Bison Brewing Company: Gingerbred Ale and Chocolate Stout

As I mentioned in the previous post, I attended the FoodBuzz Blogger Festival in San Francisco this past weekend. In addition to the Lucky Hand I had during dinner Friday night, I got to sample two more beers during the Taste Pavilion on Saturday. Bison Brewing Company, an organic brewing company from Berkeley, had a few of its year-round and seasonal beers to try.

I had the Gingerbread Ale. It was just spicy enough and not too heavy. It was very fragrant. Michael had the Chocolate Stout. It's a medium-dark beer and not overpowering on the chocolate or malt like really dark stouts. We enjoyed both, and I am a fan because they are USDA Certified Organic!

I am going to look for their IPA at the store so look for that review in the future...

Lucky Hand's California Common

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This past weekend I attend the 4th Anual FoodBuzz Blogger Festival in San Francisco. I had a great time and got to meet many other fellow bloggers. I also got to eat and drink some good stuff.

I had dinner compliments of FoodBuzz at the Millennium, a mostly vegan restaurant.  They had a nice liquor and wine selection, but I went with a beer, Luck Hand's California Common Ale.

Lucky Hand Brewing Company is only three years old and only has two beers currently, the California Common and the Black Lager.  I could not find much more information on the company. Hopefully they will continue to grow and produce more good beers.

California Common is a style of beer that popped up in California out of necessity. Pioneers had to adapt traditional ales to the ingredients they had on hand. They also had to ferment in colder conditions. The result  is a more rustic beer .Lucky Hand's was very drinkable. It went well with my spicy glazed tempeh but I could easily drink it with a burger too. It was well balance; however, a bit on the malty side, which I actually liked.

And, Lucky Hand is organic! Keep up the good work, I cannot wait to try more!

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival and Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale

A few weeks ago the weather started to change and the air became a little crisper in the Silicon Valley. My mind began to dream of fall. I wanted wander through a pumpkin patch in a cozy sweater with my sweetheart. I told my daydream to my boyfriend, Michael, and he told me about the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival. I instantly wanted to go.

I have to warn about two things: this is not a beer festival and there are not that many actual pumpkins at this festival. But trust me, it is still worth the trip. It's more of an arts and crafts fair. There is everything pumpkin and fall related, with some other randoms things as well. We bought some cute Hawaiian decorations for our house (we met in Hawaii while attending the University of Hawaii at Hilo and want to decorate our home like where we fell in love). 

We also had some classic fair snacks, grilled corn on the cob with no butter for me and he got a sausage. 

And of course we had a few beers, pumpkin beer in fact! Blue Moon Brewing Company's Pumpkin Harvest Ale.  We both really enjoyed this beer. It's a lighter pumpkin ale. Not too spicy, but spicy enough. Not so pumpkin-y that it's heavy, but enough that you can still taste it. It was very refreshing, especially considering my dream of a cool fall day was in fact a unseasonably, upper 80's kind of day.

We also got the awesome official festival beer mugs. They have a new design every year. I overheard a guy said he collected all of the the past 25 years. I think Michael and I have a challenge now! We will definitely being going again next year and I am going buy a some Pumpkin Ale next time I am at the store.

McMenamin's Cornelius Pass Road House and Imbrie Hall

All photos from here

My hometown is Hillsboro, Oregon and there is no way I make my first review about any other place than McMenamin's Cornelius Pass Road House and Imbrie Hall.  I went to the restaurant a child with my family and it was one of the first bars I ever went with my friends when I turned 21.

Oregonians know and love McMenamin's Restaurants. There are several locations around Oregon and Washington. They purchase historic buildings and turn them into amazing brewpubs and restaurants. They are decorated a little eclectic, but very warm and inviting. Every location feels like you are sitting at your friend's house for dinner.  I am partial to the Road House because it is right down the street from my parents' house. They all have similar menus that vary seasonally, and feature McMenamin's own beers.

Cornelis Pass Road House and Imbrie Hall are two historic buildings for the town of Hillsboro. Built in 1850, Imbrie Hall was the original home of pioneer Robert Imbrie.  As his family grew he built a second house next door, the road house. In the late 1970s, the Imbrie family opened a restaurant. In 1986 McMenanmin's leased the property and over the next couple decades (and a legal battle over construction rights) restored the house. Lastly, in 2001 Imbrie Hall opened.

The grounds are lit- up at night during the summer.

Today you can dine in either building. The Road House has both in door and out door seating. My dad loves coming for late dinners in the summer. They have picnic tables and lights around the property. He enjoys the warm evenings with his family and a cold beer. Inside, like I said, feels like you are sitting in a friend's country home for dinner in the 1850s. However, Imbrie Hall is my favorite of the two buildings. It is a mix between an 1850s saloon and a barn house. The dark wood and metal fixtures are gorgeous. My mom and I often go for lunch when I am home. The menu is the same in both buildings though.

Ok, now for the beer. I know the selection by heart by now so I have my own opinions. You can check out their own descriptions here.  I am going to discuss my three favorites.

Ruby:
I love this beer so much it was the only thing I wanted to toast with for my graduation from the University of Oregon. It is a light ale with a little pink tint. It is a little sweet and very refreshing on a hot day. It has fresh Oregon raspberries brewed right in. My mom and I both think it tastes a little grapefruit for some reason. This is more of "girly" beer but that does not make it any less amazing.

Hammerhead:
It's a classic golden ale. Hoppy and a little malty. It goes great with anything on the menu, but I suggest using it wash down a burger because they make their own buns with the beer!

Terminator Stout:
It's dark, rich, and chocolatey. If you like dark beers, this is the one for you.

They also have seasonal ales that change often so I suggest trying them too. I can't remember what it was called, but I had this wheat one a few years back that I still dream of often.

Man, this post made me homesick--and thirsty!

What Makes a Beer Vegan?

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Just because you have committed to living a healthier life by eliminating all animals products does not mean you can never have a frosty glass of beer again--in moderation of course. You are probably wondering why in the world a beer would not be vegan, isn't it made from grains like hops and barley? Most beers are made from vegan ingredients, so have no fear. There are two reasons that a beer may not be vegan: the filtering process and the flavoring ingredients.

Let's talk about the filtering process. Ever heard of isinglass? It is form of collagen obtained from the bladder of fish. It was traditionally used to filter and clarify beers so they could stabilize faster. Vegans do not use or consume any animal products or byproducts, so fish bladder extract is not okay. Nowadays most breweries do not use isinglass anymore, but a few traditional breweries in the UK still do. So sadly, vegans cannot enjoy a a pint of Guinness.  Some breweries also use gelatin, which is collagen from various animals (ever heard the phrase "Take the horse to the glue factory"?).  Once again, it is an animal byproduct and therefore not vegan.  Most breweries now use diatomaceous earth, which is crushed silca rock.

Although the basic ingredients of beer like hops, barley, and wheat are vegan, sometimes brewers add some flavoring ingredients that are not. The most common one is honey. Honey comes from bees, and although bees are insects, it is still a living organism and therefore is not vegan.

There is an easy way to find out if your beer is vegan or not. If you are at a brew pup, simply ask. Ask your server or bartender what they use to filter and what ingredients are in each beer. Most of the time they love sharing information about their beer and will answer any question you have (and will suggest a beer for you to try!)  If you are enjoying a beer at home, just research it online.

There are tons of vegan beers for you to enjoy, so do not let a few processes and ingredients deter you.

Welcome to the World of Vegan Beer!

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My man lucked out and not only got a beer drinking girl, but a beer appreciating one. I am from the great state of Oregon, which has the second most microbreweries per capita. Needless to say, I have been spoiled with amazing and unique brews. I like to check out the local breweries everywhere I travel.  I thought I would share my thoughts and inspire you to start checking out some places too!

Check out my other blog, All You Eat is Vegetables?  for some yummy cruelty-free and healthy recipes to munch on while you gulp down a cold brew.