The End

Can you tell what I did yesterday? With a little help from oldest son Matt, his friend Robert and a watchful eye by their friend Steve the Spicy McRatty got brewed. As is the custom we toasted the new batch with some of the old. Robert drained the Porter so it's good bye to a nice smooth brew that seemed to improve with age. It was important to finish it off though because we'll need the corney for this new brew. All I'm left with for now is the Belgian.

Busy Time

It's been a busy time here at the Good Rats brewery. Yesterday I got around to brewing the wife's Hefe-Rat-Weizen and it's beginning to ferment. Today I bought the ingrediants for my oldest son's request for a spicy winter brew. It's possible the new Spicy McRatty may be brewed tomorrow. Thanks to GR Mike the kegarator is, as you can see, now complete.

Ahhh

I carbonated the Rat Tail Belgian tonight which is actually the nick name for the Belgian Rat Tripel. The ABV was slightly lower than anticipated because I didn't mix the final malt addition as well as I should have. Oh well, live and learn. So rather than an 8.2% beer it's 7.2%. Of the three batches I've brewed this is definitely my favorite. I really like the subtle fruit flavor which I know some of you don't really care for. I think next weekend I'll be doing an apricot Hefe for the Queen Rat (Mrs. G.) since that's about the only beer she really cares for. Without an over abundance of enthusiasm she did say she liked this new Belgian (I didn't tell her about the rat tails) but she may just have been saying that to be nice. Cheers.

My Epiphany

I bought a copy of DRAFT magazine and was reading an article about "Beers For Fall". A number of different styles were reviewed, Belgian Golden Strong Ales, Imperial IPA's, German HefeWeizens, Robust Porters, Munich Dunkels, Scottish Exports and Belgian Specialty Ales. There was no explanation of how the beers were scored however a score of 95-100 was called a DRAFT Classic, 90-94 Exceptional Recommendation, 85-89 High Recommendation, 80-84 Good Recommendation and on down to zero. None of the beers in the article scored less than 82 (a domestic IPA). However, one beer and only one scored a perfect 100. Duvel, a Belgian Golden Strong Ale (not to be confused with the Belgian Tripel). I recognized the label but I didn't know anything about the beer until I read the article. I'm sure it's available locally (I'm guessing that's why I recognized the label) but I purchased one bottle (over $3 for a small 330ml bottle) in Bellingham today. I'm trying it now and wow, I must say, it lives up to the description in the article. I'm not sure how I'd score it without having others at hand to compare it to but it is a fine beer.

Now on to my epiphany. Good Rat trips are fun and necessary. However, I was thinking it might be fun for us to plan an afternoon or evening at someones home and have everyone bring a bottle or two of something unique, maybe imported maybe not but something most of the group likely hasn't tasted. A sampling of a wide variety of beers all in one place could be fun. After the new brews ran out maybe someone with a corney keg would share their home brew.

What say ye?

Rat Tail Belgian

Rooting around the basement the other day I came across some old rat traps I forgot I'd put in strategic places about a year ago. Guess what was in them? Yup, wretched, rotting rats. Well, except one of them was actually a small mouse but like rats, it had a tail. Just smaller. Thinking about the Good Rats song and knowing that Guiness puts meat (likely live rats, kind of like cooking live crab) in their brew I wondered what would happen if I used rat tails as a flavoring for beer. Just the tails mind you. I'm not trying for a Guiness clone by any means but one thing I hear over and over again is "experiment with your beer". So experiment I did. Yikes! The yeast must really like rotting fur and meat because my air lock practically blew off the carboy during the initial fermentation process. In another week I'll rack it, chill it and then carbonate it. Who's up for some RAT TAIL BELGIAN?

Sláinte! The Brown Rat Porter!

The Good Rats finally have a brew of their own. The Brown Rat Porter was served tonight amidst good company (me, kelly, and marc), fine quisine (pizza), and good sport (football). Above all else, the Porter stood out with its overall heartiness and full flavor.

Marc's rendition of the Brown Rat Porter achieved a superb rating in my humble, drunk opinion. The Brown Rat Porter is a dark, full flavored beer without any after taste. I brings to mind comparisons to one of the Good Rats favorites, Smithwicks.

Served in a chilled glass out of the Kegerator, the Brown Rat Porter aimed to please. From the first sip to the last glass, every swallow was enjoyable to the end. With chocolate overtones and hints of coffee, the Brown Rat Porter is a beer that could be drank all night long. Not too heavy, it goes down with ease bringing you back time and again to what a beer should be.

So with that, I would highly recommend the Brown Rat Porter to all the Good Rats to try. It's light and flavorful and deserves to brewed again soon! Nice job Marc!

The Good Rats are the best Rats

Loyal, willing and able.

Now let’s get to drinking!

All glasses off the table!

"Probst!"

Brown Rat Porter

Bowing to pressure from some of the Good Rats I decided a beer tasting is in order. To commemorate such an event I decided to brew a new batch of beer which I'm calling "Brown Rat Porter". I'm aiming for 5.5% ABV and I'm hoping for just a hint of sweetness for what I think will be pure cool weather bliss. Or will it taste more like dead rat sludge not suitable for anything? We'll see. Anyway, I put the brewing pot on yesterday and the plan is to rack it in two weeks with carbonation two weeks from today.

I found another place for the Good Rats to check out someday (they don't have a pub or tasting room yet). It's called Captured By Porches Brewing Co. at 40 Cowlitz #B, St. Helens, OR. The company has it's roots in Portland where the owners would invite friends and enthusiasts alike to help them with their hobby which was strewn about their porch. As hobby's sometimes do this one turned in to a full blown microbrewery. Some of their product includes Invasive Species IPA, Red Emma Amber Ale and some seasonals.

Here's another web site to check out. It's called Good Beer Maps. Once there you can check out the region you want to explore. The Northwest Craft Beer directory is about in the middle.

It's Beer!

It's not just beer, it's REALLY BEER. Yesterday was racking day. I transferred my fermented beer to the 5 gallon corney then refrigerated it over night. This morning before work I artificially carbonated it using 20lbs of CO2. I put it back in the refrigerator and tonight after work I got to sample the finished product. All I can say is, it really, really worked. I sampled and I sampled. That's all I'll say. By the way it turned out to be 4.98% ABV.

I'm already planning my next batch. Something called Arctic Red or maybe a Nut Brown Ale or who knows maybe even a Hefeweizen. I'm not a big Hefe fan but Marie is and maybe I should make something I know she'll like.

Once I get some more experience at this I think I'll try to develop my own recipe and call it "Good Rat Ale" or Good Rat something. The boss had some name suggestions today but I'm not sure any of them sounded very appetizing.

By the way, do you know how rich I feel knowing I have 5 gallons of beer on tap? Such a deal!

Prost!

An Anniversary To Remember

Well, this may not seem very romantic but after all, it's been 34 years. Last Sunday I took my better half to McMenamin's Rock Creek for lunch. She LOVED it. I knew she would. Then we drove over to McMenamin's Road House and walked around the grounds. I took her inside the old house and I couldn't help but ask her to open the closet door next to the fire place on the second floor. Her reaction was just what I expected. Then we drove downtown and stopped at McMenamin's Ringlers Annex. She really liked that place too. Afterwards we went over to Powell's Books and perused their shelves.

I tried to get her to write a "guest" column here but she would have none of that. I wish she would because her take on things is usually very unique. She is much wittier than I am. Which isn't saying much I suppose.

I guess this might have been a modified, scaled down version of a Good Rats trip. I think I'll even call her a Good Rats Honorary Member. I don't think anyone will mind. I know this though, she will never be up for a Good Rats Tatt. That's alright. I love her anyway.

Brewing Day

Well, I finally did it. After many years of thinking about it, helping Good Rat Mike with a batch in July, taking a brewing class in August from Bader Brewing and gathering the equipment I needed I dedicated today to my first brew day.

The day itself didn't start off too well as I was called in to work on my day off at just before 5am. As the morning approached noon I thought all was lost as far as getting to brew but I got home in the early afternoon and went for it. Following the recipe wasn't hard at all and hopefully my attention to sanitation will pay off.

I decided on a recipe Bader Brewing calls Northwest Pale Ale which is a Mirror Pond/Sierra Nevada imitation. My original gravity was 1.052, just slightly higher than the 1.050 the recipe said it should be. Once fermentation is complete I'll take the final gravity reading and calculate the alcohol content. If all goes well it should be around 4.7%.

Not All McMenamins Are Created Equal

Monday September 7th Good Rats Andy, Kelly L., Darren and I with DD and Good Rat wannabe Delany, made a tour of a few McMenamins. The rat route was created by Kelly L. and I and I will admit it was rather ambitious. We selected 8, count 'em 8 McMenamins to visit.

The first stop was what has become my current favorite the Rock Creek Tavern. We arrived shortly after 11am and the place hadn't started to fill up yet but by the time we'd had our lunch it was hoppin'. It's worth mentioning that some of us had their potato soup which was very good. For drinks I started out with the Rubinator, a GR Patricia fave. I had only tasted it one time but it's a fine mix of Ruby and Terminator Stout. I then moved on to the Ruby which I find to be a nice summer time brew.

We then moved just down the road to the Roadhouse. This is a second favorite of mine. I'm not that crazy about Imbrie Hall which to me seems like a big warehouse, but the rest of the grounds are fun but disappointingly the White Shed (Whisky and Cigar bar) is not open on Mondays. Kelly L. and I got to show the old farm house off to the others and had fun showing them the "secret door" next to a fireplace. That was good for a few laughs and I'll say no more.

We drove the short distance to the Oak Hills Brewpub but were disappointed to find that it's in a strip mall. GR Kelly L. took a quick look inside and reported that that it looked fair enough but come on, a strip mall? We didn't stay.

We moved on to McMenamins Cedar Hills and guess what? Another strip mall. After having gone ten minutes without a brew we decided we better stop. Again, it wasn't too bad inside, there was a pool table and best of all a real old fashioned pin ball machine at fifty cents a pop! Well, the pool was free.

At some point GR Darren suggested we go to the Lloyd Center Theaters and watch Hangover. We got there a few, and I mean just a few, minutes early so we went to a place I can't remember the name of and had another drink or was it two? By that time I couldn't really remember. Then it was on to the movie. I don't know if it was the alcohol or if it was truly funny but I laughed a lot. In fact I think I want to add it to my Netflix cue for when it becomes available on DVD. I'll stop short of recommending it although I know GR Darren does so take that for what it's worth.

We skipped the next 3 that were on our list and drove directly to Ringlers Annex. Now I must clarify something. I said earlier that Rock Creek was my favorite and Roadhouse was second. The Annex is really a great place. It's the place where "everybody knows your name". If I was downtown Portland I would call the Annex my favorite. So maybe it depends on where I am at the time. Hey, as long as they have quality beer what the heck. I say it's possible to have two favorites.

All in all it was a very nice day. Many thanks to Delany for driving! It was great seeing GR Andy again. Whether we want to admit it or not we really miss him. This trip was supposed to include GR Ron as a going away, have a great after life but he was on "vacation" making his final move of stuff from their local house to their dry side house. Lest we forget Ron... Prost!

I'm writing this an entire week after this trip and I just got back from Bellingham after taking Miss M back to school. Last night we had dinner at Boundary Bay. The nice thing was Marie and Miss M agreed to drop me off there and they went shopping before they returned for dinner. Now that may sound like I got the raw end of the deal. After all, Marie had the credit card. But the way I see it is, I got to sit outside on their deck, in super nice weather and drink good beer listening to a band they had playing below me in their beer garden.

Miss M turns 21 in January and she wants the Good Rats to come to Bellingham sometime next year and tour some of the pubs in her area. I know there are other good places to go but I'm not sure how many of you would want to make that kind of trip. I think it would need to be an over nighter. If no one else wants to go that's alright. Marie and I enjoy that area a lot and we'll have a good time without you.

With all that said... carry on.

Calling All Good Rats

This looks like fun. Unfortunatley I don't think I'll be able to attend although I'll be driving nearby enroute to Bellingham for the weekend. Morgan doesn't really need to go back to school does she?

Bring your Dogs and drink some Frogs!

Issaquah, Washington, September 1, 2009 - On September 19th and 20th, two-legged and four-legged animals and humans will leap, run, ride and hop to the FIRST ANNUAL FROGS & DOGS FESTIVAL. Frogs and Dogs Festival is an outdoor gathering of everything in food or beer that involves either frogs or dogs.

Located just east of the Mecca of Frog Beer (Issaquah Brewhouse), there will be doggie dancing, doggie musical chairs, celebrity dog look alike contests, a free dog wash, frogger video tournament and of course a leap frog competition.

This dog-friendly festival will feature a prime selection of Microbrews, famous dog beers and Issaquah Brewhouse's series of Frog beers. The line-up includes:

* Laughing Buddha * Boundary Bay * Georgetown * Mac & Jacks* Snoqualmie * Hair of the Dog * Flying Dog * Laughing Dog * Sea Dog * Dogfish Head * White Frog Ale * Ménage a Frog *

There will be fun stuff for the kids, including a frog and dog coloring contest and games. Entry to this event is $10 and includes five taster tokens (kids, dogs and frogs get in free when accompanied by an adult).

Proceeds from the festival will benefit "Reach for the Sky July" (http://www.reachfortheskyjuly.org/), a three week all scholarship summer arts day camp for Issaquah and the Snoqualmie Valley underserved youths ages eight through twelve.

FROGS AND DOGS: September 19-20, 2009
HOURS: Noon to 10 p.m. (Saturday)
Noon to 6 p.m. (Sunday)

LOCATION: 35 W. Sunset Way / Issaquah, WA 98027
(425) 557-1911

Volunteers Needed: Get in free, get a shirt and join the Issaquah Brewhouse family.For more information visit http://www.rogue.com/ or contact Brett Joyce at (503) 241-3800 or email brett@rogue.com.

For more info contact: BrandtGulden@rogue.com
Follow Issaquah Brewery on twitter
Issaquah Brewery (425) 557-1911
35 W. Sunset Way / Issaquah, WA 98027

Must TV Viewing

I don't know what it is about television shows that run for a number of seasons before I find out how good they are and start watching. I've mentioned "The Wire" in another post. An HBO series my son told me about that I loved. The series had already concluded before I started watching episodes I downloaded but better late than never I guess.

Now comes "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia". This series is found on FX and my daughter told me about it. This series has run at least four seasons now and I'm just starting season one thanks to Netflix. This is a very funny program and I recommend it. I've posted links to some YouTube clips if you want to check it out. Kitten Mittens is a good clip to watch although I haven't seen the whole episode yet. I'm watching each one in order.

A Few Musings

Lots has been happening. Well, during the past week anyway.

I've been thinking about trying my hand at brewing my own beer for some time now. As I mentioned in an earlier post I helped Good Rat Mike make up a batch and decided that I COULD do it. So, last Wednesday I attended the beginning beer making class at Bader Brewing in Vancouver. Doctor of Beer School JP and Professor of Beer School Tom made it a most enjoyable, memorable experience. Not only did I learn a lot but we tasted a number of different brews they had made up. I would highly recommend the class to anyone thinking of brewing beer. I also recommend that when the Doctor or Professor asks for volunteers raise your hand fast and enthusiastically. By doing so you will be the first to sample their beer and you might even get to taste some that no one else does. Volunteering in this class is a good thing. Now I just have to assemble all the utensils etc. I need to get started.

The next night GR Kelly and my oldest son, who I guess is really an honorary Good Rat by virtue of being my son, went to a Scotch tasting event at McMenamins Road House. Okay, it wasn't beer but we did drink some IPA and Ruby while we were there so I think that should count for something. What a night. We sat outside and the weather was absolutely perfect, the three others at our table were most interesting, the food was very good and of course the Scotch and the education about each of the five we tasted was grand. After it was over everyone just kind of hung around, talking and drinking a little more, enjoying the company, the venue and the weather. I look forward to doing that again.

Early this morning and I do mean early, as in 2:30am, Marie and I drove GR Matt to PDX for his flight to D.C. He'll be living with his best friend while going to graduate school. Although we'll miss having him closer, I feel a little better knowing he forgot his bottle of 15 year Laphroaig. I'll think of you Matt every time I have a sip... Prost!

Deck Party 2009

Well, another deck party has come and gone. The weather was perfect, the company was great and of course the beer was marvelous. I'm thinking that next year we need to start a little later in the afternoon so more than just a couple of us feel like sitting around after the sun goes down.

On a downer note Good Rat Patricia has left us for a new life in Milwaukee. If you haven't seen her blog, check it out. I created a link to it along with the other blog links. Word has it that she may be back this way in a month or two and perhaps the Good Rats can gather to hear about the big city.

While I'm saying good bye, here's to Good Rat Ron who will be leaving us soon for the dry side of the state. For those that don't know GR Ron is the one who has helped me keep my sanity these last few years. Some may wonder about that so just image what kind of basket case I would have been without him around. Who knows what the next few years might mean to my well being.

So, as a fare-thee-well to the departed and soon to be, here are the lyrics to an old song written by Shane MacGowan a former member of The Pogues. If you haven't heard it find it on Rhapsody or iTunes and check it out. It's also featured in several episodes (including the series finale) of HBO's The Wire. Which by the way if you have never seen it I think you should. Start with season 1 episode 1 and watch them in order to the end of season 5.

The cadillac stood by the house

And the yanks they were within

And the tinker boys they hissed advice

'Hot-wire her with a pin'

Then we turned and shook as we had a look

In the room where the dead man lay

So big Jim Dwyer made his last trip

To the shores where his fathers lay

But fifteen minutes later

We had our first taste of whiskey

There was uncles giving lectures

On ancient Irish history

The men all started telling jokes

And the women they got frisky

By five o'clock in the evening

Every bastard there was piskey

Fare thee well gone away

There's nothing left to say

Farewell to New York City boys

To Boston and PA

He took them out

With a well-aimed clout

and they often heard him say

I'm a free born man of the USA

He fought the champ in Pittsburgh

And he slashed him to the ground

He took on Tiny Tartanella

And it only went one round

He never had no time for reds

For drink or dice or whores

But he never threw a fight

When the fight was right

So they sent him to the war

Fare thee well gone away

There's nothing left to say

With a sláinte Joe and an Erin go

My love's in Amerikay

They're calling out the rosary

Spanish wine from far away

I'm a free born man of the USA

This morning on the harbour

When I said goodbye to you

I remember how I swore

That I'd come back to you one day

And as the sunset came to meet

The evening on the hill

I told you I'd always love you

I always did and I always will

Fare thee well gone away

There's nothing left to say

But to say adieu

To your eyes as blue

As the water in the bay

And to big Jim Dwyer

The man of war

Who was often heard to say

I'm a free born man of the USA

Prost! my friends...

Spur Of The Moment Trip 06/27/09

Good Rat Kelly L. suggested GR Ron and I go out to lunch on Saturday. He wanted to show us a couple of McMenamins I had never been to. Driving through St. Helens we headed to Cornelius Pass.

We stopped first at the McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern. The tavern burned down in 2002 but was rebuilt in the same style as the original. Two old barns in the area were dismantled and the wood was used in the new construction. The tavern features some wonderful stained glass including some antique panes that frame the kitchen entrance. A beautiful ceramic-tile fireplace salvaged from Portland's historic St. Francis Hotel occupies one wall of the building. It is believed that this 1925 fireplace is the work of the same craftsmen who created similar pieces for Timberline Lodge. You'll also find a Round Oak wood stove, vintage tin signs, black and white photos of the area from the teens to the 1940's and art work including mushrooms in various forms.

Ruby (beer) was on our minds when we first arrived but we were talked into trying a seasonal loganberry brew called Purple Haze. Although similar to Ruby we all agreed we preferred the former. For the second round GR Kelly L. tried the Rubinator, a combination of Ruby and Terminator Stout. I'd never heard of the Rubinator until GR Patricia had one on a recent GR Trip. Although I didn't order one GR Kelly L. allowed me a small sample and I must say I would give it a go next time.

After lunch we drove the five minutes or so to the McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse. This is a large complex with a number of buildings and outside wedding meadows, groves and glens. We missed looking at the Italian Villa-style house which sits next door to the main pub, Imbrie Hall, so I have a good excuse to go back.

Imbrie Hall opened in 2001 and features a gallery of artwork and some intriguing architectural relics and oddities. There are huge columns from Portland's old Washington Hotel, which support massive beams from Port of Portland's Terminal No. 5 and wall posts and headers out of a barn near Forest Grove. There are rafters salvaged from Portland's Blitz-Weinhard brewery and wide planks from Seagram's old distillery in St. Louis. From the loft is a view of the kitchen and an unobstructed perspective of a cookline in action.

There were two weddings going on while we were there and one of them was using the Octagonal Barn so we didn't get to look inside. This former milking parlor with a central feeding bin is now used for festive concerts, parties and other social gatherings for two-legged friends.

The White Shed is a very small rustic pub next to the Barn. Originally it was used as cold storage for milk freshly retrieved from the adjacent dairy barn. Today it's a cozy place for a whisky or (heaven forbid) a cigar.

The Brewery was closed by the time we got there but is open for viewing earlier in the day. Also of note is Big Red, a colossal ceramic torch commissioned by George Lucas who wanted dramatic lighting along the two-mile long driveway leading to his Skywalker Ranch in California. Plans for his torch-lined entry fell through and now it serves as a beacon for the tired and hungry masses who come in search of comfort, sustenance, and good times.

The smaller cozy feel of Rock Creek intrigued us the most and we agreed that we liked it better than the sprawling Roadhouse. Both are worth checking out though. It was a grand afternoon worth repeating very soon.

My Anacortes Trip

Hello Good Rats and Prost!

Thing #1 had a baseball tournament in Anacortes this weekend so here I am. But I'm writing after my recent trip to The Rockfish Grill and Anacortes Brewing. If you're ever up this way you must check it out. For lunch I had the ESB and Trippel Belgian. Both were very nice but the Belgian was absolutely wonderful. Oh yeah, I had the San Juan Salad too and I would very definately order it again. Tomorrow is Father's Day and I've been asked what I want to do. Well, besides a baseball game or two, visiting Anacortes Brewing is top on my list.

The June/July 2009 Northwest Brewing News has an article about Anacortes Brewing and it also lists some other good places to check out. You don't suppose the better halves would let us do an over nighter in this area? GR Ron, who spent a great deal of time in this area in a previous life, could likely help us out with the sight seeing. But then again, who wants to sight see when there are good brews to check out.

April 27, 2009 GR Trip

While deleting old emails I found the one I'd sent to myself from work as a reminder of the places we'd visited during our April 27th trip. I don't remember who all was there but I recall GR Andy, Darren, Todd and I. My apologies to the others. Except for the last stop all of these were on the east side of Portland and if I remember correctly GR Todd recommended them. Except for the Salmon Creek Brewery and Pub which we all recommend.

Roots Organic Brewing Company was the first stop. This was my first experience with organic brews. I had the Burghead Heather Ale. They said the recipe is over 4000 years old and to last this long it must be okay. And it was more than okay. I was amazed at how good it was and I definitely would recommend you try it.

Next up was the Lucky Labrador Brewing Company. We were in time for lunch and the place got quite busy after we got there. I don't remember what on earth I tried but I'm sure it was good.

I'll need a little help with this one so if a GR is reading and can help me then please do. We went on to the Broadway but I'm not sure if that's the complete name and I had difficulty finding a web site that jogged my memory. This was the place GR Andy drank from a dog dish at the back door. GR Darren should really tell this story.

Last but not least was Salmon Creek Brewery and Pub. This is a Good Rat must on all trips south. I haven't found anything on the beer list that wouldn't enjoy again and again.

06/06/2009 - GR Andy reminded me that we had a new recruit with us this day. Kelly P joined us for the first time and I guess he decided he liked what he saw (and drank) because he wants to be a full fledged member. Welcome GR Kelly P.

05/29/2009 Trip

My gosh, where does the time go? The Good Rats made a trip a few weeks back and I failed to acknowledge the fun we had. I think Good Rat Todd might have written something about it and I'll do my best to find it so I can either post it here myself or link to his musings.

Yesterday Good Rats Darren, Todd, Andy, Kelly L., Kelly P., Patricia and I made a rat run south. We all piled into my seven passenger van with me at as the initial driver. GR Darren had volunteered to be the DD this trip so after our fist stop he took over.

For several reason our first stop was at Salmon Creek Brewery and Pub. I've written about this place before and all the GR's agree that it's a must stop any time we head south. The Brewmaster there is an old friend and whether he likes it or not is officially a Good Rat. After a most enjoyable lunch and a brew or two GR Mike spent the day with us. Between telling stories about his previous life and showing us new places to try he talked about the brew process which I hope some day to try my hand at.

We timed our visit to Salmon Creek just right because they just started serving their summertime Hellis Bells. A golden colored German Summer Ale that goes down smooth with a crisp refeshing finish, perfect for those hot summer days. I've decided that this will be the featured beer at this summer's deck party. I'm willing to bet it will all disappear over the course of an afternoon.

*** A MUST VISIT *** I have no vested interest in this place but if you're in the Portland/Vancouver area you have to go visit Salmon Creek located at 108 W Evergreen Blvd in downtown Vancouver USA. Say hi to owners Larry and Ana or GR Mike if he's working. Tell them the Good Rats sent you.

The weather was fantastic and once we parked in the Pearl District of Portland we walked to all the places we wanted to visit. I may not remember them all but there was the Rogue. Most if not all the GR's are members of the Rogue Nation. By the way, I embarrisingly found out that guys are Hops and the women are Barley. You'll know what I mean if you ever have to use their restrooms.

I remember there was Ringler's Annex, a "tiny and terrific" corner pub now owned by McMenamin's. This place is a real treat especially if you like small. We sat in the cellar where it was cool and private. Although I switched to a single malt for this sitting I did try their Ruby which was a refreshingly nice drink.

The Deschutes Brewery was next and quite honestly I don't remember what I had. I think it was a seasonal of some kind. It's a nice newer place and a whole lot bigger than what we'd just walked from.

GR Darren was insistant that he had to get home for a dance recital but we talked him into stopping at Amnesia Brewing. GR Mike suggested it and as it turned out was on the east side and it was necessary to drive to that one. Again, I don't remember what I had, Mountain something or Dry something. Dry Mountain? I don't know but I liked it. The best part about this place was the outdoor BBQ going on. Wow! The smells. How could you not have a hamburger here?

The day was too short but we all had a great time and we're already planning the next trip. GR Andy (now living several hours drive north of here) thinks we need to head north to Seattle for the next trip so who knows where we'll end up.

East Side Trip 02/02/2009

Gosh, I guess it's about time I posted something new. Not that some good tasting hasn't taken place but time seems to have a way of getting away from me.

I hesitate to even write anything of my own since Good Rat Andy wrote such an eloquent piece on his blog. You can see it here: http://www.malchert.blogspot.com/.

An important note here is that I was the DD on this trip. Therefore I didn't get to drink many of the brews the others did however they showed true GR kindness by letting me taste a number of different ones they ordered. Thank you one and all. However, that will explain why I am not commenting too much on the brews. You really should read Andy's post. Those who came along on this excursion were Good Rats Darren, Ron, Todd, Andy and of course your's truely.

The day started off on a disappointing note because Good Rat Recruit Patricia couldn't make it. She's still a recruit because she has now missed two opportunites and has yet to actually rat around with us. I'm not sure what will happen if she misses the next trip... strike 3?

GR Darren provided the tunes with music ranging from Reel Big Fish to Real McKenzies to... of course DKM.


The day saw much improvement however once we got to Vancouver. We'd heard about the Salmon Creek Brewery & Pub and we were anxious to check it out. We were not disappointed. In fact, by a unanimous decision, it's going to be a mandatory stop on all GR trips when we're headed south. Co-proprietor Ana showed us some great hospitality. The food was very good and the beer was great. After our meal we met with Assistant Brewer Mr. Mike, Andy's name for our long time friend who's found a new life doing something he really enjoys. I'd highly recommend you stop by and check it out if you ever get to Vancouver USA. The address is: 108 W. Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA. Be sure to tell Mike hi from all the Good Rats.

Our next stop was, as the title of this post says, on the East side of Portland. GR Darren had heard about Biddy McGraws Irish Pub. Now, GR Andy wasn't too kind to this place calling it "dirty, it smelled, and they didn't brew their own beer". Although it was empty I actually liked the atmosphere of this corner pub. It's true, they didn't brew their own beer but they did serve a very cold glass of Smithwick's. Any place that serves Smithwick's can't be all bad and I would go back again.

The next place was Horse Brass Pub. We've wanted to check this place out ever since we read about it in one of the beer rags. Actually, we really wanted a peek at the proprietor Don Younger. His magesty was there in all his spaced out glory. I have no idea who he was talking to or what he thought he was looking at but he was there in body if not in any other way. Some of the boys had fun playing darts and nobody was the worse for wear. No poked out eyes or anything but now that they had a few under their belts I was hoping disaster wouldn't strike. I agree with Andy's assesment and I don't think I'll be going back again. By the way, what was wrong with our waitress anyway?

I guess I didn't mention that Brad, GR Todd's friend, well, a friend to most of us, joined us at Biddy McGraw's. I'll say it now, we have a new official Good Rat among us. Anyway, Brad suggested we try the Lauelwood Brewing Co. I guess Darren said it all "I like this place. Good food, good beer, good service". A big thumbs up to the appetizers during Happy Hour. None of us were really sure what Todd meant when he said "I don't like suckin' on bone". As far as the atmosphere goes, I wasn't too excited. It was more upscale than I think is appropriate for a pub. But that aside, the beer and food and service were very good.

Back on the north side of the mighty Columbia and headed homeward our final stop was Hazel Dell Brew Pub in Hazel Dell, WA of course. The GR's said the beer was good but other than that the place is really quite forgettable. However, at least one GR thought our waitress looked like she should have been a security officer on Star Trek. I don't know if that was true but I do know that by that time everyone but me had been tipping just a few too many. Those sampler trays can really sneak up on you.

Now for some good news. Today almost two weeks later, Recruit Patricia told me she has a long list of east side pubs that are a must try. I vote we give her one last chance provided she shares "the list".

Prost!