Put Down That Stout!
Summer seasonals roll into town
By Krista HarperAre you drinking like it’s summer yet? I’ll be honest: I’m among the last to let go of my stouts and porters when the weather turns warm. It takes a pretty serious dose of sunshine to convince me to unwind my fingers from a dark beer, no matter how long it’s been since I last got caught in a downpour. But once I’m convinced, it’s all over: Gimme light, bright, summery but still flavorful, sprightly and vibrant. Intern Krista Harper checked in with a few Oregon breweries to see what they’ve got in the works for summer, and just reading the responses is enough to make me want to kick off my shoes and pick up a pint. Of course, this is only a smattering of the superb summer beers Oregon has to offer: Don’t forget Deschutes’ crisp, citrusy Twilight Ale; BridgePort’s appealing Stumptown Tart, which promises “a slightly tart refreshing finish”; Laurelwood’s just-released Standing Sun Ale; and all the others you can find an excuse to try. — Molly Templeton
Steelhead Brewing Company
Keller Kölsch
4.8 percent ABV
Description: A straw-colored German-style ale.
Tell us more: “It’s nice, light — a good session beer for the season,” says brewer Ted Fagan.
Get it: On tap at Steelhead.
Full Count Pale Ale
5.5 percent ABV
Description: An American-style pale ale with Cascade and Willamette hops.
Tell us more: “It’s a little hoppier; more of a Northwest-style pale ale,” says Fagan.
Get it: On tap at the Steelhead starting mid-July.
Ninkasi Brewing Company
Radiant Summer Ale
6 percent ABV
Description: A light beer with a smooth balance of hops and malt.
Tell us more: “It’s the lightest ale we’ve ever done, but it’s higher in alcohol than most summer beers,” says brewer Troy Potter.
Get it: On tap at the Bier Stein; also available in bottles.
Hop Valley Brewing Company
Pollination Honey Ale
5.5 percent ABV
Description: A light summer ale with a hint of honey.
Tell us more: “The owner tried it and said he loved it. We were all waiting for it to be ready on Father’s Day,” says Joel Bowler, the assistant manager of Hop Valley’s restaurant.
Get it: On tap at Hop Valley.
High Street Brewery & Café
Copper Moon Organic Pale Ale
5 percent ABV
Description: Copper-toned pale ale.
Tell us more: “It’s dry and refreshing — there’s nothing over-the-top about it. Great for summer,” says brewer Lane Fricke.
Get it: On tap at all McMenamins locations.
Calapooia Brewing Company
Strawberry wheat ale (yet to be named)
Yeti Blackberry Wheat Ale
4.8 percent ABV
Description: Both beers are made with the same ingredients except for the berries, with a wheat base — half the normal amount of hops to accentuate the fruit flavors.
Tell us more: “They’re nice, light, crisp beers. Citrusy but sweet, well flavored by their berries,” says Calapooia owner Mark Martin.
Get it: On tap at Calapooia’s pub in Albany July 10 (unnamed strawberry wheat) and later in the summer (Yeti).
Oakshire Brewing Company
Line Dry Rye
5.5 percent ABV
Description: A rye pale ale with a touch of Oregon blackberry honey.
Tell us more: “It’s a light, easy-drinking beer with some complexity in the malt. It tastes really good,” says brewer Matt Van Wyk.
Get it: On tap at the David Minor Theater, The Vintage and the Old Pad, among other locations.
Pelican Pub And Brewery
Surfer’s Summer Ale
5.2 percent ABV
Description: English-style summer beer.
Tell us more: “It’s earthy, malty, snappy and refreshing,” says Darron Welch, brewmaster/owner.
Heiferweizen Belgian Wit Beer
5 percent ABV
Description: A Hefeweizen-style beer, lightly spiced with orange peel, coriander and cardamom.
Tell us more: “It has that classic Belgian character, and a real pleasant aroma with a nice, fruity, almost cinnamon flavor,” says Welch.
Get it: On tap at the Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City.
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Put Down That Stout! Summer seasonals roll into town
