Beer Adventure: Laurelwood Brewing. Portland. Aug. 11

Aug. 11: Beer Adventure: Laurelwood!

I picked my sister up in Portland to take her out to the beach to join the rest of the family. I volunteered in part as an excuse to stop at a brewery before heading to the coast. I got to be a nice guy, and I got to try new beers. Win-Win. And I got to introduce my sister to new beers as well, so win-win-win.

I Tried:

Hooligan Brown. One of the best browns I’ve ever had. Dominated more by the dark brown caramel malts than by the hops. Enough hops to make it interesting, but subtle enough to let the malt do most of the talking. I’m glad that they bottle it since Laurelwood is a pretty small operation. I just wish it could make it a little further south than Medford. (Aug. 2011). Tried again in Pub. Deep roasty malty goodness. Smooth and earthy with a hint of sour. Very pleasant with limited hoppiness. 5.3% ABV. 31 IBU. (8/11/2012)

Organic Pale Ale.  Strong, competent pale. Comparable to the flavor of Firestone 31, or Drifter. And no pesticide residue! What’s not to love. Another winner from Laurelwood. (Aug. 2011). Tried again in Pub. Light honey color and piney hoppiness. There also is some earthy maltiness. 5.1%ABV. 32 IBU. (8/11/2012)

Gearhead IPA:  Tried again in the Pub. Good piney floral flavor; reminded me somewhat of Firestone Union Jack. Citrus undertones. 6.5% ABV. 60 IBU. (8/11/2012)

Deranger (Pub): Heavy pale ale with a deep malty, sweet flavor. Piney-floral hoppiness and a nice reddish color. Technically an imperial red, but it feels more like an intense pale ale. 8.6%ABV. 100 IBU. (8/11/2012)

Mother Lode Golden Ale (Pub): Light yellow color. Light, crisp, and summery flavor. Good hot weather beer, but somewhat thin flavor compared to other offerings. 5.1% ABV. 20 IBU. (8/11/2012)

Free Range Red (Pub):  Beautiful reddish orange color. Citrusy hops with a slight floral presence. Slight sweetness. At 60 IBU it should have a strong hop presence, but it is relatively subdued. 6.1% ABV. 60 IBU (8/11/2012)

Workhorse IPA (Pub): Pale ale-like color it is amber-honey. Nice piney-sweet flavor. Also a nice earthiness that is reminiscent of a rye. 7.5% ABV. 80 IBU. (8/11/2012)

Tree Hugger Porter: Slightly sour and burnt flavor. Also hints of licorice and coffee. Not as roasty as the Hooligan Brown. There is a hint of bourbon flavor. Good but not a stand out. 5.6% ABV. 30 IBU. . (8/11/2012)

Space Stout. Deep dark roasted flavor. Hint of sour and bourbon and bitter chocolate. Solid stout. 6.1% ABV. 40 IBU.  (8/11/2012)

Aged Deranger (Pub): Deeply sweet with vanilla character. Very strong flavor. Very intense bourbon-alcohol flavor. Good. Though not as complex as some aged varieties I’ve tried. (8/11/2012)