Two Brothers Cane and Ebel Red Rye Ale

Two Brothers Cane and Ebel Red Rye Ale, an offering from Illinois-based Two Brothers Brewing, poured a dark orange, topped by a thick white head.  The nose carried forward tropical fruit, caramel malt, and a distinct, savory rye note. 

Two Brothers Cane and Ebel Red Rye Ale was smooth, from the first sip to the lingering fade, and opened with copious amounts of grapefruit and orange that mellowed into a light, grassy lemon spice.  The grains had a toasted cereal note to them, paired with added sugar that lent a creamy, well integrated sweetness to the mix.  The red rye sat well in the mix, adding an exotic spiciness to the beginning and end of each sip.

Two Brothers Cane and Ebel Red Rye Ale was a surprise.  It brings forward many things I don’t typically enjoy in a beer and integrates them so well it becomes an entirely different animal.  Highly recommended, but with a warning… this 7% ale drinks like a soda!

McMenamins Ringler’s Pub (Portland, OR)

McMenamin Brothers’ downtown Portland-based Ringler’s Pub under the McMenamins Crystal Ballroom was conveniently located close to Powell’s Books and a great way to kill the Post-Stumptown jitters before hitting the town-

McMenamins Ruby Wheat Ale with Raspberries

Surprisingly light on raspberries (other than the beautiful color of the ale), this tastefully crafted fruit wheat beer was the perfect way to start the tasting. 

McMenamins Hammerhead Pale Ale

The Hammerhead found a nice, if somewhat two dimensional, balance between a medium bodied malt background and light hopping. 

McMenamins Sunflower IPA

Sunflower IPA was clearly the dog of the group, although it was far from a bad beer… just too generic and unexciting to compete with the deluge of amazing IPAs coming out of Portland.

McMenamins Terminator Stout

Terminator Stout was appropriately dark and brimming with coffee and roasted malts.  A little thick in the mouth and a little too bitter in the fade, this stout (like most) would have been better enjoyed on a colder, rainy day (also known as “the other ten months” in Portland)