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.

I have some exciting news out of the Public Coast Brewing Company. They have developed two new beers that are sure to add to your holiday cheer. The StackStock Candy Cap Stout with a 5.5% ABV and notes of maple and vanilla goodness and the Old Bog Farm Cranberry Kettle Sour with a 7.2% ABV with the tartness of cranberries will be a perfect pairing for your Thanksgiving meal.

Public Coast Brewing Company is one of my favorite stops on the Oregon Coast. I was extra blessed to introduce my parents, aunt, uncle and cousin who were visiting from the East Coast last summer. I’m always excited when they launch new beers and am so proud of their farm expansion. Next time you are near Cannon Beach, make sure you stop at this family-friendly brewery for a pint or get one to go an enjoy on the sand. Their beers are becoming my go-to camping choice.

StackStock Candy Cap Stout Profile: ABV 5.5%, 16. oz can

Tasting Notes: Maple, Vanilla

Beckie’s Thoughts: Lots of maple and chocolate notes. Super dark and creamy.

Old Bog Farm Cranberry Kettle Sour Profile: ABV 7.2%, 16 oz can

Tasting Notes: Cranberry

Editor’s Note: I’m so sorry for the delay in posting this. I was in a motorcycle accident and have been in recovery for some time now. Along with the beers Beckie received handmade candy cap mushroom shortbread cookies and Old Bog Farm cranberry kettle sour relish made by brewer Will Leroux that go along with the beers, respectively! Both were delicious!

Ok, ok, we’ll say it: we bought the farm! Public Coast Farm Blueberry Wheat Ale combines their love of all things beermaking AND growing things like blueberries and hops. They call it “farmentation.” Actually, no, they will never call it that. Apologies. How ‘bout this wheat beer, though! Fun Fact: Unattended farm stands are a giant social experiment in the goodness of humans. The produce is there; the money jar is there; you’re there. They believe in you! Awww, you can even leave a tip!

The team at Public Coast Brewing Co. / Farm dropped off some of their Farm blueberries, Chandler, Blue, and Drapel! They were delicious! Perfect for summer camping at the Oregon Coast.

About The Farm
A long-time favorite of West Coast travelers, Martin North’s Cannon Beach properties—the Surfsand Resort, the Stephanie Inn, the Wayfarer Restaurant and Public Coast Brewing Co.—are recognized nationally for creating exceptional guest experiences and fresh, locally-sourced craft food and drink.  Now the family-run hospitality company is rolling out its latest venture with Public Coast Farm, located on the iconic Sunset Highway (Hwy 26) on route to Cannon Beach from Portland.  The 40-acre farm is located at 22330 NW Fisher Rd, Banks, OR 97106.

“For me, the genesis of Public Coast Brewing was to create a place that evoked the very spirit of Oregon and the coast—welcoming, accessible to all, and a place where we take care of what we love.  That’s the same spirit we’re embracing at the farm,” says owner Ryan Snyder.  “Every time I made that beautiful drive on the Sunset Highway from the coast to Portland, I wondered if we could find a way to connect the experience of the brewery closer to the city, and produce many of the beautiful ingredients that make our guests’ time with us so memorable.”

Public Coast Farm plans on starting small, with blueberries for Public Coast Brewing’s Farm Fresh Blueberry Wheat Ale and some additional crops for Martin North’s chefs’ inspiration.  “Our hope is to eventually open the farm to guests for produce and exploration.” This beer is an American Wheat Beer at 5.4% ABV.

On top of the awesome blueberries, Public Coast Brewing Co. dropped off a sample of the Farm Fresh Blueberry Wheat Ale for me to try. I ended up taking it camping with me on the Oregon coast – the perfect addition to any outdoor activity. The beer had a great color from the blueberries. Light, fruity flavor, which I liked, it didn’t taste like juice – which I also appreciated. Good, light wheat flavor, making it a lighter wheat beer to easily-drink.