Solera Brewery Debuts in Portland

I am excited to get to try the first beers from the latest new brewing operation in the Gorge, Solera Brewery. The New School first broke the news on this new brewery from Jason Kahler, ex-Brewmaster at Hood River's Big Horse Brewing, and his partner, John Hitt. Opening soon in the old Elliot Glacier Public House space, they will have their first beers available on tap Wednesday at Cheese Bar for Brewer DJ night and Thursday at Saraveza before the pub is actually ready to open. Also, you will get a chance to visit the brewery in person on the next Brewvana/New School VIP Tour of the Gorge on March 31st (details TBA).

Wednesday March 7th 7-10pm
Brewer DJ at Cheese Bar

Thursday March 8th 6-9pm
Saraveza

SF Beer Week: A Tale of 2 Gastropubs and a 3 Ring Circus

Read Part 1 of SF Beer Week 2012 coverage

The biggest and most anticipated (or at least most highly publicized) event of SF Beer Week may have been the 3 Ring Circus beer dinner, which was a collaboration between Ninkasi Brewing, Schmaltz/Coney Island Brewing, and Speakeasy Brewing with the Homebrew Chef Sean Paxton. This dinner featured 9 courses and 13 beers and circus performance acts between courses. Read about the circus and its triumphs and falls, along with stops at some of SF's best establishments, in Part 2 of 3 of my SF Beer Week coverage.

APEX Urges You to Lighten Up This Saturday

Jesse McCann over at APEX has put together another nice little event in the vein of his Embrace The Darkness event. This one is called Lighten Up and is based around the days growing longer and (hopefully) warmer. They will have a selection of light bodied beers, including many Belgian styles like Saisons, Farmhouse Ales, Singles, and Wheat beers, all starting at 11:30am on Saturday, March 10th.

Breakside Brewery News from Ben Edmunds

Breakside's Scott Lawrence and Ben Edmunds

Here is the latest update on Breakside Brewery straight from the horse's mouth, aka Head Brewer/New School contributor Ben Edmunds. As usual, there is lots going on like a very affordable brewers dinner at The Bent Brick to the latest in their chef collaboration beer series.

VIDEO: Worthy Brewing Groundbreaking Ceremony

Footage from the Worthy Brewing groundbreaking ceremony in Bend, OR last Friday.