An encouraging nod to craft brewers

This week is a reminder that Portland isn’t the only beer-crazed city in America. Craft beer is celebrated throughout the entire country, as American Craft Beer Week is underway as of yesterday.

The annual week of craft beer festivities is in its fourth year now and has aroused a large amount of interest this year. Stephen Colbert inspired curiosity in the event when he said on his television show, “This isn’t one of those fake holidays. No, this is officially sanctioned by Congress,” which is a fair assessment.

Indeed, the House of Representatives introduced resolution 1297 on April 22, a resolution “supporting the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer Week.”

The Brewers Association—an organization of brewers, big and small—organizes the week of festivities and others involved in the beer industry. Events this week will be held nationwide and include brewery tours, beer releases and festivals, among others.

A number of local breweries and taprooms are participating. Green Dragon will feature over 50 different American craft beers throughout the week. On Wednesday, members of Oregon Brew Crew, a local non-profit, will pour at the pub and share their knowledge of home brewing and beer appreciation.

Lompoc Brewery will pour a special beer at each of their pubs throughout the week. They are also advocating that beer lovers sign the Declaration of Beer Independence, which can be found at any of their pubs, as well as online. The Brewers Association wrote the declaration in an effort to reveal the widespread support for the nation’s small and independent craft brewers.

Rock Bottom Brewery will feature a different beer each day of the week, including the Sour Patch Pale Ale and Syttende Maibock.

Widmer Brothers has chosen to use the week as an opportunity to release their summer seasonal, Sunburn Summer Brew. The light-colored ale uses citra hops, a type of hops that is relatively new and gaining popularity. Sierra Nevada is known for dry-hopping citra to make Torpedo Extra IPA. Citra delivers tropical fruity flavors like papaya and passion fruit and is most often used for IPAs. Widmer will also host pub specials and brewery tours this week.

Vertigo Brewing in Hillsboro is releasing two of its most popular seasonals: Arctic Blast Vanilla Porter and JD Blackjack Stout. Saturday is a chance to meet Vertigo’s brewers at the brewery.

Full Sail Brewing is releasing a special beer for the week. Vendell Veizen, a German style weizen bock, is light red in color and maltier than a wheat beer. The Veizen was released Monday and is now available.

American Craft Beer Week is a good opportunity for a small trip out of Portland as well. This weekend Rogue will host the Fourth Annual Brewers Memorial Ale Fest at its Newport location. There will additionally be a number of brewery tours and Rogue’s recurring garage sale.

Brewer Paul Arney from Deschutes Brewing will be sharing his home brew at the brewery’s Bend location, as well as free tours and tastings.