This week with Last Call with BrewDad – Jack Harris the incomparable brewer from Fort George Brewery and Pubic House. Ever get a chance to get out to Astoria Oregon Fort George is the place to go to. Jack and his crew have been brewing super beers.
71. What was your first beer you ever drank?
Blitz Weinhard. Probably the only kegger my parents ever had and we had the job the next day of emptying the keg out (theoretically into the shrubbery) before it was returned. Most of it went into the bushes, but I got to have a bit.
82. What was your first Craft Beer you ever had and what did you think?
Raspberry Stout from McMenamins in 1988. I liked it, but then as now, I liked everything.
3. How did you get start in brewing? Homebrewer? Etc??? What was the first batch you ever made?
I ended up working for McMenamins in 1989 as a waiter, which I wasn’t very good at. I ended up in the kitchen doing a little bit better, then a brewer position opened up that nobody else wanted to fill. I had a friend and room-mate giving up the spot to go back to school so I took over for him. First batch of beer was a Pumpkin ESB or as the manager of the Roadhouse called it at the time Extra Stupid Brewer. I was already used to the abuse brewers must endure.
4-1. What is your favorite beer you have ever made? And why?
Triple-Extra Pale Ale. It was sort of a famous beer I made in Boulder, Colorado with the Mountain Sun. The whole premise of the beer revolved around seeing how much grain I could get into the mash tun. It was affectionately known as the Crippler.
5c. If you had to live for the rest of your life with only drinking one beer and not one of your own. Who and what beer/brewery? Franziskaner Weiss. Kind of a dismal rest of life, but I could get through it with the Weiss bier.
6d-1. What is your favorite beer style?
Stout. It seems to be the most flexible for variation and experimentation.
67. If you could create a whole new style of beer what would it be?
Rainbier. All water must be freshly captured rainwater. No adjusting allowed.
998. Favorite sport and team?
Basketball, Portland Trailblazers. Who hasn’t made a Berry Porter?
9. What is your ultimate session beer?
Hamm’s. Beer refreshing from the Land of Sky Blue Waters.
A) What music do love to listen to while brewing?
Loud.
420. What is the craziest ingredient you have added while brewing?
I have made psilicybic beers with a variety of wild, free-range fungi. These are not for public distribution and I will deny it if asked in the wrong company. It sure made a great Halloween party, however.
24. Favorite hop(s)
I am still a big fan of the Amarillo’s, but Calypso’s have captured my attention. I like floral rather than skunky aromas.
13 What is your go to liquor?
Bourbon. Normally the Wild Turkey, but I don’t complain if someone gets me the expensive stuff.
77. Favorite Movie(s)
It has been Robocop for more than 20 years now. It still holds up.
15. What is your favorite movie Quote?
“It’s a beer-truck, what could go wrong?” Strange Brew 1983 (That’s a pretty good movie, too)
0. Are you on twitter (@Twitter name) what is your favorite twitter #hashtag?
I am no Luddite, but don’t do the Twitter.
17. Morning person or Night person?
Morning
44. What is your favorite Hot sauce?
There is a taco-stand in Longview called Don Pedro’s and they have this orange hot sauce I can’t get enough of. My burrito is simply a delivery device for this magic elixir.
17. If you could ask me BrewDad one question what would it be?
Hey Brewdad, what do you tell your kid when she wants a soda and you say, “No, soda is not good for you.” and she says, “How come you get to have a beer, then?” I would consider it cheating if you answer with “Don’t talk back to me”, “Do what I say, not what I do.”, “Go to your room.” or “Okay, you can have a soda.” I would be intrigued if your answered something to the effect of, “I didn’t say you couldn’t have a beer…”
