A Daunting Task
by Derek ~ January 28th, 2009. Filed under: Uncategorized.
For my wedding at the end of the summer I have been assigned the task of selecting a beer for the guests. Sure, this sounds fun, but it is causing me much turmoil. Something unique, but simple enough to not offend, delicious, but not overpowering, available, but not break the bank.
Since I’m a bit of a beer dork I have a reputation amongst my friends, so they expect something unique. I don’ t want to let them down with just any old beer. On the other hand there will be a lot of people there that haven’t been subjected to years of coerced beer sampling and geekery while hanging out with me. Bridging the two can prove difficult. Also, there is the fact of it being August, so it has to be crisp and refreshing enough to not make you feel even worse wearing a tux in August outdoors. Of course, availability is a must, I have to be able to acquire it in a keg.
My first instinct is to go with a Saison. The farmhouse “styles” are my all-time favorites, the dry crispness is perfect for the summer, and some even give a nice tart/sour twang to the finish kicking up the refresh-o-meter and adding some interest.
Now, what to choose?
My initial thoughts on what “might” be available in the market are:
Saison Dupont, Jolly Pumpkin Bam Bier, Ommegang Hennepin
I’d almost kill for a keg of Fantome Ete or De Ranke XX, but I’m sure the cost of those is probably through the roof, although Dupont may be as well.
Maybe Upright Brewing Co. will sell kegs? I know Alex once brewed a Saison du Portland that was one hell of a beer.
Anyway, any ideas? suggestions? preferences? I’m hoping the local beer community can help me out with some ideas on this “problem”.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Once I started reading I initially started thinking maybe a Belgian Golden Ale as being a good summer, refreshing style that may be appealing to those who seek more complexity. But you’re right about Saisons and that style maybe perfect. Although, my experience with Sasions is probably way more limited than yours. Jolly Pumpkin may turns heads… It’s accesible, but unless you are into beer you wont really know about it. However, Saison Dupont and Hennepin are available in most Fred Meyer’s so folks who are into it can easy obtain it.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Bo,
What are you favorite Belgian Goldens? That style is a great idea, any idea of what is available in the PDX Market?
January 28th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Did Alex make that Saison? I was very excited when I bought that beer. I cellared in for about 6 months, awaiting it’s glory. Alas, I must have gotten bad bottle. Saison du Portland was as flat as school girl and cloyingly sweet. I couldn’t get beyond a bubble-gummy syrupy sweetness. I only tasted about 2 ozs and had to dump it.
If anybody had a GOOD bottle, I would love to know what it was supposed to taste like? I really couldn’t even guess.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
DW,
Sorry to hear you got a bad bottle. I wish I had more, but they were really limited at the time. The beer was like a hopped up Dupont. Fresh it was maybe a touch to hoppy, but sounds like cellaring didn’t go well for you. Keep your fingers crossed, maybe he will brew it again at his new venture.
January 28th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Derek:
The Saison Dupont (or Hennepin, to a lesser extent – 7.7%abv a bit high?) is a great idea. I immediately thought witbier or a nice Bavarian hefeweizen. Even a good pilsner (Heater Allen makes a very nice one locally, as does HUB)
Looks like Belmont Station could work with you to figure out what’s available as the day gets closer. http://www.belmont-station.com/kegs_css.html#IMP
Cheers,
BG
January 28th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Guess I should add that Weihenstephaner or Franziskaner would be the hefeweizens I’d choose. And St. Bernardus’ Wit is my favorite.
January 28th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I don’t think it was a cellering problem… I just think it didn’t referment and carbonate in the bottle. It tasted like straight cold wort, no hoppiness at all…. There was something definitely just worng with MY bottle…
Speaking of Flat beer…. I had the flatest De Struise Tsjeeses at Concordia the other day. $9 for 8 ozs. and the glass was filled to the rim, but no head or carbonation. Really killed the taste! It actually tasted like a homebrewed Saison! Flat…of course…. ;-}
January 29th, 2009 at 2:14 am
Hey,
I know Alex will have a hoppy saison as one of his main beers as well as a golden, wheat and rye. Bottles and kegs!
January 29th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Brian,
Good call on those, both are favorites of mine as well. Have you ever had the T’ij wit?(I think that is the correct name, they are the Amsterdam brewery with the ostrich on the label) They make a really nice wit with a soft sourness in the finish.
January 29th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Samurai,
Any idea when his beers will be available? I’ve been searching the web for info and still nothing, last I heard was January, but I know how brewery openings go. I’d like to sample some of those brews when they open.
January 29th, 2009 at 8:52 am
If you definitely want a saison, I don’t think I could be much help with ideas. But the first beer that popped into my mind after reading your criteria was Roots Heather.
January 29th, 2009 at 10:40 am
DABeers,
Your post reminds me of my own wedding a couple of years back. My wife handled most of the details of the wedding, but I threw myself into the beer selection with all my might. We served 5 craft brews, but the greater number just meant more variations and possibliities. I built a spreadsheet to track my combinations.
I also built a “beer registry”, which the extremely cooperative guys at Belmont Station maintained for me. I took this as an opportunity to educate our guests about other brewers and styles than the local ones they already knew.
The saison is an excellent choice. I’d actually lean more towards Hennepin because I find fewer people are aware of its quality as opposed to DuPont. Although sounds like Upright might be your best choice.
January 29th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Patrick,
Beer registry? holy crap, I’ve never thought of that!
January 29th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
DA,
it looks like the Upright beers will be available by the end of march. I have sweet new t-shirts, zip up hoodies and pull over hoodies available now for Upright Brewing and stickers coming soon.
If anyone is interested Email me for more info, they are inexpensive
January 30th, 2009 at 11:12 am
DA Beers,
A local golden you might try is the Hopworks’ El Diablo. They are producing a small beer version of this, El Diabilito, which might be something that won’t impair every guest. However, I’ve had the Diablo and found it to a good quaff.
SamuraiArtist,
The art for those t-shirts anything like what you’ve been doing for Roots? That stuff has been down right killer. Would love to pick up something wearable.
Patrick
January 30th, 2009 at 11:25 am
DA Beers,
A local golden you might try is the Hopworks’ El Diablo. They are producing a small beer version of this, El Diabilito, which might be something that won’t impair every guest. However, I’ve had the Diablo and found it to a good quaff.
SamuraiArtist,
The art for those t-shirts anything like what you’ve been doing for Roots? That stuff has been down right fantastic. Would love to pick up something wearable.
Patrick
January 31st, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Hey Derek,
Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you immediately.
I’m assuming you’ll be buying a keg, right?
What about North Coast PranQster for a nice golden — Or maybe Damnation from Russian River. I’m not sure what would be available. Belgian Golden’s, in my opinion, are nice and refreshing and tend to be easy on the palate for those who aren’t into heavy beers. While regular golden/blonde ales can be refreshing in the summer but are just boring and uninteresting
I’m also a fan of Duval and Piraat for something from Belgium that’s not too expensive. But I wouldn’t have a clue on the availability of these in kegs… And I’m sure bottles would be too expensive to have a full supply for a reception.
Matthew
February 1st, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Sorry I’m late to the thread. For my wedding, we brewed our own homebrew. We had an IPA, a brown, and a wit. Nevertheless, a friend caught one of the brand-new in-laws complaining about the lack of “real beer.”
I do think having 2 or three varieties is a good call. Depending on your clientele, you might actually consider a nice, authentic pils. Nothing refreshes more, and for folks like my in-law, it would be recognizeable as “real beer.”
I love the saison idea, though. I might have to crash the party!
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Your married Jeff?