Temperatures may be down (waaaay down) in Portland, but the beer events seem to be up (waaaay up). First, Gritty’s has developed a small-batch porter to support the Portland Pirates hockey team. Named after the Pirates’ mascot, Salty Pete Porter is available at Gritty’s Portland brew pub only, and only for a limited time. According to the official press release,
This porter is dark, but with a less roasted flavor than most porters. There is a nice chocolate malt flavor and it’s quite a bit hoppier than most porters. Salty Pete has a significant amount of American Cascade Hops, so there is a strong hops aroma and flavor, which is unusual for a porter. This beer is served on draft and driven by CO-2 rather than Nitro, which lets the dark malt and hop flavors come through. ABV: 5.8%, which is more than Black Fly Stout, Original Pub Style and Best Bitter, but less than Scottish and the 21st IPA.
Next, the third annual Vignola Beer & Cheese party is coming right up. The event will be held at Vignola (10 Dana St. in Portland’s historic Old Port district) on January 18th Saturday, January 17th from 12:00-5:00pm. Tickets are $25/person and let you sample as much of the 35 beers and 25 cheeses (from as close as Maine and as far away as Italy, Belgium and France) as you can handle. If you’ve been reading this blog long enough to remember the pictures and review I posted of last year’s party, than you already know this is simply a cannot miss event.
If you simply cannot wait until the 18th to get your beer & cheese fix than you’re in luck. The folks of Dogfish Head will be on hand at The Great Lost Bear this coming Thursday evening (January 15th) for a pairing event being co-sponsored by the guys and gals of the Cheese Iron in Scarborough, ME.
And lastly, not to be outdone – Novare Res is keeping winter warm by throwing their own “12 Stouts After Christmas” celebration beginning on Monday the 12th and lasting for 12 days (or until the kegs run dry… whichever comes first). The drought line up will feature 12 special, rare and delicious stouts to melt even the iciest of hearts.
Will you be attending any of the events above (I sure will be!)? Let me know in the comment section below.
Comments
I’m at the Bear every Thursday, so I’ll def. be there for the Dogfish Head event. Hopefully, I’ll make it to Vignola and Novare as well.
There’s another Portland beer event your readers will want to know about. Novare Res is teaming up with Hugo’s on a beer dinner that’s scheduled for January 25.
I just found your blog and love it. I live in Portland and have to expand my beer horizons beyond the few places I go to. You will be a key resource for me.