Bale Breaker in Oregon

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by vurt, May 2, 2018.

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  1. vurt

    vurt Grand Pooh-Bah (4,504) Apr 11, 2004 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Well, that and the fact that your wife, if I recall correctly, isn't much of a beer drinker, whereas my spouse is very much a beer drinker. Especially an IPA drinker.

    I work at home during the week, so I love to get out of the house and drink at brewpubs and taphouses. But Mrs. Vurt works downtown, and at the end of the day she wants to come home and nest. Therefore, we keep beer at home.

    (Oh, and we bring home our share of crowlers, believe you me. Especially crowlers marked "Pallet Jack" from Growler Guys.)
     
    #21 vurt, May 4, 2018
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  2. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,663) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    FYI - Belmont Station putting a bunch of Bale Breaker on tap today.
     
    #22 derftron, May 9, 2018
  3. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Grabbed a sixer of Leota Mae last night. Drank 3 of 'em. Damn tasty stuff.
     
    #23 BBThunderbolt, May 9, 2018
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  4. weaverr

    weaverr Zealot (729) Jun 10, 2008 California

    According to DigitalPour, Beer o'Clock now has the following on tap:
    - Leota Mae (West Coast IPA)
    - Topcutter (IPA)
    - Wandering Creek (Hazy IPA)
    - Bottomcutter (Imperial IPA)
    - Raging Ditch (Dry-hopped Blonde)
    - Piper's Comet (Pale)
    - Awesomesynthesis (India Pale Kolsch)
    - Dormancy (Breakfast Stout)

    I'll swing by in a bit and see if this is applicable towards their $3 happy hour.
     
    #24 weaverr, May 9, 2018
  5. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    1) I don't think any of these beers are limited or incredibly expensive, so I can't see why the happy hour pricing wouldn't apply.

    2) Try the Raging Ditch. I generally despise American Blond ales, but the Raging Ditch was a complete eye opener when I tried it at the brewery. I wasn't even going to order it, but they were out of one of the beers I'd ordered for my tasting tray, and I reluctantly went ahead and ordered it. It ended up being the best beer on my tasting tray. It's a beer I would order by the pitcher on a warm summer day.
     
    #25 John_M, May 9, 2018
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  6. weaverr

    weaverr Zealot (729) Jun 10, 2008 California

    Can confirm, they’re all $3 through 5pm, though some are 8oz pours. I’ll give the Raging Ditch a shot, thanks for the recommendation!
     
    #26 weaverr, May 9, 2018
  7. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm a big fan of Raging Ditch. Great brew, wish I could get it up here. Seems to a brewery/brewers night/beerfest brew. Never seen it in the wild.
     
    #27 BBThunderbolt, May 10, 2018
  8. rrock44

    rrock44 Pooh-Bah (2,137) Oct 27, 2009 Washington
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Agreed. Good stuff.


    Believe it’s just a summer seasonal. Shows up a lot at TC local growlers...growler guys, coppertop, and barleys.

    Strange enough, I haven’t partaken. Will have to remedy this next time I see it.
     
    #28 rrock44, May 10, 2018
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  9. vurt

    vurt Grand Pooh-Bah (4,504) Apr 11, 2004 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    This is good info. I would not have given a second glance to a blonde ale--even a dry-hopped Bale Breaker version--if not for this thread.
     
    #29 vurt, May 10, 2018
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  10. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I first saw it at the Fathers Day Fest (Wa brewers fest) a few years ago. Grabbed my taster and walked away with the friend I was with. Got about 10 steps away, took my first sip, and did an immediate 180. Line happened to be short, so, had a couple more. Only seen it at the brewery since then. Love it.
     
    #30 BBThunderbolt, May 10, 2018
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  11. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Pretty similar to my reaction at the brewery when I had it. I remember taking a quick sip as I was about to move on to topcutter, and did a complete double take. I was in the process of putting the beer back on the tray, and stopped right in my tracks (and quickly took another sip).

    This isn't a beer that's going to have anyone dropping pallet jack or Bohidzafa from their normal rotation, but for what it is (a "bland" ale), it's a pretty impressive beer from Bale Breaker.

    At least for me, I've generally found that I'm more impressed with the lower alcohol beers made by BB.
     
    #31 John_M, May 10, 2018
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  12. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Which is what makes me consider F41 the best IPA made in WA. Sure, it's only 4.5abv, but I can't find a "hoppier" beer around. I consider the "Cutters" excellent in the "Traditional" American IPA category: Big, bold hops, with enough malt backbone to support it. Current trends seem to poo-poo this approach, but, I still like "Big" beers.

    Did I use enough "quotes" in this post? :rolling_eyes::flushed::wink::stuck_out_tongue::sunglasses:
     
    #32 BBThunderbolt, May 10, 2018
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  13. rrock44

    rrock44 Pooh-Bah (2,137) Oct 27, 2009 Washington
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Able to sample ragin ditch (I bet the dry hopped version ups it’s game). Not bad, but prefer the others on tap at coppertop, leota, then dormancy (why don’t they can this one?!)
     
    #33 rrock44, May 12, 2018
  14. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Agree, the leota was excellent. Liked it a lot more than bottom cutter and top cutter. Also liked their "hazy" IPA as well (something "creek"), even though it wasn't the least bit hazy.

    Raging Ditch is very good for what it is. Still like it a lot, but preferred the two IPA's mentioned above. Regardless, they have a particularly strong line up of BB stuff at Beer O'clock right now. $3 a pop for a pint of the RD, Leota or Field 41 during happy hour is really hard to beat.
     
    #34 John_M, May 12, 2018
    Last edited: May 12, 2018
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  15. Reidrover

    Reidrover Grand Pooh-Bah (4,886) Jan 14, 2003 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just finished a can of TopCutter..from Lifesource here in Salem.
    Nice beer but not exactly sure about all the hype..it wasnt THAT good.
     
    #35 Reidrover, May 12, 2018
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  16. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't know that it actually gets hype or not. It's just a good, solid IPA that doesn't rely on fads, gimmicks, trends, or nonsense. Sometimes ya just want an IPA, and it fits that bill nicely. As do dozens, if not hundreds, of other beers around here.
     
    #36 BBThunderbolt, May 12, 2018
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  17. Reidrover

    Reidrover Grand Pooh-Bah (4,886) Jan 14, 2003 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Well plus marks for not being milky/hazy and tasting like a fruit salad
     
    #37 Reidrover, May 12, 2018
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  18. G_Z_a

    G_Z_a Zealot (635) Feb 2, 2015 Oregon

    Leota Mae, Field 41, Top/Bottom Cutter cans at New Seasons. $10.50 for 6 pack.
     
    #38 G_Z_a, May 12, 2018
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  19. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That's good. F41 and Leota Mae are usually $10 around here, with TC going for 11, and BC 12.
     
    #39 BBThunderbolt, May 12, 2018
  20. G_Z_a

    G_Z_a Zealot (635) Feb 2, 2015 Oregon

    Have to say, was a bit underwhelmed by the Leota Mae and Field 41. LM was crisp and easy drinking, but virtually no nose and indistinct hop profile. Field 41 also went down smooth and was much better on the nose, but still a little thin on the back end hop wise. It’s been a while since I had Top/Bottom Cutter, but I remember liking those more.

    Overall, BB makes some solid everyday beers, probably good for a hot summer day, just nothing special imho. I’d be inclined to buy more if they were priced in the 8.99 range.
     
    #40 G_Z_a, May 19, 2018
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