FI-GA-RO. Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, FI-GA-RO. Sorry, it's impossible to type that word without hearing the booming operatic singing in the background! But the part you want to know is this: live Figaro from the barrel is today's Tap It Tuesday feature at 6 pm. This NW style sour strong blond ale was barrel aged in fresh Chardonnay barrels for three months, then further aged with dried Adriatic white figs and Spanish lemon peel for an additional six months. Aromas of sweet malts, figs, golden raisins and citrus zest are noticed up front. Hints of white wine grapes, lemon peel and sweet figs roll across the palate, leading to a crisp lemon sharpness in the finish that leaves a lingering sweetness on the tongue. 9.5% ABV, $7.50 glass, $2.50 taster. And the next question is, obviously, "when will bottles be released?" The answer is... next week! Figaro was made in 2011 for the 5th anniversary of the City Beer Store, located in San Francisco. It's been barrel aging since then, and trust us, it's worth the wait! For those of you in Northern California, you will be able to purchase Figaro in bottles next Thursday, August 23 at City Beer Store, 1168 Folsom St, Ste 101, time TBA. For those who live in the Portland area, Figaro will be released at 5 pm on Friday, August 24 at the Cascade Brewing Barrel House and at the Raccoon Lodge. There is a limit of two bottles per person. Figaro will only be available at the Barrel House, the Raccoon Lodge and City Beer Store in San Francisco. Sorry, but there will be NO online sales of this beer; the quantities are just too limited. This week's Barrel House food specials include a Raw Candy Striped Beet Carpaccio ($3) with raw, thin-sliced candy striped beet, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, shaved aged cheeses, sea salt flake & fresh ground pepper on arugula; a Sour Reuben Panini ($8) featuring corned beef, barrel aged vinegar coleslaw, gruyere cheese & 1000 island dressing on Kriek sour bread, panini grilled crisp; our popular Pickled Quail Eggs & Speck ($8) with sweet & dill pickled quail eggs, Speck (smoked/cured pork), compote, Portland Ale crackers & our famous whipped Dork Fat; and Grilled Figs w/Cinnamon Mascarpone ($4) featuring grilled brown turkey figs topped with cinnamon mascarpone, local honey & a Honeydew Grape Strawberry compote. Soup this week is House Beer Cheese and Mushroom Bisque daily, and Clam Chowder starting Friday and running through the weekend while supplies last. Have a great week - Servus!
