Category Archives: Redmond

Black Raven Releases Kitty Kat Blues In Cans

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Do you like a good pale ale?  Do you like blueberries?  Do you like vanilla?  How about hibiscus?  Now, what if you combine all of these things together and then can them?  The result would be Kitty Kat Blues Pale Ale in cans from Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor).

Kitty Kat Blues is not a new beer. Black Raven has been making it for years, but this is the first time ever they’ve put it into cans. It’s also the first time I’ve seen a change in the recipe.  Prior to using hibiscus, Kitty Kat Blues got some of it’s unique and distinct flavor from the use of catnip in the recipe.  Yes, catnip.  I’m not certain why Black Raven has swapped out the catnip for the hibiscus.  The photo for the can release event on Facebook even still uses the old label – which clearly shows catnip as an ingredient, but I’m curious to try this new iteration.  Kitty Kat Blues in cans arrives this Friday, 3/16 at 3 pm.

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Wisdom Seeker Returns From Black Raven Brewing

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This coming Saturday, February 24th is the date for Washington Beer Open House.  Hosted by the Washington Beer Commission, this celebration of Washington State’s beer industry invites you to get out and visit a few of the more than 130+ craft breweries operating all across Washington State.

Several local breweries have events planned for the 24th, including Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor).  They’ll have the brewery opened up for tours, with brewery staff on-hand to answer any questions you may have and will also be releasing their extremely popular Wisdom Seeker Double IPA.

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Feather Weather Returns For Winter From Black Raven

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I hope you enjoyed our white Christmas.  If nothing else, it provided us with proof that Winter is indeed here, and Winter means Stout season.  There’s been a virtual flood lately of big, dark, bold and barrel-aged Stouts.  Have you been stocking up your cellar with them like I have?

Even though I love all those rich, heavy barrel-aged Stouts (and Porters), sometimes that 12% – 14% ABV can be a bit daunting to face – especially if you’re trying to down a whole 22 oz bottle by yourself.  So perhaps it’s time for a stout that’s a bit more approachable.  Arriving this Friday, and clocking in at just 6%, Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor) is releasing their Feather Weather Mocha Stout.

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Flocktoberfest Returns From Black Raven Brewing Company

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It’s still nice and hot out there, but the end of Summer is right around the corner.  That means it’s harvest time, which also means it’s time for Fall Seasonals to start arriving.  In the Great Northwest that means Fresh Hop beers (the first few are just starting to arrive now), but it also means other Fall Seasonals, including the Märzen/Oktoberfest style.

Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor) brews several tasty Seasonal beers including Beak Tweaker Citrus IPA, Frost Beak Winter Lager and Hochzeit Pilsner.  Right now, however, it’s time for their popular Fall Seasonal: Flocktoberfest Lager.

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Are You Ready To Have Your Beak Tweaked By Black Raven Brewing?

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Just the other day, I was telling you about how the changing seasons bring with them all the different Seasonal craft beers we enjoy as they make their annual returns.  As the weather warms that, of course, means it’s time for most people’s taste buds to leave Stouts, Porters and other malt-heavy beers behind (for the most part) and start seeking out crisper, lighter (in some cases), refreshing, hoppier beers.

For me, the tipping point each year is the annual Underberg Back In Black Stout Fest at Brouwer’s Cafe during Seattle Beer Week. It’s sort of the last hurrah for the year before the Seasonal changeover.  Granted, that changeover came a bit earlier this year, since Seattle Beer Week began a week earlier than in previous years.  That doesn’t mean I never drink Stouts in the Summer, but far less so than in the colder months.

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Hochzeit Pilsner Returns From Black Raven Brewing

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When the temperatures cool down, our palates often crave something a bit more thick and malty, like a good Stout or Porter.  Likewise when the temperatures start to warm up, as they have been lately, we often crave something a bit lighter and crisper that’s not quite as heavy on the palate.  That’s why, as Summer approaches, we see more releases of lighter ales and Lagers (like yesterday’s release of Lima Loca from Two Beers Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor)).

Now, after the release of their popular Wisdom Seeker Double IPA in March and in anticipation of their annual Flock Party anniversary celebration, Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor) is pleased to announce this year’s release of their Summer Seasonal, Hochzeit Pilsner.

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Discover The New Growler USA In Redmond

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What happens when you take the basic concept of a growler refill station and decide to take it National?  Well, what happens is, you get something like Growler USA.  Founded in 2013 by Dan White (CEO), Dave Shaw (President), and Vern Whittaker (Retired CFO), Growler USA now has 10 locations across the U.S. and are slated to open 50 more throughout 2017-2018.

Each location boasts up to 100 taps of beer (including microbrewed craft beers), hard cider, draft wine & kombucha, plus an extensive food menu. Their tap list varies by location, of course, in order to offer locally-sourced options for their patrons, and their “True to the Brew” system ensures that each brewer’s vision for their product is honored.  Things are kept tightly controlled all the way from keg delivery and storage (using ‘gentle’ keg handling systems to avoid sloshing), to a meticulously maintained tap system and the proper glassware for each pour. Yesterday afternoon I took a trek out to their Redmond location, courtesy $30 in credit from Growler USA, to see what they had to offer first hand.

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Black Raven’s 8th Annual Flock Party & Ravenmaster Club Open Enrollment

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Each year around this time, there’s a big party out in Redmond.  If you’re a fan of Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor), then you know that I’m referring, of course, to their annual Flock Party anniversary celebration.

Set to take place on Saturday, May 6th from noon – 7 pm, this year’s Flock Party will include live music, plenty of ‘rare birds’ (rare and unique Black Raven beers, including some Tiki-drink inspired infusions this year), food, a retail merchandise booth and even an outdoor cigar lounge/booth.  Well-behaved and leashed dogs will also be welcome and, if you run short on cash, there will be an ATM on site.

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La Mort Bourbon Returns From Black Raven Brewing

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Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor) makes lots of excellent beers.  Their popular Kitty Kat Blues was recently added to their year-round lineup and what is probably their most overall popular beer, Wisdom Seeker, just made it’s annual return as well.  Now, Black Raven is preparing to bring back one of my absolute favorites.  Arriving this Friday, March 24th is their popular and award-winning La Mort Bourbon.

Part of Black Raven’s Corbeaux Series and crafted by aging their equally popular La Petite Mort in Kentucky bourbon barrels, La Mort Bourbon is a complex beer that satisfies fans of Belgian Ales and bourbon-barrel aged beers alike.  I’m a big fan of both, which helps explain why this is one of my favorite offerings from Black Raven.

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Wisdom Seeker Returns This Weekend From Black Raven Brewing

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Time for a short history lesson.  Benjamin Franklin (who lived from 1706 – 1790) is often credited with the quote: “In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.”  Unfortunately, he never said it. For one thing, the word ‘bacteria’ wasn’t first used until the year 1881.  For another, I happen to believe there’s just as much wisdom in beer than there is in wine.

In any case, perhaps that’s where Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor) got part of the inspiration for one of their most popular beers: Wisdom Seeker Double IPA, which makes it’s annual return this coming Friday, March 10th.

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