Dr. Stan had a route worked out to take us across the Columbia River for our day trip to Vancouver (Washington). Hector had a more complicated version involving changing from the tram to Bus 65 at Parkrose / Summer Transit Centre. This would take us to Fisher’s Landing Transit Centre well to the east of downtown Vancouver. There had to be Curry-Heute, and Chutneys Indian Restaurant was the only option. Fortunately, I was able to sell this as Hopworks Urban Brewery was this far out and we would miss it otherwise. It also meant Dr. Stan would once again join Hector for Curry.
The TriMet ticket worked wonders, one ticket for the whole day, MAX trams and buses. The Curry at Chutneys proved to be worthwhile, Hector’s – Red Indian Curry – may have been surpassed by the Goat Curry which Dr. Stan liberated from the Buffet. Thereafter it was all about getting up the hill to Hopworks.
Google suggested there was no imminent bus, we started walking. A young Doris was sat at a bus stop, what did she know? I doubt if she knew what planet she was on, totally useless. It took a good half hour walking up through featureless US suburbs.
The walk eventually gave the opperchancity to photograph the fake landscaping, the bus would have taken the same amount of time and gone by a more elaborate route.
One arrives at the given dot on the map, it’s amazing how long it can take to identify the building, how we initially missed this one, who knows.
After Curry comes Cider, today it was – Pineapple Cider – at a sensible 5.2%. An – Apple Cider with Pineapple – the barman warned me it was really – dry. Oh good – was the reply. Even at CAMRA Beer & Cider Festivals one struggles to get a truly 
dry Cider. This was suitably refreshing after the Curry and uphill walk. Meanwhile, Dr. Stan shook his head. I liked the notification re straws being discontinued. I have never understood drinking through a straw, the liquid goes straight to the throat, bypassing the taste-buds.
Biertime: – Gear Up – at 6.2% (65 IBU) was chosen as the first Bier of the day. A New World style IPA, this was dry and suitably hoppy, though the body was regarded as – thin. On another day I would have tried the Ferocius, also at 6.2%. However, this – Citrus IPA – only had a 40 IBU.
Bus 37 runs half hourly from across the street. A forty five minute journey to downtown Vancouver? Maybe we did stop at every lamppost. Arriving downtown, I checked on our escape. There were only a few streets to choose from, buses back to Portland later tonight looked fine. I looked for interesting features of the town centre to photograph, ah well.
Trusty Brewing Co. – was more easily found. All Bier was advertised at $5.50, it was Happy Hour until 19.00 and so $4.50 was the going rate. There were only eight taps, but the range covered what we desired.
Love the Couve IPA at 7.6% started the show. The 65 IBU was the attraction here. Amber-gold, and slightly hazy, the hops were full on.
Sat at the bar, we were soon engaged in conversation with our barman. The next hour or so must rank as another highlight of the trip. Gary Paul – Mein Host – joined us, samples of more Bier came our way. The Weissbier at 6.0%, was pleasant enough, but did not not compete with what we already had. A pint of the XP DIPA – at 9.1% may well have been tried if we were staying over in Vancouver and this was the last Bier of the day. Very dangerous – was noted, one could do damage with this, very enjoyable. The – ESB – at 5.8%, followed, perhaps Hector was being too polite to keep making notes?
It was time for us to actually buy more Bier. Dark Marc at 8.1% at a whopping 80 IBU, is a black hoppy Bier, a absolute killer. Proof, if required, that one should not drink with one’s eyes.
Another brewer came in and was quickly introduced, he was from Brothers Cascadia Brewing in another cluster of breweries to the north of the city. Maybe we’ll have to come back and spend more time in Vancouver.
Inevitably, a certain Scottish craft brewery, whose name never appears in these pages, was mentioned. A story told to us by the Brewers at Thornbridge (Derbyshire, England) was related: their Jaipur is a shadow of its former self because the brewery which shall not be mentioned bought up the source of the required hops. The chaps acknowledged our story then elaborated upon it. Anheuser-Busch, yes them, have reportedly bought up hop fields but are not using them, in order to stop small breweries accessing the hops. They even bought over 10 Barrel Brewing (Portland) too, knowing that they were on to a good thing presumably. If this means the quality of Apocalypse is guaranteed then fine. However, too often corners are cut and the Bier becomes – cheapened/ruined.
We had to tear ourselves away, great Bier, great hospitality, Trusty Brewing will be remembered. Our plan for the rest of the day was tweaked in the light of local knowledge. It had just been extended, four more venues recommended, we would manage three.
Nearby – Loowit – was next. We had a look, stowed with weans. Well, weans over 21, no thanks.
In addition to what we had left to do, there were five more brewpubs in the north of the city we would get nowhere near today. It was early evening, both Hector and Dr. Stan were most certainly headed for – the zone.
The Old Ivy Brewery and Taproom was no more than a stagger from Trusty Brewing, not quite next door. A three barrel plant – was noted.
I was surprised to see a Belgian favourite on tap, however, we were here for the US hops. Numbers one and two on the board were what we sought. The IBU determined the order.
Hoppy Toppy at 6.3% is a Hoppy Red Ale with 65 IBU. This Ruby-Amber, hazy, mellow Bier features Toppenish Washington and Amarillos hops.
The only other customers were all outside on the patio. As always, we seek clean air to accompany our Bier drinking. The barman busied himself, in time he chatted. When the second Bier was ordered we were at ease with the world. The barman was onside for a photo.
Good Bier, though not outstanding.
Evergreen, named after this very street, at 6.1%, is an IPA with 55 IBU. Dark gold, the flavours were full on with the sense of a big body also. The better of the two sampled. Evergreen has Amarillo, Cascade, Nugget, and Simcoe hops.
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Tap Union Freehouse was a whole three blocks north. En route we passed the Taproom for Heathen Brewing which would was our intended last port of call. As the name suggests, Tap Union Freehouse is not a brewpub but a bar we were told we must visit by the chaps at Trusty Brewing. The policy here is that of being an independent bar which stocks Bier by breweries which have not been taken over by Big Brother.
Eighteen taps offered Bier which included, Old Speckled Hen, once a favourite English Ale before they lowered the abv. Also, Weihenstephaner from what claims to be the World’s oldest brewery in Freising on the edge of München (Bayern).
We were staying for one Bier here only. Home Sweet Home an IPA at 7.7% from Grains of Wrath (Camas, Washington) appealed most. It was getting later and so the higher abv was back on. This Bier was gold, hazy, had a decent body but also gave off a slight sweetness.
The most memorable part of this visit was the food. Hector ordered a Smoked Pork Taco. The full description of what followed made it on to Curry-Heute. Habanero – said Mein Host identifying the sauce I liberally poured over the Taco. Having suffered from nasal congestion for nearly a week, all was sorted. Hector’s sinuses were taught a lesson.
We went across the street to Heathen Brewing Feral Public House, the Taproom for Heathen Brewing in the north-eastern extremity of the town. What a range of Bier! Had we come here earlier it would have been difficult to leave. Taps eight through eleven were all tempting. With an air of sensibility still prevailing, Transcend IPA at 6.6% was chosen. Again the 55 IBU helped with the selection, however, one is starting to notice that NEIPA tends to have a lower IBU rating but can be far from sweet. Transcend is a light gold with full on hop flavours. There was definitely a blast – Citrus – in there, a good note to the end night on. Their – Gateway IPA – was noted.
Hector taking – selfies, it was certainly time to get us home, well back to Portland. Dr. Stan may have asked if Marg was coming to collect us. Google were showing the next bus out of here at 04.45. The reality was Bus 60 taking us across the Columbia River to Delta Park at 22.04 changing to the Yellow line – MAX. Simples. We passed PINTS, a Brewpub near Union Station which keeps showing up, soon. However, we’re off to Eugene tomorrow.
The following brewpubs, bars and restaurants were visited today:
Hopworks Urban Brewery – 17707 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98683
Trusty Brewing Co. – 114 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98660
Old Ivy Taproom – 108 W Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98660
Tap Union Freehouse – 1300 Washington St STE 200, Vancouver, WA 98660
Heathen Brewing Feral Public House – 1109 Washington St, Vancouver, WA 98660,
Chutneys Indian Restaurant and Grocery Store (3000 SE 164th Ave #100, Vancouver, WA 98683