Oregon Beer News (2020)

I recommend you do, at least for Focal Banger, which I think is a better beer than Heady Topper.

 

I think they're both great. Good change of pace IMO.

 

Wonder if we'll get more drops in the future? I'm trying to stick to delivery or curbside pickup only if I can help it.

 

I see 16 oz cans of DIPAs floating around $5 (sometimes more) all the time around Portland. and these are local-ish breweries that arent coming form across the country. Rough to me would be anything over $24 a 6pack IMO

 

Looks like NW Growlers just got some and they do deliver, charging $6.50/can though.

 

In non-Alchemist-related news, Block 15 is launching its own distribution company, in partnership with De Garde and Bespoken Coffee:

https://www.newschoolbeer.com/2020/...ith-de-garde-brewing-and-bespoken-coffee.html

Attention @beertunes :

“We cover as far south as Ashland, to the east we go as far as far as Tricities, Pendleton & Central Oregon, to the north we send trucks to Washington through Seattle and Bellingham,” says Nick Arzner, Block 15 founding brewer and co-owner. “We are picking up from our suppliers this week and will begin distribution next week.”

(emphasis mine)

 

Be still my fragile heart!!!!!!

 

Yes, all three will be packaged. The regular base beer is tasting great, can't wait to get it out in the world.

 

Oh believe me: I cannot wait to welcome all kinds of Breakside cans into my home.

 

Cheapness and budgets are good things to have these days.

 

This forum told me a $12 32oz crowler of Pliny was a good deal!

 

yeah im just poking fun. I just dont see $5 for a 16oz can as anything to raise an eyebrow at. especially in light of the current draft market or crowler market, or even the current landscape for canned DIPAs

 

Boneyard cans (Hoplandia Instagram link) are now in Portland.

 

I understand what you're saying but I'm not sure why the crowler / mason jar vs. 4 pack of cans is a significant distinction. Seems pretty comparable to me, but maybe I'm missing something? Anyway, that's what I assumed derftron was saying is that the price per oz was the same.

I would argue that comparing Alchemist beers to local IPAs makes less sense, as the former was shipped cross country and (as you pointed out in an earlier post) my reason for buying the former (trying it once) would likely be different than the latter (a sustainable, repeat option). I think a like-to-like comparison would be the price of Alchemist beers to all these hazy IPAs that have been showing up from out of state by the likes of Cellarmaker, Alvarado St, Moonraker, Finback etc etc - which are often pushing $8 per can. Heady's a hell of a deal by comparison, which shocks me due to Shelton's involvement.

 

That was me and that's because it's Pliny :-)
Most IPA/DIPA crowlers go for around 10$, and the premium for Pliny in worth it for me.

 

I would strongly disagree with Cellarmaker being unimpressive. Their IPA that reached Portland a couple weeks ago is absolutely fantastic as is most of their beers. When I went to their tap room in San Francisco a couple years ago, I am was pretty blown away by how good everything they did was. In comparison, none of the breweries I went to on February visit to San Diego were up at their level. I would 100% agree on the rest of breweries you mentioned.

 

Made a slight edit, but I agree totally. I've liked Heady every time I've had it. I don't think I've ever had Focal. If they popped up in town, would I buy a 4-pack of each, for science? Yes. After, however, that initial buy, how much more would I buy? I can't answer, with any certainty. I suspect not often, but maybe once every few months? And, if Barley Browns hits Bham, that's more competition for my non-local dollar, that would not likely fall in Vermonts favor.

SHRUG. YMMV.

 

Judging by how long some of those cans sit on shelves, I don't know that the demand is super high for most of them at the current price point. I'm glad that Day One brings stuff up from these breweries though, I usually pass at the prices they're sold at but every once in a while there's a beer I've heard good things about and splurge on a can.

 

I visited cellarmaker last year while in SF. They are very very good at making beer

 

In other OR beer news, I saw that Block 15 has started their own distribution company that will also distribute beer from DeGarde and coffee from a local bean roaster in Corvallis.

 

Cellarmaker does makes good beer, I just wish I knew why it had to be $7 a can up here. It's not the cheapest beer in the Bay Area, but it's nothing like that. Makes one wonder what Great Notion is selling for out of state.

Back to Oregon beer, though, that new Block 15 distro looks promising. Interesting that De Garde mentioned being glad to get their beer back in regular rotation.

 

Their most recent IPA released up here was only $5 and I highly recommend grabbing a can. Now will I buy it multiple times? Probably not as I prefer to support local as much as possible during this time.

 

A lot of the Day One stuff is priced like that, and I've seen prices on GN cans in CA anywhere from $7-10.

 

Old news. Posted on this very thread just yesterday:

 

Blarg. You're right. I skimmed right over it in the midst of all the Cellarmaker/Alchemist articles.

My bad. Hat tip to @derftron for breaking the news.

 

Grabbed 4pk of Mandela for $24 at local grocery store chain, passed on likely diabetes-inducing double fudge brownie stout concoction at $8/can.

 

no i think you posted it first lol.

My BA journalist credentials are in danger of getting yanked

 

This might be the wrong forum, but is Pelican Mother of All Storms brewery only? Or is it sent to distro and available in stores as well?

 

It gets into distro, and it's not uncommon for it to sit around for a bit.

 

haha, yeah that is an issue with johns. fortunately they keep the store pretty brisk and they have that back cooler that they keep the good stuff in. the cans i bought were on the counter but felt pretty cold

 

its pretty available and easy to find around PDX. even vintages can be procured off the shelf if you know where to look