Cherry Diesel Stout (readers’ choice #8)

The readers have spoken. I dragged my sorry sick ass down to the Ale Fest this morning in an attempt to let the alcohol kill this virus. Don’t judge. So my first pour today is the Cherry Diesel from Cascade. Here is what I wrote about the Diesel last year (no cherry):

Cascade’s Diesel #2 is still my favorite after both days. A rich, sweet chocolate aroma. Sweet, chocolate malt followed by coffee roast, malt, and a slight bitterness. There is barely a hint of the 11% ABV toward the end. Very well balanced, I’d like to see this vintage return in 2013 or 2014 to see how it ages. But it’s excellent as it is and should not be missed.

Well, I got my wish with a return in 2013 didn’t I? But this time it is aged with cherries and blended with a couple different beers. It’s got funk and sour and cherry on the nose but that escapes completely in the taste. There is a lot of chocolate and vanilla, coffee roast, with some creaminess. Sweetness not from malt but probably from the molasses. There is a slight spiciness that pairs well with the other flavors and it finishes with a light nuttiness and berry fruit.

Tap it Tuesday 9.10.13

We are on vacation this week in our home town. Just relaxing, doing the things we are normally too busy to do. We hit the gym this morning so now we get to enjoy a little happy hour action at Cascade Brewing. Every Tuesday I get an email from them for their Tap It Tuesday “event” when they tap a new beer “live from the barrel.” I’m tempted each week when I get the email, but normally pass to keep my date with Gym. But this week we really lucked out, being on vacation for one, and secondly, for getting a good luck of the draw! This is what greeted me in my inbox this afternoon:

February sun = multiple pints outside

Beautiful, isn’t it?

It’s not always rainy and cold in February, apparently.  Today was damn fine day to down a pint outside.  We hit up Gigantic while the sun was out and finished up at Cascade.  Gotta love the winter weather we were blessed with this weekend.  I know Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring today, but I know better.  We’ll be back to dreary skies and cold temps in no time.  If you live in Portland, get out and enjoy it before its gone.

Cascade Apricot sour

2009 Sang Noir from Cascade

This beer has left me speechless! It has a sweet and tart cherry nose with rich tannins. The barrel aging is even more prevalent this year than last – both Pinot and whiskey. You get the oak and a slight vanilla but I think the earthiness and berry characteristics from the Pinot barrels is stronger. It is a big-bodied sour with a red wine quality. There is a tart dryness to the finish. But what hits me most is how complex this beer is. I feel I should have more to say but there’s almost so much to say that I am left unable to say much. Two days in a row and Casade hits a homerun. Maybe I should spend more time down there! I have to add that we also enjoyed a full glass of Dogfish Head’s Festina Peche. That was much lighter, brighter, and crisp but also a great beer. It had a bright peach aroma with an equally bright pallette. Really true peach, noticeable Brett yeast, very tart, sour and dry, crisp finish. Light without being thin, very sour but not overpowering. Beautiful smell, color and fruit. Maybe more reminiscent of summer, but extremely tasty and a good halftime beer amongst all this winter bombers.

If you are on your way down to the Holiday Ale Festival, get down here quick while the specialty tappings are still flowing!

Cascade’s Diesel #2

Best beer so far on day one at the Holiday Ale Festival. However, we are getting ready for a vertical tasting of the Abyss at 4pm. A little surprise at the last minute. I can work with that! More to follow on that soon! Be sure to get down here.