Pub Rant

2010-05-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

Seattle Beer Week at your Neighborhood Pubs May13-23, 2010

Spring has made its calendar appearance but outside it feels very much like a wintry day. Weather or not the second Beer Week takes place May 13th-May 23rd. There are so many exciting events in places all over town. The Beer Week Beer was made at Hales this year and it is a Double IPA that is fantastic. It will be released in pubs and alehouses around town on the 13th.

At your neighborhood pub we will be celebrating craft beers with our local and out of town friends. We are very excited to Begin the week at the Hopvine with Port Townsend on Saturday at 7pm. Carter has become one of the very talented Northwest brewers. We will showcase a cask of his Hopdiggity along with some other special ales on tap. Thanks to Kim and Guy who have nurtured a fantastic business. On Sunday the 16th we are fortunate to have Black Raven Brewing at the Hopvine. After only one year Beaux and the awesome folks in Redmond have made a name for the themselves by creating beers that have become legendary already.

Find your way to the Latona for a celebration of Sierra Nevada on Monday the 17th. It will be our traditional Brewer Appreciation Night and there is no brewery deserving more respect and acclaim than our Friends from Chico. We will be serving some amazing beer and we are excited about the night. Stop on by.

At the Fid we will be showcasing New Belgium on Tuesday the 18th for some fantastic beer along with chocolate and cheese and bread and a variety of craft beers. That will be followed up by a barbecue on Wednesday the 19th at 12pm sponsored by Left Hand, Ninkasi, and Lazyboy.

That evening you are invited to the Unknown Brewery Tour. We talked to four brewers from the hinterlands that rarely have their beer out of their small town. But for Beer Week they agreed to showcase their beer in Seattle... only if we picked up the kegs. So off we go to the far reaches of the State to find unusual and wonderful craft beer. Try it at 7pm.

Finally, we are back at the Latona for a traditional cask on the bar night on May 20th at 7pm. This will be our fourth or fifth of these cask-a- things and they are always crazy. You are however guaranteed a fun time.

There it is, some fun nights for you at your neighborhood pubs.

See you during Beer Week

Cheers

Scarcity Brings Desire

2010-01-12T10:44:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2010

The craft frenzy carries on into 2010 and most local breweries are trying to keep up by expanding their often undersized facility. At the same time they are often running out of beer creating a push for product that hasn't been seen in a long time. Some standouts like The Famous Pliney from Russian River Brewing have created an almost eerie demand. The customers are often frothing at the mouth on mere mention. It is exciting for everyone who seeks a quality beer in their pint.

In the old days it was Snowcap or Sierra Celebration creating the scarcity buzz, now small breweries can use the heightened demand to fuel interest in the products they make.

It is all good for craft beer folks

Cheers to the New Year.

Fiddler's Inn Northwest Harvest Auction 12/8/09

2009-12-02T16:59:00.001-08:00

Fiddler's Inn Northwest Harvest Auction Tuesday the 8th at 7pm

It is time for our 4th annual auction for Northwest Harvest. The brewing community has come up with some wonderful gifts to auction off. It is a win win situation, you come away with some great gifts and at the same time you support the community. We are looking forward to seeing you here next Tuesday at the Fid.

Cheers

Thank You Brian and Dick

2009-11-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

Heartfelt Thanks

We would like to thank Brian Sollenberger and Richard Young for everything they have done to make this craft brewing industry what it is today. Without their pioneering efforts the industry would be much less vibrant. They were vital, charismatic, and leaders. Everyone that came across them in this beer adventure realized how dedicated they were. We thank you guys. Every beer dinker should toast your accomplishments. We will miss you.

Cheers

The Best Summer in Seattle

2009-08-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

The Best Summer ever with Fantastic Beer

Many agree that this could be the best summer we have had in Seattle. Not only have we had wonderful temperatures but we have had amazing beer on tap. The beer selection is more diverse and intriguing than ever before. There has been so much for the palate to experience, from over the top hops to sour browns to clean pales. What a life for a beer drinker.

Also this summer we were very proud that Rogue and John Maier brewed the Latona Pale Ale for the Oregon Brewers Festival. To see the Latona name on the festival trailer along with so many great beers was truly a joy. Thank you John.

And finally this summer in tradition with celebrating new craft beer we welcome the Fremont Brewing Company to the Latona. It is exciting to be part of the continuing growth of craft beer. Even with all the great products available there is still room for a new brewery.

Celebrate the summer of all summers with a new brew--Monday the 17th at the Latona

Summer is here

2009-06-19T13:03:00.001-07:00

The longest day

The weather has made it seem like summer arrived much earlier. However, the naked Fremont bicyclists are tuning their bikes and cushioning their seats for the first day of summer this weekend. Yes it is solstice time and Father's Day all bundled together. For beer lovers it is the St. Edwards Festival out in Kenmore and for lovers of nakedness and summer frivolity it is the Fremont parade and Arts Festival.

Do we really want to think that the days are now getting shorter. Let no Seattle-ite complain that it is too hot too soon. It was not long ago that we experienced record rain in May.

So stay up and celebrate the sun until it disappears behind the magnificent Olympic Mountains.

2009-06-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the NW Beer World

This fine summery weather reminds us how wonderful beer tastes and how enjoyable it is to be here in the Northwest. We are so lucky to be part of a brewing community that continues to brew some of the best beer in the world.

The Seattle Beer Week only helped to remind people that yes we are lucky to be part of a growing craft beer movement. Though craft beer is not new to us it is amazing that the quantity and quality is greater than ever before. The excitement for craft beer is also growing. In a time when the economy is struggling many small craft breweries are expanding. This helps the local economy, and keeps the interest in beer alive.

That pint of fine ale you drink is a testament to the quality of the environment we live in and the skills of the brewers in our community. What an adventure we are on .

Sierra Nevada Brewing

2009-03-04T16:09:00.001-08:00

Sierra Nevada King of Craft

Sierra Nevada Brewing has reached a place where most brewers can only dream of. In the course of their nearly 30 year journey from that one car garage brewery to producing 800,000 barrels a year, they have never strayed from maintaining the highest consistency in the industry. Though they may be outside the definition of a microbrewery they have never let production outweigh quality.

As part of their desire to remain creative they continue to brew on a 10 barrel system which is adjacent to the main brewhouse. It is meant to showcase recipes and serve as a demonstration brewery. As part of that the quest to keep brewing fun they have organized "brew camps". Industry folks are invited to participate, travel to Chico, design a beer that is brewed in the demo brewery, and talk beer and live a brewer's dream. What a blast. The beers that have been brewed in the camps have been great. The participants then are able to buy the beer and showcase it back home.

We were able to participate in one of the camps and during the week of March 23rd the beer we brewed will be available at one of your 3pubs. The beer is an Irish Style Red Ale. Superb red color. Pleasantly hopped. It is a session red ale. They say it is a keeper.

2009-01-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

2009 a Choice Year

The cold fog has set over Seattle for days but the beer is warming and keeps us thinking about the spring. The brewers don't waste any time and are already planning their March arrivals.
Yet, we still have February to ponder. It helps that the political season is over and we can concentrate on the year ahead.

Amazingly we have more beer to choose from in 2009 then ever before. Breweries are expanding, breweries are entering the marketplace for the first time, and established breweries are expanding their product line. The wort of creativity is flowing and for publicans it is difficult to choose the beer to pour.

As we consider beer lists we must remember how lucky we are to be living in an area with accessible barley, plentiful acres of hops , and the pristine snow melt water of the Cascades. We are truly blessed in the Northwest with some of the best beer in the world. Though it may seem trite, we do often take for granted the quality of the craft products that are available in Seattle. Though other parts of the country have developed a craft beer industry the natural environment here is unbelievably suited for beer. Beer could be thought of as gauge of health for our Northwest environment, for as long as the beer is fresh and wonderful it is certain that we are taking care of the soil and water that make it all possible.

So when you hoist that pint think how lucky we are. Savor the flavor. Shout out to that brewer for making it possible. Support your local brewery. Let positive energy surround your pint. And may your 2009 be full of aroma, perfect balance, and creative energy. Cheers.

Happy Obama

2008-12-09T22:31:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year

We are close to that wonderful day when Barack will begin his administration. We will be waiting for the change that will come and the positive energy that will head our way. It will be a different time and one that will bring reason to hoist a brewsky to our lipsy. The beerlists will be awesome at the pubs and there is more beer to choose from than ever before. There does not seem to be a shortage of hops at this point and the number of imperial ipa's are quite amazing. However during this cold, cold, cold winter the warm winter beers have been full of flavor and full of sweetness and balanced with just the right amount of bitterness.

So bring on 2009 and let the positive energy change the way of things.

Bigtime Turns 20

2008-12-09T21:58:00.000-08:00

We love you GG

The Bigtime Brewery on University Ave celebrated its 20th birthday last week and in Bigtime style celebrated in their understated way. It was a week of fantastic beer, reminiscing with old beer friends and realizing how little had changed. In this great hall of suds some allstar brewers have created some of the best beer in the world. Dick Cantwell, Kevin Forhan, Drew Cluey, were a few. Now Bill Jenkins calls it home . Special beers were poured and 10 year old Old Wooley made it up from the basement.

It is a labor of love at Bigtime. Hauling the grain sacks around in a very small space, utilizing the space aged conveyor belt to get kegs up from the basement and lovingly extracting bungs from those beloved Golden Gate Kegs. In this bungless-straight sided-Sankey Keg world it is refreshing to know that each key is cleaned debunged and personally filled by Bill or Chris.

It is one of the few breweries in the country that still uses the Golden Gate kegs. Employing a bung extractor a giant would use as a cork screw, each wood bung is drilled and pulled. The keg is cleaned on a flushing water pod and then made ready for that luscious ale.

We salute the Bigtime and all the great people that have worked there over the years. It is truly a Seattle Landmark.

2008-11-18T09:32:00.000-08:00

It is a great time to be a beer drinker in the Northwest.

If you frequent your neighborhood pub to quaff your favorite microbrew you might notice that there are often beers with names you do not recognize and a constant changing of the guard on the beer list. The beer is so good these days! One fact is clear: we are in a time when the talent and brewing expertise is coinciding with an heightened interest in these locally made products.

There are just so many beers to pick from.. The Northwest has been the leader in the production of beer with a heavy dose of hops. Our location next to the Yakima hop fields where a third of the world's hops are grown provides brewers with the opportunity to create beers with an intense hop profile. Bert Grant was the pioneer, now hoppy beers are common place.

Not only can we design a beer list with superb beers from around the block we can pour beer from outstanding breweries from both coasts. The Northwest is no longer the only area that knows how to brew wonderful craft beer. However, the freshest beer experience will always be the one that begins down the street.

During this exciting time our goal is provide you with the best beer experience. In our opinion that means the beer should be fresh. A beer that is consumed close to the brew date will taste the best. A beer should be taken care of from brewery to the pint in your hand. Time does not help beer. As soon as the beer is in the keg it begins its slow decline. We will always focus on the small brewery that can get the beer to us shortly after it is done.

Also, short beerlines that are cleaned regularly provide the safest journey from the brewery to your lips. Most or our lines are less than three feet. Flavor degrading agents reside in long dirty beerlines and will dramatically affect taste. Short is good!

So belly up and savor the amazing portfolio of craft beer in Seattle. Amidst the gloom there is a cheery pint of IPA.

Winners and Such

2008-10-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

Let's Get on to November 4th. Go Vote...Duh!!!!!!!

Put a positive spin on what is going on.

First get rid of the election get the mud back in the fields where it belongs. The stock market has only dropped to where it was three years ago. That is not the end of the world. It is tough for everyone who was banking on the paper gains but it will turn around in the next year. A new president is going to change everything and get the one in there who likes craft beer. The other one drinks Bud most likely.

The Governor's race has gone from really slinging to full on buckets requiring body armor. Get rid of it and move on. Here are some real winners from GABF (Great American Beer Festival):

Big Time Brewing Co. Barking Dog Scottish Ale WA Gold Pro-AM
Boundary Bay Brewery Imperial Oatmeal Stout WA Silver
Flyers Restaurant and Brewery Pacemaker Porter WA Bronze
Rock Bottom, Bellevue Hop Bomb WA Gold American Style Strong Pale Ale
Siver City Brewing, Old Scrooge WA Silver Strong Ale

Cheers to the Johns. Every year the number of Seattle/Washington winners is less. Cheers to Full Sail and Rogue who won Golds. John Maier won a gold for the DryHopped Rogue Red which was originally brewed for the Latona. John Harris won a gold as well for Full Sail.

Sort of Washington Winners. Pyramid does not brew an ounce of beer in Washington anymore. They are now owned by Magic Hat Brewing and everything is brewed out of the old Portland Brewing facility in Portland Oregon. Redhook won a medal as well but that was brewed out of the Widmer facility in Portland. Widmer and Redhook have joint operating agreements . Who knows how the brewing will be shifted around. Now that Inbev is the new or soon to be owner of Bud what will that mean to Wid/Red with Bud's 30% share. It is all part of the consolidation that is taking place in many industries.

Pyramid Apricot Ale WA Gold Fruit or Vegetable Beer
Pyramid Breweries Inc. BlackWatch Cream Porter WA Gold
Pyramid Breweries Crystal Wheat Ale WA Gold

Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewer of the Year Pyramid Breweries Inc.

Hello from GABF

2008-10-10T13:12:00.001-07:00

Cheers from the Great American Beer Festival (GABF)

The GABF is being held during a crazy week when the stock market loses 18% of its value. There are so many economic issues right now but one fact is clear we need to create real products here at home that create real jobs and real income. The GABF held each year in Denver celebrates an industry of locally made products. Though there is negative energy surrounding the world economy, this week there is positive energy on the floor of the Denver Convention Center.

Not too long ago the Democrats were celebrating Obama on this same floor. He should suspend his campaign to visit the GABF and salute the creative and talented people energizing the economy. If he becomes president part of his platform should highlight the craft beer industry as an example of what is possible locally.

This is the 27th GABF and this year there are 430 breweries participating and 1800 beers showcased. The quality is unbelievable and by the time you wander the floor and sample beers from around the country it becomes obvious that talented brewers reside from coast to coast. There are very few if any off-condition beers and every year the number of provocative flavors increases.

The GABF is still the most prestigious competition in the country. There are 75 style categories and 125 judges from around the world who put there lips to close to 3000 beers. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to beers that represent a style category best.

Winning a medal at GABF is an important event in a brewer's life. It is like graduation day or that first kiss or that first car. A brewer may downplay how important it is but you can tell from a brewer with a medal in their hand how exciting it really is.

Tonight will be another great night at Convention Hall and for four hours the economy and all that other depressing news will be forgotten. Fill up that glass and visit another beer region. It is a celebration for an industry that is doing truly great things.

Tomorrow will be the award ceremony. The winners don't know until they are announced. When that happens there is pleasurable screaming. The brewers march up to the podium with a big smile on their face. The public returns when the ceremony is over and the final tasting is on.

So it goes at GABF 2008.

Cheers

Changing Beer Scene

2008-07-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

Sad day for Bud

Budweiser is no longer the King of Beer as we once knew it. Instead, Inbev a international beer company made one of the largest shareholder cash offers in history. The Board did not go quietly and were unceremoniously removed. They tried valiantly to save the company but in the end shareholders were swayed by the $70 a share offering price. Sometimes money is just louder than tradition, jobs, patriotism, and keeping something American. Even if you are a craft beer snob and never let that stuff touch your lips it is a sad day for beer drinkers around the country. Is there anything made in America? Oh Yeah, that craft beer from your favorite local brewer.

Distribution Chaos Ahead?

Now for local beer news. Alaska Distributors which for many years has been the distributor of many local beers and fine out of state beers is disbanding, sold, broken up, assimilated. Whatever you want to call their demise there will no longer be Alaskan Distributing. Columbia Distributing going through their own changes is combining with Hood River out of Portland to create COHO Distributing. A cute fish that is chomping a huge chunk of the Alaskan Product Book. No one yet knows where the various brewers will end up. This is huge. Will Sierra go with the new guys? Where will Alaskan Brewing (no relationship to the distributor) go? Every brewery is evaluating their options. This is big money. Probably one of the largest transfers of products in State History. There are so many wineries and breweries in this company. Will they all go quietly to the new Coho? The distributor selling brands gets paid for the valued assigned to the accounts and revenue it created with that brand. This is really big money. Stay tuned it will turn the beer business upside down for a time. As always happens in these huge deals chaos inevitably reigns.

July is Here

2008-07-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

The Father's Day Beerfest was a great success for the Washington Beer Commission who will reap the awards of all those beer drinkers who found their way to the beautiful St. Edwards Park. The interest in craft brewing continues to grow and nationwide as well as locally there has been over 10% annual growth. As a result many of our local breweries struggle to find a way to keep up. Many are expanding and others just work harder than they normally do.

It is good that people are buying locally. Not only is that good for the planet but your chance of getting a fresh and wonderful beer is always better. Buy it local taste if fresher!!!

The Hops situation. The hop shortage will be apparent soon. If you happen to be growing hops you notice how fast they are moving up to the sky. Soon they will be budding and by mid september they will be ready to harvest. The 6 weeks of harvest time is not far off at that time everyone will know what their hops will cost and what will be available. There really has not been any shortage of hops that has affected beer in the pubs. In fact we have had some amazaing beers with an abundance of hops. But some brewers are warning that prices will rise again. Malt has also gone up 30% or more. Stay tuned for the 08 harvest. 2009 should be better as more acreage has again been turned over to hops.

2008-04-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not it is snowing outside on April 18th. Call back those winter beers. Too late, the light and quaff able are already on tap. The hops in the Fiddler yard are poking up and soon they will cover the trellis across the patio. Plant hops and then plant some more. They grow well in Seattle if you water and control the aphids. Do not worry it will be sunny on July 5th.

Newsflash

Brewer Night at the Fiddler with Full Sail on April 21st at 7pm. We will actually be giving away some hop rhizomes so you can grow at home. We will also have some tasty beers as well.

A real posting here on the pub blog. As we get to it we will post more often.

Cheers

Updated website

2008-06-12T21:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Updated 3pubs.com.

We have been trying for a long time to get together information for you on the ever changing beer scene and the activities in your neighborhood pubs. We finally have a means to relay thoughts and schedules and photographs on an ongoing basis. Websites are only as good as the updates that can be easily made. So for the first time we have a mechanism to bombard you with pub stuff. Snail mail is dead. Emails are trashed to the bin. So here we are with blogs and photos and calendars. It is an exciting time in the beer industry and we will try to convey stories and tidbits that will inspire you to drink the wonderful ale we cherish.

The 3 pubs are of course the Latona Pub, the Fiddler's Inn, and the Hovpine Pub. The Latona Pub just finished its 20th year and the Fiddler's Inn and the Hopvine are approaching their 15th if you can believe that.

The blog is our mouthpiece. On each of the individual pages you will find updated menus and new photographs. The calendar page will color code events that are happening at each pub.

When you find your way to the Fiddler's Inn page you will find a link to the Fiddler's Inn Myspace. Check out what Ben from the Fid has constructed to keep everyone updated and excited about what is going on at Wedgwood's neighborhood watering hole.

So here we go blogging about beer. Hopefully we will entertain you.

It's all about the beer so support you local brewer. They create such wonderful products and brew some of the best beer in the world right in your neighborhood.

Cheers

Welcome

2008-03-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

We welcome you to the blog that will bring you up to date concerning the activities of the neighborhood pub