Public Coast Brewing Co. has recently added a Blueberry Hard Seltzer to its Farm Stand Series. Fermented with locally grown Public Coast Farm blueberries and unrefined cane sugar, this 4.5 percent ABV hard seltzer is crisp, light, and naturally gluten-free. 

“In these early days of summer, few things are as refreshing as our new Blueberry Hard Seltzer,” said Will Leroux, Public Coast’s head brewmaster. “With fresh blueberries harvested from our very own farm, this low-alcohol, easy-to-drink beverage is a fun addition to our line-up of brews, each of which is inspired by the beautiful, lush region in which we live.”

Public Coast’s Blueberry Hard Seltzer joins the NW Honey Red Ale in the brewery’s Farm Stand Series, highlighting ingredients grown at its sister property, Public Coast Farm, located at the base of the Coastal Range in Banks, Ore. The Blueberry Hard Seltzer is for sale on-tap and in cans at Public Coast’s brewpub in Cannon Beach. For a full list of beers on tap or order online for curbside pickup, visit publiccoastbrewing.com/beer/. 

Public Coast hooked me up with a couple of Blueberry Hard Seltzers to try and share with my buddies. They were super yummy! Not too sweet. Not too tart. A great drink for a day on the water. The blue color was a great surprise too and speaks to the quality of the ingredients (real fruit juice!). Thanks!

About Public Coast Brewing

Located just 70 miles west of Portland in Cannon Beach, Ore., Public Coast Brewing, named after the only true public coastlines in America: the Oregon coast is a 10bbl Brewhouse with one 20-barrel fermenter and two 10-barrel fermenters. Public Coast Brewing also offers fresh and delicious food from local farms and ranches for adults and children alike. Boasting a large pet-friendly patio, wrap-around bar, shuffleboard, and tall windows for peering into the brewery, Public Coast Brewing offers a relaxed and welcoming spot for the whole family. For more information please visit, http://publiccoastbrewing.com/. 

About Public Coast Farm

Oregon’s historic Route 26, known to Portlanders as the Sunset Highway, has welcomed generations of families traveling to and from the coast on its forested byway. Now Public Coast Farm sits on that very route, straddling West Dairy Creek at the base of the Coastal Range, on a 40-acre site lush with blueberry bushes, beehives, fruit orchards, and soon-to-be-planted hops. The farm is fertile ground for the farm’s sister properties – the Stephanie Inn, Surfsand Resort, Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge, and Public Coast Brewing Co. – each of which incorporates Public Coast Farm’s fresh ingredients into delicious dishes and seasonal beers.

Craft Beer in the Revolution. Black is Beautiful.

Videos of George Floyd’s horrific murder at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer sparked calls for police reform and support for black lives across the world.  Many businesses offered their support through large donations and statements of solidarity, including the craft beer industry.  Craft beer has created a community that has used its platform to support many movements in environmentalism and community activism.  At this moment where the nation is coming together to protect black lives, the movement in craft beer is being spearheaded by Marcus Baskerville of Weathered Souls Brewery, an independent brewery in San Antonio, TX and the Black is Beautiful Campaign.

Earlier in 2020, Craft Beer came together with the All Together Campaign, which offered support to folks in the hospitality industry during this time of COVID-19.  Likewise, Black is Beautiful is a collaborative effort that invites breweries to produce the recipe and donate all proceeds to local funds that are committed to criminal justice reform and the defense of black lives.  The recipe is published on the Black is Beautiful website, and logos and marketing materials are readily available as well.  

Black is Beautiful is a far-reaching collaboration.  As of July 1, 2020, breweries in all 50 states and 17 countries have committed to producing Black is Beautiful.  30 of those breweries are in my home state of Oregon.  Homebrewers can join in on the movement, as the recipe was also published for a 5-gallon system here and my take is here.  If you do opt to homebrew it, please also consider donating your time and money to appropriate causes and organizations.

Breweries coming together to support the Black is Beautiful cause is significant, since craft beer is a white-dominated industry. The lack of diversity in craft beer reflects economic barriers against BIPOC in our country, employment discrimination, disinterest in brewing craft beer for hotter climates and regions with higher black populations, hangovers from Prohibition, leading to a long and unfortunate history of racism in craft beer and brewing.

The widespread reception of Black is Beautiful may be a sign that craft beer, like the rest of white society, is slowly opening up to anti-racism, as long as we all remain committed to doing the work of anti-racism for many years to come.

The beer will be an imperial stout, clocking in at 10% ABV.  The recipe calls for flaked oats and all shades of dark malts.  The result should have a creamy mouthfeel, substantial roasted coffee and chocolate notes, and a nice boozy kick typical of a high alcohol beer.  I am looking forward to trying a few versions of the recipe, knowing that all proceeds will be supporting racial justice and continued work toward equality.

Jenna wants to call out that 32 breweries in Oregon are participating:

10 BARREL BREWING

Portland/Bend, OR, USA

2 TOWN’S CIDERHOUSE

Corvallis, OR, USA

BDSM BREWING COMPANY LLC

Hillsboro, OR, USA

BINARY BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

BLOCK 15 BREWING CO.

EUGENE, OR, USA

BONEYARD BEER

Bend, OR, USA

BREAKSIDE BREWERY

Portland, OR, USA

BUOY BEER COMPANY

Astoria, OR, USA

CASCADE BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

CLAIM 52 BREWING

Eugene, OR, USA

CRUX FERMENTATION PROJECT

Bend, OR, USA

ECLIPTIC BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

FERMENT BREWING COMPANY

Hood River, OR, USA

FORT GEORGE BREWERY

Astoria, OR, USA

GIGANTIC BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

GREAT NOTION BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

HOP VALLEY BREWING

Eugene, OR, USA

LEIKAM BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

LEVEL BEER

Portland, OR, USA

LITTLE BEAST BREWING

Clackamas, OR, USA

MIGRATION BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

MOONSHRIMP BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

PELICAN BREWING COMPANY

Pacific City, OR, USA

ROGUE ALES & SPIRITS

Newport, OR, USA

SASQUATCH BREWING CO.

Portland, OR, USA

SKY HIGH BREWING

Corvallis, OR, USA

STORMBREAKER BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

THE ALE APOTHECARY

Bend, OR, USA

THREE MUGS BREWING CO.

Hillsboro, OR, USA

UNICORN BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

VON EBERT BREWING

Portland, OR, USA

WORTHY BREWING

Bend, OR, USA

Zupan’s Markets has partnered with Portland’s Ex Novo Brewing Company. to develop the eleventh beer in their Farm-to-Market lineup. A bold and crisp Imperial IPA, this beer features hand-selected Centennial hops from Yakima, WA, providing hop flavors of brilliant tangerine, lemon peel, and classic pine. With an 8% ABV, this beer is excellent paired with summer grilling fare like bratwurst, salmon, and all things barbecue.

“Zupan’s Markets is excited to partner with another one of Portland’s great craft breweries to continue our Farm-to-Market lineup,” said Zupan’s Markets President and CEO Mike Zupan. “Ex Novo is leading the way in consistently producing unique craft beers and together we have created a beverage that showcases the best of Portland’s brewing culture.”

This IPA is currently on shelves at all three Zupan’s Markets locations and available in 4-pack, 16oz cans for $14.99 or single can for $3.99. Available to order online at Zupans.com for in-store or curbside pickup. With only 150 cases produced, this beer will only be available for a limited time. 

In addition, customers can order online at Ex Novo Brewing Co. for pickup at one of their pubs or for next-day beer delivery.

“Ex Novo is passionate about creating unique collaboration beers,” said Ex Novo’s Founder and President Joel Gregory. “Zupan’s Markets has always been supportive of the Portland craft beer scene and we were excited to create this dangerously drinkable beer for our customers.”

Farm to Market Beer Profile: ABV 8%, IBU 77
Malts: Pilsner, 2-row barley, C-15
Hops: Centennial
Yeast: Scottish
Tasting Notes: Hand-selected Centennial hops from Yakima, WA, lend distinct aromas and flavors of brilliant tangerine, lemon peel, and classic pine. Blending Pilsner and 2-row barley as well as a pinch of light caramel malt, provide a deep and crisp maltiness, allowing the Centennial hops to shine. Fermented with an American ale yeast which finishes dry, yielding a pleasant and balanced bitterness.

I found the beer to have light hops, a smooth aftertaste, very aromatic, like cedar wood chips, mellow, with earthy floral notes, and gentle bitters.

About Ex Novo Brewing Company
Ex Novo Brewing Company opened in 2014 in Northeast Portland, though the idea of Ex Novo began in a garage full of homebrew in 2012.  This brewery wanted to respect the pedigree of brewing found in the NW while crafting consistently enjoyable and unique beers, and producing great and unexpected food in a warm, inviting atmosphere.  Believing they can help change the world through craft beer and conversation, their mission as a brewery is to donate 100% of their profits to those building a better world. Their missions include Friends of the Children, IJM, Impact NW, and Mercycorps. Joel Gregory, Founder and President manages the business. Ex Novo has locations in Portland, Beaverton, and Corrales, New Mexico. Learn more about Ex Novo Brewing Company http://www.exnovobrew.com/.

About Zupan’s Markets 

Founded by John Zupan in 1975, Zupan’s Markets is a local and family-owned gourmet market that has served Portland’s food-loving community for more than 40 years. Zupan’s Markets has three locations in Portland and Lake Oswego that focus on quality, selling everything from the best meats and wines to the freshest produce, baked goods, gourmet deli products, specialty foods, flowers and more, always emphasizing locally-sourced, artisan products when possible. For more information, visit www.zupans.com.

Thanks Ex Novo for providing the great beer! Interested in learning more about how to order amazing beer (or any other cookie type) during COVID? Check out Joy’s baking website: Sweet Joyness.

Quarantine has been wearing on for over a month now.  I haven’t been to a brewery since early March when I attended a Schitt’s Creek trivia at Von Ebert.  Despite being an introvert, enjoying a nice meal and beer out on the town is definitely something I am missing.  Fortunately for me, several breweries around Portland are offering next day delivery, and those that serve food will offer pick-up or delivery.  What a great way to support your local breweries while still sheltering in place!  So, it took a little bit of pre-planning and acceptance that any socializing would happen remotely, but I decided to put together a Von Ebert At Home Happy Hour.

I chose Von Ebert, because I am obsessed with their chicken wings, and their beer is also top-notch.  Von Ebert is an independent craft brewery with locations in the Pearl District and Northeast Portland.  They make award-winning IPAs, German styles, and farmhouse styles.  No matter what the palate, you’ll be able to find something enjoyable at Von Ebert.  Before my at-home happy hour, I knew that their Volatile Substance IPA was among my favorite beers in town.  Their food menu is also outstanding, hence my obsession with the chicken wings.

I ordered two four-packs of beers from Von Ebert on Tuesday afternoon, so I could have two of every style.  I ordered their New American Pils, a Black Pils, the Volatile Substance IPA, and the Sabrage dry IPA.  I was like a kid at Christmas waiting for my beer delivery.  I put off my morning workout and shower for fear that I’d miss my delivery because I was in the shower!  My delivery driver was masked, he checked my ID, thanked me for supporting them, and placed the beer on the ground for me to collect at a safe distance.  I appreciated the extra safety efforts.

Thank goodness that Von Ebert is selling those award-winning smoked wings to go!  Wednesday was two for one, even!  But there’s only one of me, so I just bought one for one and a side salad.

So I had my beer and I’d ordered my food to be delivered by Postmates.  The first pour was the New American Pils.  As I’ve come to expect from Von Ebert, this beer really embodied the European Pils style, but with a slightly hoppy American twist.  The flavor was bready and malt-forward and the hope profile was light, so it definitely was not an American Pale Ale masquerading as a Pils.  As I nursed that first pint, I caught up with my sister.  It was nice to have a beer and conversation, even though I was in my pajama pants and sitting on the floor of my living room.

My food arrived right before I finished the pint.  I said goodbye to my sister since I require two hands to eat Von Ebert’s wings.  I went for the Sabrage dry IPA.  I could not have asked for a better beer to drink with those smoky, spicy wings.  The beer was definitely dry with a plethora of hop flavors.  The chicken wings were served hot with spicy barbecue sauce.  They did require two hands to dig in.  I savored the meal while watching TV.

I will look forward to going out for a beer and a good meal in the future, but in the meantime, I am grateful for at-home delivery.  I am also happy to support some of my favorite local businesses, and I encourage you to do the same if you are able.

Until we meet again, cheers.