Fort George 3-way (2019)

The Bellingham location opened a year later.

 

The Melvin collaboration is why I thought they might eventually tap a Nor Cal brewery. Doesn’t change their distribution. I can’t imagine the Melvin 3 Way was available anywhere in WY other than the brewery. Not sure if it was even available there. I guess Idaho would be a more logical choice before CA though. Must be some up and coming breweries in Boise or elsewhere nearby.

 

Yeah, like you said there are no shortage of breweries to partner with...in WA, Skookum, Matchless, Stoup, Mirage, and Urban Family come to mind as viable new options. I'm less tuned in with the Portland/Bend markets for IPAs...would Ex Novo and Wayfinder be exciting picks? They could consider a legend 3-way w/ Fremont and Deschutes (although not sure Deschutes IPA style would mesh well here), but those are two huge markets that haven't participated in the collab to date.

 

Re: Oregon breweries for future 3-Way projects:

Off the top of my head, I'd love to see Breakside, Culmination, or Ecliptic contributing to a 3-Way collaboration at some point. I'd also be happy to throw Crux and Sunriver into the mix as well.

 

Ecliptic and Fremont actually makes a lot of sense. That would make a great 3 Way right there although both of them have been on the hazy train lately, which I’m not opposed to, but would prefer another west coast.

I also generally like what Ex Novo, Crux, and Baerlic have been doing recently. Maybe Mikkeller would be an option if they stay in Portland long term.

 

How's about Fort George/10 Barrel/Elysian with nationwide distribution! I kid, kid...

 

I would drink the heck out of an IPA that was in the middle of a triangle whose vertices were Ecliptic Starburst, Fremont Lush, and Ft. George Suicide Squeeze, with a lower ABV. Oh yes.

All of those would make fine 3-Way collaborators. Agree completely.

 

Did you mean the original Suicide Squeeze..4.5 % or so..that would be on my top 10 favorite beer list..I wish they could do it again

 

I feel confident Jack Harris would... not go for that.

 

Fair enough. I think we can all agree the last 2 years haven’t been the best. It’s still a very solid, drinkable beer imo. The main appeal for me has always been the excitement over who the collaborators will be and then the anticipation over the end result. I can’t think of any other brewery in the region doing a release like this.

FWIW, I really enjoyed the Citra version this year. Maybe for year ten they could do a best of rerelease for some of these. Would love to revisit that Boneyard, Block 15 3 Way.

 

I'd love to see a pFriem and Georgetown rematch, with a better recipe that really shows off their skills with IPAs.

 

3-Way Farm Edition: Bale Breaker and Wolves & People.

 

I hear ya. I think part of the problem is it got labeled as a hazy when it’s not really that. At least not in the way most people think of hazys these days. I’ll say it again, the Citra version drank much more like a west coast and was easily the best of the bunch. Certainly a very good if not great IPA and definitely more interesting than many of the typical IPAs you’d find around PDX imho. Agree to disagree on that I guess. Definitely understand if this one doesn’t do it for some people though.

For me at least, even at this stage of the release, I’d choose 3 Way over say RPM, which is another solid, drinkable IPA and tends to be the default IPA on many menus around town. The fact that it’s only available for a limited time is also enough to sway me over a beer like Pfriem IPA, which I love, but know I can have anytime. And switching up the hops added an extra layer of intrigue. Of course if I’m at Belmont or someplace like that there are likely far superior options, IPA or otherwise.