Snackdown 2018

July 2, 2018 by 6 Comments

As in the previous 2 years, the sort of closing party of the Portland Beer Week was a beer and food pairing event called Snackdown. 10 teams of brewers and chefs put together a pairing of a beer and a snack bite, and then the audience got to vote as they tasted all the pairings while teams also each had a little time at the mic to smack talk each other, old school WWF style (often completely with costumes). Here’s a look at this year’s beer and food pairings for Snackdown 2018 to give you an idea of the event to encourage you to attend next year, or as ideas for beer and food pairings in general!

Loyal Legion/Dirty Pretty + Breakside

Spicy Pork Tostada. Crispy corn tortilla, spicy pulled pork, pineapple salsa, slaw, lime crema
Call Me Hazy Pale
Snackdown 2018 pairing of Loyal Legion/Dirty Pretty + Breakside brought together Spicy Pork Tostada. Crispy corn tortilla, spicy pulled pork, pineapple salsa, slaw, lime crema with the Loyal Legion/Breakside collaboration beer Call Me Hazy Pale

Although hoppy style beers are not my preferred beer, I appreciated how some of that hoppiness was tamed here by the spicy pulled pork along with the creaminess of the lime crema and brightness from pineapple salsa. The negative though was that this was just messy to eat as the crispy corn tortilla would break apart from bites.

Afuri/Wayfinder

  • Snack: Hidden Handroll – Capicola-wrapped Asparagus, Chasu Don Pork Belly, Spicy ‘Hidden Sauce’
  • Beer: Hidden Hand Dark Lager

Snackdown 2018 pairing of Afuri/Wayfinder brought together Hidden Handroll - Capicola-wrapped Asparagus, Chasu Don Pork Belly, Spicy Hidden Sauce with the Hidden Hand Dark Lager

It was very cool to see these handrolls being made before us, including getting the pork belly seared with a blowtorch and rolling the asparagus and capicola together and the smear of the “spicy hidden sauce) on the rice in the seaweed before finally rolling the handroll. Though you wouldn’t normally thing to pair a dark lager with a handroll, I was impressed with how it worked here with both strong flavors being an equal match for each other.

Danwei Canting/Buoy

  • Snack: Scallion Bing with Oregon Bay Shrimp, Crispy Garlic and Lime Vinaigrette
  • Beer: Sour Blonde with Pomegranate, Grapefruit and Citrus Zest

Snackdown 2018 pairing of Danwei Canting/Buoy brought together Scallion Bing with Oregon Bay Shrimp, Crispy Garlic and Lime Vinaigrette with theSour Blonde with Pomegranate, Grapefruit and Citrus Zest

Although what looks like a fried wonton here may not appear to be much, the shrimp inside and topping of the crispy garlic was tamed well by the sour blond’s fruity acidity.

Lardo/Pono

Snack: Smoked Pork Burger, American Cheese, Dirty Mustard, Grilled Pineapple
Beer: Pineapple Kölsch
Snackdown 2018 pairing of Lardo/Pono brought together Smoked Pork Burger, American Cheese, Dirty Mustard, Grilled Pineapple with the Pono Brewing Pineapple Kölsch Snackdown 2018 pairing of Lardo/Pono brought together Smoked Pork Burger, American Cheese, Dirty Mustard, Grilled Pineapple with the Pono Brewing Pineapple Kölsch

The pineapple slaw was being freshly grilled outside on the sidewalk outside Loyal Legion to make this slaw fresh, and not surprisingly, this ended up being the winner of the Snackdown belt for 2018!

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Snackdown 2017 for PDX Beer Week

June 19, 2017 by 8 Comments

Once again, Portland Beer Week closed down with the official closing event where Portland Beer Week and Gigantic Brewing present SNACKDOWN!, a food and beer pairing event where 10 of Portland’s best Chefs and 10 Oregon Brewers are paired into 10 Brewer/Chef teams to make their greatest snack and beer pairing. Guests will choose their favorite pairing and the winners will be awarded the SNACKDOWN Belt.
Snackdown 2017 for PDX Beer Week, a food and beer pairing event with a wrestling theme offering 10 Portland chef and 10 Oregon brewers working together Snackdown 2017 for PDX Beer Week, a food and beer pairing event with a wrestling theme offering 10 Portland chef and 10 Oregon brewers working together. Herb of Loyal Legion served as MC and got all the brewer/chef teams to take turns doing a little smack talking throughout the event - possibly while all participants were sporting wrestling themed costumes, most enthusiastically by John Harris of Ecliptic Brewing and Ben Love of Gigantic Brewing shown here

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Snackdown 2016 Recap

June 23, 2016 by 5 Comments

This past Sunday, I attended the closing event of Portland Beer Week, and here is my Snackdown 2016 Recap! Taking place 12 – 4 PM at The Evergreen event space above Loyal Legion, Snackdown was a food and beer pairing event where 10 of Portland Chefs and 10 Oregon Brewers are paired into 10 Brewer/Chef teams to make snack and beer pairing. The atmosphere is styled like a WWF style Smackdown with brewers and chefs hyping their pairing on the mic – possibly while sporting wrestling themed costume – while in the background a large screen played old matches from the days of Hulk – I guess in the mid 80s.
Snackdown Portland Beer Week 2016 Closing Party

DJ Rev Shines was playing fun music to keep everyone grooving while snacking. Everyone seemed to be having fun and in a great playful mood.
DJ Rev Shines was super cool at playing fun music to keep everyone grooving while snacking at Snackdown 2016 P.R.E.A.M. / Ecliptic Brewing was another favorite pairing of mine, see my Snackdown 2016 Recap for more details

Herb of Loyal Legion served as MC and got all the brewer/chef teams to take turns doing a little smack talking throughout the event
Herb of Loyal Legion served as MC and got all the brewer/chef teams to take turns doing a little smack talking throughout the Snackdown event Herb of Loyal Legion served as MC and got all the brewer/chef teams to take turns doing a little smack talking throughout the Snackdown 2016 event

Guests got to vote on their favorite pairing and the winning team will be awarded the Snackdown Belt – which is apparently a wristlet version for the brewery and restaurant,  here being modeled by Co-organizer of the event, Ben Love of Gigantic Brewing.
Guests at Snackdown 2016 got to vote on their favorite pairing and the winning team will be awarded the Snackdown Belt - which is apparently a wristlet version for the brewery and restaurant. Guests at Snackdown 2016 got to vote on their favorite pairing and the winning team will be awarded the Snackdown Belt - which is apparently a wristlet version for the brewery and restaurant.

The 10 Brewer/Chef teams for 2016 were:

  • Loyal Legion / Portland Brewing & Double Mountain showcased the official 2016 Portland Beer Week beer by pouring a Sub-Continental IPA, a collaboration between Portland Brewing and Double Mountain to create a ~7% ABV northwest IPA brewed with Indian spices like pepper, cardamom, clove, cumin and saffron. Meanwhile Loyal Legion used the Sub-Continental IPA to braise their homemade sauerkraut which they then fried into a krokotten and served along with a spicy beer mustard that also had Sub-Contental IPA in the mustard.
    Snackdown 2016 Loyal Legion / Portland Brewing & Double Mountain showcased the Portland Beer week beer by pouring a Sub-Continental IPA, a collaboration between Portland Brewing and Double Mountain to create a ~7% ABV northwest IPA brewed with Indian spices like pepper, cardamom, clove, cumin and saffron. Meanwhile Loyal Legion used the Sub-Continental IPA to braise their homemade sauerkraut which they then fried into a krokotten and served along with a spicy beer mustard that also had Sub-Contental IPA in the mustard Snackdown 2016 Loyal Legion / Portland Brewing & Double Mountain showcased the Portland Beer week beer by pouring a Sub-Continental IPA, a collaboration between Portland Brewing and Double Mountain to create a ~7% ABV northwest IPA brewed with Indian spices like pepper, cardamom, clove, cumin and saffron. Meanwhile Loyal Legion used the Sub-Continental IPA to braise their homemade sauerkraut which they then fried into a krokotten and served along with a spicy beer mustard that also had Sub-Contental IPA in the mustard
  • Bollywood Theater / The Commons Brewery also combined beer right into the food by pairing the Commons Fleur de Blanc, a Rose and Elderflower White Farmhouse Ale, with Bollywood Theater creating an Indian curry with mussels cooked in the Commons Fleur de Blanc with Indian spices, coconut milk, and rose petals. It was a little hard to eat in such a small little bowl to get the mussels out, but the mussels dish added a little heat while bringing out some of the funky and floral notes in the beer, which I thought made an excellent combo.
    Snackdown 2016 Bollywood Theater / The Commons Brewery combined beer right into the food by pairing the Commons Fleur de Blanc, a Rose and Elderflower White Farmhouse Ale, with Bollywood Theater creating mussels cooked in the Commons Fleur de Blanc with Indian spices, coconut milk, and rose petals. Snackdown 2016 Bollywood Theater / The Commons Brewery combined beer right into the food by pairing the Commons Fleur de Blanc, a Rose and Elderflower White Farmhouse Ale, with Bollywood Theater creating mussels cooked in the Commons Fleur de Blanc with Indian spices, coconut milk, and rose petals.
  • Lardo / Heater Allen Brewing I always love seeing Chef Rick Gencarelli at an event – he’s always excited about what he’s doing which I miss seeing when he gave up the Lardo cart for the multiple successful businesses of his current brick and mortars, but you get a glimpse of how fun he is and what a good hearted guy every time he’s at one of these food events in front of the people again.
    I always love seeing Chef Rick Gencarelli at an event - he's always excited about what he's doing which I miss seeing when he gave up the Lardo cart for the multiple successful businesses of his current brick and mortars, but you get a glimpse of how fun he is every time he's at one of these food events. Here at Snackdown 2016 he somehow kept that awesome wrestling mask on while doling out the most precious and super delicious mini lobster roll to pair with Heater Allen's Das Bier Kolsch I always love seeing Chef Rick Gencarelli at an event - he's always excited about what he's doing which I miss seeing when he gave up the Lardo cart for the multiple successful businesses of his current brick and mortars, but you get a glimpse of how fun he is every time he's at one of these food events. Here at Snackdown 2016 he somehow kept that awesome wrestling mask on while doling out the most precious and super delicious mini lobster roll to pair with Heater Allen's Das Bier Kolsch
    Here he somehow kept that awesome wrestling mask on while doling out the most precious and super delicious mini lobster roll to pair with Heater Allen’s Das Bier Kolsch.
    Snackdown 2016 Lardo created the most precious and super delicious mini lobster roll to pair with Heater Allen's Das Bier Kolsch Snackdown 2016 Lardo created the most precious and super delicious mini lobster roll to pair with Heater Allen's Das Bier Kolsch
  • The Bent Brick which just officially went to a tipless system and is one of six gratuity free restaurants in Portland, presented what they called a Pig Picnic with porky picnicky vibes in a pork and beans stew / Block 15 Brewing brought their Sticky Hands IPA
    Snackdown 2016 The Bent Brick presented what they called a Pig Picnic with porky picnicky vibes in a pork and beans stew / Block 15 Brewing brought their Sticky Hands IPA The Bent Brick presented what they called a Pig Picnic with porky picnicky vibes in a pork and beans stew / Block 15 Brewing brought their Sticky Hands IPA Snackdown 2016 The Bent Brick presented what they called a Pig Picnic with porky picnicky vibes in a pork and beans stew / Block 15 Brewing brought their Sticky Hands IPA
  • Old Salt Marketplace created “Last Year’s Succotash” with alubias gigantes beans, pickled corn, fermented pepper vinagrette, shaved country ham and arugula on a pork rind – sadly I found the pork rind to be old and chewy rather than crispy / Ex Novo Brewing with their Thick as Thieves Dry Hoppped Belgo-American Sour Pale, a collaboration beer they created with Solemn Oath Brewery in Chicago which they just released during Portland Beer week
    Snackdown 2016 Old Salt Marketplace created 'Last Year's Succotash' with alubias gigantes beans, pickled corn, fermented pepper vinagrette, shaved country ham and arugula on a pork rind to pair with Ex Novo Brewing with their Thick as Thieves Dry Hoppped Belgo-American Sour Pale, a collaboration beer they created with Solemn Oath Brewery in Chicago Snackdown 2016 Old Salt Marketplace created 'Last Year's Succotash' with alubias gigantes beans, pickled corn, fermented pepper vinagrette, shaved country ham and arugula on a pork rind to pair with Ex Novo Brewing with their Thick as Thieves Dry Hoppped Belgo-American Sour Pale, a collaboration beer they created with Solemn Oath Brewery in Chicago
  • Toro Bravo / Hopworks Urban Brewery was the winner of Snackdown with their rich Baller Grilled Cheese and “Tomato Soup”, a rich three cheese (truffle cheese, manchego, and mahone on Grand Central brioche) and modernist tomato soup sphere with the HUB Xocolatal Xake Up Belgian Style Spiced Quad to wash it down with.
    Toro Bravo / Hopworks Urban Brewery was the winner of Snackdown 2016 with their rich Baller Grilled Cheese and 'Tomato Soup', a rich three cheese (truffle cheese, manchego, and mahone on Grand Central brioche) and modernist tomato soup sphere with the HUB Xocolatal Xake Up Belgian Style Spiced Quad to wash it down Toro Bravo / Hopworks Urban Brewery was the winner of Snackdown 2016 with their rich Baller Grilled Cheese and 'Tomato Soup', a rich three cheese (truffle cheese, manchego, and mahone on Grand Central brioche) and modernist tomato soup sphere with the HUB Xocolatal Xake Up Belgian Style Spiced Quad to wash it down Toro Bravo / Hopworks Urban Brewery was the winner of Snackdown 2016 with their rich Baller Grilled Cheese and 'Tomato Soup', a rich three cheese (truffle cheese, manchego, and mahone on Grand Central brioche) and modernist tomato soup sphere with the HUB Xocolatal Xake Up Belgian Style Spiced Quad to wash it down
  • Kim Jong Grillin brought the spice with smoked bo ssäm made with smoked pork, a braised pork in Breakside beer Rye Curious, an apple kimchee, ssämjang sauce made with Breakside Rainbow & Unicorns beer, jalapeno, and green leaf lettuce/ Breakside Brewery cooled it down with Rainbows & Unicorns, their session IPA which also seemed appropriate given that it was Pride Festival weekend in Portland.
    Snackdown 2016 Kim Jong Grillin brought the spice with pork ssam/ Breakside Brewery cooled it down with Rainbows & Unicorns, their session IPA Snackdown 2016 Kim Jong Grillin brought the spice with pork ssam/ Breakside Brewery cooled it down with Rainbows & Unicorns, their session IPA
  • P.R.E.A.M. / Ecliptic Brewing was another favorite pairing of mine, starring a Beef Tartare with flavors of cheeseburger with Ecliptic’s chocolatey and malty Capella Porter
    John Harris brewer of Ecliptic dressed in wrestling costume The Snackdown 2016 P.R.E.A.M. / Ecliptic Brewing was another favorite pairing of mine, staring a Beef Tartare with flavors of cheeseburger with Ecliptic's chocolatey and malty Capella Porter John Harris brewer of Ecliptic dressed in wrestling costume The Snackdown 2016 P.R.E.A.M. / Ecliptic Brewing was another favorite pairing of mine, staring a Beef Tartare with flavors of cheeseburger with Ecliptic's chocolatey and malty Capella Porter Snackdown 2016 P.R.E.A.M. / Ecliptic Brewing was another favorite pairing of mine, staring a Beef Tartare with flavors of cheeseburger with Ecliptic's chocolatey and malty Capella Porter Snackdown 2016 P.R.E.A.M. / Ecliptic Brewing was another favorite pairing of mine, staring a Beef Tartare with flavors of cheeseburger with Ecliptic's chocolatey and malty Capella Porter
  • Biwa gave a special nod toward’s Buoy’s coastal origins by creating Clam Chowder Croquettes while chef Gabe Rosen hilariously posed as Bernie / Buoy Beer poured Rice Rice Baby, a wild rice blond ale using wild rice from Minnesota with rye malt to make a nutty blond that is reminiscent of a saison, a special one off beer for this event and only in limited quantities at their tasting room
    Snackdown 2016 Biwa gave a special nod toward's Buoy's coastal origins by creating Clam Chowder Croquettes / Buoy Beer poured Rice Rice Baby, a wild rice blond ale using wild rice from Minnesota with rye malt to make a nutty blond that is reminiscent of a saison Snackdown 2016 Biwa gave a special nod toward's Buoy's coastal origins by creating Clam Chowder Croquettes / Buoy Beer poured Rice Rice Baby, a wild rice blond ale using wild rice from Minnesota with rye malt to make a nutty blond that is reminiscent of a saison Snackdown 2016 Biwa gave a special nod toward's Buoy's coastal origins by creating Clam Chowder Croquettes / Buoy Beer poured Rice Rice Baby, a wild rice blond ale using wild rice from Minnesota with rye malt to make a nutty blond that is reminiscent of a saison Snackdown 2016 Biwa gave a special nod toward's Buoy's coastal origins by creating Clam Chowder Croquettes while chef Gabe Rosen hilariously posed as Bernie / Buoy Beer poured Rice Rice Baby, a wild rice blond ale using wild rice from Minnesota with rye malt to make a nutty blond that is reminiscent of a saison Snackdown 2016 Biwa gave a special nod toward's Buoy's coastal origins by creating Clam Chowder Croquettes while chef Gabe Rosen hilariously posed as Bernie / Buoy Beer poured Rice Rice Baby, a wild rice blond ale using wild rice from Minnesota with rye malt to make a nutty blond that is reminiscent of a saison
  • Nomad with a frozen barley mousse, anise custard, strawberry, and fennel frond/ Gigantic Brewing with their Holy Oak Whisky Sour beer rounded up snackdown with dessert
    Snackdown 2016 Nomad with a frozen barley mousse, anise custard, strawberry, and fennel frond/ Gigantic Brewing with their Holy Oak Whisky Sour beer rounded up snackdown with dessert Snackdown 2016 Nomad with a frozen barley mousse, anise custard, strawberry, and fennel frond/ Gigantic Brewing with their Holy Oak Whisky Sour beer rounded up snackdown with dessert Snackdown 2016 Nomad with a frozen barley mousse, anise custard, strawberry, and fennel frond/ Gigantic Brewing with their Holy Oak Whisky Sour beer rounded up snackdown with dessert Snackdown 2016 Nomad with a frozen barley mousse, anise custard, strawberry, and fennel frond/ Gigantic Brewing with their Holy Oak Whisky Sour beer rounded up snackdown with dessert

I really hope they bring this Snackdown event back for next year – it was a great value I think since for the price with 10 small dishes from high quality restaurants (some which are harder to get into like Nomad). Also, receiving 10 five ounce pours of beers is a lot – after a while I realized I had to start cutting back on my sipping. Congratulations to Toro Bravo and Hopworks on their win this year!

It was a little haphazard trying to find a place to put a plate and glass down in order to be able to eat – just a few more cocktail tables, even along the side wall by the DJ, could have helped as I saw some people take a gamble by placing glasses on the floor to eat. But, there never seemed to be a line of more than a handful of people to get a pour – a combination of the number of people who came this year I think at a manageble size and each of the stations was well prepared with food plates ready. A checklist sheet listing all the beer and food pairings made it easy to know ahead of time who you wanted to visit in what order and track that you enjoyed all ten teams.

It’s also unfortunate there was no award for best dressed brewer –  Gigantic’s Ben Love went all out, Ecliptic’s John Harris and those fly arm bands and velvet cape, and the cozy PJs with hand drawn hop crest of Ryan Pappe of Portland Brewing were all outstanding and committed to a whole wrestler hero vibe experience. And Herb was perfect as an announcer – everyone was so much fun. The friendly tongue I’m cheek smack talking and friendship between the Brewers and various food crafters I think perfectly embodies the Portland spirit in the food and drink community.

What would have been your vote for best beer and food pairing based on this Snackdown 2016 Recap?

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PDX Beer Week 2016 Highlights

June 6, 2016 by 4 Comments

This Thursday kicks off PDX Beer Week 2016, which lasts from June 9 to June 19. Yes, this is actually more than a week, but it’s been like that for years and I can’t complain about having more days to have more events to celebrate Portland beer. For these eleven days of fun, the events range from those showcasing new beers or particular beer styles to special collaboration food inspired or to be paired with beers. There are beer events for the beer geek like seminars, but there are also beer events that are accessible even to the casual or novice beer drinker like beer sampling.
Portland Beer Week June 9-19th 2016

In fact, there are quite a few limited edition collaborations available to celebrate Portland Beer Week 2016 that are beyond just drinking beer or beer events. Check out these special one off concoctions available at multiple locations throughout the duration of the 11 days of June 9-19.
Portland Beer Week 2016 special beer inspired food Blue Star Donuts S'more Beer donut, a chocolate beer mousse filled donut with toasted marshmallow topping.

  • Portland Brewing & Double Mountain‘s official beer of the 2016 Portland Beer Week – Subcontinental IPA. This is a ~7% ABV northwest IPA brewed with Indian spices like pepper, cardamom, clove, cumin and saffron. These spices highlight the beer’s biscuity malt base and tropical fruit hop notes, and I was surprised as the beer warmed a bit how the spices became more prominent and really tasty, particularly the cardamom and cumin for me. You can find 22 oz bottles at local beer bottle shops as well as Whole Foods who is doing a special free tasting at all their Portland Whole Foods locations on Friday June 10 and Wednesday June 16, as well as of course at the Portland Brewing and Double Mountain taprooms.
    Portland Brewing & Double Mountain's official beer of the 2016 Portland Beer Week - Subcontinental IPA. This is a ~7% ABV northwest IPA brewed with Indian spices like pepper, cardamom, clove, cumin and saffron Portland Brewing & Double Mountain's official beer of the 2016 Portland Beer Week - Subcontinental IPA. This is a ~7% ABV northwest IPA brewed with Indian spices like pepper, cardamom, clove, cumin and saffron
  • Bunk Sandwiches Beer Week Fried Chicken Sandwich, a SubContinental IPA brined buttermilk fried chicken with bacon scallion aioli, hot sauce, maple & Pickopolis pickles. Available at Bunk Wonder during beer week. There is another beer sandwich, a sloppy joe made with Good Life Cash stout, is also available at Bunk Bar Water.
    Bunk Sandwiches Beer Week Fried Chicken Sandwich, a SubContinental IPA brined buttermilk fried chicken with green onion & bacon aioli, hot sauce, maple & pickles. Available at Bunk Wonder during beer week. Bunk Sandwiches Beer Week Fried Chicken Sandwich, a SubContinental IPA brined buttermilk fried chicken with green onion & bacon aioli, hot sauce, maple & pickles. Available at Bunk Wonder during beer week.
  • HOT LIPS Pizza’s Beer Bratlips, a pizza with Smoked Carlton Farms bratwurst simmered in Subcontinental IPA with Tillamook extra-sharp cheddar, fresh onions, mozzarella, and a garlic Parmesan base finished with whole grain maple mustard glaze. This will be available at all six HOTLIPS pizza locations.
    HOT LIPS Pizza's Beer Bratlips, a pizza with Smoked Carlton Farms bratwurst simmered in Subcontinental IPA with Tillamook extra-sharp cheddar, fresh onions, mozzarella, and a garlic parmesan base finished with whole grain maple mustard glaze. This will be available at all six HOTLIPS pizza locations. for Portland Beer Week 2016 HOT LIPS Pizza's Beer Bratlips, a pizza with Smoked Carlton Farms bratwurst simmered in Subcontinental IPA with Tillamook extra-sharp cheddar, fresh onions, mozzarella, and a garlic parmesan base finished with whole grain maple mustard glaze. This will be available at all six HOTLIPS pizza locations. for Portland Beer Week 2016 HOT LIPS Pizza's Beer Bratlips, a pizza with Smoked Carlton Farms bratwurst simmered in Subcontinental IPA with Tillamook extra-sharp cheddar, fresh onions, mozzarella, and a garlic parmesan base finished with whole grain maple mustard glaze. This will be available at all six HOTLIPS pizza locations. for Portland Beer Week 2016 HOT LIPS Pizza's Beer Bratlips, a pizza with Smoked Carlton Farms bratwurst simmered in Subcontinental IPA with Tillamook extra-sharp cheddar, fresh onions, mozzarella, and a garlic parmesan base finished with whole grain maple mustard glaze. This will be available at all six HOTLIPS pizza locations. for Portland Beer Week 2016
  • I tried Beer Bratwurst especially made for the Portland Brewing Taproom by SP Provisions using about 30 gallons of beer for every 100 pounds when making the bratwurst, and then the sausage is further cooked by simmering it in the beer and then you can enjoy it with the beer mustard!. Definitely for me this bratwurst is the best food pairing with the beer itself – or any beer, any time of year,
    SP Provisions bratwurst is especially made for Portland Brewing, and includes using about 30 gallons of beer for every 100 pounds when making the sausage, and then the sausage is further cooked in the beer and then you can enjoy it with the beer mustard. Definitely for me this bratwurst is the best food pairing with the beer itself - or any beer, any time of year! SP Provisions bratwurst is especially made for Portland Brewing, and includes using about 30 gallons of beer for every 100 pounds when making the sausage, and then the sausage is further cooked in the beer and then you can enjoy it with the beer mustard. Definitely for me this bratwurst is the best food pairing with the beer itself - or any beer, any time of year!
  • Blue Star Donuts S’more Beer donut, an IPA chocolate mousse filled donut with toasted marshmallow topping. I mean, just look at this beauty.
    Blue Star Donuts S'more Beer donut, a chocolate beer mousse filled donut with toasted marshmallow topping. Blue Star Donuts S'more Beer donut, a chocolate beer mousse filled donut with toasted marshmallow topping.
  • Salt & Straw Ice Cream’s Garam Masala & Hops, a special ice cream that uses a combination of Indian spices and hop that match the same ones used by the Subcontinental IPA, plus chunks of dark molasses cake. This was my favorite of all the 4 beer “foods” inspired by the beer I tried! This flavor is available exclusively at Wiz Bang Bar at Pine Street Market.
    Salt & Straw Ice Cream's Garam Masala & Hops, a special ice cream that uses a combination of Indian spices and hop that match the same ones used by the Subcontinental IPA, plus chunks of molasses cake Salt & Straw Ice Cream's Garam Masala & Hops, a special ice cream that uses a combination of Indian spices and hop that match the same ones used by the Subcontinental IPA, plus chunks of molasses cake

I have attended events of PDX Beer Week every year -and here’s a summary of events I wanted to highlight during this beer celebration week. For the full list of PDX Beer Week events, see their PDX Beer Week 2016 Events Calendar.

  • For any of you IPA lovers, El Segundo Brewing from California is having a launch party Thursday, June 9 6 – 10 PM starring their very hop forward, taking place naturally at beer bar N.W.I.P.A. Then a week later, also at N.W. I.P.A., on Friday June 17 5 PM on attend the 3-Way IPA party that offers the 3 Way IPA on tap as well as IPAs from all three of the 3 Way IPA collaborators of Fort George, Barley Brown’s, and Melvin Brewing
  • Pair beer and food at a great value on Thursday June 9 6 – 9 PM. For $40 per person at The Beer Belly Dinner with Ecliptic at Eastburn you get 5 courses paired with five Ecliptic beers – see the menu at the link. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit The Jeremy Wilson Foundation, a nonprofit health and service organization supporting musicians and their families during medical emergencies.
  • One of my favorite beer festivals every year is the Portland Fruit Beer Festival. This year it has finally moved from the Burnside Brewing parking lot, which it has outgrown, to the shady North Park Blocks (NW 8th and Davis) with 40% more room and did I mention shade? Running from Friday, June 10 – Sunday June 12 this festival offers fruit beers, ciders for the gluten free, food trucks for eats and live music, and is all ages.
    Portland Fruit Beer Festival 2016 Poster
    I’ve highlighted Portland Fruit Beer Festival beers in the past in 2015 and 2014 and I’m going this year as well. I often go multiple times because of special tap beers they tap over the days. This year 29 breweries and 7 cideries are offering 36 regularly pouring taps of beers, plus 24 additional rare and rotating tap lines. Look for my personal picks list on Thursday and which I’ll update after attending on Friday!

  • For an alternate festival, celebrate  at the 1 night Rye Beer Festival with 20 Rye Beers from 20 participating breweries and Rye Beer Cocktails at Eastburn from Friday June 10 from 4 PM – 2 AM. Part of the proceeds of the Rye Beer Festival will benefit the Children’s Cancer Association. This year, highlights of the Rye Beer Festival include a whiskey back card offered for $10 that includes (3) 1/2 ounce shots of Russell’s Reserve Rye, Knob Creek Rye and Wild Turkey Rye and Jacob Grier will be creating a special rye beer cocktail combining specially brewed Rye Beer Festival official beer Back Pedal Brewing’s Oatmeal Ryesin Cookie beer with rye whiskey and other ingredients and other cocktails. At 10pm the fest will offer live music from The Cure cover band The Xploding Boys (no cover of you’re in by 8:30, and remember the proceeds go towards a great cause anyway). 
  • For a different take on beers in a new way, the Randallized Beer Fest being held on Saturday June 11 (free, just pay for what you drink) at Imperial Taproom offers local beers poured through Randalls containing a variety of interesting ingredients to add new twists of flavors.
  • If you love Sour Beers, Saraveza Bottle Shop and Pasty Tavern on Saturday June 11 and Sunday June 12 all day will be pouring Cascade Brewing as part of a Cascade Invasion that includes a special Saraveza blend as well as Elderberry Blond, Nectarine Dream, Rose City Sour and Mixed Plum while also “putting out a massive selection of vintage Cascade bottles that we’ve been hoarding” for you to purchase.
    Saraveza's Flight of Five Chili and Smoked Beers for Fire & Brimstone... Burnside Sweet Heat always glows in the glass it seems (front right)
    For a more serious sour beer education, attend the Sour & Wild Ale Seminar presented by Oregon State University and panelists like Trevor Rogers (De Garde Breiwng), Christian de Benedetti (Wolves & People), Alex Ganum (Upright Brewing), Matt van Wyk (Alesong Brewing & Blending and formerly Oakshire) and Ben Edmunds (Breakside Brewery) at Tuesday, June 14 at 5:30 PM at Upright Brewing.
    There’s even a sour beer festival, courtesy of Imperial hosting the Sour Solstice Sour Beer Festival on Saturday June 18 and a dozen sour beers to choose from on tap.
    Sour Beer Solstice for Portland Beer Week 2016
    If you’re really into bourbon barrel aged Cascade, although not technically part of Portland Beer Week, Cascade is having Bourbon Barrel Week.5 from June 7-19 at Cascade Brewing and Raccoon Lodge.
  • I always want to promote beer pairings with food, so if you’re out in the Happy Valley area come out on Sunday June 12 3 PM – 6 PM to the Happy Valley Station Food Cart Pod with Alameda, Base Camp, Coalition, and Culmination breweries bringing beer out to the 24 food carts in a structure location, and the food carts will be offering Open House Special where Food Samples are $1, $2, & $3 so you can try all the food carts.
  • There are always new breweries opening up in Oregon so it may be heard to track them all. Thankfully there is the 101 on the newbies all at once that you can attend via the  New Oregon Breweries Showcase, this year happening at Bailey’s Taproom on Monday June 13 noon – midnight. The showcase will introduce you to 11 new breweries from Oregon, all opened within the last year and you will get a chance to meet the brewers and owners 5 – 8 PM as well as enjoy beers from newcomers Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery, Alesong Brewing & Blending, Ruse Brewing, Freebridge Brewing, Ancestry Brewing, Public Coast Brewing, Great Notion Brewing and more TBA. I will be at this event if you want to say hi!
    New School presents the New Oregon Breweries Showcase 2016
  • Another exciting beer pairing dinner is Maya Lovelace of Mae PDX and her fried chicken with six beers from Breakside, Ballast Point, and Fremont on Monday June 13 7 PM at Old Salt Marketplace. See the menu here that includes family style dinner with Carolina gold risotto with morels, ramps, and shelling peas; Buttermilk brined chicken skillet fried in 3 fats (bacon fat, chicken fat, and lard), Pimento mac and cheese, and Brown sugar pound cake studded with bourbon barrel smoked cocoa nibs, macerated strawberries, buttermilk vanilla whipped cream. See the link for the full dinner and beer pairing list and if there any of the tickets left!
    Skillet Fried Chicken with Crystal Hot Sauce and the gorgeous skillet of Creamed Corn with Summer Savory and Smoked Soy Skillet Fried Chicken with Crystal Hot Sauce
  • How about Barrel Aged Beer and Bacon? Also on Monday June 13 6 PM – 11 PM Saraveza Bottle Shop and Pasty Tavern welcomes Fremont Brewing with BBF (Bacon Best Friend) Zeph from Proletariat Butchery passing out FREE samples of his delicious meat as Fremont brings taproom only and barrel aged beers with them for Fremont Bacon Night.
    Fremont Brewing Tap Takeover at Upper Lip Schwag!
  • Also on Monday June 13 is an opportunity to see how beer pairs with sushi when Roscoe’s and Miyamoto Sushi pair up to offer four courses of sushi paired with pFriem Family Brewers Oude Kriek, Crux Fermentation Project Apricot Wild Farmhouse Ale, The Commons Brewery, and Breakside Brewery. The cost for the 4 courses of Sushi and Beers is $25, just  show up any time at Roscoe’s between 4:30 and 8:30 PM or until they run out.
  • If you are a Belgian Beer aficionado, look to the 5th Annual Battle of the Belgian beers with 4 Belgian beers versus 4 US Belgian-inspired styles on Tuesday, June 14 between 5-9 PM at Bazi Bierbrasserie with $15 for all eight 5 ounce tasters.
    The next day, on Wednesday June 15 Bazi presents the annual Mussels from Brussels with five breweries (Breakside , Fat Head’s, Lompoc, pFriem, and Upright), five secret sauces created by each brewery for dipping in one pound of mussels served with fries, and paired with their Belgian-inspired beer, and you judge who is the winner. Seating for you/audience judges will take place every 30 minutes between 5:30-8:30 PM.
  • One of my favorite festivals all year is this one pairing Beer and Cheese at the Portland Beer and Cheese Festival (already sold out!), this year at the on Saturday, June 18 1 – 5 PM at Wayfinder Beer. Expertly pairing samples of beer with a sample of cheese times ten. 10 different beers from 10 different breweries with 10 amazing cheeses paired by Cheesemonger Steve Jones of Cheese Bar. Your ticket price include sample of each plus complimentary samples of Xocolatl de David artisian chocolates and charcuterie and meats from Wayfinder chef Rodney Muirhead. To get an idea of the experience, check out my recap of last year’s event.
    Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Firestone Walker Lil Opal with Ferns Edge Mt June goat cheese from Oregon along with some Olympia Provisions charcuterie and Woodblock Chocolate Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Fat Heads Rye bock with Willamette Valley Cheese Brindisi cow cheese from Oregon
  • A new closing event for Portland Beer week this year is SNACKDOWN! on Sunday June 19th 12 – 4 PM at The Evergreen event space above Loyal Legion. SNACKDOWN! is a food and beer pairing event where 10 of Portland Chefs and 10 Oregon Brewers are paired into 10 Brewer/Chef teams to make their greatest snack and beer pairing. Guests will choose their favorite pairing and the winning team will be awarded the SNACKDOWN Belt! This event is designed to be more loose than a traditional beer pairing dinner. DJ Rev Shines will be keeping the party live, while the atmosphere is styled like a WWF style Smackdown with brewers and chefs hyping their pairing on the mic – possibly while sporting wrestling themed costume. WHAT? Yeah I will totally be there.
    Snackdown Portland Beer Week 2016 Closing Party
    The 10 Brewer/Chef teams include:

Are you going to any of the Portland Beer week events? Do any of those beer inspired items sound like something you want to try?

Disclosure: I attended a preview of the Limited Edition Portland Beer Week treats and a Portland Fruit Beer Festival media preview, but I was already planning on writing the Portland Beer Week post before the media previews, and I was not asked or compensated for this post and I purchased/pay my own way at any PDX Beer Week events I attend. I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own.

 

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Recap of Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015

July 8, 2015 by 8 Comments

July is Oregon Craft Beer Month, and as part of the celebration I am going to share a way to celebrate beer. Today, I’m going to talk about beer and cheese.

As per my previous years where I recapped the beer and cheese pairings of the Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2014, and 2013, and 2012, here is the one for 2015. I hope besides for those researching in 2016 whether to attend, this post also gives you ideas on how you might want to think about pairing beer and cheese. At the end of this post, I include some of my own general tips for pairing beer and cheese in case you want to give it a try at home,  and list some upcoming events that include beer and cheese.

As usual, the Portland and Beer Cheese festival took place on Father’s day last month. They had a punch-card that helps you look forward to the list of beers and the pairing that Steve from Steve’s Cheese Bar and Chizu and Cheese Annex (Cheese Annex is also located here at the premises of The Commons Brewery). It’s also smart as it lets them manage the number of samples with the attendance. If you are having your own beer and cheese tasting at home, you may want to follow this example by creating and then print out a pairing sheet yourself.
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, charcuterie by Olympica Provisions and chocolates by Woodblock Chocolate helped compliment the beer and cheese pairings (here Lompoc Doppelbock with Le Saut du Doubs Summer comte cow cheese from France) Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Firestone Walker Lil Opal with Ferns Edge Mt June goat cheese from Oregon along with some Olympia Provisions charcuterie and Woodblock Chocolate

Olympia Provisions was on hand providing charcuterie buffet of sliced meat, sausages, pickled things and bit of mustard to also allow you to try some additional flavors with the cheese and beer. To help balance the flavors of beer and cheese, having some side charcuterie and mustard, or fruit compotes and nuts and crackers, is something to add to your own beer and cheese pairing party.
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, charcuterie and crackers and pickles and a touch of mustard offered by Olympia Provisions helped compliment the beer and cheese pairings Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, charcuterie and crackers and pickles and a touch of mustard offered by Olympia Provisions helped compliment the beer and cheese pairings

And, new this year was Woodblock Chocolate also offering some samples of their various chocolates to pair with the cheese and beer (I liked them best with the last 2 beers, though their chocolate infused with hops worked well with the other beers as well). Woodblock even made two special chocolates, a Milk Chocolate infusion with Patagonia Crystal Malt and a Dark Chocolate Infusion with Meridian Hops. Just like cheese can be paired with beer, and food can be paired with beer, you could theoretically do a whole pairing of just chocolate and beer too!
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, chocolates by Woodblock Chocolate helped compliment the beer and cheese pairings and could be tested to pair with the beer too Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, chocolates by Woodblock Chocolate helped compliment the beer and cheese pairings and could be tested to pair with the beer too Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, chocolates by Woodblock Chocolate helped compliment the beer and cheese pairings and could be tested to pair with the beer too Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, chocolates by Woodblock Chocolate helped compliment the beer and cheese pairings and could be tested to pair with the beer too Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, chocolates by Woodblock Chocolate made special batches of Milk Chocolate infusion with Patagonia Crystal Malt and a Dark Chocolate Infusion with Meridian Hops Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, chocolates by Woodblock Chocolate helped compliment the beer and cheese pairings and could be tested to pair with the beer too

The pairings this year at the Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015 included:

pFriem Family Brewers pFriem Pils with L’Amuse Brabander Goat Gouda Goat Cheese from Netherlands
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of pFriem Family Brewers pFriem Pils with L'Amuse Brabander Goat Gouda Goat Cheese from Netherlands

The Commons Brewery French Country Ale with Raclette du Haut Livadors cow cheese from France
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of The Commons Brewery French Country Ale with Raclette du Haut Livadors cow cheese from France

Fat Heads Rye bock with Willamette Valley Cheese Brindisi cow cheese from Oregon – one of my favorite beers, cheese, also pairings of the day
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Fat Heads Rye bock with Willamette Valley Cheese Brindisi cow cheese from Oregon

Laurelwood Brewing Co Chateau du Sylvia with Uniekaas Vintage Grand Ewe sheep cheese from Netherlands
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Laurelwood Brewing Co Chateau du Sylvia with Uniekaas Vintage Grand Ewe sheep cheese from Netherlands

Lompoc Doppelbock with Le Saut du Doubs Summer comte cow cheese from France
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, charcuterie by Olympica Provisions and chocolates by Woodblock Chocolate helped compliment the beer and cheese pairings (here Lompoc Doppelbock with Le Saut du Doubs Summer comte cow cheese from France)
(the photo of the meat, cheese, chocolate together, no lone photo of just cheese and beer)

Firestone Walker Lil Opal with Ferns Edge Mt June goat cheese from Oregon
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Firestone Walker Lil Opal with Ferns Edge Mt June goat cheese from Oregon

Ecliptic Ultraviolet Blackberry Sour with Hooks Cheese Co 8 Year Cheddar cow cheese from Wisconsin – the only beer pairing I was not as enthused about because the cheddar was strong and overwhelmed the beer
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Ecliptic Ultraviolet Blackberry Sour with Hooks Cheese Co 8 Year Cheddar cow cheese from Wisconsin

Breakside Brewing India Golden Ale with Mahon Curado Reserva cow cheese from Spain – a great pairing because the cheese could stand up to and last as long as the flavors of this hoppy beer
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Breakside Brewing India Golden Ale with Mahon Curado Reserva cow cheese from Spain

Alameda XX Stout with Marquis del Castillo Zamerano sheep cheese from Spain
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Alameda XX Stout with Marquis del Castillo Zamerano sheep cheese from Spain Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Alameda XX Stout with Marquis del Castillo Zamerano sheep cheese from Spain

Hopworks Urban Brewery Big Poppa with Neals Yard Colston Bassett Stilton cow cheese from UK – my other favorite beer, cheese, and beer cheese pairing of the day. Overall I think Big Poppa (aged Notorious FIG in Woodford barrel) was my favorite beer all day with its big bold flavors.
Portland Beer and Cheese Fest 2015, pairing of Hopworks Urban Brewery Big Poppa with Neals Yard Colston Bassett Stilton cow cheese from UK

In case for Oregon Beer Month you are interested in creating your own beer and cheese matching at home, you can see some hints at how to pair beer and cheeses with this line up.

  • Gouda always tends to be a good choice as it is mild and depending on the age of the gouda, can be slightly nutty to having caramel notes, both which go well with flavors in pale beers varying from ales to lagers and farmhouse styles and most German styles that have a malty component. To me having gouda is like having pretzels – of course it’ll go with beer.
  • The citrus tang that you can often found in goat cheeses like chevre go great with wheat and Belgian beers. Some soft cheeses like brie can also go well with this style in echoing a bit of the earthyiness and grassyness
  • Another alternate way is to let the pale beer help cool some spiciness – and thus pairing a pale ale or pilsner with a pepper jack or jalapeno cheese
  • I pretty much trust any Willamette Valley Cheese to good with anything – in particular their Brindisi is an aged fontina that is a good balance of nutty and salty (though WVC also makes many gouda and havarti styles). During my recap you saw that Steve paired it with a rye bock, but it works just as well with many other darker German styles that are smoky like a Rauchbier or other Oktoberfest and dark lager beer styles. That means you a lot of the alpine cheeses (Swiss, Gruyere) or Italian (Fontina, Parmesan) could work with the beer style as well.
  • With a hoppy beer, you want a cheese that is strong enough to balance the slight bitterness and bring out citrus and grass if they are present in the beer. A Spanish cheese, or aged sharp cheddar, or muenster, could work well here depending on the IPA’s IBU and flavor profiles. Or go intense in a funky way with a soft rind cheese
  • Blue cheeses and stiltons, which are rich and salty and big and flavors themselves, are fabulous with imperial stouts, barleywines and big boozy barrel aged beers because they can stand up to the strength of the beer
  • For a fruit beer, I like the idea of a fresh light cheese like ricotta, ladysmith, and marcarpone the same way fruit and cream go well together.

Goudas and Cheddars or Specialty Cheeses with special treatment (aka rubbed with espresso or with dill or cumin or such) are the cheeses I most often buy to pair with beers. Favorite cheesemakers that often show up on my receipts include cheeses from Willamettte Valley Cheese, Beecher’s Handmade Cheeses, Sartori Cheeses and Beehive Cheeses have never failed to make an interesting combo with beer.

To get more ideas, visit Cheese Bar, Chizu, or Cheese Annex at The Commons to see more examples of the great cheeses Steve pairs with beer, and at all those locations Steve has even selected beer to already go with his cheese offerings!

Any cheesemonger at your local store is sure to be happy if you bring ideas of beer you might be serving to help you pick out a cheese, or you can have them help pick cheese and suggest beers – don’t be shy about asking. I’ve had great luck asking the Murray’s Cheese cheesemongers at Fred Meyers or the cheesemongers at every Whole Foods for unusual pairings when I’m looking for something new to try (plus often they let you try a sample to make sure it’s right).

With July being Oregon Craft Beer month, I suggest keeping an eye out for future possible beer and cheese pairing events: you can see the Oregon Craft Beer calendar here, and also check Brewpublic and New School of Beer for listings. I’ll also try to share events on Twitter. A few upcoming ones include

  • For another Beer and Cheese Fest this month, the next upcoming beer and cheese specific event is July 11th – Saturday at Fred Meyer Wilsonville with their own Beer and Cheese Fest. The Beer and Cheese Fest kicks off at 5 PM featuring Ecliptic Brewing Beers. There will be a Beer and Cheese pairing class on July 15th at Fred Meyer Stadium on W Burnside/100 NW 20th from 6 – 7 PM featuring Burnside Brewing. This “Suds & Curds: The Perfect Pair” class is FREE (you can even sign up online). Contact those specific locations of Fred Meyer for more information.
  • Although this isn’t a beer and cheese pairing event, this coming Saturday is a Brewer’s Dinner with New Belgium Beer and Elephant’s Deli that sounds delicious – see the specifics of the 5 course meal for $50 (one of the courses includes a cheese- Pecorino Two Ways paired with a beer) at the Brewpublic article here.
  • Food Pairing Dinner every Friday in July at Rogue in Astoria — If you are escaping to the Coast and by Astoria during any weekend this month, you might consider grabbing dinner at Rogue on Friday nights. Rogue Public House is featuring a Rogue Ales and Food Pairing every Friday on top of their normal 30 taps featuring Rogue beers along with other Oregon beers on tap, including Buckman Brewery. While in Astoria, also consider stopping by Fort George, and Buoy Brewing!

Do you have any plans to celebrate Oregon Craft Beer month of July, whether it be out at an event or at home? Do you have a true and tried favorite beer and cheese combo?

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