July 24, 1999 -- Day Two of the Brewfest started unfortunately under much different meteorological conditions than did Day One, but the clouds that hung overhead did not seem to dampen the enthusiasm of the attendees clustered at the gate for the noon starting time. And so it was back to work...

A disappointing welcome from a dry, thinnish Fremont St. Vienna by Portland's Alameda Brewing was countered by a much more interesting Cirque Brewery Triple Mash Ultra, a slightly confused brew described in the program as a Bohemian Lager. This beer from the young, well-regarded brewery from Prosser, Washington, was good if somewhat lacking in structure, with odd citrusy notes (presumably from the new Pacific Northwest hop variety, Ultra, for which the beer is named) but a very enjoyable flavour.

Cannon Beach, Oregon's Bill's Tavern and Brewhouse continued the unusual beer theme with a Garden Party Elixer, described in the program as a Herbal Honey Beer. This was a very well-structured beer with a pronounced herbal character and an underlying fruitiness. It was followed by another unusual one, the Blackberry Porter of Wild River Brewing from Grants Pass, Oregon. Does this beer actually contain fruit? The name indicates that it does, but neither the flavour nor the program notes make clear whether or not this is indeed the case. A good if unexpressive porter.

Red Seal Ale from North Coast Brewing of Fort Bragg, California, punctuated the next round of tasting with its superb character and seamless, complex, fruit-hop flavour. Were the Red Seal not so tasty, the Piranha Pale Ale from BJ's Pizza, Grill and Brewery of Portland would no doubt have tasted better, with its pronounced hoppiness and crisp character. (And sure enough, when I tasted it later on, it did.)

Unfortunately, the Anglers Pale Ale of Uinta Brewing from Salt Lake City, Utah, fared worse with its bitter-sour aroma and grainy, slightly sour body. My palate was saved, thankfully, by the Sasquatch Strong Ale from Eugene, Oregon's Wild Duck Brewery, a hoppy, 8.1% alcohol monster from Rogue alumnus, Glen Falconer. (Memo to Glen: enjoyed the beer, but 73-77 bittering units in a strong ale?!)

Continuing the hop assault on my palate was the Maximus, a tasty but slightly over-the-top, moderately fruity and tobacco-y IPA from Lagunitas Brewing of Petaluma, California. This prompted my taste buds to send up the white flag so I rested my glass and mouth for a bit before finishing off with a dynamite brown ale: the deliciously chocolaty, vanilla-ish Pullman Nut Brown Ale from Flossmore Station Brewing of Flossmoor,Illinois. A fine beer with which to bring this session to a close.

Still more tomorrow...

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