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‘Earth To Beer’: Oregon, US breweries join project to brew a beer with environment in mind

News Feed
Friday, March 22, 2024

Editor’s note: This is a re-publication of the Oregon Brews and News weekly beer and cider newsletter, written by Oregonian/OregonLive beer writer Andre Meunier. To subscribe to have the newsletter delivered every Thursday at noon to your email inbox, go to oregonlive.com/newsletters and sign up.***Eric Steen is a brewing industry renaissance man. From marketing, to media relations, to event planning, to beer expert TV appearances, he does it all. And, more importantly, he’s a great human who cares about people.One of Steen’s passions is conservation and environmentalism, and in the past he has brought his interests together with projects like Cheers to the Land, The Oregon I Am, and Beers Made By Walking. Now, Steen is organizing Earth To Beer, a national movement with a goal for participating breweries to create a packaged beer that’s better for the planet. The initiative asks breweries to intentionally source environmentally responsible ingredients for their beer, then donate a portion of proceeds to a local environmentally focused nonprofit.Steen’s work is highly recognized and respected in the brewing world, so it’s no surprise that more than 35 breweries are on board, including Oregon names like Hopworks, Steeplejack, Little Beast, Level and Ferment. They will begin releasing beers starting on April 1, and continue through Earth Day on April 22.“We created Earth To Beer to advance the conversation about the importance of sourcing sustainable ingredients and supporting good agriculture,” Steen said. “While this is a national campaign in terms of the range of breweries involved and the audience we’re trying to connect with, it’s very much a local initiative in terms of the very real impacts we expect and hope to see.”Each brewery picks its own style to make, based on what sustainable ingredients they choose to use and what beer they know their fans will want. They also receive a unique, eye-catching label, created by Earth To Beer and designed to align with individual brewery’s branding while employing a common Earth to Beer layout supporting the movement’s overall look and feel.The project also offers scholarships — funded by Earth To Beer sponsor Arryved — to BIPOC-owned and newly opened breweries to cover costs.“Because beer is an agricultural product, I’ve been inspired by the relationship between conservation and craft beer for years,” Steen said. “It just feels like a really organic pathway to make some real change and work with a lot of people who often have the passion to make more sustainable choices but need help establishing a jumping off point.”Cheers to the project and to Eric. Start looking for Earth To Beer cans soon, and get a full list of participating breweries and sponsors at earthtobeer.com.Mayfly buzzing at 5 years oldRyan Born opened Mayfly Taproom & Bottle Shop nearly a year to the day before COVID-19 shut the city down, making its first year — always tough for a new business — even harder.“Pivot after pivot, the roller coaster ride is real,” Born says. “My original manager Morgan talked about it not being the kind of roller coaster you ride at a big theme park, but the kind at a state fair that they just assembled and is being operated by some 17-year-old kid who got just a few hours of training. It feels like it might all come crumbling down any minute.”Well said, Ryan and Morgan, but the crew at the excellent North Portland beer bar has made it to five years, and they’re ready to party for three days this weekend, from Friday through Sunday.“We made it to 5 thanks to our ridiculously amazing community,” Born says. Here are all the details:Friday: The day will feature “our friends Taylor and Kailin from Steward’s Valley Farm,” Born says. “They are amazing folks with a great little family farm in Oregon City.” The first feature will be a special one-off keg of Babi from Living Häus Beer Co., a Czech-style black lager that is easy drinking and refreshing with just a touch of roast character and a toasty malt bill. It’s been infused with a Steward’s Valley roasted coffee from Guji, Ethiopia. The second feature will be part of Little Brother PDX’s pop-up menu, featuring some overwintered kale as well as dried beans and chilies from last year’s harvest. Their full menu consists of their “Looper Burger,” house bratwurst, braised kale and beans, and banana bread with chocolate chips and hazelnuts.Saturday: Champs Burgers will be debuting a new burger grind made from 50-day dry-aged NY strips, Drag Bingo with Peachy Springs, and Yovu Beer from Nate Yovu, a North Portlander who brewed up a special batch of what he’s calling a “White Lager” —  a sort of Cold IPA/Hazy hybrid. It’s called Ghostman and clocks in at 5%.Sunday: This is Mayfly’s fifth year partnering with Yoga+Beer, so what better way to start its sixth year with a morning practice. Tickets available here. Machetes.PDX makes psychedelic looking marbled “quesadillas.” This Mexico City street food is a long tortilla (shaped like a machete blade) that you can fill with up to four guisados (braised or stewed meats, vegetables, etc).“The road to 5 hasn’t been easy,” Born says, “but treating Mayfly (and our plaza) as a community space to host pop-ups, book clubs, makers markets and many other events has allowed us to support so many additional small/tiny businesses in our community, and the relationships that have been formed have helped us get to where we are today.“We look forward to hosting many more of these events and continuing to bring people together over a good pint, and a great plate of food,” he says.Noon-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. 8350 N. Fenwick Ave.Best of Craft Beer Awards heldThe Best of Craft Beer Awards were just held in Redmond, and the competition, billed as “one of America’s fastest growing beer awards,” featured 389 breweries that submitted almost 2,000 entries in 55 categories. Over 100 judges sampled the offerings over three days, then awarded 169 gold, silver, and bronze medals to 123 breweries located around the world. The highlights:2024 Large-Sized Brewery of the Year: Breakside Brewery & Taproom of Milwaukie2024 Medium-Sized Brewery of the Year: Best Day Brewing of Sausalito, California2024 Small-size Brewery of the Year: McMenamins Old Saint Francis School of BendGet all the results here.Sports Bra snub not appreciatedMy colleague Lizzy Acker is, like me, a fan of The Sports Bra, the women’s sports themed bar on Northeast Broadway. So Lizzy, a trending and arts reporter, was not pleased this week when a list of the country’s best sports bars came out and listed one particular Portland sports bar but not another particular sports bar. Read her entertaining take here to learn more.Beer of the WeekBier Wulf Bavarian IPA by Double Mountain Brewery & CideryCourtesy of Double Mountain Brewery & CideryBier Wulf Bavarian IPA, Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery: The Hood River brewery describes its newest seasonal release as a “testament to the Bavarian IPA style but with a twist. It unifies the earthy tones of German hops with the vibrant citrus notes of American counterparts. The German malts provide a complementary foundation, allowing the hops to take center stage. While the use of Hygge yeast lends a clean ferment with light fruit esters, resulting in a dry finish and a pleasantly bready mouthfeel.” Brewery notes: “Notes of ripe citrus, grapefruit pith, and spicy evergreen howling across the palate. The appearance of Bier Wulf is akin to “Sunshine in Brugge,” while its aroma evokes images of wildflowers, bright citrus, and sticky fruit. With a medium bitterness on the tongue and a dry, crisp finish complemented by hints of pineapple, orange, lemon, and pine, Bier Wulf promises an exploration of all of your inner wolf senses.” Bier Wulf also comes with an accompanying Spotify playlist curated by the brewers — scan the code on the bottle with Spotify to access the playlist. Bier Wulf now available for purchase in 500ml refillable bottles and on tap at all Double Mountain locations and in retail throughout the Northwest.What to do, what to do?Upright Brewing 15th anniversary: I’ll be writing more in depth on this soon, but mark the date on Saturday, April 6, when Upright will throw down to celebrate 15 trips around the sun. Founder and head brewer Alex Ganum hosts the bash at the brewery’s main location, 240 N. Broadway, with collabs and a new Upright release. This party, from 1-9 p.m., is sure to draw the who’s who among the Portland brewing community to celebrate this cherished brewery. See you there.Tualatin Valley’s Tap Season: Launched by Explore Tualatin Valley, the destination marketing organization that markets Tualatin Valley as a travel destination, Tap Season is a promotion for beer and cider lovers that includes exclusive event and specials, as well as the re-launch of the successful Tualatin Valley Ale Trail Mobile Passport — a digital passport where beer connoisseurs will earn points for prizes by checking in to any of the 37 participating producers, including Breakside, Ancestry, Bull Run Cider, Cooper Mountain, Golden Valley and Portland Cider.Events include:Alpaca Happy Hour 1: Noon-3 p.m., Hillsboro Downtown Station, 320 S.E. Baseline St., Hillsboro. Come to the food carts at Hillsboro Downtown Station and snap a pic with the alpacas, enjoy happy hour specials on some of your favorite Tualatin Valley beers and ciders, and hang out with the Tap Season Street Team, which will be handing out free swag)Alpaca Happy Hour 2: 4-6 p.m., Stickmen Brewing’s Tualatin Beer Hall, 19475 S.W. 118th Ave., Suite 1, Tualatin. The Beer Hall is also hosting an alpaca happy hour. Meet the alpacas while you enjoy happy hour specials on some of your favorite Tualatin Valley beers and ciders. The Tap Season Street Team will hand out free Tap Season swag again.Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest: Now in its ninth year, this annual event, held this year on April 27, invites seasoned and novice cider enthusiasts to sample ciders from Columbia River Gorge and Pacific Northwest hard cidermakers. It offers over 60 ciders on tap from more than 30 cideries. Held at the Port of Hood River Event Site, this year the event expands its footprint to provide beachfront access to the Columbia River and the option for attendees to bring their own glass, contributing to what organizers call an “immersive and sustainable Hood River experience.” Beyond cider sampling, the daylong event boasts artisan food, art vendors, music and a children’s play area. For more information or tickets, visit hoodriverciderfest.com. For more information on Hood River, or to book a stay at one of Hood River’s lodging options visit visithoodriver.com/stay.New Releases of NotePaloma Sour, Migration BrewingColby SchlickerPaloma Sour, Migration Brewing: This beer, released for the second time on Wednesday, won the Experimental Beers category at the Best of Craft Beer Awards. This gently tart, golden soured ale was fermented before being inoculated with Migration’s house lactobacillus culture, then was aged in Reposado Tequila barrels before being blended with ample amounts of grapefruit puree, lime juice and zest. A dusting of Hawaiian sea salt was added to round out this Paloma-style cocktail sour. Brewery notes: “Hints of oak complement delicate tequila and citrus notes, while gentle acidity and light salinity combine for a complex refreshing beer that resonates with beer and cocktail drinkers alike.”Farm-to-Market Hazy Imperial IPA, Laurelwood Brewing and Zupan’s Markets: The 28th installment in Zupan’s Farm-to-Market beer series, which began in 2015, is this hazy double IPA with the Northeast Portland brewery — the second between the two. Brewery notes: “Smooth, resiny grapefruit flavor with a tropical, dank citrus aroma, set against a backdrop of rosy straw-orange haze and a light yellow-orange tan head. The beer is crafted from a blend of premium malts and a diverse selection of hops for a complex yet balanced profile.” Available exclusively at Zupan’s Markets in 16-ounce cans.Fresh Squeezed Non-Alcoholic IPA, Deschutes Brewery: The Bend and Portland brewery’s latest release is a nonalcoholic version of its No. 1 selling IPA, Fresh Squeezed. Deschutes has invested heavily in NA over the past five years, and NA Fresh Squeezed is crafted in-house through a partnership with Sustainable Beverage Technologies and uses the company’s patented BrewVo® technology in combination with Deschutes’ proprietary brewing methods. Brewery notes: “Brilliantly balanced and features the same Citra and Mosaic hops as the original, delivering refreshing notes of bright citrus and tropical fruit, with less than 0.5% ABV.” Fresh Squeezed NA comes on the heels of Deschutes’ first packaged non-alcoholic beer, Black Butte Non-Alcoholic, which quickly became the brewery’s highest rate-of-sale six-pack. Both are available nationwide at select retailers, bars, and restaurants. Use the “beer finder” to find the closest retailer or here to purchase the new non-alcoholic options online.McMenamins Hard Seltzer – Lemon Raspberry, McMenamins West Linn Brewery: The brewery group is the latest to enter the “seltzer space,” as industry lingo calls it. McMenamins says it plans to have different flavors of its Hard Seltzer in the future, but as a tribute to its well-known Ruby Ale, Raspberry is the first. Brewery notes: “Light and refreshing, this low calorie sipper delivers delicious flavors of raspberry and a hint of lemon for a crisp and effervescent experience.” Now available on draft at McMenamins locations and in cans starting Friday, March 29.— Andre Meunier has been writing about Northwest beer and breweries since 2016; reach him at 503-221-8488 or ameunier@oregonian.com, and sign up for his weekly newsletter, Oregon Brews and News. Instagram: @oregonianbeerguy

The Portland-born effort asks breweries to source environmentally responsible ingredients for a beer then donate to a local environmentally focused nonprofit. Also in this beer news roundup, North Portland's Mayfly throws a three-day party this weekend for its fifth anniversary.

Editor’s note: This is a re-publication of the Oregon Brews and News weekly beer and cider newsletter, written by Oregonian/OregonLive beer writer Andre Meunier. To subscribe to have the newsletter delivered every Thursday at noon to your email inbox, go to oregonlive.com/newsletters and sign up.

***

Eric Steen is a brewing industry renaissance man. From marketing, to media relations, to event planning, to beer expert TV appearances, he does it all. And, more importantly, he’s a great human who cares about people.

One of Steen’s passions is conservation and environmentalism, and in the past he has brought his interests together with projects like Cheers to the Land, The Oregon I Am, and Beers Made By Walking. Now, Steen is organizing Earth To Beer, a national movement with a goal for participating breweries to create a packaged beer that’s better for the planet. The initiative asks breweries to intentionally source environmentally responsible ingredients for their beer, then donate a portion of proceeds to a local environmentally focused nonprofit.

Steen’s work is highly recognized and respected in the brewing world, so it’s no surprise that more than 35 breweries are on board, including Oregon names like Hopworks, Steeplejack, Little Beast, Level and Ferment. They will begin releasing beers starting on April 1, and continue through Earth Day on April 22.

“We created Earth To Beer to advance the conversation about the importance of sourcing sustainable ingredients and supporting good agriculture,” Steen said. “While this is a national campaign in terms of the range of breweries involved and the audience we’re trying to connect with, it’s very much a local initiative in terms of the very real impacts we expect and hope to see.”

Each brewery picks its own style to make, based on what sustainable ingredients they choose to use and what beer they know their fans will want. They also receive a unique, eye-catching label, created by Earth To Beer and designed to align with individual brewery’s branding while employing a common Earth to Beer layout supporting the movement’s overall look and feel.

The project also offers scholarships — funded by Earth To Beer sponsor Arryved — to BIPOC-owned and newly opened breweries to cover costs.

“Because beer is an agricultural product, I’ve been inspired by the relationship between conservation and craft beer for years,” Steen said. “It just feels like a really organic pathway to make some real change and work with a lot of people who often have the passion to make more sustainable choices but need help establishing a jumping off point.”

Cheers to the project and to Eric. Start looking for Earth To Beer cans soon, and get a full list of participating breweries and sponsors at earthtobeer.com.

Mayfly buzzing at 5 years old

Ryan Born opened Mayfly Taproom & Bottle Shop nearly a year to the day before COVID-19 shut the city down, making its first year — always tough for a new business — even harder.

“Pivot after pivot, the roller coaster ride is real,” Born says. “My original manager Morgan talked about it not being the kind of roller coaster you ride at a big theme park, but the kind at a state fair that they just assembled and is being operated by some 17-year-old kid who got just a few hours of training. It feels like it might all come crumbling down any minute.”

Well said, Ryan and Morgan, but the crew at the excellent North Portland beer bar has made it to five years, and they’re ready to party for three days this weekend, from Friday through Sunday.

“We made it to 5 thanks to our ridiculously amazing community,” Born says. Here are all the details:

  • Friday: The day will feature “our friends Taylor and Kailin from Steward’s Valley Farm,” Born says. “They are amazing folks with a great little family farm in Oregon City.” The first feature will be a special one-off keg of Babi from Living Häus Beer Co., a Czech-style black lager that is easy drinking and refreshing with just a touch of roast character and a toasty malt bill. It’s been infused with a Steward’s Valley roasted coffee from Guji, Ethiopia. The second feature will be part of Little Brother PDX’s pop-up menu, featuring some overwintered kale as well as dried beans and chilies from last year’s harvest. Their full menu consists of their “Looper Burger,” house bratwurst, braised kale and beans, and banana bread with chocolate chips and hazelnuts.
  • Saturday: Champs Burgers will be debuting a new burger grind made from 50-day dry-aged NY strips, Drag Bingo with Peachy Springs, and Yovu Beer from Nate Yovu, a North Portlander who brewed up a special batch of what he’s calling a “White Lager” —  a sort of Cold IPA/Hazy hybrid. It’s called Ghostman and clocks in at 5%.
  • Sunday: This is Mayfly’s fifth year partnering with Yoga+Beer, so what better way to start its sixth year with a morning practice. Tickets available here. Machetes.PDX makes psychedelic looking marbled “quesadillas.” This Mexico City street food is a long tortilla (shaped like a machete blade) that you can fill with up to four guisados (braised or stewed meats, vegetables, etc).

“The road to 5 hasn’t been easy,” Born says, “but treating Mayfly (and our plaza) as a community space to host pop-ups, book clubs, makers markets and many other events has allowed us to support so many additional small/tiny businesses in our community, and the relationships that have been formed have helped us get to where we are today.

“We look forward to hosting many more of these events and continuing to bring people together over a good pint, and a great plate of food,” he says.

Noon-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. 8350 N. Fenwick Ave.

Best of Craft Beer Awards held

The Best of Craft Beer Awards were just held in Redmond, and the competition, billed as “one of America’s fastest growing beer awards,” featured 389 breweries that submitted almost 2,000 entries in 55 categories. Over 100 judges sampled the offerings over three days, then awarded 169 gold, silver, and bronze medals to 123 breweries located around the world. The highlights:

  • 2024 Large-Sized Brewery of the Year: Breakside Brewery & Taproom of Milwaukie
  • 2024 Medium-Sized Brewery of the Year: Best Day Brewing of Sausalito, California
  • 2024 Small-size Brewery of the Year: McMenamins Old Saint Francis School of Bend

Get all the results here.

Sports Bra snub not appreciated

My colleague Lizzy Acker is, like me, a fan of The Sports Bra, the women’s sports themed bar on Northeast Broadway. So Lizzy, a trending and arts reporter, was not pleased this week when a list of the country’s best sports bars came out and listed one particular Portland sports bar but not another particular sports bar. Read her entertaining take here to learn more.

Beer of the Week

A beer logo

Bier Wulf Bavarian IPA by Double Mountain Brewery & CideryCourtesy of Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery

Bier Wulf Bavarian IPA, Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery: The Hood River brewery describes its newest seasonal release as a “testament to the Bavarian IPA style but with a twist. It unifies the earthy tones of German hops with the vibrant citrus notes of American counterparts. The German malts provide a complementary foundation, allowing the hops to take center stage. While the use of Hygge yeast lends a clean ferment with light fruit esters, resulting in a dry finish and a pleasantly bready mouthfeel.” Brewery notes: “Notes of ripe citrus, grapefruit pith, and spicy evergreen howling across the palate. The appearance of Bier Wulf is akin to “Sunshine in Brugge,” while its aroma evokes images of wildflowers, bright citrus, and sticky fruit. With a medium bitterness on the tongue and a dry, crisp finish complemented by hints of pineapple, orange, lemon, and pine, Bier Wulf promises an exploration of all of your inner wolf senses.” Bier Wulf also comes with an accompanying Spotify playlist curated by the brewers — scan the code on the bottle with Spotify to access the playlist. Bier Wulf now available for purchase in 500ml refillable bottles and on tap at all Double Mountain locations and in retail throughout the Northwest.

What to do, what to do?

Upright Brewing 15th anniversary: I’ll be writing more in depth on this soon, but mark the date on Saturday, April 6, when Upright will throw down to celebrate 15 trips around the sun. Founder and head brewer Alex Ganum hosts the bash at the brewery’s main location, 240 N. Broadway, with collabs and a new Upright release. This party, from 1-9 p.m., is sure to draw the who’s who among the Portland brewing community to celebrate this cherished brewery. See you there.

Tualatin Valley’s Tap Season: Launched by Explore Tualatin Valley, the destination marketing organization that markets Tualatin Valley as a travel destination, Tap Season is a promotion for beer and cider lovers that includes exclusive event and specials, as well as the re-launch of the successful Tualatin Valley Ale Trail Mobile Passport — a digital passport where beer connoisseurs will earn points for prizes by checking in to any of the 37 participating producers, including Breakside, Ancestry, Bull Run Cider, Cooper Mountain, Golden Valley and Portland Cider.

Events include:

  • Alpaca Happy Hour 1: Noon-3 p.m., Hillsboro Downtown Station, 320 S.E. Baseline St., Hillsboro. Come to the food carts at Hillsboro Downtown Station and snap a pic with the alpacas, enjoy happy hour specials on some of your favorite Tualatin Valley beers and ciders, and hang out with the Tap Season Street Team, which will be handing out free swag)
  • Alpaca Happy Hour 2: 4-6 p.m., Stickmen Brewing’s Tualatin Beer Hall, 19475 S.W. 118th Ave., Suite 1, Tualatin. The Beer Hall is also hosting an alpaca happy hour. Meet the alpacas while you enjoy happy hour specials on some of your favorite Tualatin Valley beers and ciders. The Tap Season Street Team will hand out free Tap Season swag again.

Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest: Now in its ninth year, this annual event, held this year on April 27, invites seasoned and novice cider enthusiasts to sample ciders from Columbia River Gorge and Pacific Northwest hard cidermakers. It offers over 60 ciders on tap from more than 30 cideries. Held at the Port of Hood River Event Site, this year the event expands its footprint to provide beachfront access to the Columbia River and the option for attendees to bring their own glass, contributing to what organizers call an “immersive and sustainable Hood River experience.” Beyond cider sampling, the daylong event boasts artisan food, art vendors, music and a children’s play area. For more information or tickets, visit hoodriverciderfest.com. For more information on Hood River, or to book a stay at one of Hood River’s lodging options visit visithoodriver.com/stay.

New Releases of Note

A man holds bottles of beer

Paloma Sour, Migration BrewingColby Schlicker

Paloma Sour, Migration Brewing: This beer, released for the second time on Wednesday, won the Experimental Beers category at the Best of Craft Beer Awards. This gently tart, golden soured ale was fermented before being inoculated with Migration’s house lactobacillus culture, then was aged in Reposado Tequila barrels before being blended with ample amounts of grapefruit puree, lime juice and zest. A dusting of Hawaiian sea salt was added to round out this Paloma-style cocktail sour. Brewery notes: “Hints of oak complement delicate tequila and citrus notes, while gentle acidity and light salinity combine for a complex refreshing beer that resonates with beer and cocktail drinkers alike.”

Farm-to-Market Hazy Imperial IPA, Laurelwood Brewing and Zupan’s Markets: The 28th installment in Zupan’s Farm-to-Market beer series, which began in 2015, is this hazy double IPA with the Northeast Portland brewery — the second between the two. Brewery notes: “Smooth, resiny grapefruit flavor with a tropical, dank citrus aroma, set against a backdrop of rosy straw-orange haze and a light yellow-orange tan head. The beer is crafted from a blend of premium malts and a diverse selection of hops for a complex yet balanced profile.” Available exclusively at Zupan’s Markets in 16-ounce cans.

Fresh Squeezed Non-Alcoholic IPA, Deschutes Brewery: The Bend and Portland brewery’s latest release is a nonalcoholic version of its No. 1 selling IPA, Fresh Squeezed. Deschutes has invested heavily in NA over the past five years, and NA Fresh Squeezed is crafted in-house through a partnership with Sustainable Beverage Technologies and uses the company’s patented BrewVo® technology in combination with Deschutes’ proprietary brewing methods. Brewery notes: “Brilliantly balanced and features the same Citra and Mosaic hops as the original, delivering refreshing notes of bright citrus and tropical fruit, with less than 0.5% ABV.” Fresh Squeezed NA comes on the heels of Deschutes’ first packaged non-alcoholic beer, Black Butte Non-Alcoholic, which quickly became the brewery’s highest rate-of-sale six-pack. Both are available nationwide at select retailers, bars, and restaurants. Use the “beer finder” to find the closest retailer or here to purchase the new non-alcoholic options online.

McMenamins Hard Seltzer – Lemon Raspberry, McMenamins West Linn Brewery: The brewery group is the latest to enter the “seltzer space,” as industry lingo calls it. McMenamins says it plans to have different flavors of its Hard Seltzer in the future, but as a tribute to its well-known Ruby Ale, Raspberry is the first. Brewery notes: “Light and refreshing, this low calorie sipper delivers delicious flavors of raspberry and a hint of lemon for a crisp and effervescent experience.” Now available on draft at McMenamins locations and in cans starting Friday, March 29.

— Andre Meunier has been writing about Northwest beer and breweries since 2016; reach him at 503-221-8488 or ameunier@oregonian.com, and sign up for his weekly newsletter, Oregon Brews and News. Instagram: @oregonianbeerguy

Read the full story here.
Photos courtesy of

Legal Immunity for Pesticide Companies Removed from EPA Funding Bill

January 6, 2026 – After a legislative fight led by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), members of Congress stripped a controversial provision out of the latest version of a bill that funds the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The bill is expected to move forward in the House this week, as lawmakers rush to finalize the 2026 […] The post Legal Immunity for Pesticide Companies Removed from EPA Funding Bill appeared first on Civil Eats.

January 6, 2026 – After a legislative fight led by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), members of Congress stripped a controversial provision out of the latest version of a bill that funds the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The bill is expected to move forward in the House this week, as lawmakers rush to finalize the 2026 appropriations process by Jan. 30 to avoid another government shutdown. The provision, referred to as Section 435, would have made it harder for individuals to sue pesticide manufacturers over alleged health harms. Bayer, which for years has been battling lawsuits alleging its herbicide Roundup causes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has lobbied for the provision, among other political and legal efforts to protect the corporation’s interests. When the provision first appeared in the bill earlier this year, Pingree quickly introduced an amendment to remove it. At that time, she wasn’t able to get enough votes to take it out. “It had fairly strong Republican support,” she told Civil Eats in an exclusive interview. (In December, the Trump administration also sided with Bayer in a Supreme Court case that could deliver a similar level of legal immunity through the courts instead of legislation.) Pingree said she kept up the battle, and, over the last several months a number of other groups put pressure on Congress to remove the rider, including environmental organizations, organic advocates, and MAHA Action, the biggest organization supporting the Trump administration and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again agenda. MAHA Action celebrated the development with a post on X that said, “WE DID IT!,” though they did not mention Pingree. Kelly Ryerson, a prominent MAHA supporter who led efforts to lobby against the rider, thanked a group of Republicans on X for the end result. Pingree said she’s happy to share the credit with advocates. “It was my fight, but nobody does this alone. There are advocates on the environment and organic side that have been at this for a long time. But Republicans got a lot of calls going into the markup, they knew there was a lot of interest on the MAHA side,” she said. “It’s important to have a win to show there is widespread bipartisan support for restricting these toxic chemicals in our food and our environment.” Pingree said she’s been told the rider will likely come up again if the farm bill process restarts, and its supporters could also try to insert it in other legislation. The funding bill also rejects deep cuts to the EPA budget that the Trump administration requested and instead proposes a small decrease of around 4 percent. And, like the agriculture appropriations bill passed in November, it includes language that restricts the ability of the EPA to reorganize or cut significant staff without notifying Congress. (Link to this post.) The post Legal Immunity for Pesticide Companies Removed from EPA Funding Bill appeared first on Civil Eats.

10 Farm Bill Proposals to Watch in 2026

Called marker bills, the proposals cover a wide range of farm group priorities, from access to credit to forever-chemical contamination to investment in organic agriculture. House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) told Politico in December that he would restart the farm bill process this month. In an interview with Agri-Pulse, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair […] The post 10 Farm Bill Proposals to Watch in 2026 appeared first on Civil Eats.

As lawmakers wrapped up 2025 and agriculture leaders signaled they intend to move forward on a five-year farm bill early this year, many introduced bills that would typically be included in that larger legislative package. Called marker bills, the proposals cover a wide range of farm group priorities, from access to credit to forever-chemical contamination to investment in organic agriculture. House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) told Politico in December that he would restart the farm bill process this month. In an interview with Agri-Pulse, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Arkansas) said his chamber would work on it “right after the first of the year.” But most experts say there’s no clear path forward for a new farm bill. The last five-year farm bill expired in September 2023. Because Congress had not completed a new one, they extended the previous bill, then extended it again in 2024. In 2025, Republicans included in their One Big Beautiful Bill the biggest-ever cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and a boost in commodity crop subsidies, and later extended other farm programs in the bill package that ended the government shutdown. The SNAP actions torpedoed Democrats’ willingness to compromise (some have signaled they won’t support a farm bill unless it rolls back some of the cuts), while the extension of the big farm programs took pressure off both parties. Still, that didn’t stop lawmakers from introducing and reintroducing over the last month many marker bills they hope to get in an actual farm bill package if things change. Here are 10 recent proposals important to farmers, most of which have bipartisan support. Fair Credit for Farmers Act: Makes changes to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to make it easier for farmers to get loans. Introduced by Representative Alma Adams (D-North Carolina) in the House and Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) in the Senate. Key supporters: National Family Farm Coalition, RAFI. FARM Home Loans Act: Increases rural homebuyers’ access to Farm Credit loans by expanding the definition of “rural area” to include areas with larger populations. Introduced by Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Michigan) and Bill Huizeng (R-Michigan). Key supporters: Farm Credit Council. USDA Loan Modernization Act: Updates USDA loan requirements to allow farmers with at least a 50 percent operational interest to qualify. Introduced by Representatives Mike Bost (R-Illinois) and Nikki Budzinski (D-Illinois). Key supporters: Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Pork Producers Association. Relief for Farmers Hit With PFAS Act: Sets up a USDA grant program for states to help farmers affected by forever-chemical contamination in their fields, test soil, monitor farmer health impacts, and conduct research on farms. Introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) in the Senate and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Mike Lawler (R-New York) in the House. Key supporters: Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act: Requires the USDA to weigh factors including environmental sustainability, social and racial equity, worker well-being, and animal welfare in federal food purchasing, and helps smaller farms and food companies meet requirements to become USDA vendors. Introduced by Senator Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) and several co-sponsors in the Senate, and Representative Alma Adams (D-North Carolina) and several co-sponsors in the House. Key supporters: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. AGRITOURISM Act: Designates an Agritourism Advisor at the USDA to support the economic viability of family farms. Introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) and several co-sponsors in the Senate, and Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (D-Virginia) and Dan Newhouse (R-Washington) in the House. Key supporters: Brewers Association, WineAmerica. Domestic Organic Investment Act: Creates a USDA grant program to fund expansion of the domestic certified-organic food supply chain, including expanding storage, processing, and distribution. Introduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) in the Senate, and Representatives Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon) and Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin) in the House. Key supporters: Organic Trade Association. Zero Food Waste Act: Creates a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant program to fund projects that prevent, divert, or recycle food waste. Introduced by Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Julia Brownley (D-California) in the House, and Senator Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) in the Senate. Key supporters: Natural Resources Defense Council, ReFed. LOCAL Foods Act: Allows farmers to process animals on their farms without meeting certain regulations if the meat will not be sold. Introduced by Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and several co-sponsors in the Senate, and Representative Eugene Vindman (D-Virginia) and several co-sponsors in the House. Key supporters: Rural Vermont, National Family Farm Coalition. PROTEIN Act: Directs more than $500 million in federal support over the next five years toward research and development for “alternative proteins.” Introduced by Senator Adam Schiff (D-California) in the Senate, and Representative Julia Brownley (D-California) in the House. Key supporters: Good Food Institute, Plant-Based Foods Institute. The post 10 Farm Bill Proposals to Watch in 2026 appeared first on Civil Eats.

China and South Korea Pledge to Bolster Ties as Regional Tensions Rise

South Korea and China have pledged to boost trade and safeguard regional stability

BEIJING (AP) — China and South Korea’s leaders pledged to boost trade and safeguard regional stability on Monday during a visit to Beijing by the South Korean president that was overshadowed by North Korea’s recent ballistic missile tests.South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of his four-day trip to China — his first since taking office, in June.As Xi hosted Lee at the imposing Great Hall of the People, the Chinese president stressed the two countries’ “important responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and promoting global development,” according to a readout of their meeting broadcast by state-run CCTV.Lee spoke about opening “a new chapter in the development of Korea-China relations” during “changing times.”“The two countries should make joint contributions to promote peace, which is the foundation for prosperity and growth,” Lee said.The visit comes as China wants to shore up regional support amid rising tensions with Japan. Beijing and South Korea’s ties themselves have fluctuated in recent years, with frictions over South Korea’s hosting of U.S. military troops and armaments. North Korea launches ballistic missiles ahead of the meeting Just hours before Lee’s arrival in China, North Korea launched several ballistic missiles into the sea, including, it said, hypersonic missiles, which travel at five times the speed of sound and are extra-difficult to detect and intercept.The tests came as Pyongyang criticized a U.S. attack on Venezuela that included the removal of its strongman leader Nicolás Maduro.North Korea, which has long feared the U.S. might seek regime change in Pyongyang, criticized the attack as a wild violation of Venezuela's sovereignty and an example of the “rogue and brutal nature of the U.S.”China had also condemned the U.S. attack, which it said violated international law and threatened peace in Latin America.China is North Korea’s strongest backer and economic lifeline amid U.S. sanctions targeting Pyongyang's missile and nuclear program. China’s frictions with Japan also loom over the visit Lee’s visit also coincided, more broadly, with rising tensions between China and Japan over recent comments by Japan’s new leader that Tokyo could intervene in a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan, the island democracy China claims as its own.Last week, China staged large-scale military drills around the island for two days to warn against separatist and “external interference” forces. In his meeting with Lee, Xi mentioned China and Korea’s historical rivalry against Japan, calling on the two countries to “join hands to defend the fruits of victory in World War II and safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia.”Regarding South Korea's military cooperation with the U.S., Lee said during an interview with CCTV ahead of his trip that it shouldn't mean that South Korea-China relations should move toward confrontation. He added that his visit to China aimed to “minimize or eliminate past misunderstandings or contradictions (and) elevate and develop South Korea-China relations to a new stage.” Agreements in technology, trade and transportation China and South Korea maintain robust trade ties, with bilateral trade reaching about $273 billion in 2024.During their meeting, Xi and Lee oversaw the signing of 15 cooperation agreements in areas such as technology, trade, transportation and environmental protection, CCTV reported.Earlier on Monday, Lee had attended a business forum in Beijing with representatives of major South Korean and Chinese companies, including Samsung, Hyundai, LG and Alibaba Group.At that meeting, Lee and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng oversaw the signing of agreements in areas such as consumer goods, agriculture, biotechnology and entertainment.AP reporter Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul contributed to this report.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Photos You Should See – December 2025

GOP lawmakers’ power transfers are reshaping North Carolina

North Carolina’s Republican-led legislature has siphoned off some of the governor’s traditional powers

North Carolina voters have chosen Democrats in three straight elections for governor; the state’s Republican-led legislature has countered by siphoning off some of the powers that traditionally came with the job. These power grabs have had a profound effect on both democracy in the state and on the everyday lives of North Carolina residents, Democrats argue. The changes are “weakening environmental protections, raising energy costs, and politicizing election administration,” Josh Stein, North Carolina’s governor, said in a text message responding to questions from ProPublica. Republican leaders in the General Assembly did not respond to requests for comment or emailed questions about the power shifts. In the past, they have defended these actions as reflecting the will of voters, with the senate president describing one key bill as balancing “appointment power between the legislative and executive branches.” Former state Sen. Bob Rucho, a Republican picked to sit on the state elections board after lawmakers shifted control from Stein to the Republican state auditor, said the changes would fix problems created by Democrats. “Republicans are very proud of what’s been accomplished,” Rucho said. Shifting authority over the elections board, he argued, would “reestablish a level of confidence in the electoral process” that Democrats had lost. ProPublica recently chronicled the nearly 10-year push to take over the board, which sets rules and settles disputes in elections in the closely divided swing state. Decisions made by the board’s new leadership — particularly on the locations and numbers of early voting sites — could affect outcomes in the 2026 midterms. Below, we examine how other power transfers driven by North Carolina’s Republican legislature are reshaping everything from the regulations that protect residents’ drinking water to the rates they pay for electricity to the culture of their state university system. Related “Biblical justice for all”: How North Carolina’s chief justice transformed his state Environmental Management Commission What it is: The Environmental Management Commission adopts rules that protect the state’s air and water, such as those that regulate industries discharging potentially carcinogenic chemicals in rivers. Power transfer: In October 2023, Republican legislators passed a law shifting the power to appoint the majority of the commission’s members from the governor to themselves and the state’s commissioner of agriculture, who is a Republican. What’s happened since: The new Republican-led commission has stymied several efforts by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality to regulate a potentially harmful chemical, 1,4-dioxane, in drinking water. Advocates for businesses, including the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, had criticized some regulations and urged the commission to intervene. “Clean water is worth the cost, but regulators should not arbitrarily establish a level that is low for the sake of being low,” the chamber said in a press release. The Southern Environmental Law Center, which has pressed the state to regulate the chemical, has said the commission’s rulings are “crippling the state’s ability to protect its waterways, drinking water sources, and communities from harmful pollution.” Utilities Commission What it is: The North Carolina Utilities Commission regulates the rates and services of the state’s public utilities, which include providers of electricity, natural gas, water and telephone service. The commission also oversees movers, brokers, ferryboats and wastewater. Power transfer: In June 2025, a trial court sided with the General Assembly in allowing a law passed in 2024 to take effect, removing the governor’s power to appoint a majority of the commission’s members and transferring that power to legislative leaders and the state treasurer, who is a Republican. What’s happened since: The state’s primary utility, Duke Energy, has backed off from some plans to rely more on clean energy and retire coal-fired power plants. In November, the company said it would seek the commission’s approval to raise rates by 15%. In response to a new resource plan the company filed in October, the executive director of NC WARN, a climate and environmental justice nonprofit, said in a statement that Duke’s actions would cause “power bills to double or triple over time” and increase carbon emissions. The state’s governor and attorney general, both Democrats, have said they oppose the rate hike. Garrett Poorman, a spokesperson for Duke Energy, said that the company is “focused on keeping costs as low as possible while meeting growing energy needs across our footprint” and that the company had recently lowered its forecasted costs. The commission will decide whether to approve the proposed rate hikes in 2026. University of North Carolina System What it is: The University of North Carolina System encompasses 17 institutions and more than 250,000 students, including at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, considered one of best in the nation. Power transfer: Though the legislature has traditionally appointed the majority of the trustees for individual schools, the governor also made a share of these appointments. In 2016, the legislature passed a law that eliminated the governor’s ability to make university trustee appointments. In 2023, changes inserted into the state budget bill gave the legislature power to appoint all of the members of the state board that oversees community colleges and most of those colleges’ trustees. The governor had previously chosen some board members and trustees. What’s happened since: The system has created a center for conservative thought, repealed racial equity initiatives, suspended a left-leaning professor, gutted a civil rights center led by a professor long critical of Republican lawmakers and appointed politically connected Republicans to the boards. Republicans say the moves are reversing the system’s long-term leftward drift. “Ultimately, the board stays in for a while, and you change administrators, and then start to moderate the culture of the UNC schools,” said David Lewis, a former Republican House member who helped drive the changes to the university system. Democrats, including former Gov. Roy Cooper, have criticized the board changes as partisan meddling. “These actions will ultimately hurt our state’s economy and reputation,” Cooper said in a 2023 press release. Read more about this topic Democrats sound alarm on Trump administration’s attacks on voting rights “Still angry”: Voters say they won’t forget that the North Carolina GOP tried to trash their ballots “We will bring this home”: North Carolina Democrats confident they’ll defeat GOP election denial The post GOP lawmakers’ power transfers are reshaping North Carolina appeared first on Salon.com.

Our Biggest Farming Stories of 2025

Trump’s tariffs created more headaches for farmers, particularly soybean producers, who saw their biggest buyer—China—walk away during the trade fight as their costs for fertilizer and other materials increased. Farming groups also protested when the Trump administration announced it would import 80,000 metric tons of beef from Argentina, about four times the regular quota. We […] The post Our Biggest Farming Stories of 2025 appeared first on Civil Eats.

When we started Civil Eats, we sought to report on farming from a different perspective, focusing on underrepresented voices and issues. This year, most American farmers faced significant challenges, and we strove to tell their stories. Federal budget cuts were a major disruption, impacting USDA grants that helped farmers build soil health, increase biodiversity, generate renewable energy, and sell their crops to local schools and food banks, among other projects. Trump’s tariffs created more headaches for farmers, particularly soybean producers, who saw their biggest buyer—China—walk away during the trade fight as their costs for fertilizer and other materials increased. Farming groups also protested when the Trump administration announced it would import 80,000 metric tons of beef from Argentina, about four times the regular quota. We also identified as many solutions as we could in this turbulent year by highlighting farmers’ extraordinary resilience and resourcefulness, from finding sustainable ways to grow food to fighting corporate consolidation to opening their own meat-processing cooperative. Here are our biggest farming stories of 2025, in chronological order. Farmers Need Help to Survive. A New Crop of Farm Advocates Is on the Way. Farmers with expertise in law and finance have long guided the farming community through tough situations, but their numbers have been dropping. Now, thanks to federally funded training, farm advocates are coming back. California Decides What ‘Regenerative Agriculture’ Means. Sort of. A new definition for an old way of farming may help California soil, but it won’t mean organic. Butterbee Farm, in Maryland, has received several federal grants that have been crucial for the farm’s survival. (Photo credit: L.A. Birdie Photography) Trump’s Funding Freeze Creates Chaos and Financial Distress for Farmers Efforts to transition farms to regenerative agriculture are stalled, and the path forward is unclear. How Trump’s Tariffs Will Affect Farmers and Food Prices Economists say tariffs will likely lead to higher food prices, while farmers are worried about fertilizer imports and their export markets. USDA Continues to Roll Out Deeper Cuts to Farm Grants: A List In addition to the end of two local food programs that support schools and food banks sourcing from small farms, more cuts are likely. USDA Prioritizes Economic Relief for Commodity Farmers The agency announced it will roll out economic relief payments to growers of corn, soybeans, oilseeds, and other row crops. Will Local Food Survive Trump’s USDA? Less than two months in, Trump’s USDA is bulldozing efforts that help small farms and food producers sell healthy food directly to schools, food banks, and their local communities. USDA Unfreezes Energy Funds for Farmers, but Demands They Align on DEI USDA is requesting farmers make changes to their projects so that they align with directives on energy production and DEI, a task experts say may not be legal or possible. Ranchers herd cattle across open range in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico, where conservation initiatives help restore grasslands and protect water resources. (Photo courtesy Ariel Greenwood) Trump Announces Higher Tariffs on Major Food and Agricultural Trade Partners The president says the tariffs will boost American manufacturing and make the country wealthy, but many expect farmers to suffer losses and food prices to rise. USDA Introduces Policy Agenda Focused on Small Farms Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins rolls out a 10-point plan that includes environmental deregulation and utilizing healthy food programs that have recently lost funding. USDA Drops Rules Requiring Farmers to Record Their Use of the Most Toxic Pesticides Pesticide watchdog groups say the regulations should be strengthened, not thrown out. Conservation Work on Farms and Ranches Could Take a Hit as USDA Cuts Staff Close to 2,400 employees of the Natural Resources Conservation Service have accepted an offer to resign, leaving fewer hands to protect rural landscapes. USDA Cancels Additional Grants Funding Land Access and Training for Young Farmers The future of other awards in the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program remains unclear. House Bill Would Halt Assessment of PFAS Risk on Farms The bill also strengthens EPA authority around pesticide labeling, which could prevent states from adopting their own versions of labels. Should Regenerative Farmers Pin Hopes on RFK Jr.’s MAHA? While the Make America Health Again movement supports alternative farming, few of Trump’s policies promote healthy agricultural landscapes. A leaked version of the second MAHA Commission Report underscores these concerns. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2024, introduces Willie Nelson at Farm Aid’s 40th anniversary this year, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo credit: Lisa Held) At 40, Farm Aid Is Still About Music. It’s Also a Movement. Willie Nelson launched the music festival in 1985 as a fundraiser to save family farms. With corporate consolidation a continuing threat to farms, it’s now a platform for populist organizing, too. Agriculture Secretary Confirms US Plan to Buy Beef from Argentina Brooke Rollins on Tuesday defended a Trump administration plan that has ignited criticism from farm groups and some Republicans. For Farmers, the Government Shutdown Adds More Challenges With no access to local ag-related offices, critical loans, or disaster assistance, farmers are facing even more stressors. Farmers Struggle With Tariffs, Despite China Deal to Buy US Soybeans While the Supreme Court considers Trump’s tariffs, the farm economy falters. This Farmer-Owned Meat Processing Co-op in Tennessee Changes the Game A Q&A with Lexy Close of the Appalachian Producers Cooperative, who says the new facility has dramatically decreased processing wait times and could revive the area’s local meat economy. Farmers Face Prospect of Skyrocketing Healthcare Premiums More than a quarter of U.S. farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, but Biden-era tax credits expire at the end of the year. After 150 Years, California’s Sugar Beet Industry Comes to an End The Imperial Valley might be the best place in the world to grow beets. What went wrong? Trump Farmer Bailout Primarily Benefits Commodity Farms Of the $12 billion the administration will send to farmers, $11 billion is reserved for ranchers and major row crop farmers. The post Our Biggest Farming Stories of 2025 appeared first on Civil Eats.

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