OK hop heads, what's your reaction to this: has the craft beer industry's love of hops alienating beer drinkers who don't like bitter beer?  That's exactly the question asked by the author of this recent article in Slate...    she makes some good points...  I love a good IPA but get just as excited by a malty brown ale, German ale or a Belgian.

Also, "hoppy" doesn't always mean IPA.  It's fun to savor subtle hop flavors in beers from local breweries like The Commons in Southeast Portland and Occidental in St. Johns.  Both have a terrific focus on European-style beers... 

As the Slate article points out, hops are a key ingredient in all beers but they don't need to be in-your-face.  

NEW BEER ALERT: Estacada's Fearless Brewing & Gladstone's Happyrock Coffee Roasting Co. have teamed up for "Fearless Happyrock Coffee Porter"... 

Heard live on the radio earlier this morning..

Lompoc is back on Northwest 23rd!  The Lompoc Tavern re-opens Thursday on NW 23rd (between Raleigh & Savier).  Hard to believe it's been more than a year since the fabled New Old Lompoc met the wrecking ball.  But not to worry, loyal Lompoc fans!  The new drinking establishment tips its cap to the old place, along with plenty of updates and a ton of taps for delicious Lompoc beer!

Calling all homebrewers!  This Saturday May 4th is National Homebrewers Day.  Here in Portland, the weather will be perfect to fire up the kettle & call your buddes.

A number of local homebrew clubs & supply stores are holding special events, including Brew Brothers in Hillsboro.

Festival alert: Fred Fest is this Sunday, May 5th.  A few tickets still available. This is a small festival with a limited # of tickets, great food & camraderie with fellow beer geeks, including the guy the festival is named for, world renowed beer writer and Portland resident Fred Eckhardt.

OBF News: the big summer festival announced earlier this year that real glasses will replace plastic mugs.  Here's what they'll look like:

The 9th annual Oregon Garden Brewfest is this Friday, Saturday & Sunday at the Oregon Garden in Silverton.

The forecast looks promising, and it's a fantastic setting for a beer festival.

62 breweries pouring 125 beers this year. There's also cider and mead tasting. Root beer will be available for kiddos on Sunday, when the event is open to all-ages (it's 21+ on Fri & Sat).

As organizer Mary Ritterbusch told us on the radio this morning, they still have a few volunteer slots open, so if you want free admission to the festival on Saturday or Sunday, why not volunteer? 

Listen to the podcast of today's segment:

The 7th annual Cheers to Belgian Beers festival is coming up this Friday & Saturday at Metalcraft in N. Portland.  48 beers from 44 breweries.  Check out the beer list here...  complete with the yeast strain used in each beer-- a critical piece of information when you are talking about Belgians. 

Check out my blog post from last week if you're still wondering: what's a Belgian beer?

Festival season is ramping up...   Cheers to Belgians Beers next weekend...

... and the Oregon Garden Brewfest the weekend after that...

Speaking of Belgian beers, I get the question a lot: what the heck makes a beer Belgian.  Click here for the answer... ... 

Former Full Sail brewer John Harris has a location for his new Portland brewery...   Beer Goddess Lisa Morrison has the scoop on her blog...

Thanks to listener Ron for the scoop on his Portlandia-esque venture, Beer Colors.  Paintings made from beer! 

Yes, click here to see the most exciting thing that happened during the Mariners game in Seattle last night...

Cheers!