New Old Lompoc Holiday Cheer

New Old Lompoc Holiday Cheer, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

A smooth vanilla porter with chocolate notes.

Cascade's Autumn Gose

Cascade's Autumn Gose, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

You can barely see it because it's barely lit in Apex (but the lights they have are awesome! Hand-sculpted glass lamps that look like hops!), so take my word for it, it was a beautiful brownish amber sour ale that hit the spot.

Lucky Lab Force of Nature

Lucky Lab Force of Nature, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Another delicious offering from Lucky Lab.

Cascade Brewing Funk II

Funk II, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Sour beer directly from the wooden barrel. It didn't have as much carbonation as the keg beer, but was yummy, nonetheless!

Cascade Brewing Noyeaux

Noyeaux, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

A yummy sour ale from Portland's newest brewpub, the Cascade Brewing Barrel House.

Buckman IPA

Buckman IPA, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

An IPA brewed at the Green Dragon under the name "Buckman Brewery."

It's not the hoppiest or strongest IPA that I've ever had, but that's OK. I like the subtle citrusy hop flavor and find that it's pretty well balanced.

My apologies for the horrible picture. I'll have to go back and try again. Sigh.

HUB Piledriver

Piledriver, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Piledriver - premiered out at Biketobeerfest - is a Belgian ale, aged for 18 months in 4 different barrels with lots and lots of cherries.

I'm not sure if this would fit the definition of a sour beer, but it sure is tart - and incredibly complex. With tastes of bourbon and cherries floating in your mouth, it's a surprisingly refreshing beer. I wouldn't have been able to drink many of them (unlike the Totally Radner, or even Gayle's Pale), but I was surprised at how well this barrel-aged beer went down.

ABV: 8.5%

HUB Totally Radler

Totally Radler, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

A mix of 70% organic HUB Lager and 30% fresh house-made lemonade, served up out of an ice-cold keg. At 3.2% ABV, I could have drank this all day!

HUB Gayle's Pale

Gayle's Pale, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

The first fresh hop beer of the season, and it's yummy!

It's made from fresh hops grown at Goschie Farms in Silverton, Oregon.

Hair of the Dog Fred

Fred, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

A pretty complex beer. It has a malty-toffee-like start, with a hoppy middle and a bitter, alcohol finish.

It's really yummy, but I don't think I could drink more than one!

ABV: 10%

HUB Evelyn Sunshine Imperial IPA

Evelyn Sunshine Imperial IPA, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Such a delicious IPA.

HUB Diablato

Diablato, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

A sourry, yeasty treat in a glass, the Diablato is a HUB Belgium Ale.

HUB Rise Up Red!

Rise Up Red!, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

A hoppily delicious red ale from HUB.

Lucky Lab Zingerbier (on Nitro)

Zingerbier on Nitro, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

Whoa. A chocolatey-malty beer with a ginger zing - on Nitro for the smooth, creamy finish.

Lucky Lab Super Dog IPA

Super Dog IPA, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

The Lucky Lab's yummy, super IPA.

New Old Lompoc Spring Bock

Lompoc Spring Bock, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

A reddish bock with a malty taste.

ABV: 8.1%

Roots Island Red

Island Red, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

A smooth and creamy amber ale full of oats and barley and even some hoppy goodness. I'd love to try this on nitro.

ABV: 5.6%