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.
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