Since we decided we weren’t already overwhelmed and understaffed enough, we decided to add a new category.

Drink and Write. We drink donated beers, and… er, write about them. Nope, we’re not trained. Yup, I often mistake beer styles. Mmhmm, some of us still refer to beer styles as “dark” and “light”. Yes, we do think this will be worth your time. We’re not in denial, we know you’re only reading this site to avoid work for a few minutes… we have no delusions of grandeur here.

Here goes… remember, these are just opinions.

Drink:

• Hop in the Dark C.D.A
• Deschutes Brewery. Bend, OR
• Cascadian Dark Ale… Black IPA?

Write:

• Scary dark
• Immediate hop aroma; tricks your brain as you are not expecting that from such a black beer
• Also hints of roastiness in the aroma
• Tastes like this: smooth, slight roasted malt, BITTERNESS, chocolate, toasty bitterness, camping

In Short:

I like it. I first had this back in June while the wife and I were romping around Oregon. There’s an ongoing semi-debate about whether or not Cascadian Dark Ales can be classified separately from Black IPAs. Lines have been drawn in sand and blood has been spilt. In my opinion I think there is a difference, or I’d like to think there is. Mainly it’s because I like each differently. I like a nice solid, crisp, hoppy, drinkable black IPA on occasion. I also like a bigger, more robust, rich, daddy beer CDA. Different strokes for different folks.

It’s more than an IPA, but not quite a porter or stout. Some weird love child between the styles. The style is originated from the Pacific Northwest, AKA the Cascadia National Forest, mountain range. Interestingly, Widmer, of Portland Oregon brews a similar beer called the Pitch Black IPA… so not all are in agreement of the moniker for this yummy blackness.

Whatever, I like the style and I’m glad to see more of it around. Check out this post on the New School beer blog from a Cascadia located beer drinker/blogger for a closer to the source opinion.

Unlike other CDA/Black IPAs I’ve had, I like the balance that is present in the Hop in the Dark. At only 6.5%abv, it’s still semi-sessionable but still packs a lot of flavor. Not so hoppy it makes your teeth shiver while at the same time not quite as heavy as a porter or stout.

My suggestion, check it out. It may not be for everyone, if it it’s for you, you’re in luck.

Thanks to Tish (she hand delivered this beer to me at work!)  and Deschutes for supplying the beer to sample.

<shameless>Do you have more beer than you need and would like to provide some for us to “sample”? Hit me up at chris(at)beertownaustin.com.</shameless>

First, the beer

Portland is home to 28 local breweries and unless you’re replying to that CL ad right now or planning an extended stay, you’re probably not going to see them all. So, before you go, visit portlandbeer.org and make a game plan. If you find yourself downtown, may we suggest the Deschutes and Rogue Public Houses? Also visit Belmont Station to pick up all the beer you can’t find here in Austin (or anywhere in TX for that matter) and sample as you see fit. There is no shortage of beer bars to stumble into and you’re going to be hard-pressed to find one that’s not pouring a wide selection of local brews.

The McMenamins Empire

So what is McMenamins? A better question might be: What isn’t it? The local chain boasts an impressive lineup of brewpubs, restaurants, theaters, hotels, and a legendary music venue. There are about sixty locations overall, and most of them are in the Portland area. The McMenamins brothers have done a great job of picking some extraordinary sites to transform into their signature style including an old Elementary School (The Kennedy School), a former Multnomah County Poor Farm (Edgefield) and an abandoned Masonic Lodge (Grand Lodge). Most rooms at the hotels are cheap, and you can dine and catch a second-run movie on-site at most locations. Try the sampler, and if you get a room, take the Mason jar down to the pub for a pint-priced Mason-Growler to go. If the McMenamins clan could show first runs and some special events, they might just be able to give a certain local theater chain a run for it’s money. www.mcmenamins.com

Powell’s Books

This bookstore is so big you need to pick up a map to make your way through all of its color-coded rooms. In fact, it’s the largest independent in the nation. Plan to spend a few hours looking through/buying classic copies of used books. And even if you only read a few chapters of said books before they end up on your bookshelf, you can at least take comfort in knowing that Half Price will always take them off your hands later turning that tattered paperback into a Pint at the Draught House. www.powells.com

The Doug Fir

This local Diner/Music Venue has been described as a 1970’s era log cabin combined with a spaceship. If that’s not enough to get you there, the lumberjack approved breakfast menu is pretty damn good too. Also, check out the mural rooms next door at the Jupiter Hotel. www.dougfirlounge.com, www.jupiterhotel.com

Keep Portland Weird

That’s right, they stole our mantra. But Portlanders love their independent merchants just as much as we do. So hit up Hawthorne, Burnside, and Downtown to take in some of the unique stores. Don’t spend too much time doing this though or there’ll be no time or money for beer.

Get Outside. The scenery is spectacular. Austin’s got live music and heat; Portland’s got forests, mountains and rain. You can’t win them all. Check out the 400+ acre Washington Park and the Downtown Waterfront as well. www.portlandonline.com/parks

So I think that’s it for this beer blog post turned travel review. If you find your way up to Austin’s slightly cooler but maybe jaded sister city, enjoy the beer, enjoy the weather, but don’t forget where you came from.