Paradise Creek Brewery

Here’s one for Tuesday.

Scott — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:04:38 +0000

I feel like I just swallowed an entire plate of awesome.

A bit of this and a bit of that.

Scott — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:35:20 +0000

Brewing beer is a long process. There’s no way around. A typical 5 or 10 gallon homebrew session can take anywhere from 4-6 hours. Longer if you try to fit multi-task and fit in other things such as vacuuming the house, bathing the dog or practicing on your unicycle. Brewing large-scale takes considerably longer, as you may have guessed. It’s an all-day process.

Wednesdays are typically a good day for us to brew. There’s usually not a whole lot going on around town and we’ve got the Pullman Fresh Farm Market happening in our parking lot, so we’re able to subject all of the shoppers and farmers to the sweet smell of malted grains and boiled hops. No complaints yet.

Yesterday we brewed a batch of Dirty Blonde…this past weekend left us a little shy after pouring about 15 kegs worth of beer between the Lentil Festival and the Northwest Best Brewfest. That’s a lot of booze. In the afternoon we homebrewed a Hefe….it’s something we do on a lot of Wednesdays during the market. It’s a great opportunity for local brewers to get together, talk shop and share their latest brews.

Now, to radically change the subject only as someone with high-caliber ADD could… I’d like to say “hey” to all of you new visitors. If you’ve recently moved to or returned to Pullman you very well may be checking us out for the first time. We’re the new brewery in town. In fact, we’re the newest brewery in Washington State and we’re supes excited to bring some fresh beer to Pullman.

Because we’re new, there are some kinks we’re working out. We don’t yet have fries in the restaurant (though I’m promised that will change next week). Our beers are somewhat experimental, but they’re getting better and better with every batch we brew. Let me quickly introduce some of the players here: Tom is the owner/brewer. He’s a cool cat who loves himself a pint and some loud music. Mike is the manager. He’s our kitchen & sales specialist. I use the term “specialist” loosely. April is our head server. She’s a former rugby player and her favorite movie is Bring It On. That part’s not true. My name is Scott. I’m probably the most ambiguous player here, but my email tag says I’m the Creative Director which is really code for I drink a lot and I’ve got the gift of gab.

Now that THAT’s out of the way. I’d like to recommend to you all, that you bring along two friends and one person you don’t like all that much to one of Thursday night movies, Sunday morning Kegs & Eggs or best yet our big End of Summer party on Friday September 10th.

Have any questions? I have email. It’s scott@paradisecreekbrewery.com

See you around.

Time for another party.

Scott — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:19:28 +0000

Okay. I have a couple of announcements to make. Firstly, welcome to our blog. This is it. We’ve come to grips with the fact that we’re in 2010 and there’s nothing you can do to resist the Facebook/Twitter/Blog/MySpace/Social Media mess we’ve all found ourselves in. I highly recommend you either join our Facebook page and/or email Brewsletter. Those are the best mediums for getting info about upcoming events. We’ll try to keep everything else updated regularly…but man…there’s beer to brew and consequently beer to drink. Time is finite.

More importantly we’re announcing our End of Summer Party. It’s a party celebrating the end of Summer vacation and the beginning of our brewery here in Pullman. Sure, we’ve been operational for a few months but now it’s go time. September 10th (it’s a Friday) in our parking lot, we’ll be hosting you to our brews, some grilled goodies, live music and other random giveaways, high-fives, fist bumps, etc. It’ll be pretty much the coolest thing we’ve done in a few months and we’ll have supes cool specials going on all weekend.

Also I’d like to mention that we’re now open Sundays for Seahawks games. We actually open at about 9:30am so you can grab a good seat in time to catch the kickoff…but we’ll also have our Kegs & Eggs buffet so that you can get primed for a day of NFL action. We’ve got the biggest screen in town that I can think of…so if you’re wanting a real high-def experience with great locally-brewed beer, well, this is probably your best bet. Doesn’t high-def sound so 1986? Maybe it’s just me. Prolly is.

What else?

That’s it for now I suppose.

Brewsletter June – Issue 1

Scott — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:03:18 +0000

Good news for those of you here in Eastern Washington, it’s June first and you now have two compelling incentives to SCAB (Stop Consuming Awful Beer) up: Firstly, the fine State of Washington’s set of new taxes go into effect and the tax on beer from the “mega-producers” is increasing to the third highest in the nation. Secondly, in case you haven’t heard we at Paradise Creek Brewery happen to be serving our beers now (un-affected by tax hikes) and they’re tasty! Those of you who live in Idaho only have one new reason to SCAB up, but really that’s all you need.

If you made it to our Relatively Amazing Tee Party last week, you now have bragging rights as one of the first few to have tasted our beer and you’ve got yourself a pretty fine tee shirt to back that up. Hopefully the shirt shows off your great features. Everyone had fantastic things to say about the beer and the food…it was gooder than good. But to me, the best part of the day was just getting a little bit closer to everyone. Could there be too much love out there right now?

In one case in particular, we had a gent named Richard who came in and said the following quote,

“I make it a point to visit as many brewpubs as I can as I travel the country and I can say that with out a doubt that yours is one of the finest with an incredible menu and absolutely outstanding beers.”

I’m not sure if that was before or after we comp’d his tab but he was very convincing.

Actually that part about comping his tab is made up but the rest is true. The story wouldn’t have been very funny without the comp’d part. Thanks to Richard, though, for making us feel so peachy about things.

So what’s going on this week? Some exciting stuff. And by exciting, I mean jump up with your fist in the air like the I Love What You Do For Me Toyota commercials. If I may direct your attention to the column at the left you’ll see that we’ve got some daily specials happening as well as the Happiest of Happy Hours from 3-5pm every day! Also MMB tells me to tell you that starting today, we’re open for lunch every day at 11:30am. Tomorrow we’ll be doing a homebrew batch out in the parking lot at 4pm during the Pullman Fresh Farm Market and then on Friday is our wine tasting with Stag’s Leap Cellars almost immediately followed by the Free Film of this week, Alice in Wonderland. I have serious doubts about my punctuation and proper sentence construction in that last paragraph but for some reason I’m okay with it.

See you around? Sure hope so.

Cougar Baseball finds out they’re on the

Road to Omaha @ Paradise Creek Brewery!

¡Cinco Preguntas!

It’s been a while since we’ve had a 5 Questions installment. In these past few weeks we’ve gained several new staff members on board who are handy with the ale, if you know what I mean. This issue we’re going to talk with one of our new servers, Ashley. She’s an Art (Graphic Design) student at UI and around here has earned the nickname Cutie Von Cutes. Actually that last part’s not true. But now it is.

1. Here’s the new token question: What’s your fave Paradise Creek Brew?

I really like the Dirty Blonde. I like how it’s got kind of a sweet malty flavor. And it’s not too hoppy. Most girls don’t like really bitter beer.

2. What have you been watching on your DVR lately?

DVR? I don’t even have cable. Actually, I don’t even have the internet! I go to the Rec Center at UI to watch TV because they have personal screens on their machines. I plan my elliptical workouts so I can catch Grey’s Anatomy.

3. Your choices are Dancing With The Stars or Biggest Loser: Which program would most likely lead to an addiction to pain killers? Please explain (extra credit for using “vapid” and “kills more brain cells than a frat boy during rush week”).

Dancing With The Stars. Actually I was just watching it because Kate Gosselin was on and I’m a Kate fan. Jon’s a piece of crap.

4. Black leggings and brown Uggs. I don’t get the trend. Explain.

It gets COLD! Leggings and furry Uggs keep you warm, they’re comfortable and they’re hip. Black & brown are coming back.

5. Vampires and Zombies are more popular than ever these days. Yeah, these days. Twilight or Buffy?

Buffy was before my time and Robert Pattinson is hot. Twilight wins.

Hopefully this has given you just a bit more insight into the mysteriously fun (in a weird way) world of Paradise Creek Brewery.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Friday, June 4

Sauvignon Blanc 2007

A symphony of delicious flavors and aromas come together in this lively and vibrant wine, including ruby red grapefruit and lemonlime, peach and nectarine, tropical notes of guava and mango, and a hint of fresh-cut grass. Try this wine with grilled prawns and peach salsa, or a spring vegetable risotto with fresh spinach, asparagus and peas.

Normally $20, tasting night $18

Karia Chardonnay 2007

A cornucopia of aromas emerges from this wine, with apple, white peach and orange blossom joining subtle layers of roasted almond and vanilla cream. Similar flavors are enjoyed on the palate with additional citrus notes. A delicate honey tone is supported by bright acidity all the way through the toasty brioche finish. This versatile and food-friendly wine is easily enjoyed with butternut squash ravioli with sage brown butter, shrimp scampi, or a pecan-crusted roast loin of pork.

Normally $25, tasting night $22.50

Merlot 2006

This wine is wonderfully aromatic with intense fruit notes of cherry, pomegranate, plum and strawberry, laced with spicy accents of vanilla, white pepper, and cinnamon. The aromas carry over to the palate, with an additional touch of milk chocolate. Subtle tannins gently grip the palate of this gracefully structured wine. A versatile wine with holiday fare, from herb-stuffed turkey to crown roast of pork with cornbread stuffing.

Normally $36, tasting night $32.40

Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon

Focused and complex, the wine opens with aromas and flavors of black fruit—blackberry, currant, and plum—that slowly give way to layers of nutmeg, rosemary, grilled game, and warm pie crust. This firmly structured and full-bodied wine gains depth and richness through the finish. Enjoy this wine with filet mignon with green peppercorn cream sauce or braised veal shanks with green olives and capers.

Normally $46, tasting night $41.40

The Final Four

Fade in to me passing out tee shirts and talking about Nelly Furtado at our Relatively Amazing Tee Party…

Me – How’s it going guys? How’d you like some free tee shirts?

Other person – Are you the one that writes the Brewsletter?

Me – So what sizes do you all wear?

Other person – What’s your name?

Me – Emmett Fitz-Hume. Not true, my name is Scott.

Other person – You are the Brewsletter guy! Can you put me in the next Brewsletter?

Me – So what sizes do you all wear?

Fade out…

1. My #1 pet-peeve: When people say “borrowed” when they should say “lent.” It happens. Believe me. Listen for it.

2. This is a Public Service Announcement: Now that Merry Cellars is no longer in the OPO, we carry just about every single one of their wines in the shop. Including their Carmenere and Tempranillo. This is the end of the Public Service Announcement and the beginning of something beautiful.

3. Just a side note…I could have covered Kobe.

4. My #2 pet-peeve: When The Girl leaves the sponge wet and in the sink.

Dear The Girl: Sorry for mentioning that. I couldn’t help myself.

This sentence is here strictly to take up space.

Have the greatest Tuesday ever.

Your BFFs at Paradise Creek Brewery

Relax. Have a homebrew. Yeahhhhhhh.

Scott — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:54:16 +0000

Beginning next week on Wednesday, May 19th is the Pullman Fresh Farm Market. It’s held right here in our parking lot, which makes buying great local foods and goods conveniently near buying great local beer (yeah yeah…it’s coming). Best of all, every-other Wednesday (beginning with the 19th) we will brew a 5 gallon all grain batch of beer out in our parking lot as a part of the market! It’s a very informal, laid-back brewing session. In fact, we usually have guest brewers brew their own recipes. I’m going to go ahead and kick off the first batch with an Imperial IPA. Just cuz.

We start brewing at about 4pm and go until we’re done and cleaned up…but everyone is invited and you can come and go as you please. If you’ve ever considered homebrewing this is a super-duper way to take part in the process and see how easy it is. Questions? Want to be the “brewmaster” for a night? Email us at beer@paradisecreekbrewery.com

Nuevo.

Scott — Fri, 07 May 2010 02:43:54 +0000

We got some new beers in just for you graduates. And those of you who wish you were graduating. And those of you who never went to school or graduated long ago and just want some damn fine beer.

Rogue – John John Dead Ale (what what?)

Anderson Valley – Summer Solstice (still snowing)

Stone – Old Guardian Barley Wine (best $6 you’ll spend)

Rogue – Double Dead Guy (double the pleasure + double the fun = double the headache)

Stone – Oaked Arrogant Bastard (this bastard’s got wood)

Stone – Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale (pour me a cold one, crab man)

Animalia

Scott — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:27:16 +0000

It’s spring time and that means one thing: frisky wildlife. To celebrate all that thriving in the natural (or domesticated) world, we’re going to feature wines with animals on the label. How’s that for stretching the “wine tasting theme envelope?” Pretty weak, I know. My creative well has run dry.

Snoqualmie – Riesling, Winemaker’s Select
Dunham – Three Legged Red
Kestrel – Cabernet Sauvingon
Covey Run – Semillon Ice Wine

We’ve also got a few new beers in stock:
Dogfish Head – Aprilhop
Dogfish Head – Burton Baton
Snoqualmie – Haystack Hefe
Iron Horse – Loco Red (returning)

Give the Gubna a Harrumph.

Scott Mackey — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 02:30:24 +0000

Got some new ones in for ya. I’ll try to post whenever we get new beers and wines in the shop.

New Brews:
The Lost Abbey – Lost and Found
Great Divide – Denver Pale Ale
Oskar Blues – GUBNA
21st Amendment – Brew Free IPA
Boulder Brewing – Hazed and Infused
Victory – Prima Pils
Sierra 30 Project – Firtz and Ken’s (Porter) Ale
Elysian – Jasmine IPA

New Vino
Frenchman Hills – Merlot (Washington)
Frenchman Hills – Red (Washington)
Frenchman Hills – Cab (Washington)
Frenchman Hills – Syrah (Washington)
Bodega Septima – Malbec (Argentinia)
Trevisiol – Prosecco (Italy)
Riff – Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Tenuta – Scaia Rosso (Italy)
Nessun Dorma – Super Tuscan (Italy)
Avignonesi – Nobile di Montepulciano (Italy)
Peter Lehmann – Shiraz (Australia)

Mentos in zee Bier.

Scott Mackey — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:24:33 +0000

The Gang Goes to Cabaret

Scott Mackey — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:50:06 +0000

It’s the largest fundraiser for the Pullman Chamber of Commerce. There’s food, drinks, auctions and a swing band. Sounds like a party to us! Black tie optional? We’ll see that raise you a zoot suit. The Wort Hoppin’ Voodoo Daddies showed up in style and took the joint by force. It was a great time and a successful fundraiser!

Zoot Suit Riot

Paradise Creek Brewery is pleased to have raised over $2000 for the Chamber through our donations of a Tour Bus to take 45 people to a brewery or winery of their choice and as a separate item, the two main ingredients for a party of 60 people: beer and a pig roast!

Not sure how we can one-up ourselves for next year…but we’ll manage.

Mack The Knife and Tommy Gun Handy are lookin' at ya!