I was eager to hit the road after a week of playing. To eager to go home, but I wanted to have time to visit a few breweries before we took off at 4pm. We said our goodbyes and hit the road. Snow flurries just east of us detured us from taking the route in which we came; the 58 t the 5 north. So we ventured north on the 97 and risked the lower elevation route of the 26, or so we were told. When we got to the upper-most part of the pass by Mt. Hood, the flashing road sign indicated we required chains to go any farther. Me being from southern California and all…we don’t need no stinking chains… we just followed a large semi truck in my mid-sized front wheel drive rental.
Though slow, it was fine. Front wheel drive vehicles are awesome in the snow..just not deep snow. Anyway…though we arrived a bit later than we hoped, we had time for lunch…which we needed, since we skipped breakfast…and a brewery.
Lunch was a brewpub called Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB), we had met two of the brewers when they were down in San Diego last year for World Beer Cup.
Though not part of my tasters, the best beer of the bunch was the cask IPA…I had to ask for a sample of that too. The 7 Grain Stout and Terry Porter would also be a good way to start any day.
I chose Hopworks for two reasons. 1. I met the guys and they were extremely nice. 2. they were only blocks away from a brewery I did not want to miss…Hair of the Dog. I would have gone to Hair of the Dog first, but I really needed food, and Hair of the Dog was only a brewery.
I had a small map and following the numbering on the map, I should have been there in minutes. Upon turning right on the street I thought I should turn at, I ended up on a bridge spanning the train tracks and passing the where the street should have been…ugh! A quick call to the brewery and many more turns, gravel roads and I was there in minutes…a good thing because I had to pee.
That is the only picture I took, but did I have some great beer. Easily some of the most interesting beers I have ever had. I blame the lack of pictures on Tom. Tom is the guy that supplies many breweries with used barrels; whiskey, brandy, french oak. As I walked in he was talking to the brewer Alan Sprints and wearing a very familiar Lost Abbey Inferno T-shirt. Tom was there…what else…dropping off barrels. Tom apparently just finished, and when I saw him he came to greet me before I even saw Alan. When I did see Alan I quickly asked if I could use the restroom, which he gave permission, and once relieved..boy did I feel better. Tom and I talked while Alan attended the brewery needs. He was there by himself.
When Alan came back to join us we were offered some samples of what he had on draft, of which I could not refuse. I had some Adam, Blue Dot IPA, Fred, Fred from the Wood, Doggy Claws, Greg and Matt, though not necessarily in that order. I know that Matt was last. Matt was aged in bourbon and then brandy barrels, or was it brandy and then bourbon…it is awesome..it was sweet and malty with a strong vanilla nose and whiskey nose…like a dessert beverage. Alan was nice enough to part with a bottle…I just don’t want to open it yet. And when I do..do I want to share?? It is such a small bottle. I need to find more Matt. That is it for my postings for my April Oregon trip; though I will likely post when I do open some of the beers I brought back with me. Cheers.
