Had a chance to stop by the Full Sail Keg at the Oregon Brewers Festival and try their excellent pale bock.  It was smooth and malty, just like I wanted it to be.  It was one of my favorites of a festival overrun with IPA's.  So it happens that I was able to visit a few short days later the wonderful brewery in the scenic Columbia River Gorge.  Hood River is an amazing little town to begin with.  The view, the windsurfers, kiteborders, white water rafting(check out the white salmon just across the bridge.. great class 3-5) all make it a great place for a getaway. 

I was able to try their more excellent Doppel Bock, their LTD 01 Lager, their Summer Weizen, and of course the awesome LTD 02.  All were excellent as were the burgers we had to go along with them.  Really excellent service and some exquisite beers. 

5. Its in Portland!

4. Your Friends are all doing it.

3. You can take the MAX.

2. You can go to the ALT festival across the street if you get bored.

1. Where else can you sample hundreds of beers and potentially a good portion that will never been seen again.

Its absolutely the best beer festival on the planet for Microbrew enthusiasts, hands down no contest.  You need to get to Portland within the next 7 days.  Check Beer festivals section for more tips! 

http://beerfestivals.brewrepublic.com 

I was recently able to sample this excellent IPA while visiting Glacier National Park in Montana.  I was at the infamous Charlie's Place in Babb, home to the Babb Music Festival.  The bar serves an excellent selection of Local Brews as well as about anything else you would want.  It almost makes me want to move to Montana, about as laid back as a bar can possibly get.  Anyway, on to this fantastic Single Malt IPA powerhouse from Blackfoot Brewing in Helena, Montana.  Here is the commercial description:

Just like Single Malt Scotch, our spring seasonal I.P.A. is brewed from 100% crisp Maris Otter floor-malted (made by hand!) barley - no specialty malts, no blending. This traditional India Pale Ale is heavily hopped with both Magnum and Cascade hops grown in the Pacific Northwest. Golden in color, refreshing to drink and full of hops, this beer is available from mid-February through mid-September

It is clean, crisp and a great beer for the summer months.  It does not leave a bad taste in your mouth and goes well with food.  The Aroma was good a clean as well as expected from the non blended ingredients.  You simply can not go wrong with this beer.  More pictures when I get the chance.  Brewrepublic rating: 8/10