So, I'm "vacationing" with the wife & kid (aka devil spawn) in microbrew-central Portland, OR, visiting the ridiculously cute new nephew. I go to a dive brewpub, Lompoc, near the hotel. I see on the board an "Old Tavern Mouse 5.5%". Sounds intriguing. I inquire.
Me: "What is the Old Tavern Mouse?"
Barwench: "It's a barley beer."
Me: Hybrid confused/'You're an idiot' expression.
Barwench: "It's like a barleywine, only a beer."
Me: "So it's like a barleywine, but lower strength?" thinking, hmm, that sounds like maybe an ESB.
Barwench: "No, it's a beer."
Me: expression leaning less toward confused.
Barwench: "Do you want a sample?"
Me: "Yes"
So basically, it's brown, pretty balanced between maltiness and bitterness, but it's got a bit of a sour thing going. Actually a pretty fascinating beer, but not something I was feeling like a whole pint of.
I had a saison there, that I thought was pretty good, but not as dry as I would have liked. I was bummed that they had on their board a Simcoe Belgian-style IPA that had just blown.
It's a barley beer.
You are in Portland, OR! My god man, that is one of the best beers cities in the world. Are you going to go to some other beer spots. Belmont Station is a great bottle shop/beer bar. Let me know if you need a list of pubs you should hit. There are too many to get to in just a week.
Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North
On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout
Slappy Brewing North
On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout
Yeah, I know. Portland is pretty fabulous. Unfortunately this is more of a family vacation than a beer vacation. My brother-in-law appreciates good beer, so we've been to a few family-friendly brewpubs. Gotta love a brewpub w/ a kid's play area. Although I have seen a stroller parked in front of Stone City Brewing back in the day.