Welcome to Sip Northwest’s Bar Tab, a weekly selection of what to drink in the Northwest now. Come on in, belly up to the counter and order a metaphorical drink on us. This week, we get bitter with liqueur and Belgian with beer, put local apricot juice in our cider and dream of Spain with wine.
2 Towns Ciderhouse Cot in the Act | Masters of the seasonal cider, Corvallis, Oregon-based 2 Towns debuts this year’s rendition of their favored and savored apricot-infused cider. Each gallon of cider relishes in two pure pounds of Washington-grown Rival apricots, a juicy and ripe early-harvest stone fruit. Hulking in fuzzy apricot skin aromatics with a pinch of yeast and earth scents, the cider pays its respects to the ‘cot juice, matching the slightly tart and strikingly fresh juicy flavor. | 6.2% ABV
New Deal Distillery Cascadia d’Amore | New Deal Distillery is a proud member of SE Portland’s thriving Distillery Row, the cluster of eight artisan makers that hold down production space and tasting rooms in several industrial warehouses. Since opening in 2004 with gangbusters like vodkas and gins, New Deal has quietly leaked out limited-production liqueurs as well — like the Cascadia d’Amore, a uniquely Northwestern bittersweet herbal liqueur. A bold bouquet reveals anise, Angelica root and freshly cracked pepper, fragrances reminiscent of gin. The palate provides a potpourri of spiced flavors and herbs, from cardamon to the vibrantly blue Gentian blossom. Mix it with the house Portland Dry gin and sweet vermouth, equal parts for all three ingredients and served over ice. | 35% ABV/70 proof
Rock Bottom Seattle Grisette | Contrary to popular belief, the Colorado-based brewpub titan is “always brewing” in all of its 30+ locations nationwide, giving free rein (minus one corporately mandated beer) to the brewers at each. With connections inside the Seattle industry, the sole Washington brewpub joined forces with Georgetown Brewing to craft a grisette, the low-alcohol, light-bodied wheat ale. Traditionally brewed for the working class (miners, specifically) of Northern France and Southern Belgium, the Saison-like sipper is fresh, creamy and sunny, and pairs nicely with Rock Bottom’s sweet and spicy Firecracker Shrimp. | 3.8% ABV
J. Scott Cellars 2015 Albariño | This popular Spanish variety comes to Oregon via the southern half of the state, but considering Eugene straddles the invisible line between Willamette Valley and Umpqua Valley, this college town winery receives easy access to the ripe Southern Oregon vineyard pickins’ of Albariño. Tropical fruits for days rush out of the bowl, lychee and passion fruit mingling with flavors of Meyer lemon zest and tart green apple. Creamy lees furnish the mid-palate with rich texture and acid embellishes with a dazzling lemon curd finish.
