Brewstillery at StormBreaker Brewing – Beer ~ Spirits ~Jucy Lucy Burgers ~ and More!

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Steven Shomler

Brewstillery at StormBreaker Brewing - Beer ~ Spirits ~Juicy Lucy Burgers ~ and More!

Brewstillery at StormBreaker Brewing!

Beer ~ Spirits ~ Jucy Lucy Burgers ~ and More!

On Saturday Feb 24^th, 2018 from Noon – 8 PM StormBreaker Brewing will be hosting the 2018 edition of Brewstillery – Portland’s Beer and Spirits Pairing Festival!

They will have 21 Breweries, 20 Distilleries, and one great burger!

This will be my 4th year attending this awesome Portland Beer Festival, and each year it just gets better!

Below, at the end of this article – I have advance photos of the program so you can read about each pairing and scope out the ones that you want to enjoy when you attend Brewstillery.

Brewstillery at StormBreaker Brewing - Beer ~ Spirits ~Juicy Lucy Burgers ~ and More!

Between the Brewstillery Media Preview I attended and the Portland Beer Podcast Brewstillery 2018 Preview I recorded, I have been lucky enough to enjoy quite a few of the Beer/Spirit Pairings they will be pouring this year.

Of the ones I have previewed – my very favorite 2018 Brewstillery pairing was the

Nocino Vlad – Cascade Brewing Orange Vlad + Stone Barn Brandyworks Nocino

I also really enjoyed these parings-

Gin Beast: Little Beast Brewing Bes Tart Wheat ale + Rose City Distilling Cricket Club Gin

Mesclando Sabores – Baerlic Brewing Oatmeal Stout + Engenho Buritide Minas Famosinhade Minas Cachaca

Noble’s big Triple – StormBreaker Brewing Barrel Aged Big Bottom Triple XL IIIPA + Big Bottom Distilling Bourbon Finished in Port Casks

To Peach Their Own: Ecliptic Brewing Carina peach sour ale + Townshend’s Distillery Bluebird Alpine Liqueur

Breakfast Time! Great Notion Brewing Double Stack Imperial Stout + Bull Run Distillery Oregon Single Malt Whiskey

Douglas Rain: Pelican Brewing Umbrella IPA + Clear Creek Distillery Douglas Fir Brandy

Brewstillery at StormBreaker Brewing - Beer ~ Spirits ~ Juicy Lucy Burgers ~ and More!

The Jucy Lucy Burger!

They have a fantastic burger at Stormbreaker Brewing — The Jucy Lucy!

This gem of a burger is inspired by the wonderful regional burger you can get in the Twin Cities, is a fontina cheese stuffed burger and it comes with bacon jam, iceberg lettuce, tomato and herb aioli.

My suggestion – go to Stormbreaker for Brewstillery and have some off the Beer and Spirit pairings and then take a break and fuel up with the Jucy Lucy before going back for even more of the 2018 Brewstillery Beer and Spirit pairings!

Brewstillery at StormBreaker Brewing – Beer ~ Spirits ~Jucy Lucy Burgers ~ and More!

Tickets to the 2018 Brewstillery edition of Brewstillery

Advance Tickets will be on sale on the Stormbreaker website until Saturday 2/24/18 at 10 AM

Advance Regular Admission is $25. Includes festival beer tasting glass and 10 tickets.

Advance VIP tickets are $45. Includes festival whiskey snifter, festival beer tasting glass, 15 tickets, and early entry and mingle with makers such as Big Bottom, New Basin, Rose City Distilling, StormBreaker and more!

Use code “stormbreaker5” at checkout to save $5 off advance general admission tickets

Use code “brewstillery5OFF” at checkout to save $5 off of Advance VIP tickets

Link for Tickets

www.merctickets.com/events/50901994/4th-annual-brewstillery-festival

Music

Playing this year at Brewstillery 2018

Noon – 2:00 PM Ben Rice Band

2:30 PM – 4:30 PM Folk Inception

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Jumptown Aces

Breweries and Distillers

Here is the complete list of Breweries and Distillers participating in Brewstillery 2018

Baerlic Brewing / Engenho Buriti de Minas
Base Camp Brewing / Wild Roots
Breakside Brewing / House Spirits
Cascade Brewing / Stone Barn Brandyworks
Coalition Brewing / 4 Spirits Distillery
Coin Toss Brewing / Trail Distilling
Double Mountain Brewing / Hood River Distillers
Ecliptic Brewing / Townshend’s Distillery
Ex Novo Brewing / New Basin Distilling
Golden Valley / Stein Distillery
Great Notion Brewing / Bull Run Distillery
Hopworks / New Deal Distillery
Laurelwood Brewing / Camp 1805
Little Beast Brewing / Rose City Distilling
Lompoc Brewing / Rolling River Spirits
Migration Brewing / Hood River Distillers
Pelican Brewing / Clear Creek Distillery
Rogue Brewing / Rogue Distilling
Von Ebert Brewing / Eastside Distillery
Wild Ride Brewing / Bend Distillery
StormBreaker / Big Bottom Distilling

The 2018 Brewstillery Pairings

Brewstillery Portland’s Beer and Spirits Pairing Festival 2018 Preview - Portland Beer Podcast Episode 58

Food!

Make sure to plan on having a meal or two while you are at the Holiday Ale Festival. They have some terrific options.

Urban German Grill is always a great choice – I had their Schwienebrater (pork roast) and it was amazing as always!

City Slickers PDX is new this year to the Holiday Ale Festival this year. I had their pulled pork nachos and they were fantastic!

Family Nut Tree Company is back again with their wonderful nuts! Yesterday Don and I had their sesame roasted trifecta – filberts, cashews, and peanuts – so good! However I do wish that they had used hazelnuts instead of filberts. I just like the taste of hazelnuts better. 😉

Holiday Ale Festival 20017 Recommendations!

Holiday Ale Festival 20017 Recommendations! Great Food Great Stories Steven Shomler

On to The Beer!

I love what I call “Christmas beers” – dark, rich, complex, high ABV beers. While there is plenty of beer like that available for you to enjoy, there is also a number of other great styles there as well including – bocks, IPAs, sours, and more!

My very favorite beer was the Eel River Brewing Co. Conspiracy of Ravens Chocolate Coconut Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Oatmeal/Milk Stout.

Goodness that was an amazing beer! I predict that it will be one of the first standard beers to blow!

My second favorite beer was Don’s very favorite beer – Golden Sour Ale aged in White Wine Barrels with Mulberries, Candied Ginger, Orange Peel, and Muscat Raisins. A stellar holiday sour beer!

Here listed in alphabetical order are the other beers/ciders/mead I recommend that you try while you are at the 2017 Holiday Ale Festival.

2 Towns Ciderhouse Bourbon Barrel Nice & Naughty Imperial Cider. A perfect holiday cider!

54°40′ Brewing Co. Restoration Bock Dopplebock. There are a couple of Bocks at the 2017 Holiday Ale festival and this is one of the good ones. Don said it was of a maibock, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.

Base Camp Brewing Co. Barrel Aged Imperial S’more Stout Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout. I love the regular S’more Stout and have for many years. Getting to have a barreled aged version was awesome!

Bear Republic Brewing Co. Olive the Other Reindeer Dark Sour. A fun name and a great sour!

Drake’s Brewing Co. Vin-Drak Wine Grape Fermented Imperial Stout. I do loved beer that have been aged in wine barrels. Perhaps Ezra should do a beer festival with that theme…

Fremont Brewing Winter Fuego Imperial Winter Ale. A lovely “Christmas beer”, if you like beer with cacao nibs – this one is for you.

Hopworks Urban Brewery Yule Only Live Once Imperial Dessert Beer. This beer is sweet as fuck. It really is a “dessert” beer and something to try, because well – YOLO!

Lagunitas Brewing Co. Gin Sally AKA Gin Barrel Aged Aunt Sally – a Barrel Aged Blend. I love gin, and if you love gin, get a taster pour of this beer! Please note – Don was not wrong when he said that this beer is a “over the top, gin bomb!”

Lompoc Brewing Top Shelf Dubbel, Old Sport Belgian Dubbel. If it raining while you are drinking this beer, look up through the see-through tent and imagine that you sitting in front a fireplace while a storm rages outside. Its that kind of a beer.

Holiday Ale Festival 20017 Recommendations! Great Food Great Stories Steven Shomler

Modern Times Beer Black House Vanilla Macadamia Nut Latte Oatmeal Coffee Stout with Vanilla and Macadamia Nuts. Wow! A complex beer that really delivers.

Montavilla Brew Works Severe Concussion IPA Triple IPA. If you like IPAs, get this beer!

Nectar Creek Top Bar Coffee Session Mead. Who would have thought the best coffee beer at the Holiday Ale Festival would be a mead.

pFriem Family Brewers Juicy Winter Ale Winter Ale. The best IPA at the 2017 Holiday Ale Festival.

Portland Cider Co. Cranberry Sauced Spiced Fruit Cider. I love cranberry in both beer and cider, and this cider nails it!

Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider Warm Abbey Spice with Cranberry Cider. A warm cider that is not to be missed!

Holiday Ale Festival 20017 Recommendations! Great Food Great Stories Steven Shomler

StormBreaker Brewing Barrel Aged Kilt By Death Barrel Aged Scotch Ale. By the time we got this one, Don and I had sampled a number of beers in a row that were not to our liking. When he took a drink of this beer, he smiled broadly and said “actually this is really good” If you like Scotch Ales this one you need to try.

Three Mugs Brewing Co. Mrs Claus’s Peppermint Desire White Chocolate Ale Blonde Ale with White Chocolate and Peppermint. OMFG. As Don succinctly described this “beer” – “It’s like drinking a God damn candy cane!” This “beer” is too crazy to pass up.

If you are with a group, only have once person get a taster and pass it around. Just a sip will be all you will need.

Wayfinder Beer Rotorvator Doppelbock Doppelbock. The best Bock at the 2017 Holiday Ale Fest and a overall wonderful beer! This beer was named for the second album from the group Coil – Horse Rototvator 1986.

I hope to see you at the 2017 Holiday Ale Fest!

Cheers,

Steven

Holiday Ale Festival 20017 Recommendations! Great Food Great Stories Steven Shomler

Posted in Beer Events, Beer Festival, Holiday Ale Festival | Tagged Beer, Beer Portland, Cider, City Slickers PDX, Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project 5 Golden Rings, Don Scheidt, Don Scheidt Portland Beer Writer, Eel River Brewing Co Conspiracy of Ravens, Great Food Great Stories, Holiday Ale Festival, Holiday Ale Festival 20017 Recommendations!, Holiday Ale Festival 2017, Like Drinking a God Damn Candy Cane, Portland Beer Festivals, Steven Shomler, Steven Shomler Culinary Storyteller, Three Mugs Brewing Co Mrs Claus's Peppermint Desire White Chocolate Ale, Urban German Grill | Leave a comment

Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Steven Shomler

Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series

Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series

The HR Group is offering a fantastic series for those who are work in Oregon craft beer – “Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshops are designed to promote, educate, and support the people and businesses in the Oregon Craft Beer industry.”

This series will have 10 sessions – one per month from Feb 2017 to Nov 2017.

2017 Dates for the Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series

February 15, March 13, April 17, May 16, June 5, July 10, August 15, September 12, October 16, and November 15.

Who Should Attend

I attended session one – which took place Feb 15th and it was fantastic. I would say that if you are part of a Portland area start up or business in any industry you would do well to attend this event. Then content presented at this first session was very helpful and would apply to any business or start up.

Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series

March 13th, 2017 — Standing Out from the Crowd: Strategies for Building and Maintaining Great Wholesale Relationships

The next Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop is happening March 13th from 2 PM – 4 PM at Base Camp Brewing 930 SE Oak St, Portland, Oregon 97214.

See this link for tickets — www.merctickets.com/events/41520473/standing-out-from-the-crowd-strategies-for-building-and-maintaining-great-wholesale-relationships

Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series

This workshop titled – Standing Out from the Crowd: Strategies for Building and Maintaining Great Wholesale Relationships will be taught by Dr. Sam Holloway, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at University of Portland, and President of Craftingastrategy.com.

“The craft beer consumer is increasingly promiscuous, which places an increased burden on your wholesale partners to consistently offer new and exciting brands and styles. How can you be sure your products are featured and promoted over the long run?

Dr. Sam Holloway, will discuss the wholesaler’s viewpoint, supplier strategies and tactics, and help ensure your brewery’s product capture and hold attention throughout the distribution chain.”

Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series

February 15th, 2017 — Developing Healthy Brewery Culture Through Effective Leadership.

The first Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop took place at Alameda Brewing on Feb 15th, 2017. The presenters that day were Ben Edmunds Founding Brewmaster Breakside Brewery and Nicole Kasten Founder of Beer Connections.

Nicole Kasten 8 Things Brewers Need to Know – Portland Beer Podcast Episode Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series

Nicole Kasten 8 Things Brewers Need to Know – Portland Beer Podcast Episode 16

Speaking of Nicole Kasten, last fall I had her on the Portland Beer Podcast and she taught about 8 Things that Brewers Need to Know.

Here is a link to that episode – www.portlandbeerpodcast.com/2016/12/14/nicole-kasten-8-things-brewers-need-to-know-portland-beer-podcast-episode-16

“Whether you own a brewery, are part of a brewery, want to someday own a brewery, or are part of a startup that has nothing to do with the beer business, you will find this podcast to be helpful, informative, and entertaining”

Photos From the First Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop –Developing Brewery Culture Through Effective Leadership

Below are a few photos I took at the first Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop — Healthy Brewery Culture Through Effective Leadership.

Cheers,

Steven Shomler

Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series

Posted in Beer, Beer Event, Portland Beer Event, Upcoming Culinary Event | Tagged 8 Things Brewers Need to Know Portland Beer Podcast, Beer Connections, Ben Edmunds, Ben Edmunds Breakside Brewery, Crafting a Strategy, Developing Healthy Brewery Culture Through Effective Leadership, Nicole Kasten, Nicole Kasten 8 Things Brewers Need to Know, Nicole Kasten Beer Connections, Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop, Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series, Sam Holloway, Sam Holloway Crafting a Strategy, Standing Out from the Crowd: Strategies for Building and Maintaining Great Wholesale Relationships, The HR Group, WeDoHR | Leave a comment

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night at Solae’s Lounge

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Steven Shomler

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night Presented by Steven Shomler

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night Presented by Steven Shomler

Saturday evening March 25th from 8 PM – Midnight a very special event is happening at Solae’s Lounge — Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night.

Solae’s Lounge is located at 1801 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211.

Below is the story of how this event came to be and how to be and the details on the three awesome Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktails that will be served that night — the Shark Fin, Pirate Booty, and the Sour Tortola.

Click Going

If you are going to Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night at Solae’s Lounge you can let us know here via this Facebook event – www.facebook.com/events/1175170619248158. We want to make sure that Alan makes enough Kool-Aid Pickles! 😉

Reverend Nat’s Holy Water(melon) Cider Cocktail Night at Box Social

Last September I did my first cocktail event — Reverend Nat’s Holy Water(melon) Cider Cocktail Night at Box Social and doing that was so much fun!

Since then I have been on the lookout to do another one.

Food Carts, Radio, and Synchronicity

On Sunday Dec 11th I went to Hana’s PDX Food Cart for the first time ever. I got a great cup of chili because they were sold out of the jambalaya. I saw on the menu something called a Kool-Aid Pickle. I had never of heard this before and I ordered one from Alan Bell, the owner of Hana’s PDX.

Alan explained to me that he take a regular pickle and marinates it in Kool-Aid and that doing so gives it three progressive layers of flavor when you bite into it — pickle, Kool-Aid, and pickle. As Alan told me all about the Kool-Aid Pickle I looked at him like he had lost his damn mind.

I bit into my Kool-Aid pickle and he was completely right – I tasted pickle, Kool-Aid, and pickle. As soon and took my bite I said, out loud — “I want this in a cocktail.” Alan then looked at me like I had lost my damn mind.

As fate would have it I was headed to see a friend and I took half of my pickle to show them and to share it with them. Leaving out my cocktail ideas, I explained the glorious insanity that is a Kool-Aid pickle and they took a bite.

The first they said after taking that bite was – and I quote – “I want this in a cocktail.” BAM! Right then I knew that I would be a Kool-Aid Cocktail event! But where????

I host an FM radio show — Tasty Tuesday 99.1 FM Portland Radio Project. Every Tuesday at 9:00 AM I have a Food Cart guest live and in studio. On Saturday Dec 10th, the guest scheduled for Tuesday Dec 13th had canceled, and once I had tasted Alan’s food on Sunday the 11th, I asked him if he wanted to come on the air on Tuesday and he said “yes.”

Tuesday morning Dec 13th, Alan shows up for his radio appearance and he brings a friend with him. Once the on air interview was over I talked with Alan about a getting bunch of his Kool- Aid pickles for the Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail event I was going to do.

Alan was all for it and he asked me where I am going to do this event. I said that I did not know yet. It was then that the friend that Alan had brought with him —Lalu Mouton, spoke up and said “I am the General Manager of Solae’s Lounge and we can host that event there.” BAM! That is how my life works.

Synchronicity is real my friends. You head out toward what you want and then, once you have walked a ways down that path with determination, things will begin to come together for you. As Henry David Thoreau put it –“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams…” www.IfOneAdvances.com

Three Awesome Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktails

Maharlika Erickson is a very good bartender and he has come up with three awesome cocktails, and each one has a Hana’s PDX Food Cart Kool-Aid pickle component.

The best way to enjoy a Kool-Aid Pickle is:

#1 Sip the cocktail and taste it

#2 Bite the Kool-Aid Pickle and taste it

#3 Take a second bite of the pickle and then immediately take a sip of the cocktail and notice how the Kool-Aid pickle enhances your drink.

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night Presented by Steven Shomler

Shark Fin

The Shark Fin cocktail is a riff on a Chauncey a cocktail that was first written about in 1935 in the The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book.

This cocktail features Gin, Rye, Brandy, and a Cherry Kool-Aid Pickle.

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night at Solae’s Lounge

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night Presented by Steven Shomler

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night at Solae’s Lounge

Pirate Booty

This cocktail is a riff on A Rum Daisy and it features Cannon Beach Distillery Dorymen’s Rum, and a Tropical Punch Kool-Aid pickle.

Indio Spirits Vodka Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night at Solae’s Lounge

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night Presented by Steven Shomler

Indio Spirits Vodka Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night at Solae’s Lounge

The Sour Tortola

This cocktail features Indio Spirits Vodka and a Pink Lemonade Kool-Aid pickle.

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night Presented by Steven Shomler

Music

Saturday evening March 25th, The Flat Nines will be on stage at Solae’s and I cannot wait to hear them.

Click Going

Solae’s Lounge is located at 1801 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211.

I hope to see you Saturday evening March 25th! this event is happening from 8 PM – Midnight. We are going to have a great time!

Below are a few more photos!

Cheers,

Steven Shomler

I am Steven Shomler I write about the great food and the great stories that I come across on my culinary adventures!
|

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night Presented by Steven Shomler

Posted in Cocktail Event, Cocktails, Culinary Event, Spirits | Tagged Alan Bell, Alan Bell Hana's PDX Food Cart, Cherry Kool-Aid, Cherry Kool-Aid Pickle, Cocktails, Cocktails Portland, Gin, Hana's PDX, Hana's PDX Food Cart, If One Advances, Jazz, Jazz Portland, Kool-Aid Pickle, Lalu Mouton, Maharlika Erickson, Pink Lemonade Kool-Aid, Pink Lemonade Kool-Aid Pickle, Pirate Booty Cocktail, Portland Food Carts, Portland Jazz, Portland Jazz Bar, Portland Radio Project, Rum, Rum Daisy, Shark Fin Cocktail, Solae's Lounge, Synchronicity, Tasty Tuesday Radio Show, The Chauncey Cocktail, The Flat Nines, The Sour Tortola Cocktail, Tropical Punch Kool-Aid, Tropical Punch Kool-Aid Pickle, Vodka | Leave a comment

Portland Meet The Sushi Donut!

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Steven Shomler

Portland Meet The Sushi Donut Great Food Great Stories Steven Shomler

Portland Meet The Sushi Donut!

February, 2016 Alex Naung, the Founder of Wasabi Sushi PDX was the first chef to bring the Sushi B-Ritto to the Portland area when he introduced it at his first food cart – Wasabi Sushi PDX At Happy Valley Station.

Today you can enjoy a Sushi B-Ritto at all three Wasabi Sushi PDX locations — The Wasabi Sushi PDX at Happy Valley Station Food Cart, The Wasabi Sushi PDX at Tidbit Food Cart, and Wasabi Sushi PDX at CARTlab.

Portland Meet The Sushi Donut Great Food Great Stories Steven Shomler

A year later Alex is bringing the Sushi Donut to Portland! Tomorrow, February 24, 2017 Alex will be unveiling the Sushi Donut at all three of his locations. I enjoyed a sushi donut this afternoon at CARTLab and it is a true culinary delight.

The initial sushi donut menu at Wasabi Sushi PDX will have three items —

#1 A Sushi Donut with Crab Salad Filling

#2 A Sushi Donut with Spicy Tuna Filling

#3 A Seared Salmon Sushi Donut with either Crab Salad Filling or Spicy Tuna Filling

I suggest you go to the Wasabi Sushi PDX location closest to you and get yourself a sushi donut ASAP.

By the way – in April Alex will be opening his 4th location in the Matterhorn Building at 940 SE Madison St, Portland, Oregon. I can’t wait to see what the menu there will have on it.

Here are a few photos of the sushi donut I devoured this afternoon. I took my sushi donut to Culmination Brewing and once the photos were taken I paired it with a pour of Culmination’s Amaterasu Yuzu Wit. Wow – every time I have sushi with that beer I am very happy man!

Portland Meet The Sushi Donut Great Food Great Stories Steven Shomler

Follow Wasabi Sushi
Website – www.HappyPeopleEatSushi.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/WasabiSushiPDX

Instagram – www.instagram.com/wasabisushipdx

Twitter – www.twitter.com/wasabisushipdx
Cheers,

Steven Shomler

I am Steven Shomler I write about the great food and the great stories that I come across on my culinary adventures!

Posted in Sushi | Tagged Alex Naung, Alex Naung Wasabi Sushi PDX, Portland Sushi, Portland Sushi Donut, Sushi B-Ritto, Sushi Donut, Sushi Donut Portland, Wasabi Sushi PDX, Wasabi Sushi PDX at CARTlab, Wasabi Sushi PDX at Happy Valley Station Food Cart, Wasabi Sushi PDX at Tidbit Food Cart, Wasabi Sushi PDX Sushi Donut | Leave a comment

Toast – The Oregon Distillers Guild Tasting Festival Episode 10 Great Food Great Stories Podcast

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Steven Shomler

The Great Food Great Stories Podcast is now the Portland Culinary Podcast

Here is the link for Toast – The Oregon Distillers Guild Tasting Festival – Portland Culinary Podcast Episode 10 –www.portlandculinarypodcast.com/toast-the-oregon-distillers-guild-tasting-festival-portland-culinary-podcast-episode-10

Toast – The Oregon Distillers Guild Tasting Festival Episode 10 Great Food Great Stories Podcast with Steven Shomler

Episode 10 of the Great Food Great Stories Podcast is here!

In this episode of the Great Food Great Podcast we are talking Toast – The Oregon Distillers Guild Tasting Festival. Toast happens every February here in Portland, Oregon.

This episode begins with Ted Pappas with Big Bottom Distilling and your host Steven Shomler.

Steven and Ted talk about the Oregon Distillers Guild, the best way to enjoy Toast, and Big Bottom Distilling.

Also joining Steven on this episode is Genevieve Brazelton with Improper Goods — RAFT Syrups & The Bitter Housewife, Michelle Vinn with Vinn Distillery, and Kyle Rourke and Tom Dunklin with The Waiting Room Restaurant

The Great Food Great Stories Podcast is available on iTunes —https://itun.es/us/vqOneb.c

To listen to this episode see this SoundCloud link here –

For more information about Toast or to purchase tickets see below or this link here – www.oregondistillerytrail.com

The Great Food Great Stories Podcast is brought to you by Portland Culinary Radio, and is recorded at Culmination Brewing Company. Steven Shomler is the your host.

Many thanks to Ken Wilson the Media Maestro for his amazing engineering and editing!

Toast Info

The 7th Annual TOAST presented by Bruni Glass is happening at Leftbank Annex from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. on February 18!

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Distillers Guild is proud to bring TOAST back to Portland for the seventh year! The best small-batch, handcrafted spirits are on display as 40+ distillers from the Northwest and five of Portland’s top chefs delight your palate during this exciting tasting event. Participants can taste from more than 150 spirits. Some you may have heard of, some may be new but all are delicious. Spirits include whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, liqueur, grappa, brandy, absinthe, aquavit, starka, baiju, and more.

Regional Distillers

This year’s distillers includes 4 Spirits Distillery, Aria, Backdrop Distilling, Big Bottom Distilling, Bull Run Distilling Co., Clear Creek Distillery, Crater Lake Spirits, Crescendo Organic Spirits, Double Circle Spirits, Eastside Distilling, Elixir Craft Spirits, Flooded Fox Den Distillery, Heritage Distilling Co., Hood River Distillers, House Spirits Distillery, Indio Spirits, Intrepid Distilling, JVR Spirits, McMenamins, New Basin Distilling Co., New Deal Distillery, Oregon Spirit Distillers, Pilot House Distilling, Ransom Spirits, Rogue Spirits, Rolling River Spirits, Sinister Distilling Co., Stein Distillery, Stone Barn Brandyworks, Swallowtail Spirits, Thomas & Sons Distillery, Vinn Distillery, and The Walter Collective.

National Distillers

Drink Think – (representing Banhez Mezcal, Combier Orange Liqueur, Combier Pamplemouse, JR Ewing Bourbon, West Cork Irish Whiskey, Pogues Irish Whiskey, St. Elderflower Liqueur, Cold River Vodka, Cold River Gin,and Cold River Blueberry Vodka)

Non Distillers

Other vendors include Sage and Sea Farms (sipping vinegar), Improper Goods (The Bitter Housewife and Raft Syrups), Portland Soda Works, Bradley’s Tonics and Interrobang Vermouth.

Restaurants/Chefs

This year’s restaurants include Boke Bowl, Proletariat Butchery, Smokehouse Tavern, Verdigris and The Waiting Room.

Ticketing info:

TOAST takes place at the Left Bank Annex (101 N Weidler St. Portland, OR 97227) from 4pm-10pm. General admission tickets are $45 and all-inclusive. Your ticket gets you entry to the event, spirit tastings, a commemorative glass, and small plates from the chefs. Go even bigger and get VIP tickets for $65, which includes 2 cocktail tickets and access to the VIP balcony, private bar and the distillers after-party from 10 – 11 p.m. Designated driver tickets are available for $15 and include entry to TOAST, non-alcoholic drinks, and small plates from the chefs.

About the Oregon Distillers Guild:

Formed in 2007, the Oregon Distillers Guild is a nonprofit organization promoting the common interests of distillers in Oregon. The mission of the Guild is to spread the good word that Oregon is a premier destination for spirit aficionados, while furthering our post-Prohibition legislative agenda, all in order to sustain and build a thriving craft spirits industry. www.oregondistillerytrail.com

To listen to this episode see this SoundCloud link here –

Toast - The Oregon Distillers Guild Tasting Festival Episode 10 Great Food Great Stories Podcast with Steven Shomler

Posted in Baiju, Cocktail Event, Cocktails, Culinary Event, Great Food Great Stories Podcast, Podcast, Portland Culinary Events, Portland Culinary Festival, Portland Festival, Restaurant, Spirits, Upcoming Culinary Event, Whiskey | Tagged Baiju, Big Bottom Distilling, Genevieve Brazelton, Great Food Great Stories Podcast, Improper Goods, Kyle Rourke, Michelle Vinn, Oregon Distillers Guild, Oregon Spirits, Portland, Portland Baiju, Portland Culinary Podcast, Portland Podcast, Portland Spirits, RAFT Syrups, Spirits, Spirits Portland, Steven Shomler, Steven Shomler Culinary Storyteller, Steven Shomler Podcast, Ted Pappas, The Bitter Housewife, The Waiting Room, The Waiting Room Restaurant, The Waiting Room Restaurant Portland, Toast, Toast - The Oregon Distillers Guild Tasting Festival, Toast Portland, Tom Dunklin, Vinn Distillery, Whiskey | Leave a comment

Tiffin Asha Makes the Leap from Food Cart to Brick and Mortar!

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Steven Shomler

Tiffin Asha Makes the Leap from Food Cart to Brick and Mortar!

Tonight – Thursday December 5th, 2017 at 5 PM Tiffin Asha the restaurant will open their doors to the public. Tiffin Asha is located at 1670 NE Killingsworth St. Portland, OR 97211.

Tiffin Asha serves cuisine inspired by South India with ‘influences spanning from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.”

I first wrote about Tiffin Asha back in 2013 for Portland Food Cart Adventures. I was lucky enough to be able to visit them on their very first day of business. I still remember that day and the amazing, new to me food that I devoured.

It was that afternoon that I discovered that the majority of Indian food I had previously enjoyed at Indian restaurants often featured the cuisine of Northern India. Tiffin Asha introduced me to many wonderful South India dishes that I have come to love.

Tiffin Asha opened to much well deserved acclaim. Michael Russell named Tiffin Asha one of his Top Ten Food Cart for 2013 –www.oregonlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/08/portlands_top_10_new_food_cart.html and Karen Brooks featured them in this article – www.pdxmonthly.com/articles/2013/6/12/southern-indian-snacks-at-tiffin-asha-june-2013.

In 2014 Tiffin Asha was a chapter in my first book – Portland Food Cart Stories and it has been a joy to follow Elizabeth and Sheila’s journey. I am so proud of them. The goal from the very beginning of Tiffin Asha was to build a brand and a fan base so that they could open up as a restaurant and they have done it!

If you have not yet been to to Tiffin Asha, I encourage you to do so!

Last night I enjoyed an amazing meal at Tiffin Asha with 3 of my friends. We had these five dishes:

Vada Holes – savory dal donut holes, coconut-chili fleur de sel, served with sambar & chutney.

When you go to Tiffin Asha make sure that you get an order of the Vada Holes, they are delightful with a light coconut flavor and I suggest that you choose the coconut chutney.

Lamb Kabab -pomegranate-sesame glazed lamb, resham patti.

I enjoyed the lamb Kabab, but it was very spicy.

Pork Kabab – pork meatballs, cashew butter, candied kumquat.

Wow! This was likely my favorite dish of the evening. It just worked and the candied kumquats were an excellent component.

Hot Chick Dosa – chicken pakora, black cardamom infused honey, pickled kale, creamy yogurt cheese, served with chutney.

This dish is terrific! The Hot Chick was the flagship item when Tiffin Asha was a food cart and I suspect that it will be just as popular at Tiffin Asha the restaurant.

Rava Dosa – crispy dosa made with semolina, shallot, roasted green chili, served with pickle.

Quite delightful. A great option for vegetarians.

Follow Tiffin Asha

Website – www.tiffinasha.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/tiffinasha

Instagram – www.instagram.com/tiffinasha

Twitter – www.twitter.com/tiffinashapdx

Cheers,

Steven Shomler

I am Steven Shomler I write about the great food and the great stories that I come across on my culinary adventures!

Posted in From Food Cart to Brick and Mortar, Indian, New Restaurant, Restaurant | Tagged Brand New Portland Restaurants, Chef Elizabeth Golay, Dosa, Elizabeth Golay, From Food Cart To Brick and Mortar, Hot Chick Tiffin Asha, Indian Cuisine, Killingsworth, Portland Dosa, South India, Tiffin Asha, Tiffin Asha Portland, Vada Holes | Leave a comment

Gabagool – From Food Cart to Brick and Mortar!

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Steven Shomler

Gabagool – From Food Cart to Brick and Mortar!

Gabagool – the brick and mortar restaurant is opening today, Thursday December 22nd, 2016 at 7955 N Lombard St, Portland, Oregon in the St. John’s neighborhood.

They serve, to quote them — “Casual handcrafted Italian food.”

I have been writing about and following Gabagool since 2013 when they opened as a Portland Food Cart at the Beech Pod on Mississippi and Beech, across the street from Stormbreaker Brewing. I am so proud of Ryan and Pete for being able to make the leap from Food Cart to Brick and Mortar! Not many Food Carts are able to do that.

On Tuesday I attended a private event there and the photos below are from that evening. The menu is comprised of the same items they had as a cart and I was thrilled to see that. Ryan and his team makes the pasta fresh every day and I am big fan of their fresh pasta.

The menu (see photos below) also includes piadina, salads, a kids menu, wine and local craft beer.

One thing that caught my eye – Gabagool has a covered outdoor patio that will eventually have seating. I suspect that during summertime this patio will a fantastic place to enjoy a meal.

You can follow Gabagool on Facebook here – www.facebook.com/gabagoolfood

Below is a few more photos from Tuesday evening.

Cheers,

Steven Shomler

I am Steven Shomler I write about the great food and the great stories that I come across on my culinary adventures!

Posted in From Food Cart to Brick and Mortar, Italian, New Restaurant, Pasta, Restaurant | Tagged Brand New Portland Restaurants, Food Cart, From Food Cart To Brick and Mortar, Gabagool, Pasta, Piadina, Portland, Portland Food Cart, Portland Resturant, Restaurant, St John's Neighborhood | Leave a comment

Vanessa Holden Founder Smitten: Artisan Truffles — Episode 9 of the Great Food Great Stories Podcast

Posted on December 10, 2016 by Steven Shomler

The Great Food Great Stories Podcast is now the Portland Culinary Podcast

Here is the link for Vanessa Holden Founder Smitten: Artisan Truffles – Portland Culinary Podcast Episode 9 –

www.portlandculinarypodcast.com/vanessa-holden-founder-smitten-artisan-truffles-portland-culinary-podcast-episode-9/

Vanessa Holden Founder Smitten: Artisan Truffles — Episode 9 of the Great Food Great Stories Podcast with Steven Shomler

In this episode Steven Shomler visits with Vanessa Holden Founder Smitten: Artisan Truffles.

The Great Food Great Stories Podcast is available on iTunes —https://itun.es/us/vqOneb.c

To listen to this episode see the SoundCloud link at the bottom of this article.

Vanessa Holden Founder Smitten: Artisan Truffles -- Episode 9 of the Great Food Great Stories Podcast with Steven Shomler

During this Great Food Great Stories Podcast you will learn why Vanessa chose to name her culinary start up Smitten, what a truffle is, how to make a great truffle at home, some of the fun and innovative truffles that Vanessa has made using ingredients like olive oil, rosemary, wine, bourbon, beer, cider, yuzu, calamansi, passionfruit, and more.

Vanessa Holden Founder Smitten: Artisan Truffles -- Episode 9 of the Great Food Great Stories Podcast with Steven Shomler

Vanessa Holden Founder Smitten: Artisan Truffles -- Episode 9 of the Great Food Great Stories Podcast with Steven Shomler
Steven suggests a few collabs for Vanessa to consider doing such as #1 making a truffle with Dragon’s Gate Brewery’s Le Morte d’Arthur Belgian Chocolate Stout, #2 that she make a special truffle for the annual Beer. Cider. Love. dinner using Finnriver Cacao and Fort George Cavatica Stout, #3 working with Buddha Kat Winery’s Chat Noir Blackberry and #4 Vanessa could head out to Astoria and meets up with baker extraordinaire Tamee Harden Blankenship. Together Tamee and Vanessa would make culinary magic happen!

Vanessa Holden Founder Smitten: Artisan Truffles -- Episode 9 of the Great Food Great Stories Podcast with Steven Shomler

Toward the end of this podcast Vanessa shares some of what helped get her culinary startup off the ground – people skills, networking and tenacity.

The Great Food Great Stories Podcast is brought to you by Portland Culinary Radio, and is generally recorded at Culmination Brewing Company. This episode was recorded at Hood Crest Winery. Steven Shomler is the your host.

Many thanks to Ken Wilson the Media Maestro for his amazing engineering and editing!

Posted in Chocolate, Great Food Great Stories Podcast, Podcast, Portland Culinary Startup | Tagged Buddha Kat Winery, Chocolate, Dragon's Gate Brewery, Finnriver Cider, Fort George Brewery, Great Food Great Stories Podcast, Portland Culinary Podcast, Smitten, Smitten Artisan Truffles, Steven Shomler, Steven Shomler Culinary Storyteller, Steven Shomler Podcast, Vanessa Holden | Leave a comment

Culinary Treasure

Brewstillery at StormBreaker Brewing – Beer ~ Spirits ~Jucy Lucy Burgers ~ and More!

Brewstillery at StormBreaker Brewing!

Beer ~ Spirits ~ Jucy Lucy Burgers ~ and More!

The Jucy Lucy Burger!

Tickets to the 2018 Brewstillery edition of Brewstillery

Music

The 2018 Brewstillery Pairings

Other 2018 Brewstillery Articles

The 2018 Oregon Tempranillo Celebration Grand Tasting

The 2018 Oregon Tempranillo Celebration Grand Tasting

Oregon Tempranillo Celebration – Portland Culinary Podcast Episode 20

Holiday Ale Festival 20017 Recommendations!

Holiday Ale Festival 20017 Recommendations!

Food!

On to The Beer!

Oregon Craft Beer Industry Workshop Series

Kool-Aid Pickle Cocktail Night at Solae’s Lounge

Portland Meet The Sushi Donut!

Toast – The Oregon Distillers Guild Tasting Festival Episode 10 Great Food Great Stories Podcast

The Great Food Great Stories Podcast is now the Portland Culinary Podcast

Here is the link for Toast – The Oregon Distillers Guild Tasting Festival – Portland Culinary Podcast Episode 10 –www.portlandculinarypodcast.com/toast-the-oregon-distillers-guild-tasting-festival-portland-culinary-podcast-episode-10

Toast Info

Tiffin Asha Makes the Leap from Food Cart to Brick and Mortar!

Gabagool – From Food Cart to Brick and Mortar!

Vanessa Holden Founder Smitten: Artisan Truffles — Episode 9 of the Great Food Great Stories Podcast

The Great Food Great Stories Podcast is now the Portland Culinary Podcast

Here is the link for Vanessa Holden Founder Smitten: Artisan Truffles – Portland Culinary Podcast Episode 9 –

www.portlandculinarypodcast.com/vanessa-holden-founder-smitten-artisan-truffles-portland-culinary-podcast-episode-9/

Recent Posts