at “Edges,” N terminal, SeaTac airport, the worst bar on the planet)
1. Rogue Morimoto Soba Ale
While Rogue’s excellent international reputation owes more to the Chocolate Stout, Morimoto's signature series now also includes both a Black Obi version of the Soba Ale and an Imperial Pilsner. Still, both Morimoto (Iron Chef) and Rogue are great favorites; Sebbie Buhler, who appears on the Chocolate Stout bottle, introduced the brewery to me and a number of my friends through a guest lecture series at a certain Central NJ club.
2. Pike Naughty Nellie’s Ale
Although some naysayers would no doubt challenge the assertion, Pike is a serious brewery that offers a range of English- and Scottish-style ales. While some of its aptly named “session beers” are a little on the sweet side, Naughty Nellie’s is a more interesting place to begin your session -- which should always begin, and not end, with a hint of bitterness.
3. Saint Rogue Red
Though far from the best Rogue has to offer, the Red goes very well with the Kobe beef burger (available at the Public House and Distillery in Portland). I wouldn’t recommend the optional blue cheese version, which despite being the excellent product of Rogue’s own creamery doesn’t allow the quality meat to speak for itself. The “Distillery” part of the pub’s title, a detail over which you are surely wondering, refers to a white rum-making operation that is visible from the bar below.
4. Big Time Meerkat IPA
Of the three IPAs currently offered by the Big Time Brewery at its University District pub and restaurant, the Meerkat is the most bitter. But though I generally prefer milder IPAs, this one has a pleasant grapefruit underbrush and a robust hops nose. It was perfectly suited to the evening’s fare: a very respectable fresh-ingredient pizza.
5. Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale
A notch or two above the other Ales in terms of both alcohol content and heft, the Scotch Ale is more balanced than the Imperial Brown (see below), with equal parts delicate sweetness and steady, hops-built foundation. As far as the food is concerned, you’d probably be better off at the Athenian (also located in the Pike Place Market, with an excellent seafood menu, a solid list of local beers, and views across the bay to the mountains). For the more adventurous traveler, the fish stands adjoining the restaurant offer King and Dungeness Crab at prices near five dollars a pound, and will ship whole Salmon and Trout anywhere you wish.
6. McMenamins Crystal Ale (available at Olympic Club, Centralia, WA)
7. Pike Bootleg Brown Ale
8. Rogue Honey Cream Ale
9. Elysian Zephyrus Pilsner (available at Tangletown in Green Lake, Seattle, and Henry’s Tavern in Portland)
10. Pike Pale Ale
Others:
11. Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger Christmas Ale
12. Pyramid Pale Ale
13. Fat Tire (not local, but a favorite nonetheless)
14. Alaskan Amber
15. Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale
16. Pabst Blue Ribbon (on draft, no less!)
17. Foster’s (available at “Edges,” N terminal, SeaTac airport, the worst bar on the planet)
posted by mister sketchee! at 5:22 PM
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