Fall is officially here in Portland.  The rain hasn’t stopped in over 48 hours but pumpkin beers are already on the shelves and I’m one happy girl.  October is just around the corner, which means pumpkin patches, Halloween and ski season.  This weekend, some friends and I braved to downpours to check out Hopwork Urban Brewery’s Biketobeer 2013.  While there is some confusion on the pronunciation “bike-to-beer” or “bike-tober” this beer festival is focused on two things Portland loves: biking and beer.

Beckie and I braving the rain for Biketobeer 2013!

Here is what we tried:

• The Commons: Honey Saison – This strong blonde was brewed with Bee Local Mt. Hood honey and pears.
• Finnriver Farm Cidery: Sparkling Pear Cider – Pear is definitely up next in my home made cider testing.
• Elliott Bay Brewing: Mashing Pumpkin Ale – The crowd favorite of our group.
• Laurelwood Brewing: Megafuana – This Imperial Ale was definitely “floral” in scent and taste.
• Occidental Brewing: Dunkel – We talked about dunkels being the “pretzels” of beer.
• Crux Fermentation: Impasse Saison – Another crowd pleaser.
• Tieton Cider Works: Apricot Cider – After I master pear ciders, I’m going to try apricots.
• Hopworks: Bitchin’ Camaro – This was a fresh hop lager.  Pretty much the only way I like hoppy beers.
• Hopworks: Boomstick – This was a whiskey barrel-aged Double DOA, one word “strong.”
• Gigantic Brewing: TicWitTic – This was a sour belgium wit, pretty good for a sour beer.
• Hopworks: Abominable – My favorite post-skiing beer to enjoy.  Glad it’s back!
• Hopworks: Noggin’ Floggin Barley Wine: This was the brewer’s choice and had jalapeno peppers in it.

Make it to the Biketobeer 2013?  What did you think?  Didn’t make it, what do you think of Hopworks beer?