Heater Allen Pils
Alcohol by Volume: 5.0%
Intro: Heater Allen is essentially the Oregon equivalent of Washington’s Chuckanut Brewing. Located in McMinnville, OR, brewer Rick Allen is making some fantastic lagers for the Oregon market.
Description: 22oz bottle pours a crystal clear golden with big, frothy white head. Grassy hops and a little sweet malt in the aroma. Taste is cereal/bready malts balanced with a light, but assertive bitterness. Clean, refreshing, and utterly drinkable. Moderate carbonation could be kicked up some. This would fit right in if you put it next to a lineup of Czech pilsners. Tastes fresh as can be, but is at least three weeks in the bottle, and probably more. One of the best American-made takes on a pilsner I’ve ever had. I want more. Please send bottles to WA. And, Chuckanut, please start bottling as well:-)
Verdict: Find at all costs
Availability: Only available in Oregon. I found my bottle at Belmont Station. See this link for distribution info.
Brewery Website
Ratebeer Info
BeerAdvocate Info
Commercial Description/Press Release:
This is our take of the renowned Bohemian-style pale lager that you might find in Bavaria or the Czech Republic. Ours is a little more golden, rounder, and a little more malt driven than many other versions. The beer possesses strong hop character that is balanced by its rich, round, malty palate. Refreshing and balanced, this beer is a favorite of our winery friends during harvest. (1.014 BG, 5.0%, 38 IBU, 4 SRM)
I recall visiting the brewery in its infancy and the first thing that came out of Rick’s mouth (the man himself) was his biggest fear of the retailer not taking care of his beer. So if you are down in PDX you can pick it up for sure at Belmont Station. Else why not convince the ‘Mrs’ to head down to McMinnville for some “wine tasting” and try all of his lagers.
Cheers and glad you had the Pilsner
I agree with the husband – I have fully enjoyed the line of Heater Allen lagers and look forward to another trip to “Mac” so I can pick up more!
Great review – have you tried the schwarzbier? Fantastic as well.
What do you mean it’s the Oregon equivalent of Chuckanut? I’m not too familiar with Chuckanut’s beers but I’m assuming they do mainly german/european style lagers?
skipro43 – you’re exactly correct. Chuckanut focuses almost exclusively on german/european lagers. They just won the Small Brewpub of the Year award at GABF, and they did so by winning two gold and two silver medals in four lager categories.
It seems like both Chuckanut and Heater Allen have the same passion for traditional lagers, and that definitely sticks out as unique in the NW.
And, Lisa – I did try their Schwarzbier on my last trip to Portland as well. Truly fantastic.