Category Archives: Redmond

Beak & Claw Arrives Today From Black Raven Brewing

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It’s bright outside. Summer is almost here and you need a little shade. Heading out for a beer but forgot your sunglasses? Then you’ll need something dark to hold up and block those rays – but you probably still want something hoppy. After all, for most of us, Stout season is just about over.

A nice, hoppy, Black IPA would do the trick, right? Well, Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor) has you covered. Later today (6/1) they’re prepared to release a new Black IPA, and they had a little help with this one from a local homebrewer.  Say hello to Beak & Claw Black IPA.

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Get Your Tickets Now For The Washington Brewer’s Festival

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Here in the Northwest, we take a lot of pride in our craft beers.  While we recognize that there are excellent craft beers available from around the nation, most of us have a special place in our hearts (or is it livers?) for beers made in Washington State.

That’s why I’m always glad when Spring arrives and the Washington Beer Commission brings back their annual Washington Brewer’s Festival.  Set this year for Friday, June 15th through Sunday June 17th at Marymoor Park in Redmond, there are a few changes you’ll want to be aware of regarding how drink tokens will work at this year’s fest.

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Hop House Hosts The 2nd Annual Eastside Brewer’s Showcase

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Last year, I told you about a new palace in Redmond called Growler USA. They were the newest location for the company, which has locations in over 19 states including Hawaii and Washington State (Vancouver).  Less than a year after opening however, Greg and Ann Humes – who ran the Redmond location for Growler USA – decided they’d rather be independent. So they broke ties with Growler USA and re-branded themselves as Hop House.

Freed from their corporate shackles, so to speak, Greg and Ann were free to curate their local tap selections as they saw fit, bring in more imports and actually reduce their total number of taps from 105 down to 75, in order to make more room for local liquors as well. Now, with Seattle Beer Week 10 (SBW10) about to kick off, Hop House has a few events they’d like to share, to bring a bit of SBW10 to the East side.

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Black Raven Brewing’s Annual Flock Party Happens This Saturday

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Everyone loves a good party, especially when that party involves craft beer. Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor) definitely knows how to throw a great craft beer party, and they prove it every Spring with their annual Flock Party/anniversary celebration.

This year is Black Raven’s 9th anniversary/Flock Party and it’s set for Saturday, May 5th from noon till 8 pm.  As always, the Flock Party will feature several live music acts, plenty of ‘rare birds’ (rare and unique Black Raven beers, including some special cask infusions), delicious food, a retail merchandise booth and they usually also have an outdoor cigar lounge/booth.

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Corvus Frambicus Returns From Black Raven

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Seattle Beer Week #10 is right around the corner (watch for an article from me soon on my top event picks for SBW10), and one of my favorite SBW events each year is Sour Fest at Brouwer’s Cafe. I love a good sour Ale. Years ago, I approached them with caution, not knowing what to expect, and I fell in love.

If you haven’t gotten into sour Ales yet, then Black Raven Brewing Company (CBM Sponsor) is bringing back one that you might want to check out.  Arriving today, 4/27, at The Raven’s Nest (Black Raven’s taproom in Redmond) is their popular Corvus Frambicus American Sour Ale with Raspberries.

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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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