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!

Astoria Trip

I'm posting a link to Good Rat Andy's review of last Monday's trip. When you read it you will see that Andy is much more eloquent than I. I have somewhat of a theory about that though. I recently heard about an internet service that won't allow a person to send email unless they are a certain level of sobriety. The idea is to prevent someone from sending email when, let's just say, they aren't thinking clearly. Maybe that service should be extended to posting to blogs as well. This in light of the fact that I posted my last musing not too long after I got home from the Astoria trip. Alas...

We all appreciate Andy's writing and especially the pictures you will see if you follow the link. It was a great day and a lot of fun. Thank you Andy for your friendship and your ability to put into words what the rest of us were thinking.

So... check this out:
http://malchert.blogspot.com/2008/10/good-rats-astoria-trip-10-20-08.html

Good Rats 10/20/08 Trip

Six Good Rats found their way (and back again) to Astoria today. The forcast called for rain and wind but our good fortune found sunshine instead. We made our way to the Wet Dog first for a fine lunch and a brew. Then we were off to the Fort George Brewery where I was the only one brave enough to try their nine brew sampler. Afterwards we made our way to the Rogue Brewery where our informative waitress guided us through the numerous beers that were on tap. I really should keep a log of what we tried and what we liked but I was neglegent in doing so.

I will say, now that I'm home safe and sound, we had a little fun at Good Rat Darren's expense while he wasn't looking. While he was off to the "facility", someone substituted his sample of Double Dead Guy Ale for Imperial Pilsner. He didn't seem to know the difference but that's what makes him a Good Rat. Proast Darren!

Speaking of "facility", on the way there one couldn't help but see the FREE self-guided tour of the old BumbleBee Tuna cannery next door to the Rogue. Most impresive was the wall of signatures dedicated to those that worked there at one time or another.

As a most memerable moment I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Good Rat Andy dressed in his Goonies t-shirt. How appropriate since the movie was filmed in Astoria.