Volcanic Bottle Shoppe on the Heights hosts a fifth-anniversary party today with plenty of ales to choose from but a special one in honor of the occasion — Volkanische Vijf from Solera Brewery and Everybody’s Brewing. The Vijf – “five” in Flemish, one of Belgium’s official languages — is a low-alcohol brew modeled on the Berliner Weiss (wheat) tradition.
The name adjustment happened because, “It turned out a little on the Belgian side more than the German as far as the esters go,” said Jason Kahler, Solera brewmaster and owner.
The Volkanische comes out at about 2.8 ABV, and Kahler called it “super quenching, mildly tart, and zero bitterness units — not a hop in sight.”
He said Volcanic owners Abe Stevens and Amanda Goeke approached him about a year ago about an anniversary beer.
Kahler said, “At about the time they called to remind me I was already working on a collaboration with my friends at Everybody’s Brewing,” namely chief brewer Jess Caudill and owner Doug Ellenberger of the White Salmon brewery.
“So I suggested a three-way collaboration, as Everybody’s is a lot larger than Solera and you get a lot more beer out of it for everyone,” Kahler said. “It was a beer we had all talked about doing together.” The unhopped wheat is “a very simple beer. There are not a lot of different ways to do it,” Kahler said. “It’s 20 percent wheat, 80 percent Pilsner malt, and no hops, that’s a huge flavor profile you can play with it and it’s not in there,” Kahler said.
The tartness comes from the use of lactobacillus instead of saccharomyces yeast. The lactobacillus has a chance to convert the sugar into lactic acid, and once it gets the proper acidity or tartness we want, then we add the yeast and it will come in and clean up the sugar and convert that into alcohol,” Kahler said. “There is a very small amount of grain and a lot of water, for a low-alcohol, light body beer,” he said.
“I wouldn’t quite use the word sour, it’s very tart, not really mouth puckering but really quenching with something like a lemonade character,” he said.
“It’s definitely very special,” Stevens said. “Doug is a personal friend of ours from Indiana and with Jason we were able to debut Solera beer here four years ago, so it’s nice to have that tie-in to celebrate our fifth anniversary.”
The party starts at 5 p.m. with music by Matt Mesa and Mark Reynolds, followed by the trio 23rd and Union, and Smudgepot taking the late night spot. Positive Light Productions will be in the house, and Boda’s Kitchen will have eats available starting at 5 p.m.
Moth Lounge concludes metamorphosis (mostly)
Jules Burton’s Moth Lounge (formerly Pint Shack) features new signage by metal artist Kelly Phipps, a new interior mural by Ethan Radcliff, and a new set of blackboards to post the ever-changing list of beers, ciders, and wines (cocktails also served).
The name comes from Burton’s fascination with the social creatures known as moths (she’s a college science professor but is taking the summer off to float Moth Lounge). “They like to follow the light and flock together,” Burton said. Tuesday night open mic talent nights and Monday night movies (kids welcome until 8 p.m.) are regular features on the schedule at the pub, on Third between Oak and Cascade.
The metamorphosis from Pint Shack will be complete once Burton reworks the menu, adds a mural or two, and gets the backlighting installed on the Phipps signs outside.
Solog scheduled for Aug. 22 in Parkdale
Solera Brewery and Logsdon Farmhouse Ales have scheduled their second annual brewfest at Clear Creek Station, in Parkdale for Aug. 22 from 3 to 9 p.m. Unique seasonal beers, one-offs and collaborative brews will be offered by the two breweries. Enjoy live music, food and local vendors. Minors and nondrinkers are permitted for free. Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate and will cost $20. Price includes a commemorative glass with five tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets will be available for $2 each. Apple Valley BBQ will be offering food for sale.
Brewers announce first Kriekfest in 2016
Featuring sour and wild ales, the inaugural Kriekfest will take place in one year—Saturday, July 9, 2016—in Parkdale, featuring the sours of Solera, Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, Double Mountain Brewing, and breweries from around the state and region. The festival joins other festivities around the state during the July-long Oregon Craft Beer Month.
Solera brews up a cornucopi-ale
Fruit comes forward in plenty of Solera beers that are on tap or soon to be: on right now are Apple Blossom Saison, made with apple juice; Izzy’s Stardust, a sour raspberry; and Subline, an American sour with fresh kaffir lime leaves. Up next, Kahler’s annual Berliner Weiss, and a 4.0 ABV Pale ale, and within a couple of weeks, Solera’s new Kriek, made from pie cherries that have been sitting for a year.
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