Please note these beers appear in no particular order (i.e. are not ranked) and include beers I drank for the first time in 2018 (they didn’t necessarily have to be released for the first time in 2018). This list was way harder to put together than I thought it would be. After perusing my Untapped check-ins for 2018 I had a list of around 40 excellent beers that I then had to whittle down to this. Hopefully I included some of your favorites. Enjoy!
Barrel Aged Motherland Russian Imperial Stout by Hopworks Urban Brewery: Hopworks is a consistent favorite of mine and this beer is a bourbon barrel aged version of one of their regular seasonals, the Motherland Russian Imperial Stout, which they released in cans for the winter season. It has the rich flavor of the original with the added punch of the bourbon to make it a boozy delight. Even my husband, a noted hater of bourbon, loved this beer.
Best Bitter by Porter Brewing: This entry is indicative of both my love of this beer and my love of this newcomer to the Central Oregon Brewing scene. My love of beer first presented itself in the UK so I have a soft spot for cask beers and Porter Brewing of Redmond, Oregon does cask beers exceedingly well. In fact, I need to make a return visit to try their ESB.
Way Too Fresh (2018) Fresh Hop Imperial IPA by Crux Fermentation Project and Bale Breaker Brewing Company: To put it simply, when I first checked in this beer on Untapped I wrote: “I am in love with this beer.” This excellent seasonal from two wonderful PNW breweries is what all fresh hop beers should aspire to be.
Anything Gold Brut IPA by Three Magnets Brewing Company: Many craft beer drinkers quickly lost enthusiasm for the Brut IPA trend that stormed the craft beer world in 2018, but I was not one of them. I’ve always loved a good dry IPA so this was a trend I couldn’t help but be on on-board with. This led me to drink a lot of Brut IPAs and this one was my favorite. Dry, tart, and smooth-if you haven’t hopped onto this trend yet, this is a good one to try if you can find it.
Seeds of Infinity by ColdFire Brewing: I was already a fan of ColdFire Brewing when I walked into their tap room in Eugene, Oregon but when I tried this Foeder aged Brett Saison I was well and truly hooked (probably because Foeder, Brett, and Saison are all words that grab my attention when they appear on a tap list). I had a glass there and took a bottle home, and it was delicious both times.
Mod Pod IPA by Fremont Brewing: One of the icons of the Seattle craft beer scene, Fremont Brewing consistently makes great beer and their new Mod Pod IPA is no exception. In fact, this beer has quickly become one of my favorite IPAs full stop. If you haven’t tried it, go find some. You won’t regret it.
Vesper by Holy Mountain Brewing: This table beer is light and funky, just as a good table beer should be. I visited Holy Mountain Brewing’s tap room (located in Seattle, WA) for the first time this year and they make a lot of good beers but this low ABV darling is the one I remember the best. Often it is hard to find excellent beer that is low ABV and if nothing else Vesper shows that it is possible, and then some.
Lemon Crush by 10 Barrel Brewing Co.: Okay, story time: I am a member of a craft beer social group called the Central Oregon Beer Angels and one of this year’s events was a sour tasting put on by 10 Barrel Brewing, led by famous sour master Tonya Cornett. During the event we did tastings of the different entries in the brewery’s kettle sour series, Crush, to help them decide which new flavors should go into their Crush variety pack alongside their already popular Raspberry and Cucumber Crush. While they were all pretty tasty the Lemon was my favorite and I obsessed about it for several months until I was able to get it in the variety pack. This beer won’t do it for everybody but it you like a subtle sour, I highly recommend it.
Marryin’ Berries by Ex Novo Brewing: Originally brewed for the assistant brewer’s wedding, this gose with marionberry and raspberry was my favorite beer of the summer. It was just the right combination of sour and fruity and I probably bought more bottles of it than I should have.
Four Devils by Monkless Belgian Ales: Fun fact about me, when I see the phrase ‘Belgian Strong Golden’ on a tap list I tend to order it. When I see those words on the tap list at Monkless Belgian Ales (probably the best brewery in Bend, don’t @ me) you know it is something special. While it is draft only and will probably be hard to find, it is too delicious to not include on this list, so you’ll just have to make the trip to Bend to try it.
Honorable Mentions
Burgundia by Seven Brides Brewing: A delicious Flanders red from Silverton, Oregon’s dearly departed Seven Brides Brewing.
100% Brett Dissident by Deschutes Brewery: I love Deschutes’ Dissident series and this is one of their best. I found it randomly on tap at a restaurant in town and this Flanders Oud Bruin was a delicious surprise.
Total Blackout Fresh Hop CDA by Hopworks Urban Brewery: A fresh hop take on the Cascadian Dark Ale they brewed for the eclipse. An unexpected pairing that was oh so good.
Quality River by Ancestry Brewing Company: This IPL was another great hot weather beer I discovered this year and turned out to be indicative of the quality (hah, see what I did there?) of Ancestry’s overall brewing program.
Sounds Like Summer by Sunriver Brewing Company: Sunriver Brewing is so good at making beer that sometimes it feels like there’s some kind of witchcraft going on. This seasonal summer pale ale was no exception with basil and lime flavors that made it perfect for sultry summer weather.
There you have it, my best beers of 2018. Did I miss any? Any I should try in 2019? Let me know @hophellion on Twitter.
