THURSDAY OCTOBER 31, 2019
Happy Halloween! Into the Holiday Season we go.
All of those barrel aged beers and special release stouts and porters are arriving. Get your Surly Darkness before its gone - no wait list, it's first come, first serve. Be the smartest person at the holiday party... See below for a quick primer on Imperial Stouts.

The fires in California are on everyone's mind. Keep everyone threatened or displaced by the fires in your thoughts through the week. Vineyards act as natural fire breaks, thanks to their high moisture content, and have helped protect some homes and properties. Fingers crossed they continue to make a difference keeping everyone safe.

Just a Reminder....
We deliver! The Holidays are busy enough - have us drop off your order, any purchase large or small. (Or, at least over $25 before tax.) We happily deliver anywhere in the downtown area for free and anywhere else for a reasonable fee.
IMPERIAL STOUTS: A History Lesson
It's that time of year when a bunch of special release imperial stouts and porters hit our shelves. Tis' the season. Let's start with the basics.

What is a stout? T he first known use of the term dates to 1677 and it basically made reference to a strong beer of higher alcohol content. Porter (a dark brown beer made with roasted malts) was a style popularized in the 1720s and on, and those of higher alcohol content were called "stout porters".... and here is where the "what's the difference between a stout and a porter" debate begins. Stouts today are firmly associated with dark ale style in a multitude of variations.
What does the term "imperial" mean on a beer label anyways?
Turns out, its much more than a marketing gimmick. The term has roots in 1800s England, where brewers were crafting amped up stouts to send to the Russia - more specifically, the Imperial Court. These were amped up beers with extra hop and malt to withstand the long voyage. The flavor and warmth were well suited for Russia's cold climate and the style was a favorite of Catherine the Great. The term is largely synonymous for this style of Stout, but for modern American brewers it can be attached to any style. You can genearlly trust that any "imperial" beer will be an amped up, bold expression with a bit higher alcohol. These are distinctive beers and usually a specialty, luxury brew.

ON OUR SHELVES: Surly Darkness, The Bruery So Happens its Tuesday, Prairie Double Dunk, Evil Twin Brewing Even More Jesus, Founder's KBS & CBS, Ballast Point Barrel-Aged Victory at Sea, Toppling Goliath Mornin' Latte, Oskar Blues Ten Fiddy - and more...
ON THE TASTING TABLE.
POURING THIS WEEKEND:
Friday's Wine Tasting with Emily Anderson from The Libation Project: 4PM UNTIL 8PM

Gail Wines Doris White
Closilo Colombard
Stirm Riesling
Borne Pinot Noir
Gramercy Syrah
Band of Vitners Consortium Cabernet
Cantina di Carpi Lambrusco 

Saturday's Wine Tasting will feature Staff Picks of the Day: 3PM UNTIL 7PM

As always, join us on the Facebook to check out other shop happenings and remember that all tasting bottles are 10% off the day we pour them.
Staff Wine Selections
Mary's Pick
2016 Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre - $31.99
As a recent transplant from Hawaii the idea of seasonal drinking is new to me. As it stands old habits die hard and here I am drinking white wine whenever I feel like it! This Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre is one of my absolute favorite's. The wine itself has an intense purity. Grapefruit pith, white orchard flowers and a scent and flavor that can only be described as minerality. As austere as this wine is it also has a wonderful textural complexity. The vineyards for this wine are all sustainably farmed with minimal use of treatments. Michel Reverdy and his family have been farming this land as far back some say as the 1600's. A truly family owned and operated vineyard. 
Dave's Pick
2016 Broad Track Racer Winery 'The Vincent' Red - $24.99
  Alright, continuing in my series of rich comforting reds for cool weather drinking we have a lovely Cabernet dominant blend from Mark Ryan. This juicy people pleaser is high value and distinctly Washingtonian. The bouquet and body contain a full spectrum of fruit from cassis to plum to red fruits and hints of sour cherry. The brighter red fruits lead directly into a zesty high latitude finish that shows plenty of Washington cut. The fruit is framed by a mild spiciness but is otherwise pretty straight forward. Try with pot roast and a cozy fireplace.
Patrick's Pick
2017 Kin & Cascadia Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon - $18.99
 As I was looking at our pinot noirs, I thought that, for this week's review, I'd highlight my favorite under $20 selection.
Sourced from different vineyards across Willamette Valley, native yeasts are used for fermentation and the aging of only 30% of the wine in neutral oak ensures that the fruit retains it's integrity, while benefiting from soft vanilla notes lightly touching the smooth strawberry and cherry palate.
Enjoy this great Willamette Valley bargain with Columbia Valley salmon!
Doug's Pick
Raymond Ragnaud Pineau des Charentes, $27.99
Ok, let's not pretend that Pineau des Charentes will be the next big thing. It won't be. It can however easily find it's spot next to much of the autumnal and holiday fare. It is unfermented grape juice with cognac added to it to bring up the ABV to about 17% and stop any additional fermentation. It's then aged in barrel for a couple years before bottling. The result is a rich, fresh, strong, and somewhat sweet tipple that has notes of marzipan and hazelnuts on the finish. 
Heidi's Pick
2018 Forlorn Hope 'Queen of the Sierra' Calaveras Cty CA - $21.99
Forlorn Hope is the name given to a group of people who have the odds stacked against them. This lovely little elixir is bound to be a strong survivor. A blend of chardonnay, riesling and verdelho, this wine has a refreshing acidity and a luscious mid-palate that makes it a welcome guest at any dinner party. 
Elevation, limestone, indigenous yeast and 18 months neutral oak give this wine depth, character, personality and a strong yearning for another glass. As we head into the fall season, think of squash or perhaps the spinach empanada from Boludo. Highly recommended!
Madison's Pick
2016 Chateau Kirwan Margaux - $94.99
Chateau Kirwan fulfills the Margaux stereotype in this vintage - iron fist in a velvet glove. Gift it or cellar it - its definitely going to need a few years to come into form. Its a 3rd Growth property in the 1855 classification and points from the critics are all 90+, if you're one to pay attention to such things. Kirwan was founded in the 18th century by an Irishman. On the plateau of Cantenac, the property sits on some of the finest gravel soils that make the Medoc famous. Fun fact: this is one of the few properties Thomas Jefferson visited on his way through Bordeaux!
Beer Tastings - Every Tuesday!
On Tuesdays, we open some of our new releases and old favorites. From 4pm until 8pm, we pour them at the back tasting table and all beers featured are 10% off.