PDX #2: The Horsebrass Pub

One of the greatest places in the known world is The Horsebrass Pub on Belmont Street (east of downtown).  The Horsebrass is a smokey, dimly lit English style pub that is almost always crowded (at least when I've been there) and has around 50 microbrews on tap at all times (nearly all of them local breweries -- some of which you can't get anywhere else).

I had the pleasure of going there twice while in Portland, and I was able to sample (in 10 oz. half-pints) a number of their offerings.  I will attempt to discuss them now.

The Dogzilla Black IPA

Laughing Dog Brewing (Idaho)

6.9% ABV.  68.4 IBUs.

I had this on cask and found it to be quite smooth and, true to its name, it was black and hoppy. It drank like a smooth porter but tasted all the way thro

ugh like a decent IPA.  Hop flavors began and ended the drinking experience.  Not overly aromatic, a hop smell was present.  And it was appropriately described in the menu as having a "dark malt finish."  Certainly worth trying, if only because you don't see black IPA's that often, I rated this a 3+

India Red Ale

Double Mountain Brewing

6.5% ABV. 55 IBUs.

This red IPA, which was also on cask at the Horsebrass, was smooth, flavorful and complex. It had some of the hop flavors of an IPA, but not much of the bitterness (which is evident in the relatively low IBUs compared to a traditional NW IPA).  Very drinkable and pleasant, it reminded me almost of an ESB in its malt flavoring and balance.  4 stars.

Racer 5 IPA

Bear Republic (Healdsburg, CA)

7% ABV. 90+ IBUs.

Ah... this is closer to what I'm used to, I thought, as I took my first drink of the Racer 5.  This is a hopheads ale, and it was the first true IPA I drank on this vacation.  Bitter, strong, and hopped to wonderfully disturbing degrees, this beer balanced itself out with good flavor and even a hint of malty sweetness.  I gave it a solid 4, and thought to myself, is it maybe even deserving of a 4+?

Old Rasputin Imperial Stout

North Coast Brewing (Ft. Bragg, CA)

9% ABV. 75 IBUs.

Black as night with a sweet chocolate aroma, the russian pours creamy and brown.  The taste is sweet and this beer was noticeably carbonated (I'm sure it would be even better on cask). I noticed chocolate, coffee and a touch of scotch in the flavor, with a lingering alcohol warmth in the back of the throat.  This is what a stout should taste like.  I gave it a 5.  (Note: The Old Rasputin can be layered with Stone Brewing's Arrogant Bastard to make a wonderful black and tan that we Lopez brothers call the Russian Bastard.  You must try it sometime!)

Homo Erectus Imperial IPA

Walking Man Brewing (Stevenson, WA)

9% ABV. 100 IBUs.

This ale was disappointing.  It was surprisingly sweet for something that claims to have 100 IBUs. I suppose the overwhelming malt flavors should be expected from a 9% ABV, but I still thought it was a stretch to call this an IPA, imperial or not.  There were some nice citrus notes, but nothing special.  This was a 2+ in my book.  It's better than a Coors, but I'm not ordering it if there's other decent stuff available.

One of my friends, and an honorary Lopez brother, Andy, told me that if I'm going to Portland, I should try and stop by Hair of the Dog brewing.  Hair of the Dog doesn't have a brewpub, but 

occasionally, I've heard that they do tastings if you call 'em up and ask.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to do that, nor did I get a chance to try "Adam," which Andy called the best beer he'd ever had.  I did, however, have the pleasure of "discovering" the ale below at the Horsebrass.  This ale is the last beer I drank in Portland and for that I am eternally thankful and say, "God bless Portland and make her brews continually flow like water."

Blue Dot IPA (it's actually a double IPA in the description)

Hair of the Dog (Portland, OR)

7% ABV.  IBUs unknown.

The first thing I noticed was the intense floral aroma.  Sweet, fresh, and hoppy, this smelled like a springtime walk through a blooming hop field.  I thought the hop balance was impeccable and probably high in alpha acids, low in cohumulone, just the way I like it.  The hops were almost sweet, not angry at all, with a medium mouthfeel.  With great citrus and floral flavors, this IPA was a thing of beauty.  The flavors were strong and complex, but not overwhelming; not watery at all -- subtle.  I want to let it sit - nay - dance around in my mouth for awhile, telling me stories of how beer should be.  This is why I came to Portland and to the Horsebrass.  And, though I am certainly hesitant to say this in front of my Lopez Brothers -- I think I've finally found something better than the Boundary!

Cheers.

Joe