Apologies for the lapsed week. I needed to work for actual money.

Several breweries may soon be scrambling to find a new maltster (including Ale Apothecary, just to bring it back around). Mecca Grade Estate Malt, the Klann family homestead and barley terroir mothership, is for sale for a cool 5.5 mil. The parcel comes with acreage and includes the all-in-one maltings facility. Bonus prize: Seth Klann is willing to provide orientation.

He’s dedicated about a decade of his life successfully promoting the concept and reality of barley’s terroir, and gained a nationwide customer base of brewers and distillers who appreciate that. In spite of Covid-era weirdness, which included a foray into rain-divining crystals, I respect Seth’s contributions and doggedness. It was also fun to make this video.

Next week, I travel to the Portland Oregon Beer Awards to participate in the bling bequeathment bash for the first time. I’ll ask it again: do beer awards matter? Is there an ROI on that $45-per-beer entry fee? For many brewers, the only return is feeling butthurt while listening to the audio recordings of their beers being carefully schniffed and schlorped, nits picked by their peers (who also can’t smell DMS anymore), and mostly not hearing ka-ching. Nobody posts “we’re entering this cilantro IPA to OBA, hope we win!” on social media. They just wait and hope Breakside didn’t use fresher cilantro.

I used to cite GABF and OBA awards to sell beer at the Stein, so I can actually say that yes, there is a positive return for winning an award. Shoot your shot, and then check out these sweet beer events for a more engaging way to participate in the capitalism of beer.

Now – April 3

Beergarden & PublicHouse – 7th Annual March Madness Blind IPA Tasteoff Challenge. Details here

March 30

The Bier Stein, 5-7pm – Thursday Tasting Series feat. Dirt Road Brewing

April 1

ColdFire, 1-5pm. Spring Party! Join us for a sip-and-shop houseplant sale put on by members of the Eugene/Springfield houseplant lovers. Unique indoor plants, accessories and more!

Ninkasi, noon-9pm. Ninkasi & Girl Scout Cookie Flights.

One day only, we’re offering a special flight of Ninkasi beers paired with Girl Scout Cookies, as selected by five Ninkasi experts. While supplies last, enjoy a flight of beer and cookies for $20. All participants can vote on their favorite pairing to see which is the winning combination. Plus, we’re offering 25% off 32 oz crowlers on select beers so you can take your favorite beer from your flight home with you. Make your reservation today!

April 2

Alesong on 5th, 4-7pm – Monthly Bottleshare: Saisons. Full details here

April 5

Oakshire – Oakshire Inspires: Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council. $1/pint donated.

April 6

Alesong on 5th, 4-7pm – Engage With Alesong: Happy Hour & Tree Walk with Friends of Trees. Full details

The Bier Stein, 5-8pm – Pink Boots Passport Event. Come on down to The Bier Stein for a special passport night with Pink Boots Society from 5-8pm. Visit all 6 stations and chat with members of the Pink Boots Society as they share their collaboration brews. Get your passport stamped at each location to be entered to win one of three gift baskets!
Keep an eye out for an announcement about the brews we will have on draft!
Cheers and see you there!!

April 3-9

PublicHouse – 3rd Annual CiderHouse. 20+ ciders on tap, plus specialty cocktails in the Whiskey Lab. More details

April 12

Oakshire – Oakshire Inspires: Oregon Brewshed Alliance. The Oregon Brewshed® Alliance is a statewide coalition of Oregon’s craft brewing community and conservationists advocating together for Oregon’s forested and wild watersheds, because great beer begins with clean water. The Alliance is an initiative of Oregon Wild, directly supporting the organization’s mission to protect and restore Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters as an enduring legacy for future generations. $1/pint donated