In a region that brews as much (if not more) beer than Germany, it's always hard to try and put a finger on your favorite brewery. In 2006, we would've sworn up and down that Ninkasi were the reigning geniuses with their Total Domination IPA. Before that, Eugene City Brewery's 100 Meter Ale saturated our hearts. This month, we have to say that we are in love with Silver Moon Brewery and this is the first time we've been in fisticuffs over which beer makes them the best.
J will swear he cried tears a first born son couldn't elicit when he tried their Bourbon Chocolate Stout; A swears the Hoptagon Imperial IPA is the real Eastern Oregon hero. Either way, this is the first time in awhile we were arguing over beers from the same brewery. Simply put, the beers were incredible and stole our hearts at this year's KLCC Microbrew Festival.
However, the appeal of beers is one part the drink, another part the conviviality that surrounds enjoying a new beer. When you fall for a new beer everyone must try it and everyone must hear about how great you think it is. A good drinking experience is dependent on good company. On this account Silver Moon sold us when the company's brewers shot the breeze with us in downtown Eugene.
Walking down to a pub from the Microbrew Fest we stopped at the crosswalk with another pair of guys heading in the same direction. When I asked them if they'd came from the brewfest they told us they were taking a short break. I immediately told them when they got back to try Silver Moon's Bourbon Chocolate Stout. "Then try the Hoptagon," A chipped in, "that was amazing too." The two guys looked at each other and the shorter of the two says "Wow, that's really flattering." When we asked why they pointed to the back of their shirts, "Those are our beers." (after getting home I recognized them from pictures online as Tyler West and Brett Thomas, the brewers of said beers). They talked for a few seconds and confirmed directions downtown then walked ahead of us.
After this we started discussing our next brewing plans and, in particular, our own recipe for a Pumpkin Ale that had turned out almost perfect except for the carbonation. I was debating with A the amount of clove that we needed in a 5 gallon batch when West came back and asked what we were talking about. We told him we were talking about our recipe. He asked about our ingredients then told us "This is the same conversation you have making beer even in a brewery. You'll be debating 'should I use more coriander or will it be too much'." After this they headed on and we gave a standing invitation to meet us at the Horsehead if they had time.
It's one thing to have amazing beers. It's another to stop for a minute and give a couple amateur brewers input on the process. This is why we simply have to put Silver Moon Brewery as our brewery of the month (possibly of the year). Thank you guys, we can't wait to drink whatever you bottle for us.
However, the appeal of beers is one part the drink, another part the conviviality that surrounds enjoying a new beer. When you fall for a new beer everyone must try it and everyone must hear about how great you think it is. A good drinking experience is dependent on good company. On this account Silver Moon sold us when the company's brewers shot the breeze with us in downtown Eugene.
Walking down to a pub from the Microbrew Fest we stopped at the crosswalk with another pair of guys heading in the same direction. When I asked them if they'd came from the brewfest they told us they were taking a short break. I immediately told them when they got back to try Silver Moon's Bourbon Chocolate Stout. "Then try the Hoptagon," A chipped in, "that was amazing too." The two guys looked at each other and the shorter of the two says "Wow, that's really flattering." When we asked why they pointed to the back of their shirts, "Those are our beers." (after getting home I recognized them from pictures online as Tyler West and Brett Thomas, the brewers of said beers). They talked for a few seconds and confirmed directions downtown then walked ahead of us.
After this we started discussing our next brewing plans and, in particular, our own recipe for a Pumpkin Ale that had turned out almost perfect except for the carbonation. I was debating with A the amount of clove that we needed in a 5 gallon batch when West came back and asked what we were talking about. We told him we were talking about our recipe. He asked about our ingredients then told us "This is the same conversation you have making beer even in a brewery. You'll be debating 'should I use more coriander or will it be too much'." After this they headed on and we gave a standing invitation to meet us at the Horsehead if they had time.
It's one thing to have amazing beers. It's another to stop for a minute and give a couple amateur brewers input on the process. This is why we simply have to put Silver Moon Brewery as our brewery of the month (possibly of the year). Thank you guys, we can't wait to drink whatever you bottle for us.
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