Local Beer Finds

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Well, it's the end of Oregon Craft Beer Month.  Honestly, I didn't get to visit all the brew pubs I'd hoped to.  However, I DID discover a handful of great Oregon Craft Beers.

Burnside Brewing Company's Sweet Heat - was recommended to me by my friend, and fellow foodie, Lisa Jordan.  I went to New Seasons to pick up a bottle only to discover the market was giving away free samples of the very beer I was looking for.  Lucky me! :-)

This is a wheat ale with an addition of 200 pounds of Apricot puree, then dry hopped with imported Jamaican Scotch Bonnet peppers.

Sweet Heat has a subtle tartness from the fruit with a bold, even HOT, spiciness from the peppers which makes for an unique drinking experience.  If you like a good kick of heat, this beer is worth trying.  The only drawback is in trying to find a food to pair it with.
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Burnside Brewing Company's Lime Kolsch - is brewed as a German style Kolsch made with; premium pilsner malt, Munich malt, wheat, Tettnanger hops, German ale yeast, lime zest, Kaffir Lime leaf, and lemongrass; to produce a crisp dry beer that begins hoppy and finishes with a pleasant lime taste.

I drank this Kolsch as part of a modified version of a Ploughman's lunch (Cambozola & Triple Creme Brie on buttery crackers, Smoked Gouda, and half a salted red bell pepper) on a hot afternoon.  The beer worked nicely against the rich fatty cheeses, and was very refreshing during the day's heat.
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Lompac Brewery's Kick Axe Pale Ale - is a crisp, easy drinking pale ale. Dry hopped in the fermenter, Kick Axe has a very hoppy initial flavor & aroma with a citrus-esc note on the finish. 

I found this beer at a pub in Old Town Sherwood, and ordered it to accompany a Fried Oyster Club Sandwich.  I honestly have to report, the beer's grapefruit undertone was, by far, the best part of the meal.

Fried oysters should never be black with char.
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Razz Wheat Beer from Hillsboro, Oregon's Vertigo Brewing - This summer beer is brewed with over twelve pounds of real raspberries per barrel.  In appearance, Razz is the color of clouded ocher with a red blush. Raspberry flavors are pronounced, but don't overpower the taste of dry wheat & hops.

I drank this alongside a Cabo-Cado Sandwich (Bacon, guacamole, house made spicy mayo, lettuce & tomato) at Primrose & Tumbleweeds.  The sweet fruitiness of the beer played well against the smokey salty fatty spicy sandwich.
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Of course, the month being over doesn't mean I'm going to end my exploration of Oregon Craft Beers.  There are literally hundreds of varieties I still want to try, and one month simply isn't enough time.

What's your favorite Oregon Craft Beer?
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