THE LOVE OF IVY » Portland http://theloveofivy.com You look just like an Elvis from Hell Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:05:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Get ‘em while they last: Unibroue Taster Packs at Costco http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/21/get-em-while-they-last-unibroue-taster-packs-at-costco/% http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/21/get-em-while-they-last-unibroue-taster-packs-at-costco/%#comments Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:20:14 +0000 PoizenIvy http://theloveofivy.com/?p=230 la-fin-du-mondeI wanted to quickly share this sweet deal I found at Costco-Aloha (15901 SW Jenkins Rd., Aloha) last night. The holiday supply of Unibroue Taster Packs has been discounted to just $14.97.

I discovered these high-quailty, Canadian Belgian brews when I wrote a feature on the Yard House in Las Vegas last year and I recently saw these 750 ml (25.4 oz), cork-topped bottles at New Seasons priced at $7.49 each. This bargain-priced, four-pack features Maudite (pronounced Moe-dzit), meaning “the damned one;” this hearty red-amber ale is one of my favorites); Trois Pistoles (that’s Three Coins, not guns, and it’s the cognac of beer — perfect for after-dinner drinking with a dry, spicy finish and a hint of port); packaged with two I have yet to try, La Fin Du Monde and Don de Dieu.

Obviously I cannot guarantee availablity at your neighborhood Costco, but I will tell you I could not find this item at Costco-Tigard yesterday, which is why I made the trip to the Aloha location.

]]> http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/21/get-em-while-they-last-unibroue-taster-packs-at-costco/%/feed 0 Rooibos Tea and Fat Tuesday http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/19/rooibos-tea-and-fat-tuesday/% http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/19/rooibos-tea-and-fat-tuesday/%#comments Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:53:13 +0000 PoizenIvy http://theloveofivy.com/?p=221 I’m not suggesting that Rooibos tea and Fat Tuesday go together, they just happen to be the subjects of the two pieces I wrote for Examiner.com this morning.

Rooibos Sampler

Rooibos Tea Sampler from Adagio.com, $11

]]> http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/19/rooibos-tea-and-fat-tuesday/%/feed 0 Fau’frombrewin plus 19 more ales at Hillsdale Brewfest http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/19/faufrombrewin-plus-19-more-ales-at-hillsdale-brewfest/% http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/19/faufrombrewin-plus-19-more-ales-at-hillsdale-brewfest/%#comments Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:33:04 +0000 PoizenIvy http://theloveofivy.com/?p=215 mcmenaminshillsdale

If you ever wanted to sample Wolf Ticket Milk Stout, Fau’frombrewin, Hot for Teacher IPA or Boysen’ the Hood, beginning at 11 am on Sat., Feb. 21, you’ll get your chance.

It’s time once again for McMenamins’ Hillsdale Brewfest where patrons decide which of 20 original beers will represent the company at the Oregon Brewers Festival to be held July 23-26, 2009. Brewfest welcomes all ages until 10 pm; you must be 21 to taste and vote.

For all the details and a list of the competitors, visit my Portland Drinks Examiner Blog.

]]> http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/19/faufrombrewin-plus-19-more-ales-at-hillsdale-brewfest/%/feed 0 Fall in love with Zwickelmania http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/09/fall-in-love-with-zwickelmania/% http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/09/fall-in-love-with-zwickelmania/%#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:23:44 +0000 PoizenIvy http://theloveofivy.com/?p=188 On Sat., Feb. 14, 2009 Oregon’s breweries will launch the first annual Zwickelmania (named for the port on the outside of beer tanks that allows brewers to take samples). Participating Portland breweries include Cascade Brewing, Hopworks, Laurelwood, Old Lompoc and Roots Organic. Visitors will get a chance to meet the beer makers and go behind the scenes at Beervana locales not usually open to the public.

Read all about it at my Portland Beverages Examiner blog.

]]> http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/09/fall-in-love-with-zwickelmania/%/feed 0 Hey, I’m the Portland Drinks Examiner! http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/07/hey-im-the-portland-beverage-examiner/% http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/07/hey-im-the-portland-beverage-examiner/%#comments Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:22:53 +0000 PoizenIvy http://theloveofivy.com/?p=183 I’ve just signed on with Examiner.com to provide commentary on Portland drinks (and just general drinking as well). Expect more of what I’ve been known to do before: reviews of new and locally produced beer, wine and spirits, plus information on upcoming tastings, and a smattering of info on non-alcoholic drinks as well.

I started with the February beer tastings at Belmont Station. Enjoy!

]]> http://theloveofivy.com/2009/02/07/hey-im-the-portland-beverage-examiner/%/feed 0 Stay at The Nines Hotel for $99 http://theloveofivy.com/2009/01/11/stay-at-the-nines-hotel-for-99/% http://theloveofivy.com/2009/01/11/stay-at-the-nines-hotel-for-99/%#comments Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:14:58 +0000 PoizenIvy http://theloveofivy.com/?p=154 ninesStarwood Hotels‘ newest Luxury Collection property, The Nines, has a $99 room deal (it’s a steal, trust me!) available through April 18 with the special rate code “99NINE”.

This non-smoking property features 331 sleekly modern guestrooms atop downtown’s Meier & Frank Building which is ultra-close to Pioneer Square, Portland Art Museum and Powell’s Bookstore. You get a “Superior Atrium View Room” with either a king or two queen beds, a 42 inch flat screen TV and free wireless high speed Internet. The property is also pet friendly, with a maximum of two dogs per room (restricted to pets under 80 pounds).

I may have an idea of what I’d like to do for my birthday, finally.

]]> http://theloveofivy.com/2009/01/11/stay-at-the-nines-hotel-for-99/%/feed 0 McMenamins Scotch Tastings http://theloveofivy.com/2009/01/02/scotch-tasting/% http://theloveofivy.com/2009/01/02/scotch-tasting/%#comments Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:51:01 +0000 PoizenIvy http://theloveofivy.com/?p=97

One of my few regrets is that I was unable to write a column on single malt Scotch Whiskies before I left CityLife. I just found out that McMenamins is celebrating the new year (and these cold, winter nights) with three opportunities to taste these five fine offerings:

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban
Glenfiddich 15 Year Solera Reserve
Isla of Jura 10 Year
Glendronach 10 Year
Laphroaig 10 Year
I adore oaky liquors and Laphroaig is one of my favorites. I love the pungent peat and the lingering smokiness of the smokiest Scotch around.

They are also serving these hearty appetizers:
Fivespice mini buffalo burgers with dried cherry compote
Lemongrass salad rolls
Scallop cakes with miso
Mandarin duck pancakes
Cardamom-spiced orange rice pudding parfait with caramel crème

Thu., Jan. 8 – Grand Lodge, Forest Grove
Wed., Jan. 14 – Kennedy School, Portland
Fri., Jan. 16 – Hotel Oregon, McMinnville
7 pm; $45, reservations required; 21+.

If I can scrape up the scratch, I’m so there!

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