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It's Christmas time for hop heads; This year's fresh hop beers are a-flowing!
Brewed within hours of the hop harvest, these delectably floral creations are among the last truly seasonal beers left in existence worldwide. And because we live within a few hours' drive of the vast majority of North America's hop harvest, ours are always something particularly special.
This week, fresh-hopped creations creep onto taps all over town, greeting familiar tongues and newcomers alike with their beautiful bouquet of chlorophyl and dank flowery freshness.
That, a smattering of sun, plus a few exciting anniversaries (with an oddly-high number of whole animal roasts included in the festivities) makes this the absolutely perfect time to be a beer lover in Portland.
Save that post-Labor Day vacation time for later! You've got some drinking to do.
Thursday, September 8
Baerlic Fresh Hop Beer Release X2
Baerlic is among the first to release its annual batch of fresh hop goodness, doubling up with an English pale with floral Mt. Hood hops and an oat-infused pilsner with some tasty Sterlings — all straight from the illustrious Crosby Hop Farm. Baerlic Brewing Company, 2235 SE 11th Ave. 6 pm. Free.
Friday, September 9
Stormtoberfest
Leaving aside that Stormtoberfest sounds a bit like celebrating the eternal fate of Belgium at the hands of Germany, Stormbreaker Brewing is getting a one-week jump on Oktoberfest with five German-steal brews including a märzen, a beer tent with sausage pairings (ha!), Bavarian food specials, accordion players and, uh, lederhosen-friendly policies. Stormbreaker Brewing, 832 N Beech St. 12-11 pm, September 9-11. Free.
Saturday, September 10
N.W.I.P.A. 4th Anniversary
N.W.I.P.A. has been on FoPo for four bitter years. They're celebrating with Chicken and Guns' Latin-style grilled chicken onsite, live music and—duh—IPAs, with $4 cheap pints of Block 15, Fat Head's, Great Notion, Claim 52 and Cloudburst beers. Commemorative glassware will be involved. N.W.I.P.A., 6350 SE Foster Rd. 12 pm-12 am. Free.
BTU Turns Two
Portland's only Chinese food brewpub celebrates its second anniversary this weekend, cementing last year's spent grain-fed pig roast as an annual tradition, as well as introducing an imperial red, rye ale, and fresh hop beer to the public. Sounds like one heck of a party. BTU Brasserie, 5846 NE Sandy Blvd. 2-11 pm. Free.
Base Camp Harvest Dinner
Three fresh hop beers and a goat roast meet your tastebuds as Base Camp, GeerCrest Farm, and the Oregon Historical Society—of all places—join forces to deliver a tasty seasonal feast. We can't speak to the quality for this year's fresh hop selection from the outdoor brewery yet, but we can assure you It'll be among the freshest meal tickets in town. Base Camp Brewing Company, 930 SE Oak St. 5 pm. $40.
Great Notion New Raspberry Sour Release
The bold tongues at Alberta Street's best brewpub release a draft-only raspberry sour ale this Saturday, aged with 126 pounds of fresh local fruit. Fermented with a mixed culture of lacto, pedio, and brettanomyces, there should be layers of complexity hiding in this magical pink elixir. Great Notion Brewing and Barrel House, 2204 NE Alberta St #101. 12-11 pm. Free.
Sour Beer Day
Northwest Portland will be a little sour this weekend, with two different bars—the Abbeys on both 21st and 23rd avenues—fully stocked with a lineup of sour beers ranging from Belgian (21st) to all over Europe (23rd), with taster flights available. Consider it the cheapest drunken European tour you'll make this year. Abbey Bar, 716 NW 21st Ave. 12 pm. Free.
Willamette Week