Oregon's Great Micro Breweries - a List of Three of the Best

Oregon is home of the best microbrews in the nation. It is difficult to choose just a few but more difficult to write about the entire local brewery's in one article. Here is three of Oregon's best and some information about each brewery. These Breweries are located in and around Portland Oregon and are usual present at most of the local festivals and activities throughout Portland and the entire State of Oregon.

Seven Brides Brewery
303 South James Street
Silverton, Oregon

Built from the heart three years ago the Seven Bride Brewing began its life in Oregon. Three fathers and two uncles began a home brew in their garage one afternoon. Once the brew was complete the thought of selling this delicious brew came to life.

Seven Brides has several signature brews Lauren's Pale Ale made with lots of hops and crystal malt for a good balance. Emily's Ember is well-balanced red ale with a caramel aroma and a small flavor of hops when drinking it. Abbey's Apple Ale is a combination of apple cider and beer. Great for those who love the taste of apple and can even satisfy the cravings for apple pie if one is in the mood. Maggie's Marzen is Seven Brides Oktoberfest brew, a soft malt flavor with a dark orange color. This smooth crisp beer is a great addition to any Oktoberfest celebration. Weezin-ator is a dopplebock with a deep toasty flavor and a full-bodied finish. Lil's Pils is a traditional bohemian pilsner both crisp and light with a floral hop bouquet and malty taste.

Gilgamesh Brewing
Turner Oregon
http://gilgameshbrewing.com

Although a lover of beer cannot tour the Gilgamesh Brewing Company tasting this fine list of beers can take place at many different locations. Portland Spring Beer & Win Fest on 4/2 and 4/3, Willamette Valley Vineyards 2/13 and 2/14; or at the famous Tulip Farms in Woodburn Oregon.

Gilgamesh has year round and seasonal beers their most famous tasting is the Black Mamba, which is a hopless brew and tastes slightly sweet with a spicy body to it. This beer is brewed with black tea and a touch of tangerine zest and rye. Hopscotch Ale is a heavy brew for those who want a taste of Scotland on a warm summer day. This dark brew is a full malty body dark beer. IPA is full of hops sporting three different hops in the brew, which are added every minute during the process. With three pounds of hops per barrel this makes for a great flavor. Gilgamesh also has a seasonal beer called Chocolate Mint Stout; this stout has generous amounts of Amano Chocolate cocoa nibs and mint to give it an herbal taste. Gilgamesh Brewing also has a limited release beer named Cranberry Saison, this hopless brew is fermented with local cranberries and once created makes a dark red brew that is a medium body filled with the tart flavor of clove and banana esters.

Alameda Brewing Co
4765 NE Fremont St
Portland Oregon
www.alamedabewhouse.com

Alameda brews the Black Bear XX Stout; which is a rich and creamy rye malt blend with chocolate malts added to create the delicious stout flavor. El Torero is made from all organic grains and hops and has a deep lingering bitterness that some beer drinks find delightful. Klickitat Pale Ale is an amber colored brew that has a perfect balance of caramel malt and spicy hops. Siskiyou Golden Ale is light flavored ale that Alameda created specifically for those who love a brew on a hot summer day. Irvington Juniper Porter has a full amount of chocolate malt with added blackstrap molasses to make this a strong blend. This is made only in the Alameda Brewing Company and goes well with most strong meals. Wilshire wheat Ale is creamy ale made from imported European ops to give it a pleasing finish.