FEBRUARY BEERS FROM CHUCKANUT BREWERY

Beer_Snow_ChuckanutAt Chuckanut Brewery we are bracing for the next storm but it doesn’t stop us from brewing beer and we’ve got some very interesting ones coming out in February.

We’ve just introduced two new beers from Chuckanut last week. Ethan’s Table Saison is out and ready to roll. It’s a very traditional Table Saison in every way. Very light in color, using traditional saison yeast, it’s low in alcohol (2.7% ABV) and full on flavor, those people that like this style should be very happy about drinking it! In limited supplies it was a small batch brew at North Nut. There’s lots of banana and clove to keep tastebuds entertained! Also arriving last week was Chuckanut’s new Stout. This batch is an Oatmeal Stout so it has more body than the regular British style Stout from the past. It’s got a 4.5% ABV and goes down pretty easy. Lots of dark malts and roast with an easy finish, it’s not as fierce as you might think despite its dark color.

Coming up Chuckanut Doppelbock is tapped to celebrate Valentine’s Day. As a double bock the connection to Valentine’s Day is obvious!  It’s packaged in bottles and kegs but the bottles are only at select accounts around Bellingham and at Chuckanut’s two locations. This is part of the Big Bier Series of lagers and this one like the others, has aged more than 3 months in fermentation tanks! The ABV is 7.4% with lots of dark stone fruit and chocolate flavors and finishes so easy it’s deceiving!! For those that like full flavored rich beers, this is one you’ll want to try. If you get some bottles keep one in the back of your fridge to pull out on a special occasion as it can be aged a year if you like.

Marzen Lager will be coming out in late February. This is a new seasonal lager to the Chuckanut beer calendar 2019. It will be in supply February, March and into April. Marzen is a March beer that’s amber and incomparably smooth with a round and slightly sweet palate. Its spicy flavors complement the deep toffee like aroma. It’s a tantalizing lager and one that is hard to put down. Make sure everyone who’s a fan gets some.

Sticke Alt is in the tanks and will be available around the Sound the first week of March. This is the full bodied alt and super delicious. We don’t make it very often so it’s a special treat. And we continue to make sure to stock  Chuckanut Alt (the standard Alt) year round. Chuckanut Alt Bier is a German ale cold fermented, cold conditioned, and clean tasting with a snappy hop presence. If you haven’t tried it lately you will be delightfully surprised at just how crushable this beer is.

We are starting to stock up with more Pilsner, Kolsch and Vienna Lager as we move towards spring. If you are luck you might just find Fest Bier, Dunkel Lager, Bock, Baltic Porter, Oat Lager, New World Hop Ale, Rye Lager and Schwarzbier being poured in limited supplies so watch for them. Try them before they’re gone. Chuckanut hopes you all stay safe in this snowy weather and warm up with a pint of Chuckanut whether at home or in your favorite neighborhood pub!

Tapping Chuckanut Brewery & Grains of Wrath Collaboration

Chuckanut Brewery & Grains of Wrath are excited to announce the tapping of Nuts of Wrath their collaboration Kulmbacher Export Lager that was brewed at Chuckanut Brewery’s North Nut Bellingham location. The two award-winning WA state breweries will not only be tapping with a brewer’s night in Camus, WA Friday January 25 at Grains of Wrath but on January 24 Bailey’s Taproom in Portland, OR across the river will celebrate also. The two breweries will have a special brewers night at Bailey’s with multiple beers on tap including the collaboration. Chuckanut will be at both Grains of Wrath and Baileys to help with the tapping and special brewers nights.

Nuts of Wrath is a strong, dark Kulmbacher Export lager, an almost forgotten Franconian German style lager popular in the late 1800’s. The collaboration rendition can be described in many different ways including: Big bitter Dunkel or an Imperial Schwarzbier. In other words, this lager is dark, malty and bitter. Generous amounts of Munich and Carafa malts balance with a large helping of German noble Hallertau Tradition and Mittelfruh hops. This is not your typical subtle lager. Some might say this is like a Schwarzbier on steroids!

Those wishing to take part in the tapping and brewers night at Grains of Wrath, 230 NE 5th Ave, Camas, WA 98607 and want to spend the night nearby are invited to contact the boutique Camas Hotel about lodging. As part of the celebration the Camas Hotel is offering discounts on rooms, only a block or two from Grains of Wrath. No matter which tapping you take part in representatives from both breweries, including the brewers, will be on hand to answer your questions. It just so happens the Chuckanut brewers will be collaborating and brewing on Friday January 25 at Grains of Wrath for another new beer, stay tuned!

CHUCKANUT BEERS FOR JANUARY 2019

Chuckanut Brewery is starting the new year off with some delicious unusual and traditional ales and lager beers. The year round standards like Pilsner, Kolsch, Vienna Lager and the Alt Bier continue to be released year round during 2019 but there are some new and collaboration beers available as well.

Chuckanut’s January seasonal lager continues as Dunkel, one of the most celebrated and medaled beers brewed in WA state. It’s hard not to like Dunkel with its malty, toffee & chocolate notes finishing clean and bright. But if you want something darker in a lager beer look no further than the Schwarzbier. This medium body, black lager has bitter chocolate, malty flavors with a smooth finish. The round, clean finish is crisp with a lingering espresso like aftertaste. Schwarz will only be available on tap in very limited supplies around Puget Sound.

Chuckanut’s special one off beers this January include the new Single Hop Lager tapping soon around the sound and down in Portland, OR. This is a lager Chuckanut will make occasionally throughout the year to highlight a different single hop. The first features Citra, a real crowd pleaser with lots of fruity notes and one that all the hop heads will love. This is best fresh so it will not last long.

The next beer in the Chuckanut Brewers Namesake Series is Ethan’s Table Saison. A typical saison that’s light colored and light on alcohol, very easy drinking. Ethan’s beer was a small batch product and kegs are limited. Make sure to try it if you see it at your local watering spot.

Chuckanut’s big collaboration beer with Grains of Wrath, Camas, WA is called Nuts of Wrath. It’s a dark Kulmbacher Export style lager with higher alcohol and IBUs. Some people call it a Schwarz on steroids or a big bitter Dunkel! It uses generous amounts of Munich & Hallertau Tradition & Mittlefruh German hops. It’s not your typical subtle lager! Watch for the big tapping down in Camas at Grains of Wrath which will also be a brewers night highlighting both breweries beers. The Camas Hotel will have a special for those that venture over for the big tapping. Contact them and ask about the brewers night special.

New World German Hop Ale continues to be on tap in very limited supplies. Enjoy this copper colored, somewhat fruity ale that uses new varietal German hops for bittering and aroma. This is an easy drinking ale.
Chuckanut Fest Bier is tasting great as it ages. This golden lager is the perfect drinking beer cuz it not only refreshing but carries a fuller body with grace and flavor, one of the best with food but great on its own. It will only be available a little while longer.

The Oat Lager was recently introduced to accounts around the sound and down in Portland, OR. It’s a blonde beer with a mild body and soft bitterness from the use of Hallertau Tradition hops. This lager has a slight fruity finish from the use of Arian hops and it full on flavor and body.

Have you had the Rye Lager yet? It’s one to try as Chuckanut knows how to brew this style of unusual beer and make it super drinkable. In England they would call it a Moorish beer (you can drink more and more of it!) with its deep golden color and spicy finish from the use of malted rye it can be found around the area on rotating taps!

The Big Bier Series now has two beers in the line-up including Baltic Porter with an 8.2% ABV and 35 IBUs. This is a smooth, high alcohol lager with lots of roast malt & dark sugar tastes. Fruity, full bodied with port like flavors, and coffee and raisins. There’s still time to taste Bock Bier also. More dried fruit flavors, deep mahogany color and richness, with over 6% ABV it’s smooth and delicious. Both these beers spent over 3 months in our fermentation tanks.

Whatever the Chuckanut beer you choose, you won’t be disappointed! Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen located at 601 West Holly St, Bellingham was awarded the National Small Brewpub/Brewer of the Year 2009 and National Small Brewery/Brewer of the Year 2011 at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). The full service “Kitchen” serves from 11:00am every day to guests of all ages with an eclectic fresh local menu. South Nut’s Tap Room is in the heart of Skagit Valley, 11937 Higgins Airport Way, Burlington and welcomes guests of all ages Monday to Friday starting at 3 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm. Check out additional information about Chuckanut Brewery at http://www.chuckanutbrewery.com/

December Chuckanut Beers

Happy Holidays, hope you all enjoy this festive season and have a beer in hand for a toast to all the love that abounds this holiday season. And a great beer like Chuckanut makes it even better to celebrate. So to give you an update on what Chuckanut beers are available this December see below!

Lucky for all of us the Schwarzbier will be out in December. This medium body, black lager has bitter chocolate, slight toffee flavors with a smooth finish. The round, clean finish is crisp with a lingering espresso like aftertaste. Limited amounts available starting next week.

The Oat Lager is a new Chuckanut Beer. Blonde with a mild body and soft bitterness from the use of Hallertau Tradition hops this light lager has a slight fruity finish from the use of Arian hops. Full on flavor and body, this is not your typical light lager. Available in limited amounts now.

Baltic Porter will be released late in December. This is part of the Big Bier Series with an 8.2% ABV and 35 IBUs. It’s a very smooth, high alcohol lager with lots of roast malt & dark sugar flavors. Fruity, full bodied with hints of chocolate, port like flavors, coffee and raisins the Baltic Porter has been aged over three months! Only at selected accounts throughout the Sound and available in bottles at both Chuckanut locations and the Bellingham Downtown Co-Op.

Our seasonal Lager is the Dunkel, it’s won so many GABF and World Beer Cup Golds and Silvers it’s almost embarrassing! Totally true to the Dunkel Lager style it’s a classic malty, deep mahogany colored Munchener lager with balanced smooth toffee & chocolate notes! Available into February.

New World German Hop Ale is the seasonal ale for December. If you haven’t tried this new world ale you might want to get some. Copper colored, somewhat fruity but uses new varietal German hops that are bitter and fragrant, this is an easy drinking ale.

Our new Asian Style Lager made mostly for Din Tai Fung Restaurants but also available for other selected accounts is straw colored and uses rice flakes to give it its lightness in body. This lager is dry and nicely balanced with a touch of noble hop bitterness. Available at Din Tai Fung Restaurants and possibly at very selected accounts around the Sound.

We still have Fest Beer available so if you are celebrating Festivus this is the beer for you! We’ve discounted 1/2 bbl kegs so ask to see what the current pricing is for a real deal for the holidays. It’s great for parties because everyone loves it. Golden and deeper in flavor than most lighter colored beer it’s a great drinking beer.

You may be able to find some of our Rauch Marzen Lager available and the Rye Lager. These are special lagers that are only available in very limited quantities. Always balanced but with stronger flavors due to the smoked malts for the Rauch and Rye malts for the Rye lager, they are a special unusual treat for the educated beer drinker.

The first of the Big Bier Series is Bock and there are a few accounts serving up this very rich lager. More dried fruit flavors and toffee on this big bier. Like the Baltic it’s been aged over 3 months and only gets better as it sits. We usually save a keg until the spring or later in the year and tap it then, it becomes smoother with age! Both Chuckanut locations carry it in bottles and you might be able to find it at the Bellingham Co-Op.

And of course there is always our year round beers Pilsner, Kolsch, Vienna Lager and the Alt Bier. We’ve got you covered for great drinking beers. Chuckanut Brewery wishes everyone a fun, safe holiday season! Cheers to all!

North Sound Brewing Happenings

The latest and greatest from North Sound Brewing!

Support NW Youth Services

Last week for donations of new or lightly used warm outerwear and supplies through the end of the month. Please collect your unwanted items and drop them off at North Sound Brewing or Farmstrong to support this great local non-profit organization. Check out the variety of services NW Youth Services offer to at-risk youth.

Hops on the Rock

The 2nd annual Orcas Island Beer Festival will take over Eastsound on Saturday, Nov 10th from 11- 4pm featuring local eats, live music, not to mention your favorite craft brews from 20+ breweries around the region. Of course we’ll be there!!

North Sound Brewing’s 5th Annual Chicken Wing Thing – Sunday November 4th

Come out to NSB next Sunday to watch the Seahawks take on the Charges in a home match up at the C-link and bring your appetite! The chef line up is almost complete for our “Who makes the best wings” contest but we need you loyal wing lovers to vote for your favorite. Beer, wings, football, need we say more?!

North Sound Brewer’s Notes

A Halloween Treat on tap tomorrow. Pumpkin Spice Sucellus Imp. Porter. Yes it’s as delicious as it sounds. Come get some!

October 2018 Anacortes Brewery Releases and Events

New Releases for October:

Citra Fresh Hop Pale Ale (ABV 5.4% / IBU 50) Our second Fresh Hop of the season is a highly anticipated seasonal made with 2 row and Vienna malts for a dark straw color featuring major hop flavor and aroma from copious amounts of fresh Citra hops collected from Carpenter Ranches in Granger WA.

Erie Oatmeal Stout (ABV 5.8% / IBU 18) Named for the highest point on Fidalgo Island, Mount Erie, this beer is big and roasty on the front end with an inviting chocolate aroma. It’s full flavored with a silky medium-body and a bittersweet coffee note. Columbus, Perle & Cascade provide a delicate balance for a smooth and dry finish.

Broadsword Scottish Ale (OG 1.090 / ABV 8.3% / IBU 35) Black Patent, Caramel, Chocolate, Munich & Peat smoked malts produce dark color, malty flavor and subtle smokiness in this robust Scottish Ale. Perle, Cascade & Mt Hood provide a balanced bitterness.

Events for October (WA State):

Bier on the Pier, Fri-Sat Oct 5-6, Port Bldg, Anacortes

Great Pumpkin Beer Festival, Fri-Sat Oct 5-6, Seattle Center

KISM Knucklehead Launch Party, Fri Oct 12, Rockfish Grill, Anacortes

Mactoberfest, Sat Oct 13, Littlefield Celtic Center, Mount Vernon

Brewer’s Golf Tournament, Tues Oct 16, Flatstick Pub, Seattle

Brewer’s Night, Thurs Oct 26, Creekside Ale House, Lake Stevens

Chuckanut Brewery Wins Two GABF Medals

Chuckanut Brewery has done it again! Chuckanut beer was awarded two medals from this year’s GABF (Great American Beer Festival). A Gold for Chuckanut Dunkel Lager and a Silver for Chuckanut Helles Lager were awarded at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver, Colorado September 22, 2018. The GABF 2018 had 8,700 beers in various categories by 2,450 breweries that were awarded 306 medals in specific beer-style categories. It is the largest commercial beer competition in the world. Award-winning brewers received prestigious gold, silver, and bronze medals in 102 categories that establish the best examples of each style of beer. The entries were evaluated by around 300 judges from around the world. This is the fourth time Chuckanut Dunkel Lager (2010, 2014 and 2017) has been awarded a Gold medal at the GABF and the first Silver Medal for Chuckanut Helles Lager (it was awarded Gold in 2011 & 2016).

Chuckanut’s Dunkel is a mahogany colored lager capped by an impressively sturdy tan head.  As in all lagers, the flavors in Dunkel are produced directly by the ingredients; in this case some of the malts have been deep roasted, giving Dunkel chocolate, coffee, and even licorice notes. There is just enough bitterness to balance out the sweet tasting malt creating a juicy dark lager beer. Chuckanut Brewery’s Dunkel has won not only multiple Gold GABF medals but also Silver GABF 2009 and 2012, Bronze GABF 2015, Gold World Beer Cup 2010 and Silver World Beer Cup 2014. Dunkel goes great with braised, roasted meats and is the perfect choice for bratwurst, bockwurst, and weisswurst. Fresh briny oysters are highlighted with the pairing of a pint of Dunkel Lager.

Chuckanut Helles Lager has is a golden, bready, light, fresh biscuity lager with a dry finish. As the Pilsner beer spread through Germany in the late 1800’s Munich’s response to the foreign pilsner was the “Helles”. Less hop flavor and bitterness than the Pilsner, the main highlight of the Helles is its bready, malty character. Today Helles beer is the everyday drinking beer in Germany. Its malty, balanced character makes it the breakfast beer in Munich. Helles lager has a well-developed bready flavor that rewards the drinker with sublime balance and a subtle, elegant maltiness. Helles goes very well with grilled sandwiches and pressed Panini. The malt character pairs up with nutty chickpea and sesame flavors as well as shellfish. Just about any pork dish matches beautifully with its maltiness. Whether drinking a dark or light beer Chuckanut Brewery has you covered with award winning choices for flavorful ales and lagers!

Chuckanut Brewery has two locations, the original Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen at 601 W Holly St, Bellingham with a full-service menu and European style award winning Lagers and Ales. And the new Chuckanut Brewery South Nut Taproom at 11937 Higgins Airport Way, Burlington in the heart of Skagit County. Check out Chuckanut Brewery at: www.chuckanutbrewery.com

Anacortes Brewery Releases / Events August 2018

New Releases for August:

Arts Festival Lager (ABV 4.8% / IBU 18) – The official beer of the Anacortes Arts Festival: Highly drinkable and well-balanced, this refreshing session beer is brewed in the traditional German style. A light maltiness provided by Premium two-row & Vienna malts is supported by restrained bitterness from Vanguard & Perle hops with a soft and dry finish.

This Year in Beer Series: 1776 (ABV 8.4% / IBU 86) – Batch #1776 for the Anacortes Brewery is a Double IPA that greets you with aromas of orange and tangerine from copious amounts of Citra, Amarillo and Simcoe hops followed by a sturdy malt backbone. Celebrate the pursuit of hoppiness the way our forefather’s intended!

Czech Pilsner (ABV 5% / IBU 35) – Bohemian style lager with light golden color from pale & Munich malts, distinct hop character from Saaz hops and lagered for several weeks providing smoothness and subtle malt flavor.

Wild (ABV 9% / 12 IBU) – Barrle aged 7 months with Brettanomyces, this ruby-colored Belgian ale exhibits complex and balanced aromas of sour cherry and fruit leather. Delicate hopping during the boil and months on wood produced jammy fruit flavors with a hint of Brett funk.

Events for August:

Anacortes Arts Festival Fri-Sun 8/3-6, Downtown Anacortes

Brewfest on the Skagit, 4PM Sat 8/11, Mount Vernon Riverwalk

Padilla Bay Foundation Benefit 5PM Sat 8/11, Padilla Bay Research Reserve

Heart of Anacortes Concert Series, 6PM Sat 8/11, 8/18, 8/25

Brewer’s Night 7PM Thurs 8/16, Anthony’s Woodfired Grill, Everett

Washington Beer and BBQ Festival, 12PM Sat 8/18, Lake Union Park, Seattle

Anacortes Cancer Walk, 1PM Sat 8/25, Seafarers Park

Bacon and Kegs Festival, 11AM Sun 8/26, Depot Market Square, Bellingham

Chuckanut Brewery Celebrates 10 Years of Beer

Chuckanut Brewery celebrates ten years of brewing beer with its 10 Days of 10 Years of Chuckanut beginning Friday July 13 through July 22. Each day there will be a special activity to help honor each year Chuckanut Brewery has been in existence! Chuckanut Brewery’s history has been rich and heavily rewarded for brewing some of the best European style Lagers and Ales in the country. It won Small Brewpub of the Year the first time it entered the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) 2009 and Small Brewery of the Year two years later at the 2011 GABF. Chuckanut now has two breweries, the original in Bellingham with it’s full service Kitchen and its production facility in Skagit Valley with its big Beer Garden & Tap Room. The calendar of activities will happen at both North Nut (the Kitchen, 601 W Holly St, Bellingham) and South Nut (Tap Room in Skagit Valley, 11937 Higgins Airport Way, Burlington).

 

  • Friday the 13th will start with the tapping of Willis Helles Lager. This is the beer everyone has been asking for Chuckanut to brew since opening in mid July 2008. It’s made in honor of the original Thomas Kemper Brewery (Brewmaster/co-owner Will’s first craft brewery started in 1984) Helles Lager. This Helles Lager uses a special yeast to give it a blueberry aroma and flavor. Will and the brew crew were able to track down the yeast from the National Collection of Yeast Cultures (NCYC) in London, England and used it with Chuckanut’s award winning Helles Lager recipe to create the Willis Helles. But this Helles is very different from Chuckanut Helles and here’s the opportunity to roll back the clock! And Thomas Kemper Root Beer will be sold at a reduced price for those under 21 years. This is the soda that came out of the original Thomas Kemper!
  • On Saturday July 14 free tours will be led at North Nut at noon then at South Nut at 3 pm. Just show up to get a look inside and hear more about the magic of Chuckanut Beers.
  • Sunday July 15 the celebration will continue with Brewery Bingo at South Nut 5:30 pm to close and at North Nut in the back covered patio 7-9 pm. Here’s your chance to win some schwag and discounted beer certificates!
  • July 16, Monday is College Night both North and South. Students can show their college ID’s for a $3.50 pint!
  • July 17 features an extra bonus for Kolsch Tuesday. On the 17th when a train goes by at North Nut and when a helicopter flies over at South Nut you can order a $1 Kolsch in it’s traditional 6.8 oz glass stange.
  • July 18, Wednesday we are bringing back Wurst Wednesday with specialty sausages served up in different styles.
  • July 19, Thursday is Keller Night with beer straight from the fermentation (Cellar) tank. This beer has the yeast still in it creating a different flavor and texture to Chuckanut’s brilliant beers. This option will be available at North and South Nut.
  • July 20, Friday we’ll celebrate with A Liter Night Music! Traditionally Chuckanut’s Liter Night is Friday but this Friday live music will be playing to add to the fun.
  • July 21 is Dog Day Saturday. Bring your dog in and get a $4 pint for yourself and a doggie treat for your four legged well-behaved friend (patio seating only).
  • And to complete the 10 Days of 10 Years of Chuckanut Brewery we will celebrate with Schwag Day. Wear your Chuckanut Schwag and your pint is $4 plus you can purchase a new Tshirt for $15 (+tax)!

 

There’s lots of ways to help Chuckanut celebrate 10 years of brewing please come join in the fun when you can!

Chuckanut Brewery Wins Six Medals at WA Beer Awards

On June 16th the WA Beer Awards announced the 117 breweries who won awards in 74 categories out of the 181 breweries that entered. Out of the almost 1,300 beers in the competition Chuckanut won a total of six awards. Chuckanut Marzen Lager and Vienna Lager each won Gold medals; Chuckanut Pilsner received a Silver medal; and Chuckanut Mexican Style Lager, Doppelbock and Dunkel Lager all received Bronze Medals. Last year Chuckanut received an unprecedented eight medals to win Large Brewery of the Year 2017 for many of the same beers.

Chuckanut Brewery’s Marzen Lager is an amber beer with a complicated and tantalizing mix of malts finished with enough hops to help create a dry spicy finish. The Vienna Lager is a year round Chuckanut beer that is amber colored, smooth and easy drinking with the typical Chuckanut dry finish. Chuckanut’s Pilsner is another year round Chuckanut beer known for its golden color, snappy finish and extremely drinkable taste. This beer just won Gold at the World Beer Cup 2018.

The Doppelbock is a bigger beer than the others that won awards with a 7.4%ABV and was aged over 3 months for a smooth rich finish. The Mexican Style Lager is an easy drinking, sessionable blonde lager that is Chuckanut’s summer seasonal lager. Dunkel Lager is one of Chuckanut’s most awarded beers. Dark, juicy, malty with a smooth finish Dunkel is a great beer in any season.

Some of the award winning beers will be on tap at both Chuckanut locations and around the Sound. Chuckanut is now available in very selected accounts in Portland, OR as well!