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Alcohol Certifications

Published on March 9, 2016 (Updated on March 9, 2016) by

Recently I was in San Francisco taking my Certified Sommelier exam. I never really thought that this was something that I would pursue. This article is going to be a discussion of why I believe any and all certifications can be vital to ones future. Currently I am a Certified Sommelier, Certified Beer Server Cicerone, and have completed the United Sates Bartenders Guild Academy of Spirits and Fine Service. Originally when I first started studying alcoholic beverage I started with the category I knew the least about, wine. While studying I was constantly asked if I would be taking the […]

Oregon Truffle Festival

Published on January 27, 2016 by

Know as the white diamonds and black gold of the culinary world truffles are a seasonal prize that the most famous chefs love to create dishes for. Most famously coming from France and Italy, other countries are discovering they have the rare delicacies growing in their soil as well. Croatia and China have been the biggest up and comers in the industry but Oregon is also making its mark. It makes perfect sense if you think about how Oregon is famous for its Burgundian style Pinot Noir due to being on the similar attitude and having similar terror. While the history […]

Sierra Nevada OTRA VEZ™

Published on December 29, 2015 by John Paddon

Sierra Nevada adds a new beer to its available year round line up and that they chose a gose style beer is a testimony to the strength of the sour beer trend in the U.S. As is tradition in gose beers, this is based from part malt and part wheat. The sourness from the lactobacillus is aided by the addition of tangy prickly pear cactus. I am generally not a fan of brewers putting things into my beer no matter how historically based the idea might be, but this was so well integrated, I would have never picked it out as having […]

Ninkasi Brewing Company

Published on December 26, 2015 by

For the holidays my wife and I went down to Eugene, Oregon to visit our friends. Of course for me this is an opportunity to visit a new brewery. With a location 2 hours south of Portland and home to the University of Oregon, short of seeing a Ducks game this is a rare opportunity for me to visit Eugene. Ninkasi is the largest brewery in Eugene and the 4th largest in Oregon. Named after the ancient Sumerian Goddess of fermentation the companies motto is “Perpetuate Better Living”, which is a tribute to the companies promise to the environment as […]

20th Annual Holiday Ale Festival

Published on December 13, 2015 by

So here in Portland we will find any reason to have a beer fest, and what better reason than the holiday season. Downtown in Pioneer Square underneath tents with heaters and over looking the cities Christmas tree is a two-story winter wonderland of beer. Over 50 breweries participating in the event that supports the Children’s Cancer Association. So not only do you get to taste some fantastic winter/holiday theme beers that have never been tasted by the public before, but you also get to support a great cause. All of the breweries participation in the event are required produce or […]