in other words
Another Round:
2009
More Words of Wisdom About Beer
By Scott Laird
North American Organic Brewers Festival
Report-- As promised, I did attend the
NAOBF in late June, and, as promised, here
is what I found: A really great Beer Fest!
Held at North Portland’s Overlook Park, this
outdoor festival had it all-- sunlight, fresh air,
space to move around, shady spots to relax,
live music, healthy food vendors, and, to top it
all off, some really great beers! The weather
was especially cooperative and I made the
rounds and found these beers in which you
might be interested. We’ll start at the top:
my favorite beer was the Backhand of God
Irish Stout by Crannog Brewing, Sorrento,
British Columbia. This was really smooth
and drinkable at 5.3% ABV, that was balanced
and mellow, with a hint of espresso-- but not
overpowering. An almost perfect Stout. I
also tasted the Overcast Espresso Stout
from Oakshire Brewing in Eugene again,
one of my favorite brews from this year’s
Spring Beer and Wine Fest, and still found
it an excellent beer. Also tried the Organic
Coffee Stout from Elliot Bay Brewing from
Seattle. This one was really heavy on the
coffee; it started out really big and flavorful,
but didn’t have much of a finish. If you like a
big coffee Stout you might enjoy this-- I was
a little disappointed. Bison Brewing from
Berkley California had a Honey Basil Ale,
that was a nice summer-time beer with honey
and herbal flavor shining through. It was well
rounded and balanced and something new and
interesting to try. It was poured from bottles,
so you might be able to find this one in a
local store. I also tasted the Reggae Junkie
Gruit from Upright Brewing in Northeast
Portland, a farmhouse-style brew that was
balanced and flavorful, and the Gruit Kolsch
from Roots Organic Brewing in Southeast
Portland that was tasty and well made.
All in all, this is probably my favorite
Beer Fest in Portland-- well-organized, not
too crowded, with a great message and values.
And the beer choices were incredible! There
was just about something for everyone-- with
styles and varieties too numerous to mention.
Make sure to put this one on your calendar for
next year-- it’s the last weekend in June.
B is for Beer-- Well, Tom Robbins has done
it again. Robbins, if you’re not familiar
with him, is an author of ... well, fiction, that
includes, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, and my
all-time favorite, Jitterbug Perfume. Robbins
Better Parenting:
august
lives in Seattle and often writes from a Pacific
Northwest point of view. Those of you who
are familiar with him will understand my
difficulty in explaining his work-- lets just say
he writes in an irreverent, and maverick style
that has been described as satirical, subversive,
wild, and abstract. Here’s an example: His
latest book is called B is for Beer, which he
calls “A Children’s Book for Grown-ups;
A Grown-up Book for Children.” Which is
exactly what it is. Robbins’ protagonist for
his story is six-year-old Gracie Perkel, who
learns all about the wonders of beer, through
a number of adventures, including some time
spent with a Beer Fairy. Here the Beer Fairy
explains yeast and the fermentation process
to little Gracie: “Oh, beer does possess
other charms, Gracie; but in the end, you’re
correct; that’s what it comes down to. Yeast,
like malt and hops and water, influences the
character and flavor of beer, but its primary
business, its day job, the work that pays its
rent and makes it famous-- in a funky sort of
way-- is to give sugar an extreme makeover.
The people in the lab coats call that makeover
process fermentation.” The book is replete
with illustrations and, although probably not
Robbins’ best work, makes for some fun and
light summertime reading. It would go perfect
with a cold golden ale out on the deck some
sunny afternoon. It’s worth checking out,
and may help clarify the complicated process
of beer making-- it sure made some things
clearer for me, and some more cloudy. Which
is the way it always is with Tom Robbins.
Makes you stop and think about things.
Blue House Brews-- Brett Costley has started
brewing at the Blue House in Vernonia! Since
the move to downtown, Costley has been
waiting to get all the new equipment installed
and operating, but now the new, larger
batches are starting to flow, and with four
taps and rotating flavors, you’re sure to find
something new to try and enjoy. And just in
the nick of time, as the Blue House is finding
itself going through it very quickly! Recently
there was a Raspberry Ale, a Kolsch, a Spiced
Ale and a Rock Creek Red that were all very
popular. Scheduled to make an appearance
soon: a Brown Ale, a Pale Ale and some
berry-flavored Wheat Beers. Bigger batches
in the new equipment will mean less frequent
changes of flavors and more consistency.
Make sure to stop by and check out what’s on
tap some time soon.
See you next time for another round.
(continued from page 17)
19
Happy Trails: A Report From the Rodeo Road
By Mackenzie Carr
Greetings!
Since my last column, I have been
running around like a chicken with my head
cut off. The weekend of June 20 th, I rode
in the St. Helens parade, and on Sunday I
traveled to Glenwood, Washington, for the
Ketchum Kalf Rodeo. I have never been
to that rodeo before, and had a great time.
The following weekend of the 27 th was the
best little show on the coast, the Tillamook
Rodeo. I love all the people there and seeing them again was truly special.
The first week in July is known as Cowboy Christmas because there
is a rodeo almost every day, and cowboys have the opportunity to earn a lot of
money. My week began on Wednesday the 1 st with the Miss Rodeo Oregon
Fashion Show and Pageant. I modeled in the show and took lots of notes on
the pageant, since I will be trying out for Miss Rodeo Oregon next year. That
evening was the very famous St. Paul rodeo. I didn’t know how Pedro would
handle the fireworks, but he did just fine.
Thursday, July 2 nd, we were off to the Eugene Pro Rodeo. This was also
another rodeo that I have never been to. I helped Queen Rachel Anderson push
cows and pack flags. The rodeo was so much fun; the crowd was really rowdy
and did a great job cheering on the cowboys. Friday the 3 rd , we came back
toward our neck of the woods to the Vancouver Rodeo. After the rodeo was
over, we high-tailed it home to get cleaned up for the Clatskanie Parade the next
morning. Lisa Edgar of Vernonia Florist made me fresh flower arrangements
for the parade. They were absolutely beautiful. Thank you again, Lisa, for all
of your kindness. That evening was the Vernonia Parade. Not only did it feel
good to be home, but it was really nice to see all of the familiar faces. The next
day, Sunday the 5 th , we traveled to Yoncalla for their afternoon rodeo. I helped
their Queen push cows and pack flags. Despite the heat, it was a great time.
In my last article, I said that I’d have some great stories, and-- oh,
boy-- do I! On the way home from Yoncalla, seven out of the eight lugs and
studs broke off of the rear driver side tire on our truck and stranded us on I-5.
Luckily, Gerald, our I-5 angel as we’ve come to call him, rescued us. He towed
our trailer and Pedro to a barn in Cottage Grove where his wife boards her horse.
The truck went to Les Schwab in Cottage Grove, and we were at the Comfort
Inn. We were so fortunate and I cannot thank Gerald enough.
The following weekend, July 10 th and 11 th , was the Sweet Home and
Philomath Rodeos, the Sweet Home Parade, and an NPRA Director’s Meeting.
At Philomath, I hopped off to pick up what I thought was an empty beer bottle
out of the arena, and when I wiggled it to show someone, I poured beer all over
my shirt, sash, and chaps. The joke that night was that Miss NPRA was an
alcoholic, and everyone teased me that I smelt like a brewery.
The next week, on July 16 th , I traveled to The Dalles for the Fort Dalles
Days Pro Rodeo. The rodeo has been part of the PRCA for some time, but this
year they switched to NPRA. I had two radio interviews, attended a Kiwanis
Luncheon, and rode in the rodeo that night. The turnout was amazing. There
were over 500 cowboys and cowgirls competing there that weekend. Once
again, I should not have said that I’d have great stories, because, leaving The
Dalles, the other rear truck tire blew out on I-84. I think the big man upstairs is
trying to tell us that a Dodge needs to be on my mom’s Christmas list.
Fortunately, we were traveling with the Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon.
Nicole Bishop and her family took Pedro and me with them, while my mom
waited for the tow truck to get there. We all made it safely to St. Helens for the
Columbia County Fair and Rodeo. On Friday the 17 th , I watched the pageant
and then rode in the rodeo that night. Pedro and I once again pushed cows
and packed flags. The next day, I was up bright and early to push cows for the
slack performance. Once that was over, Pedro and I were due for a nap. That
night, we again rode in the rodeo: pushing cows and packing flags. I also got to
help out with the announcement of the court. Congratulations to Queen Leilani
Schmidt, and Princesses Stephanie Esterly and Emily Simpson.
Whew! As you can see, I have been very, very busy. Despite the long
hours, I am having the time of my life, making new friends and thoroughly
enjoying every experience. On the weekend of the 25 th, I’m off to Long
Beach, Washington, for their rodeo. The following week, I’ll be in Redmond
Wednesday, Corvallis Thursday, McMinnville Friday, and Santiam Saturday. It
should be very fun, and I hope our truck survives.
Until next time, Mackenzie
trade you their junk for your junk. Have the family meet together after the hunt to share what
they got for their stuff. Do not allow your child to go alone.
13. Scavenger hunt: When my boys were growing up, their cousins often came down from the
Seattle area to visit. When they were in junior high, they wanted to do something exciting in
the city together. They teamed up and both teams had the identical list of items they had to
acquire and be back by 5:00 PM. The team that had the most on their list chose the video for
the evening and the losing team agreed to do the kitchen clean-up. You can decide
the rewards for your family. The list included things like a feather, a banana peel,
a tooth, a gray hair, a pine cone, a bottle cap, a matchbook from a downtown hotel,
a green bean can, a piece of glass, a car part, etc., use your imagination. Do not
allow your child to go out alone.
14. Volunteer as a family: There are opportunities in Vernonia for families to help
presents Live Entertainment
out, so many hands make lighter work. Call the library and help with tasks they
Every Friday & Saturday Night
may need. Possibly the Senior Center knows of someone who needs help with
shopping, yard work, meal preparation or errands. Maybe a park needs plants or
flowers planted in the fall. Use your imagination and call around. Businesses may
Doug Westberg
need a temporary helping hand, too.
Aug. 7 7:00 - 10:30
15. Sandcastles in your back yard: Children enjoy playing at the beach with spoons
Singer, Keyboardist, Composer
or scoops making sand-castles and starfish. You can put a small amount of sand
in a small plastic swimming pool and allow them to use buckets of water to make
Rainstick Cowbell
their imaginary creations.
There are many other ideas like cooking together, making picture albums and family
Aug. 8 7:00-10:30
banners, murals or newsletters. I would be interested in the traditional family fun things
Acoustic Guitar, Singer
your family does or creative ideas you may have. Feel free to e-mail and share them with
me, I would love to hear from you. Have a wonderful summer doing fun family activities
Greggory Stockert
the old fashioned way-- at home, together.
Banks Trail Cafe
Resources: Craig Playstead, Melanie Cooper, and Erin Huffstetler. Sonia Spackman can
be reached at: soniaspackman@msn.com or call 503-429-6540.
Aug. 14 7:00-10:30
Americana Folksinger,
Songwriter on Guitar & Banjo
$1.00 Off
Any Purchase
Any Time
$2.00 Off
Any Saketini
also serving
great fd, ice cream, coffee,
shaved ice and smies
Banks Trail Cafe
147 N. Main St. Old Banks
503-324-2090