Monday, June 16, 2008

Aaah... beer.

It's no secret that I like beer. Beer just seems to go with everything - nachos, music, good conversation. But I don't stray very far in my selections - Boulevard Wheat, no lemon; Blue Moon with orange juice; Sunshine Wheat with an orange; Miller Lite, bottle.

Traveling a lot over the years for work, I've learned that often, your favorite beers are hard to find in other cities. So when I was in Portland last month I was excited when I was able to order a PBR tall boy - and for only 2 bucks! But the more I learn about Portland, the sweeter the beer deal is.

Portland is known as the motherland of microbrews. WHAT?! I have hit the friggin' jackpot! There are 28 breweries within the city - the most of any other city in the country. One of my favorite things about Lawrence was Liberty Hall - where you can drink beer while watching a movie (though the downside to this is how much of the movie you miss while spending time in the bathroom). Portland has several "brew and view" theaters - so now I will get my choice at what movie I'd like to enjoy with my beer!

And the clincher... the Wall Street Journal published an article in the Saturday/Sunday, June 7 - 8, 2008, issue titled "A Pint-Size Problem - Beer lovers nurse a grudge as some bars switch to smaller glasses." The article discusses how, since the prices of hops and barley have skyrocketed, bars are now pouring pints into 14 oz. glasses rather than 16 oz. glasses. And Portlandians, being the beer lovers that they are, are outraged!

Several web sites have sprung up, calling out bars that serve "falsies." Here is an example... Beervana's Honest Pint Project. And this blog, among other sites, have caused such a stir that Oregon legislator Brian Clem will address the issue for the state's 2009 budget, in an effort to fund the monitoring of beer portions! If this is Oregon politics, I am in!! Bars and restaurants would then afix a sticker to their windows, advertising that their pints are official 16 oz. pints, and not falsies.

That, my friends, is bad ass.

Note to self: Expand beer palette while in Portland - because I know it gets a lot better than Miller Lite and Boulevard Wheat.

5 comments:

MiaMama said...

Nothing better than beer & a movie, unless it's beer, a movie and dancing in the aisle! 'MamaMia' will be out by then - you game?

Krisha said...

D -

I can't wait until you get settled!!! Because I am so, so, so coming to see you.

-k

Danielle said...

Speaking of beer...I just bought two 20 cases of Boulevard Wheat. Call it a security blanket.

the bird said...

I am definitely up for Mama Mia - but only if there is dancing in the aisles! And D, good call on the brew. I'll have to copy that.

Angie said...

My first microbeer was a Portland beer, in fact. Yum. But, Diane you are pint-sized yourself. You don't really need that extra 2 ounces do ya now??