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From the Bottle Collection

Oregon Ales coaster
Oregon Ales coaster

Looking up at our vast collection that covers the walls I noticed Oregon Brown Ale. There were several Oregon Ales, and I remember them being interesting for the time. Not real aggressive by any means, but pretty much what would now be considered a BJCP judge’s idea of “to style,” for American versions of those styles. So during the mid 90s, when most Americans were still learning what they preferred, since the brewing boom to them must have seemed like it was just starting… maybe for the general public just a bit “aggressive?” Especially with a Blackberry Ale? Now I know the Brown and the Pale, the ones I remember the most, would probably slip somewhere between Anchor/ Sierra Nevada and the often (not always) less aggressive Shipyard. More towards Shipyard. Those who decide what goes into their bottles at Shipyard seem to be satisfied with keeping a few of Alan Pugsley’s somewhat dated recipes he brought back from England way back when. An unfortunate collective “yawn” sometimes, even when compared with the vastly bigger brew scene in New England.

Back to Oregon, which apparently is not even all that “Oregon.” Here is what one website says about the “brand…”

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From the Bottle Collection

I have well over 2,000 beer bottles; a few cans, lining my walls, in boxes to be put up on the walls… Honestly! I didn’t intend to become a collector. When the only beers in beer world in America were pretty much Bud, Miller and Bud/Miller wannabes, I found an odd beer. Not even sure what it was. I saved the bottle.

A few years ago my crumbling; 70’s built, modular needed new paneling, but the 1x3s underneath would never have tolerated the tear down/put back up strain. So to spiff up the mess we covered them with bottles.

Hence the collection, and this column. In here you will find old brands and what I found out by floating the search engine foam on the net. So grab your palette and hold on, cause “surf’s up, ale or lager dude!”

This edition: Prior Double Dark


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Brewer’s Profile

I’ll probably be writing more than a few of these myself, but I didn’t write this one. This is a very long article with many pages, but worth every sentence in my opinion. The names Dogfish and Brooklyn Brewing have echoed across brew world for somewhat different reasons. Sam Calagione at Dogfish has brewed; and created recipes, for some of the most extreme beers I have ever had.

I met him once at about 10pm. Loved to say I interviewed him, but let’s just say that Sam really does love beer. A man with tastes I can appreciate.

Most people like the Dogfish 90 minute IPA, for example. I do too, but I prefer the 120. That’s because my buds always are looking for a good kick in the taste department.
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