Visiting Tillamook (Fall 2015 update)

What the what?!?! The Spruce Goose was right under my nose! The wife and I totally would have gone if I had known, I remember seeing that behemoth in Long Beach when I was a kid.

 

Had a great time at the anniversary party on Saturday. Got to try a lot of beers I wouldn't have been able to try otherwise.

Only criticism I have is with the bottle line. Numerous times I got in line for one beer and by the time I got up there, they were pouring a completely different beer. I also had a keg blow right in front of me in the main tap room line. Obviously hard to control those things, but a tap schedule of some kind would have been nice. Other than that, it was great and I hope to make it back for another event in the future!

We stayed out in Oceanside after the event and it was beautiful. I recommend it to anyone visiting Tillamook.

 

That was the highlight for me. Even though I didn't think I'd want to get down with a BA stout that day, that beer was outstanding and I was happy to be able to try it.

 

Who cares it's just beer right? I wasn't chasing anything, more interested in hanging out with friends and meeting new friends, great beer is just a part of it. I don't really see the point of chasing this beer over that, just lessens the experience of being in the barrel room with friends at a truly unique and fantastic brewery. Besides, everybody there had the opportunity to take home a bunch of kick ass beers at a damn good price if you wanted to buy them.

If you wait in line for 5-10 minutes when it's crazy and only get 2-3 ounces, that would be more frustrating in my opinion. I understand how it might be frustrating if you think you're getting x beer, but there's no perfect way of doing things.

Excellent event. I can't wait to go back to de Garde when there's nobody there.

I measured the glass and it's somewhere around 17 ounces, definitely going to be pouring a lot more beer into it at my house!

It was a pleasure getting to meet Trevor and Linsey as well as everybody else working there. Very nice people. Thank you de Garde for providing such a great experience.

Here's some photos I took.

Looks like nobody was there!

Sorry for pestering you Trevor! Thanks for hosting us and making wonderful beer at affordable prices. Thanks for talking a little bit about some processes too, love learning about various breweries methods and techniques!

I couldn't resist having my picture taken in front of the coolship and Trevor was popping in haha.

Absolutely beautiful day in Tillamook Sunday (currant gin bu pictured)

Camped Monday night at Nehalem Bay State Park (don't worry, the dog was not left in the car during the party )

 

Yeah, I couldn't believe they had it. I never thought I'd see it again after Hellshire Day. They really need to make that beer again.

 

Reading through this, and wondering what the differences were in pours between day one and two? Was it "better" on either day, or just different? Hoping to make the next party my first one, but wondering about the different experiences between the two days- how different were the taps/bottles?

 

most of the de garde beers really start to hit their stride after half of a full glass, so, i'd say yes.

i know this sucks for tickers, but when you crack a 750 of the petit/bu/hose/the series, you start to realize these beers are meant to enjoy over a period of time. get a 2-4 oz taste of any de garde beer and you're just tasting acid. just my opinion.

 

also, when's the next party? i don't think there's any way i miss the next one.

 

You guys didn't think I would make only one keg of it, did you?

We poured Especial on the Tuesday after Hellshire Day. The 2 1/6bbls only lasted for about 2 hours that night. Trevor and Linsey always pull out all the stops for us, so we had to return the favor. Besides for that there is one 1/2bbl remaining that will see the light of say sometime this year. I would like to make more of it next year, but we'll see. Base beer is different for Hellshire VII, so need to make sure all the ingredients will play properly. I'm glad you enjoyed it though.

Cheers guys!

Dan

 

Anyone notice carbonation issues with their bottles of Imperial Berry Bu? Tastes fine, but just seems quite flat.

 

That was the first and only bottle of the new de Garde bottles my wife and I have opened, carbonation was fine. Chilled in fridge for about 2-3 days before serving, sat on table for 5-10 minutes before opening. Poured a nice head that lasted throughout the majority of the experience. Hopefully bottle #2 is a repeat performance because it was very pleasant.

 

Unfortunately my imperial berry bu was dead flat, oh well....

 

This is a huge bummer, wonder what happened. I had a bottle of Imperial Raz Bu the other night and it was fantastic, so hopefully the rest are fine.

 

Does the beer need more time in the bottle to carb up?

 

I've heard all the others are okay, just the imp berry bu.

 

no, grand reserve rouge needs time

 

Grand Reserve is supposed to be low carbonation. It was in the description de Garde posted on their FB page.

Grand Rouge Reserve; We aged a wild red ale in oak tank for an extended period, then refermented with late harvest Oregon Zinfandel grapes. After whole cluster fermentation and aging, we transferred the beer to virgin French oak tanks for continued maturation. This beer has a beautiful toasted oak and rich fruit character, with a balanced Brett influence and delicate acidity. Low carbonation enhances the vinous nature of this beer. $14/btl, 1 btl/person

 

i know, i saw that. but time in the bottle should carb it up and i didnt like it much flat.

 

I had a flat bottle of Oude Desay, but it seems to be an isolated issue as everyone else I asked said their bottles were properly carbed and delicious.