If you're looking for the best in coffee, you go to Seattle. For wine, you
visit California. When it comes to the best in beer go to Portland Oregon,
where a quality brewpub is never more than fifteen minutes away.
Since
the days of the pioneers, the Williamette River in western Oregon has been
the center of hop growing and beer brewing. The area had a big advantage
over other cities when the microbrew, because the history was already
there; along with hops, the grain, the spring water and the fruit for
summer beers. Regional brewers and microbreweries began to open across the
region, and brewpubs soon followed.
While the brewery landscape of
Portland was changing, something was also happening to the beer. It wasn't
just for chugging anymore. These micro brewed and regional creations were
all grown up. Hand crafted beers were being used in cooking, just like
wine, and Portland brewpubs were adapting their menus to incorporate more
of their beers. Salad dressing, marinades and even desserts were boasting
micro brewed flavours.
If you visit a brewpub, you'll often be
offered a sampler of the best in their owned micro brewed creations. Think
of it as a wine tasting, but without the spitting. Sip on a variety of
brews, from light and hoppy to dark and sweet, and try to choose your
favorite from the resident brew master. Here is what to look for in a good
micro brewed pint:
Good Head
Consider this the crown to your
liquid jewel. Having a good on the pint ensures that you'll get a strong
smell of the brew, so be sure to pour your pint carefully.
Use a
Glass
Your pint glass should be crystal clean. Most reputable brewpubs
will hand wash and hand dry the glasses to keep them spotless. Even a tiny
spot of grease can deflate the head and leave soapy-looking bubbles behind.
Vocabulary
You've
heard of people talking "wine talk". Beer has a vocabulary, too. A good
brew has a "mouth feel", which describes the body of the brew: light,
medium, or full. Don't assume that a dark beer is full-bodied or heavy;
colour can be misleading and even light bodied beers can have full bodied
taste.
Chill Out
The English have always tried to tell us that
refrigeration makes beer too cold. Now our brewpubs are proving the point.
Typical refrigeration leaves the beer too cold to fully appreciate the
taste. Brewpubs serve beer at cool, not cold temperatures. Chilled and
iced glasses are reserved for martinis.
Beer#it's not just for
college kids and tailgate parties anymore. A pint of modern microbrew is
savored as much as a glass of fine wine. In the Portland, Oregon area
where it all began, there is a cluster of microbreweries where homemade
brews are the star attractions. Next time you're in the area, stop in for
a pint. You'll see why Portland microbrews are rated among the best in the
United States, and the world over.
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