RSVP in Portland

I just meant name dropping a STYLE of German Lager, and I'm not trying to get into a pissing contest about beer knowledge.

I want to state right now that I do not work for Bull Jagger, but my friends do. I want to make it clear that I would defend ANY small brewery in my neighborhood, as they are usually the culmination of HUGE personal sacrifice and a passion for beer. If you think I'm overreacting you might not realize just how much snark perspires from your post, which is absolutely an attack on Bull Jagger, regardless of your intentions.

Now lets put our snark aside and talk beer. Portland Lager does not say Helles anywhere on the bottle, and there is a reason for it. The home brew it was based on WAS in the tradition of a Helles. The first few batches to hit the market were great lagers, but the hop character was noticeably higher than the style. I suspect you may have had one of these bottles first. The hops have since been dialed back. You're also right about the clarity, this beer is unfiltered. Filtering this lager at this level is a (literally) sticky task. Some kegs that have been filtered have just left the building.

If you've had a bad porter, please go to the brewery and tell Tom. He would GLADLY talk to you about it and offer you a replacement for your bad experience.

If you really want to take digs at fermenting in plastic fermenters, you'd be taking issue with most homebrewers and several other small breweries in the area. Nate at Rising Tide uses plastic. Plastic is not an issue, but if you pretend it is one in a public forum you're potentially keeping less knowledgeable beer lovers from choosing something they might love.

So you won't find me mouthing off often on BA, but your comment had the potential to financially hurt someone who I am not only friends with, but who loves beer, the beer business, Portland, and makes some damn fine lagers.

 

So I was wrong about a chunk of my rant, this is what happens when you get mad and speak for someone else: It does say Helles on the bottle, and (you learn something new every day) Helles refers to the color of the beer and NOT to a particular flavor profile. Flavors vary from region to region and Portland Lager is more of a northern style Helles that borders on an export Helles, given the higher ABV.

 

Read your beer mail/conversations.

 

We are hoping to be open mid to late May. Really just pending state and city licensing.

 

believe what you want but the turn over is high, the beer is fresh and it is sunlight protected. sure sometimes its hard to find some one to ask a question, but i always like looking with someone bothering me. or feeling like you are doing something wrong, like the vultures at rsvp do.

 

the lager was really bad.... I tried it 3 times. drain pour on the last 2..

The Baltic Porter was much better. but still not up to standards of other baltics..imho..

 

I have to agree. The Portland Lager is just not good. Tried it a few times now and it just doesn't do it for me. The porter was better but not great especially considering the price. People complain about Maine Beer Co prices but Bull Jagger is generally the same price or even more expensive and not even close to the quality of Maine Beer. I understand the lagering process takes longer and has more costs associated with it but for that kind of money the quality needs to be much better. I will keep trying their beers as they release them to support a local brewery but the quality really needs to improve or the price needs to drop if they are going to retain me as a customer. There are just too many other options out there to keep spending big money on mediocre beer.

 

Can't wait to check out the place, the location looks to be quite convenient too!