Holiday Ale Fest

I promised you all an update after the fest, and here it is.

First thing to be said is this was a very well organized event. The area was tented off and there were enough heaters to make this Decemeber outdoor event very comfortable. More comfortable, in fact, than many of the Chistmas light displays around town.

None of the lines thoughout the day were exceptionally long and there were many tables and chairs available so that attendees had a chance to socialize with each other.

As for the beers, the offerings were the holiday seasonals, mostly from the usual line up of NW brewfest suspects. There were however a couple of rarer Belgians to be had. One was the incrediably nuanced and subtlely spices Cuvee De Noel from Brasserie St. Feuillien. This is one that The Chick plans to seek out a few bottles of ...

Not to take anything away from the locals, however. Caldera turned out a fine Cauldron Brew with thier '07 and there was a gorgeous oakiness to Hair of the Dog's Jim III, also getting points for the use of oak is Lagunitas with their Oaked Brown Shugga. New Old Lompoc's Brewdolph was a nicely balenced lighter spiced ale.

There was no shortage of highly hopped contenders either with Pelican's Bad Santa Black IPA and Rogue's Double Hopped Santa's Private Reserve leading that list.

Also present was Mountain Valley Meadery with their full line of products, which come in a varierty of sweetness levels, they were both offering tastings and selling on site and The Chick came home with a bottle of their Spiced Mead.