Portlanding

Nestled near the lushly green Oregon coastline, lies perhaps one of my favorite cities I've ever set foot upon, Portland. Imagine a town full of fantastic eateries, micro breweries a plenty, friendly people lacking pretentiousness, and weather that permits one to sport a variety of different jackets. The only thing it could do without, are the super granola hippies who loiter the streets and bookstores begging with ridiculous signs, twisting in Obama campaign banter and pity me that. But really, the main reason we went to Portland was for the beer. A 12 hour pub crawl took place on one gorgeously gloomy day, that never seemed to end.
Pictured above is the first brewery on our tour, which has tied in first place with Stone(located in sunny San Diego), as having the best beer I've ever had in my entire life. Mind you on this trip alone I tried well over 50 beers on our 14 day excursion up the coast. I wish they'd make these pub & grub eateries multiply the way BJ's has taken over California, one can only wish. The tastiest brews here included Twilight Ale, a perfect summer pale ale to enjoy in the sun. Mirror Mirror, a pleasant barley wine beer, likely the best I've ever had in that context. Lastly the Nitro Obsidian Stout, which truly kicked Guinness's ass, with its bodacious balance in perfection and dark undertones. What I would give for a glass of that right now on tap. For my fellow Californians, you can pick up a delectable 6 pack of Mirror Mirror Pond Ale and Black Butte Porter at your local Vons. Both are fantastic, especially the Butte, she's a smokey, dark, lush flavored mystery. I'll get into the other breweries in future posts, good day my lovers.

Oh and for your ears, here's a morning track from Band of Skulls. They're a three piece stirring in undertones of The White Stripes and Strokes, with nothing more than dirty sexy guitars and toe tapping goodness.

Band of Skulls-Light of the Morning