Full Sail Brewing

Jimvar “Great Cause” Bohemian Pilsner

Full Sail Brewing is releasing “Jimvar Bohemian Pilsner” into their Brewer’s Share lineup this summer.  Brewer’s Share is a series of draft only offerings employees get the opportunity to brew a small batch recipe for the brewery tap room & Continue Reading →

Full Sail Elevates Their Hop Game

Full Sail Brewing (Hood River, OR) is elevating it’s hop game.  Elevation has been released into the breweries Brewmaster Reserve Series.

Elevation is a testament to Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, forests, & water.  It’s a big hoppy imperial ipa full of pacific Continue Reading →

New Release: Full Sail LTD 5 R

The next seasonal edition in Full Sail Brewing’s (Hood River, OR) LTD Series is “5” or “LTD 5.”  5 is a amber lager, and well crafted one at that.

Commercial Description:
For those who love amber ales, here’s a Limited Edition Lager that Continue Reading →

Full Sail Releases “Black Gold”

Full Sail Brewing kicks off February with the release of Black Gold, an imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels.  Black Gold is part Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve Series.

The first of the bottles have been released at the Full Sail Tasting Room in Hood River, Oregon, with more bottles being distributed around the state.  If this beer is as good as it sounds, it might not get far out of Oregon.

Commercial Description:
A hearty brew that is black as night with a strong roasted malt character and a full body. After its initial release in January 2010, our Imperial Stout was aged for a full year in Bourbon casks from Kentucky.

Full Sail LTD #4

I think there needs to be more lagers brewed by craft brewers in the United States.  I would like more lager choices, especially in the summertime.  Full Sail Brewing (Hood River, OR) has a very popular “Sessions” Lager & “Sessions Black”.  In addition, the brewery has a limited series – aka “LTD Series” of small batch experimental lagers.  One of few craft brewers in the U.S. to experiment with lagers.  Here’s Full Sail’s take on things:

Hood River, Or – “Sometimes the best of a brewer’s art, like jazz, can be shown by the notes you don’t play. In our case we bring that elegance of simplicity into our new limited edition lager brewed with one select barley and one of the best Northwest hops. By choosing to focus on these two single “notes” we highlight the finely balanced and complex interplay between the malt and hops. LTD 04 is a beautiful pale-golden color and brewed to highlight the elegant simplicity of both the pale malt and Willamette hops,” said Irene Firmat, Full Sail’s CEO and Founder. LTD 04 has been brewed, bottled, and kegged and is now shipping from the brewery.

Full Sail Wassail Winter Ale

Full Sail Wassail is back for 2010.  This beer was first brewed by Full Sail Brewing (Hood River, Oregon)  in 1988.  Like some other seasonals this time of year, each year the taste is just a little different.

From Full Sail:

In Hood River, every year a few undeniable signs signal when winter is at the doorstep. The cool east winds begin to blow, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams get a white blanket of fresh powder, and the snow report for the backcountry regains its trance-like hold. But most of all, we know it’s winter because theWassail starts flowing once again.

NEW RELEASE: Full Sail Spotless IPA

The first of the “Brewmaster Reserve” series of beers from Full Sail (Hood River, OR) have arrived.  In relation, the Brewmaster Reserve line is like a side project – much like Terrapin’s Side Projects, or Sweetwater’s Dank Tank series.  Full Continue Reading →

Posted in Beer News, Full Sail Brewing, New Releases

Jimvar “Great Cause” Bohemian Pilsner

Full Sail Brewing is releasing “Jimvar Bohemian Pilsner” into their Brewer’s Share lineup this summer.  Brewer’s Share is a series of draft only offerings employees get the opportunity to brew a small batch recipe for the brewery tap room & brewery. This pilsner, – a great beer for summer drinking, is brewed by Jim Kelter of Full Sail.  Proceeds from the sale of these kegs goes support FISH Food Bank, a group helping alleviate hunger.

Hops: Czech Saaz
Malts: 2-Row Pale
5.6% ABV

Full Press Release

Hood River, Oregon —Sunny days, warm winds and refreshing beers to enjoy with friends, summer has finally arrived! To welcome the season and Oregon Craft Beer Month, Full Sail will release a new beer in theirBrewer’s Share line up: Jimvar Bohemian Pilsner brewed by Brewmaster Jim Kelter. Brewed with 2-row pale malt, and Czech Saaz hops, this well rounded lager, with its clean palate and spicy hop character, is the perfect brew for summertime. Jimvar is crisp, refreshing, and invites pure contentment with every sip. (ABV 5.6% IBU 34)
“Given the opportunity to contribute to Full Sail’s line of Brewer’s Share beers this summer (and my family’s Bohemian roots) my decision to brew a Bohemian Pilsner was a natural choice. Bohemians, have a long, proud brewing heritage dating back to the 13th century; ample time to perfect their craft. This is evident in their signature beer style, Pilsner, first rolled out in the mid 1800s and widely emulated since then. I’ve joined the fray with Jimvar. Included in your summertime pursuits, may this beer provide as much enjoyment to you as I had brewing it,” said Kelter.

Full Sail has scheduled two “Meet the Brewmaster and the Beer” events to showcase this new beer. The first Meet Brewmaster and the Beer event will be at Full Sail at Riverplace in Portland, Tuesday, June 21 from 5:00 — 6:30PM. The second is at the Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River, on Wednesday, June 22nd from 5:00 to 6:30PM. Join the Full Sail crew to celebrate and toast a pint of this new brew.


With each Brewer’s Share series beer, Full Sail picks a local charity to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer. Jim has chosen to support the FISH Food Bank, and every keg of Jimvar benefits this volunteer organization. Their mission is to help alleviate hunger by distributing food regularly and on an emergency basis, regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation and in a friendly, instant, sympathetic, helpful, nonjudgmental and confidential manner.

The Brewer’s Share series is a line-up of small batch draft beers where each Full Sailor takes a turn hand-crafting their own single batch recipe and a portion of the proceeds benefit a local charity of their choosing. Full Sail’s Brewer’s Share beers will only be available on tap at Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River, Oregon, and at Full Sail’s Brewery at Riverplace, in Portland, Oregon. Growlers to go are available. Jimvar will also be featured at the Oregon Craft Beer Month Kick Off Dinner and Beer Tasting on July 1 at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Oregon and at the Oregon Brewer’s Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park July 27 — 30th. The next Brewer’s Share will be brewed by Brewer Dan Peterson and is expected in late Mid September.

In recognition of the positive impact that Oregon craft brewers have made to our communities, the entire month of July has been designated by the Governor as Oregon Craft Beer Month. “It is an honor to brew a beer forOregon Craft Beer Month with one of my own recipes,” added Kelter.

About Full Sail Brewing Company:
The independent and employee-owned Full Sail Brewery is perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the most epic wind and kite surfing spot in the world. At this very moment 47 specialists in the liquid refreshment arts are crafting barley and hops into your next beer. Among the company’s most popular brews are Full Sail Amber, IPA, Pale, LTD, Session and Session Black Premium lager. Founded in 1987, the Full Sail crew has been fermenting godlike nectar for 24 years. Committed to brewing great beer andsustainable practices their award winning brews are now available in 27 states. The Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub is open seven days a week. Swing by for a pint, grab a bite, tour the brewery, or just soak up the view.http://www.fullsailbrewing.com

About Oregon Craft Beer Month:

The breweries of Oregon and the products they produce are known around the world for quality and innovation. More importantly, beer culture is an ingrained piece of the social fabric of our great state. Beer means more here, welcome to Beervana.

For more information about Oregon Craft Beer Month and a list of brewery celebrations throughout the state please visit: http://www.oregoncraftbeermonth.com

 

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Full Sail Brewing, New Releases

Full Sail Elevates Their Hop Game

Full Sail Brewing (Hood River, OR) is elevating it’s hop game.  Elevation has been released into the breweries Brewmaster Reserve Series.

Elevation is a testament to Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, forests, & water.  It’s a big hoppy imperial ipa full of pacific northwest hops, and pale malts.

Oregon’s Cascade Mountains are named for the multitudes of cascading waters that rush from their glacial peaks. Oregon’s rushing rivers, cascading streams and thundering waterfalls all flow through the deep forests and rolling foothills. It is from these epic elevations that every batch of Full Sail beer sources its water

Style: Imperial IPA
Hops: Citra, Chinook, Columbus, Cascade, Centennial
Malts: Pale, Crystal
Taste Expectations: Lots of hop flavor – “aromas of orange zest & lemon.” Caramel biscuity malt flavor..
Availability: 22oz bomber, draft. June-September, 2011

7.5% ABV, 80 IBUs

[toggle title_open=”Full Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default”]

Hood River, Or — Oregon’s Cascade Mountains are named for the multitudes of cascading waters that rush from their glacial peaks. Oregon’s rushing rivers, cascading streams and thundering waterfalls all flow through the deep forests and rolling foothills. It is from these epic elevations that every batch of Full Sail beer sources its water. Full Sail’s newBrewmaster Reserve release, Elevation Imperial IPA, is brewed to celebrate these snow-capped mountains and their bounty of pristine, crystal clear water.

This Imperial IPA’s full malt body is elevated by the richness of hop flavor and bitterness. Generous amounts of Citra, Chinook, Columbus, Cascade and Centennial hops give this beer a wonderful aroma of orange zest and lemon. The citrus from the hops is complemented by a caramel biscuity malt flavor that comes from the pale and crystal malts blend. Elevation finishes balanced with a pronounced hop kick. Available in 22oz Bottles and Draught from June to September. ABV 7.5% IBUs: 80

“We are excited to add this new brew to our Brewmaster Reserve Line-up, as a small, independent craft brewer we have the freedom to be creative and explore different beer styles. Every eight to ten weeks we come out with a different beer that showcases the brewer’s art. We began the program back in 1998 as a way of celebrating our independence and creativity,” said Full Sail’s Founder and CEO, Irene Firmat.

The next beer in Full Sail’s 2011 Brewmaster Reserve program with be Sanctuary, a Belgian Dubbel, and will be released in September.  Click herefor a full list of Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve beers.

 

About Full Sail Brewing Company:
The independent and employee-owned Full Sail Brewery is perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the most epic wind and kite surfing spot in the world. At this very moment 47 specialists in the liquid refreshment arts are crafting barley and hops into your next beer. Among the company’s most popular brews are Full Sail Amber, IPA, Pale, LTD, Session and Session Black Premium lager. Founded in 1987, the Full Sail crew has been fermenting godlike nectar for 24 years. Committed to brewing great beer and sustainable practices their award winning brews are now available in 27 states. The Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub is open seven days a week.  Swing by for a pint, grab a bite, tour the brewery, or just soak up the view. http://www.fullsailbrewing.com

 

[/toggle]

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Full Sail Brewing, New Releases

New Release: Full Sail LTD 5 R

The next seasonal edition in Full Sail Brewing’s (Hood River, OR) LTD Series is “5” or “LTD 5.”  5 is a amber lager, and well crafted one at that.

Commercial Description:
For those who love amber ales, here’s a Limited Edition Lager that is so crazy good, you might convert to lagerism. New in our LTD series, this copper colored lager is refreshingly smooth, with a hint of dark roast and a clean hoppy finish. Brewed with pale, chocolate, caramel malts and hopped with Czech Saaz hops.

Style: American Amber Lager
Hops: Saaz, Willamette, Glacier
Malts: Pale, Chocolate, Caramel

Taste Expectations: Expect a balance lager. Bready, & nutty.  Toasty.  Earthy, grassy hops shine through in finish.

Availability: 12oz/6pks.  Draft.  March-June.

5.6% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Full Sail Brewing, New Releases

Full Sail Releases “Black Gold”

Full Sail Black Gold LabelFull Sail Brewing kicks off February with the release of Black Gold, an imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels.  Black Gold is part Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve Series.

The first of the bottles have been released at the Full Sail Tasting Room in Hood River, Oregon, with more bottles being distributed around the state.  If this beer is as good as it sounds, it might not get far out of Oregon.

Commercial Description:
A hearty brew that is black as night with a strong roasted malt character and a full body. After its initial release in January 2010, our Imperial Stout was aged for a full year in Bourbon casks from Kentucky. This extended aging presents hints vanilla and oak. This, combined with the robust character of the Imperial Stout make for a smooth, wonderful taste experience. A hearty cellar beer.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged)

Availability: 22oz Bombers. Very limited release.

11.4% ABV

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Full Sail Brewing

Full Sail LTD #4

I think there needs to be more lagers brewed by craft brewers in the United States.  I would like more lager choices, especially in the summertime.  Full Sail Brewing (Hood River, OR) has a very popular “Sessions” Lager & “Sessions Black”.  In addition, the brewery has a limited series – aka “LTD Series” of small batch experimental lagers.  One of few craft brewers in the U.S. to experiment with lagers.  Here’s Full Sail’s take on things:

Hood River, Or – “Sometimes the best of a brewer’s art, like jazz, can be shown by the notes you don’t play. In our case we bring that elegance of simplicity into our new limited edition lager brewed with one select barley and one of the best Northwest hops. By choosing to focus on these two single “notes” we highlight the finely balanced and complex interplay between the malt and hops. LTD 04 is a beautiful pale-golden color and brewed to highlight the elegant simplicity of both the pale malt and Willamette hops,” said Irene Firmat, Full Sail’s CEO and Founder. LTD 04 has been brewed, bottled, and kegged and is now shipping from the brewery.

LTD means limited edition, but according to Firmat, at Full Sail it means something even more: Live the Dream. “We’ve been living out our dream: brewing beer, our own way, in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We dedicate our LTD Series to everyone who’s living the dream, whatever that dream might be.”

“Our LTD Series is a great way to offer our customers a distinctive series of small batch lager beers that celebrate our creativity and honor the rich brewing heritage of great lager beer styles. Each LTD beer showcases an original lager recipe and is only available for a limited time. It lets us explore some of our favorite beer styles and we are thrilled at the response we have generated. Not only do our fans love this series, critics love it too. Since its release in 2007, our LTD Series has brought home 10 gold medals from the World Beer Championships and one from the North American Beer Awards,” added Firmat.

LTD 04 registers “Pale” on the “Malt-O-Meter” that is featured on the six packs. Beer aficionados, or the aspiring ones, will enjoy the bottom of the six-pack that features an easy-to-read chart of “Today’s Recipe,” including Willamette hops, 2 row pale malt, plato (18 degrees), IBU (45), alcohol by volume (7%) and any special ingredients. LTD 04 will be available in six-packs and draught from early December through March.

About Full Sail Brewing Company:
The independent and employee-owned Full Sail Brewery is perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the most epic wind and kite surfing spot in the world. At this very moment 47 specialists in the liquid refreshment arts are crafting barley and hops into your next beer. Among the company’s most popular brews are Full Sail Amber, IPA, Pale, LTD, Session and Session Black Premium lager. Founded in 1987, the Full Sail crew has been fermenting godlike nectar for 23 years. Committed to brewing great beer and sustainable practices their award winning brews are now available in 27 states. The Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub is open seven days a week. Swing by for a pint, grab a bite, tour the brewery, or just soak up the view.  http://www.fullsailbrewing.com

Shiner Cheer. Dunkelweizen.  Brewed w/ peaches & pecans.  Sweet caramel malts, nutty w/ subtle fruit. 5.4%

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Full Sail Brewing, Seasonal Return

Full Sail Wassail Winter Ale

Full Sail Wassail was first brewed by Full Sail Brewing (Hood River, Oregon)  in 1988.  Like some other seasonals this time of year, each year the taste is just a little different.

From Full Sail:

In Hood River, every year a few undeniable signs signal when winter is at the doorstep. The cool east winds begin to blow, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams get a white blanket of fresh powder, and the snow report for the backcountry regains its trance-like hold. But most of all, we know it’s winter because theWassail starts flowing once again.

“Brewing Wassail is an annual tradition here at Full Sail. We have brewed Wassail every holiday season since 1988 and it’s now as much a part of the festivities as sharing a roaring fire with our closest family and friends. It’s no wonder this multi-medal winner is one of our favorite beers to brew. Choosing our ingredients for Wassail is like taking time to choose the perfect gift. Each year we carefully select the best hops and malts to brew this special beer. This year’s Wassail is brewed with a range of caramel malts and dark chocolate malts giving it a deep mahogany color and a full malty body. We used a blend of Pacific Northwest hops for a pleasant hoppy aroma and finish creating a deliciously balanced beer that appeals to both hop and malt lovers alike. It’s like our own little Christmas miracle,” said Jamie Emmerson, Full Sail’s Executive Brewmaster.

The Wassail packaging features a vintage postcard of the scenic Hood River Valley dusted with snow. In the spirit of tradition, a snow-covered douglas-fir tree looms in the foreground and Mt. Hood rises majestically in the background. Wassail makes the ideal gift for the beer enthusiasts in your life, and is the perfect accompaniment to the desserts and flavorful dishes that the holidays bring. Look for Wassail six packs at your favorite store, or on draught at your local restaurant or pub. Wassail will be widely available October through December. ABV 7% IBU 56.

In 2010 Wassail was awarded its sixth gold medal, and was rated “Exceptional” at the World Beer Championships (WBC) and was rated “Superb” by Wine Enthusiast. Wassail previously won a platinum medal and a “superlative” rating at the 2005 WBC, a gold medal at the 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2004 WBC, and three silver medals in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Style: Winter Warmer

Taste Expectations: Caramel, bread, cocoa.  Herbal & spicy hops. Nutty. Complex, enjoyable.

Availability: 12oz/6 pks. Draft.  Nov-Dec, Seasonal.

7% ABV

56 IBUS

Image: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Full Sail Brewing, New Releases

NEW RELEASE: Full Sail Spotless IPA

The first of the “Brewmaster Reserve” series of beers from Full Sail (Hood River, OR) have arrived.  In relation, the Brewmaster Reserve line is like a side project – much like Terrapin’s Side Projects, or Sweetwater’s Dank Tank series.  Full Sail describes their Reserve series like so –

“Brewers are kinda like mad scientists. We’re always tinkering away with some new recipe in our lab (insert maniacal laugh here). We’ve let our own mad scientist brewers unleash their brewing chops on the public. The result: our rotating selection of Brewmaster Reserve beers releasing roughly every 10 weeks. From barleywines to super-hopped bitters to crispy light lagers, it’s all about the love of good beer.”

This new release “Spotless” is an IPA.  Again from Full Sail –

“The warm west winds signal the start of the summer season as kiteboarders and windsurfers light up the river in a swirl of color. You can watch the sight from the vantage point of Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub and savor the newest release in their Brewmaster Reserve series, Spotless IPA. This release continues Full Sail’s summer “sun” series. Named to honor our sun that has been spotless for over a year, Spotless is a true Northwest style IPA – richly hopped with Willamette and Zeus hops. A deep golden color, bright bitterness and a definite fruity finish meld into a beer that is all set to toast the summer months. It will be available in specialty beer stores and pubs throughout the Pacific Northwest from June to August.”

Hops: Willamette, Zeus

Availability: 22oz Bombers, Draft. 1 time Brewmaster’s Reserve brew

6.5% ABV

70 IBU’s

If you check out their website (www.fullsailbrewing.com)  you’ll see some of the past beer from this series.

by Reid Ramsay