Our latest Brewer's Share Release, Phil's Existential Alt

In 2008 we created our small batch Brewer’s Share series as an opportunity for each of our individual brewers to express their creations to be shared on tap exclusively in our Pub. Since our crew came up with so many great beers, we decided to share a selection of them with beer lovers everywhere. The second beer in the series is "Phil’s Existential Alt," developed by Brewer Phil Roche, and will be released in 22oz. bottles and on draft in March.

“As an independent and employee owned brewery, you know that we put our hearts and souls into every drop. With Brewer’s Share we’re proud to showcase the people behind our award winning brews by introducing our individual brewers by name and beer,” said Irene Firmat, Full Sail’s CEO and Founder.

When asked what his inspiration was for Phil’s Existential Alt, Roche replied, “Altbier is indigenous to Dusseldorf and Neanderthal man is indigenous to Dusseldorf. The ancient Germans thought a lot about their existence. Early myths contain some 200 verses about the creation of the world. The ancient Germans thought even more about beer, with 400 verses about beer making. "Phil's Existential Alt" celebrates our existence through our most celebrated beverage...beer!”

According to Phil, a generous amount of Munich and Vienna malts give this beer its copper color and toasty-caramel aroma. German noble hops provide complimentary bitterness and a clean, dry finish. The beer has been cold-conditioned for six weeks and goes down smooth. ABV 5.1%, IBU 43

The inspiration for the name “Brewer’s Share” came from that mysterious portion that vanishes from a barrel during aging that brewers refer to as the “angel’s share,” and that led to “Brewer’s Share,” an equally mysterious offering that appears during inspiration. Brewer’s Share can also mean a unit of ownership, as in stock. Consider this program to be an Initial Pub Offering (IPO). Whenever you purchase a Brewer’s Share you get a unit of ownership – one share of the batch. As a shareholder you have the right to consume the beverage. In doing so you will also be investing in the public good – as each brewer not only chooses the recipe, they choose a local charity or organization that will benefit from each bottle sold – which can bring an excellent Return on Ingestion (ROI).

Full Sail’s Brewer’s Share small batch offerings will be available in 22oz. bottles and on draft. The other beers in the 2012 line-up include Extra Special Barney (ESB), Chris’s Summer Delight Berliner Weiss and Big Daddy J’s Malt Liquor. Full Sail will release one Brewer’s Share at a time and a new beer will be released for each season.

With each Brewer’s Share series beer, Full Sail picks a local charity or organization to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer. Phil has chosen to support Friends of the Children, so every barrel of his Existential Alt benefits this organization. Friends of the Children (FOTC) is a revolutionary mentoring program that provides paid professional mentors, called Friends, to the community’s most vulnerable children. FOTC selects youth in kindergarten and mentors them through high school graduation (12 ½ years). Through the support of Friends, children are learning the skills to become healthy members of our community.

New to our Brewer's Share Experimental Series is Dan's Satin Stout

This past month we also released a new beer in our Brewer’s Share Experimental line up: “Dan’s Satin Stout” crafted by Assistant Operations Manager Dan Nakamura.

These small batch experimental beers are available only in our Tasting Room & Pub and at Full Sail at Riverplace in Portland and give us a variety of potential beers for our Brewer's Share 22oz bottle program.

As with every Brewer's Share and Brewer's Share Experimental beer, Dan got to select a charity or non-profit to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of his brew. Dan has chosen to support Hospice of the Gorge so every keg of Dan’s Satin Stout benefits this organization whose mission is to compassionately support patients and families through the end of life process.

Intrigued by the complexity of dark beer, Dan brewed a sweet, dark stout with a very smooth, satiny finish.  It's a creamy, dark beer with a soft and smooth finish and is complemented with the subtly sweet notes of chocolate and a hint of honey. A blend of pale, Munich, caramel, chocolate malt, and roast barley give Satin Stout its deep darkness and complex palate. Willamette and Mt. Hood hops provide just enough bitter to balance the sweet malitness; their slightly spicy aromas complement the floral notes from the addition of wildflower honey. Nitrogen conditioning is the final finishing touch providing a luscious satiny smoothness. 5.2% ABV 36 IBU

 “I feel so fortunate to have a job I love in the place I grew up. I started my career at Full Sail as a keg washer over 21 years ago and have had the opportunity to move through many jobs at the brewery. In the process I have really gained a passion for great beer and a deep respect for the brewing art. When the opportunity to brew my own beer came up, I jumped at the chance to follow a long line of very talented Full Sail brewers. I sincerely hope that you enjoy this beer as much as I enjoyed brewing it. Cheers!” said Dan Nakamura.

Full Sail’s Brewer’s Share Experimental beers will only be available on tap at our Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River, Oregon, and at Full Sail at Riverplace, in Portland, Oregon. Growlers to go are available. The next Brewer’s Share Experimental will be brewed by Lead Lab Tech, Joshua Allman and is planned for late spring.

Introducing our latest video: The Art & Science of Bourbon Barrel Aged Beer

There is an art and science to barrel aging beer and it is truly a labor of love. In fact there's so much to it we wanted to share the experience with our beer friends, fans and family.

We're stoked to release our latest video, "The Art & Science of Bourbon Barrel Aged Beer," where we take you deep into our cellar for a glimpse behind the scenes of how we barrel age beer at Full Sail. Click here to view.

Special thanks to local videographer Jesse from Larvick Media for all his help. Cheers!

Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Porter, it's finally here and well worth the wait!

The newest batch of our very limited bourbon barrel-aged beer was released on February 1st. Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Porter has been aging in oak bourbon barrels deep in the brewery’s cellar for an entire year. During those long months the bourbon barrels and time have been working their magic on our Imperial Porter. This commitment to patience and excellence results in a truly special beer – complex, elegant and supremely balanced with added depth and flavor. Soon, Full Sail will be able to share the delicious result— the 2012 reserve of Top Sail Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Porter.

“We love the concept of the bourbon barrel aging our beer. Our barrel aged beers have been a Full Sail tradition since 1998 when the Master Distiller from The Maccallan visited the brewhouse and suggested we try it. It was then we discovered the magic that happens when you pair vintage barrels, dedication, and patience. It’s an art form and when done right, it’s a wonderful thing. We brew this special beer in small batches, that’s why it is available in very limited quantities. You should get some while you can,” said Jamie Emmerson, Full Sail’s Executive Brewmaster.

“Brewed back in January 2011, this imperial style porter was reserved and aged in Kentucky bourbon casks from Maker's Mark, Jim Beam and Austin Nichols. After a year we created a blend that is 100% barrel aged beer to craft Top Sail. This aging amplifies our robust porter and brings out hints of chocolate, figs, vanilla and oak. It’s deep black in color, with a roasty malt flavor and a rich malt and vanilla sweetness that’s smooth and amazingly drinkable. A wonderful addition to any beer cellar,” added Emmerson. To help the beer aficionados that have the self-discipline to cellar this beer, Full Sail marks the bottle label with the reserve year. Top Sail was awarded a gold medal at the 2010 & 2011 World Beer Championships and was named One of the Top 25 Beers of 2010 by Wine Enthusiast. The beer will be available in 22 oz bottles and limited draft. (ABV 9.5%, IBU 40)

LTD 05: an Amber Lager you're gonna love

The best brews reflect the perfect balance of art and science. In our spring release of our Limited Edition lager series, LTD 05, artistry takes form in an amber lager- a sophisticated beer that has an elegant maltiness and superb balance.

“We brewed this beer as a celebration of lagers, and like the other beers in our LTD series, it allows us to explore a classic lager profile and intertwine our own passion as an American craft brewer. LTD 05, explories its Viennese roots. It is a copper colored beer with great harmony and a refreshingly round, smooth, and balanced palate with just a hint of dark roast to enhance its floral hoppy finish,” said our Executive Brewmaster, Jamie Emmerson. LTD 05 has been brewed, bottled, and kegged and is now shipping from the brewery.

LTD means limited edition, but according to our Founder and CEO, Irene Firmat, at Full Sail it means something even more: Live the Dream. “We’ve been living out our dream: brewing beer, our own way, in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We dedicate our LTD Series to everyone who’s living the dream, whatever that dream might be.”

“Our passion for brewing beer was born from our experiences travelling throughout Europe and enjoying the richness of the brewing heritage of great lager beer styles. With each LTD beer we create our own individual passport back to these wonderful beer experiences showcasing an original lager recipe available only for a limited time. Our LTD series gives us the freedom to explore some of our favorite beer styles and we are grateful that our customers and critics are enjoying this travel through extraordinary beers," added Firmat.

Since its release in 2006, our LTD Series has brought home 13 gold medals from the World Beer Championships and one from the North American Beer Awards. And on top of that, they’ve been named some of the “Best Beers of 2010 and 2011.

LTD 05 registers “medium” on the “Malt-O-Meter” that is featured on the six packs. Beer aficionados, or the aspiring ones, will enjoy the bottom of the six-pack that features an easy-to-read chart of “Today’s Recipe,” including Willamette, Glacier and Czech Saaz Hops, Pale, Chocolate and Caramel malts, plato (14 degrees), IBU (28), alcohol by volume ABV (5.6%) and any special ingredients. LTD 05 will be available in six-packs and draught from mid-February to June. Following LTD 05, Full Sail will re-release LTD 03, a crisp pilsner just in time for summer.
 

Full Sail IPA Makes it to the Final Four in the NIPAC Challenge

In the beer version of  March Madness  Full Sail IPA made it all the way to the final four at the 2012 National IPA Challenge (NIPAC). The NIPAC is an annual IPA competition conducted by Brewing News. This year 128 IPA’s competed in 1:1 single elimination bracket tournament. The judges consisted of brewers and qualified hop lovers. IPA fans played along by predicting their own bracket winners on-line.

Full Sail Brewing Earns More Gold at the World Beer Championships

We are proud to announce that we were awarded five medals, including 4 Gold and 1 silver in the first round of the 2012 World Beer Championships, a blind tasting competition conducted by the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) of Chicago, Illinois. Tasting notes from the competition are available at www.Tastings.com. The competition included beers from many highly respected brewers from around the world including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United States.

“We’re thrilled to once again earn the highest awards for our beers. From our Session Lager to our bourbon barrel-aged beers, balance and elegance are our defining brewery characteristics. We don’t brew our beers to win medals, but we are honored when we do. We know that you, our customers, are the ultimate judges and we strive to consistently brew elegant, complex, and balanced beers with them in mind. Over the years, our passion and commitment have earned us a long list of awards and accolades. Thanks to all our beer fans and friends for your ongoing support,” said Jamie Emmerson, Full Sail’s Executive Brewmaster.

The World Beer Championship Full Sail 2012 Medal Winners

GOLD: Full Sail IPA – 92 Points, “Exceptional” Nine time World Beer Championship (WBC) Gold Medal winner and named “One of the Best Beers” of 2010 & 2011

GOLD: Brewer’s Share Extra Special Barney - 93 Points “Exceptional” A new beer for 2012 and the first gold medal in our new Brewer’s Share line up.

GOLD: LTD 04 - 93 Points “Exceptional” Two time World Beer Championship gold medal winner and “One of the Best Beers” of 2011

GOLD: Full Sail Pale Ale – 90 Points “Exceptional” Six time World Beer Championship Gold Medal Winner and named “One of the Best Beers” of 2010 & 2011

SILVER: Full Sail Amber Ale – 88 Points, “Highly Recommended"
Fourteen time gold medal winner including 12 from the WBC and one from the Great American Beer Festival. Five time silver medal winner at the World Beer Championships

Full Sail April Brewmaster Dinner "A Spring Feast of Seven Small Plates"

Our April 12th Brewmaster Dinner is the last of the season! And to keep us satisfied until the fall, Chef Jeff and his team will whip up seven gourmet courses for your pleasure, each expertly paired with our award winning brews. You get all seven courses and all seven beers for $40 per person. We will begin serving the menu at 5:00PM until we run out! (Quantities are limited, and our regular menu will also be available.)

This will be the last dinner until we start back up in September.  For more information you can call our Tasting Room and Pub at 541-386-2247. Cheers! 

SPRING FEAST OF SEVEN SMALL PLATES

 FIRST COURSE
Caprese Skewer with Balsamic Reduction, Basil Oil and a Fresh Basil Chiffonade.

Paired with Session Premium Lager

SECOND COURSE
Amber-poached Bratwurst with Pretzel Slices and Raspberry Chipotle Onions

Paired with Amber Ale

THIRD COURSE
Duck Confit Salad with Currants and Walnuts tossed in Truffle Oil on Belgian Endive

Paired with LTD 05

FOURTH COURSE
Brie Tartlet with Grilled Asparagus in a Brown Butter Sauce

Paired with IPA

FIFTH COURSE
Pan Seared Scallops over Yellow Lentils with a Scallion Pesto

Paired with Pale Ale

SIXTH COURSE
Grilled Steak with Roasted Potatoes and an Onion Bacon Relish

Paired with Session Black

SEVENTH COURSE
Panna Cotta topped with Blueberry Compote and a Truffle Stuffed Doughnut

Paired with Imperial Stout

Full Sail Stainless Steel Bräulers are Now Available!

We’re proud to be among the first few breweries in the nation to carry these hotly anticipated growlers. Holding 64 ounces of your favorite brew, the Full Sail Bräulers are virtually indestructible, lightweight, with a wide 2.5” mouth (easy to fill and clean), and a deep thread cap preventing loss of freshness or carbonation.

The food grade 18/8 stainless steel prevents any sort of light leakage or glass breakage you’d find with a traditional growler, and is 100% recyclable (although we see no reason why you’d want to recycle this beauty). The best part? Our slick logo is seamlessly emblazoned on its side.

Get yours today before they sell out!
 

AAA Ranks our Brewery Tour One of the Best in the West

In the March/April issue of AAA's VIA magazine ranked our brewery tour one of the best in the west. Next time you are in our next of the woods be sure to swing by and see for yourself.

Touring the brewery is fun and informative. Tour guides Randy and Jessica will lead you on a tour of our Hood River brewhouse where you can meet the people behind the pints and learn about the art and science of crafting beer. You’ll also see the local ingredients we use to concoct our award winning brews and learn a plethora of Full Sail fun facts and history, including our sustainable brewing practices.

After, you can even sample brews and grab a bite in our Tasting Room & Pub. Tours begin and end in our Tasting Room and Pub. Tours are free of charge daily at 1, 2, 3 and 4pm. Our brewhouse is your brewhouse - we hope to see you soon. Cheers!

Amber Ale Flies High on Alaska Airlines Regional Flights in April

Planning any travel in this April? We have partnered up with our craft beer loving friends at Alaska Airlines and samples of our Amber Ale will be available free-of-charge on Alaska Airlines regional flights this April throughout the Western U.S, Canada and Mexico. Happy travels!

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