vernonia’s
voice in other words
august
2008
19
Stargazer
Another Round: More
Words of Wisdom About Beer
By Esther Arce
By Scott Laird
“Yung sing” - To honor the start of the Summer Olympics in Bejing, a Chinese
toast which means “drink and win.”
Greetings From the Oregon Brewers Festival - This month I had the oppor-
tunity to spend Thursday afternoon at the Oregon Brewers Fest (OBF), one of the
nations longest running and premier beer festivals. This year was the twenty-first
for the OBF, and they chose as a theme to celebrated the Twenty-first Amendment,
which repealed prohibition in 1933.
The festival attracted seventy-two breweries, each pouring a single beer (I did
not sample them all!), from seventeen states. There were twenty-one beer styles
represented (I did not sample them all!), with the most popular being India Pale Ales
(IPA) at twelve (I don’t enjoy IPA’s so I did not sample any!).
Oregonians, and especially Portlanders, love their craft beers, in fact they love it
so much that three years ago the Governor named the entire month of July “Oregon
Craft Beer Month.” What a state! According to the Oregon Brewers Guild, there are
currently sixty brewing companies operating in Oregon. Thirty of those are in Port-
land, more than any other city in the world! The Portland metro area has the largest
craft brewing market-selling more than any other city in the country, even though we
rank twenty-third in population. One last fact, thirty-eight percent of beer consumed
in Oregon is brewed in Oregon. Like I said, Oregon loves it’s craft beer.
So what did I sample at the OBF. Since this is a summer festival, most brewers
stick to summer style beers: Lagers, Goldens, Wheats, Fruit beers, Pale Ales, and of
course the very hoppy IPA’s. Because Oregon grows so many hops, it has become
a signature of Oregon Breweries to make the hoppiest IPA’s they can; a style I just
don’t enjoy. Some people enjoy Porters and Stouts with low levels of hops for flavor
and more malts (Me!) and others enjoy lots of hops (Not Me!). There were still lot’s
of options. One thing that was evident, many brewers brought many different styles
and appear to be experimenting with European styles this season; Belgians, Kolsch,
Witbier, Pilsners and even a couple of Bocks. Here are some of my Oregon favorites
from this year’s OBF:
• Hopworks Urban Brewery (Portland) - HUB Lager, Czech Pilnser - Rich
and smooth, with honey flavoring, this organic golden was a delight. Lot’s of
character and flavorful, it won a Silver medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup. My
favorite this year.
• Golden Valley Brewery (McMinnville) - Cote d’Or, Belgian Style Golden
Ale - A tasty summer ale, that was barrel aged, with a hint of vanilla. Cote d’Or
is French for “golden slope”, and this is another winner from this brewery in
Yamhill County.
• Pelican Pub and Brewery (Pacific City) - Surfer’s Summer Ale, English
Style Summer Ale -This one was full bodied and crisp, but the hops flavor came
through a little to strong. I usually like Pelican brews, and if your a hophead you
might enjoy this one.
• Roots Organic Brewing Co. (Portland) - Calypso Ale, Hybrid - This fresh
and lively fruit ale had a very spicy finish, due to the scotch bonnet peppers in
the recipe. A lot going on in this complex ale.
• Wildfire Brewing Co. (Bend) - Wildfire Summer Seasonal, Golden Blonde
Ale - the low alcohol content makes this a good beer for long summer after-
noons. Balanced and flavorful, the honey malt base comes through, with a
slightly bitter finish.
One last note of interest - The Collaborator Project is a joint venture that
brings homebrewers from the Oregon Brew Crew together with Widmer Brewing.
Winners of a homebrew contest are selected, and brewed by Widmer for limited
release, giving some amateurs a chance to see their recipes poured for the public.
Started in 1997, the first beer selected was a milk stout, which Widmer has continued
to produce as their Snowplow Milk Stout. Each year a Collaborator is served at the
OBF- this years submission was Resurrection Rye, an American Pale Ale created
by Portland homebrewer Patrick Miller. The Collaborator Project is a great tradition
at the OBF, another reason why this is such a great festival, and why Oregon is such
a great place for craft beers. See you next time from another round!
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As the sun makes its annual trip through the sign of Leo, we’ll have plenty of opportunity to
show strength and to have the courage of our convictions. It’s through confidence, not physical reli-
ance that we’ll succeed. Part of the challenge of this time period is about coming to terms with self
worth. It won’t matter what others think, as long as you believe in yourself.
The middle of the month can test our abilities to communicate. Cold, hard facts will emerge.
Whether that’s good or bad remains to be seen. There needs to be care and accuracy taken along with
organized and well-thought out plans. Towards the end of the month we move into a great time for
planning for the future. Whatever new relationships and projects we take on will require effort and
diligence. It’s not the best time for taking chances if you want or expect quick results and rewards.
Long-term stability with later, greater rewards is more available.
Aries
Reaching out to others is just as important as
having a strong will. Extending yourself to
others can have many rewards such as new
friends or new opportunities. Set aside any
aggressive and overbearing behavior in favor
of unity and camaraderie. This is a good time
for you to stand out and shine. A smile can
open unexpected doors.
Taurus
There will be a few challenging moments for
you this month. Keep your ego in check and re-
main flexible. It can be easy to let things get out
of hand, but using simple, receptive innocence
will get any situation on track. This is a time for
overcoming fears through gentleness.
Gemini
You must press on or the status quo will re-
main. Use your voice to state your case. If the
cause is just and your communications are
clear, you will be heard by those who under-
stand, thus giving you the potential to create
important changes. Hold your ground no mat-
ter which way the wind blows.
Cancer
Don’t sacrifice your wants and needs for oth-
ers. They may not appreciate you for doing it
anyway, and you don’t want to be a doormat
by doing more than your share. Make sure to
nurture yourself even if that means taking time
away from something you love. You’ll be in a
much better place when you return.
Leo
Showing determination, confidence and hope
for the future encourages yourself and others.
Inner poise is more important than outer ap-
pearances; otherwise it’s just bravado with no
real courage backing it up. No matter what
you do this month, it’s important to think
from the heart and not from the head; it’s your
greatest chance for success.
Pisces
It’s time for a reality check, and you will be
faced with situations that challenge your ma-
turity level. You’ll succeed if you proceed
with caution and follow the wisdom of your
elders. If you attempt to ignore or escape,
it will all soon catch up with you. Don’t be
afraid to make a decision and stick with it.
Capricorn
You’re on a roll. It may be a slow roll, but at
least things are moving. With cooperation there
can be great success. You’re looking to grow
and expand, and you can only do it by clearing
out what doesn’t fit anymore. It’s time to clear
out cluttered minds, spaces and rooms. No use
wasting time holding on to old, outworn things
and memories.
Libra
There can be feelings of wasting energy and
thoughts of failure, but don’t be discouraged. Main-
tain a sense of purpose and reconnect with what is
available and possible in the situation, and you will
get back on track. With courage we always return
with greater wisdom and understanding.
Scorpio
Don’t allow dull routines to overcome you. You
may be holding back your ideas because you
think it has all been done before, but it is yet to
be done your way. Bring out something new, and
it will revitalize you and those around you. Yours
is a passionate and intense nature that needs to
experience life in a very deep, connected way.
Sagittarius
It’s time to socialize and be friendly with strang-
ers. Anything foreign or exotic will satisfy your
taste buds. Be adventurous and try something
you thought you’d never do. That way you keep
them all guessing, and you never get bored. The
end of the month brings some challenges, and
you may need to let go and find new depths to
your ways of relating.
Aquarius
Your rational and emotional responses can con-
flict at times. Fickleness and insecurity can throw
off your normally cool exterior, and you may be
put in a position of having to decide between the
heart and social obligations. Luckily you have a
great ability to chop or grind away at something
to get to the essential truth, potential or reality.
Virgo
It’s time to look into your future and go over your
five-year-plan. Even if you can’t get it all figured
out, at least you can make some decisions now
that will put you on the way towards your desired
goal. Those with similar interests will be able to
join with you to achieve a mutually desired end.
You can reach Esther Arce at info@EstherArce.com, 503.703.0904, or visit www.EstherArce.com
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