Ghostfish Brewing’s head brewer, Reid Ackerman recently contributed to this article on safe homebrewing. If you’re an aspiring homebrewer, you don’t want to miss this insightful and fascinating discussion on the tips and tricks to ensure that your next homebrew batch turns out healthy and delicious.
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Gluten Free Recipe – Watchstander Stout Munchie Mix
Have you been real hungry lately? As the weather turns, we can’t stop eating! With snacks on our mind, we’re on the hunt for the perfect gluten free snack. Do you have a favorite you could recommend?
We sat down with our very own Brian Thiel and he shared a recipe we think is worthy of a gold medal.
Speaking of gold medals… Watchstander Stout received its second gold medal this week from the Great American Beer Festival (first gold won in 2015). With gluten free beer this good, it adds so much flavor to traditional recipes like a hearty chili or fall stew.
Here’s Brian’s recipe using this double gold winning beer. We’re sure it’ll soon be your new favorite.
Travel Tuesday – Portland, Oregon
Portland Oregon
When you think of Oregon, you probably think of hot springs, hiking and BEER! This blog is going to point you in the right direction for things to do and where you can find Ghostfish in the Beaver State and Rose City. Downtown Portland is full of eclectic shops, very PNW cafes and quite a few parks. Make sure to spend some time in the iconic Powell’s City of Books and stock up on Ghostfish for your hotel room at the Whole Foods Market just right down the street. If fine art is your scene, the Portland Art Museum is for you. Their permanent collection is incredible and they have a unique selection of visiting exhibitions.
The Lan Su Chinese Garden is a beautiful oasis in downtown and totally worth a visit. After you’ve worked up an appetite from walking downtown, swing by either Andina, an upscale Peruvian spot or Imperial, an American restaurant showcasing local ingredients. Both restaurants feature our brews! If residential/city planning is of interest to you, head to south east Portland and take a walk or drive around Ladd’s Addition. It is Portland’s oldest planned residential development and one of the oldest in the western United States. Then be sure to hit up The Beer Mongers, a cozy beer bar on the southwest edge of Ladd’s Addition. If you’re hanging out on E Burnside St swing by The Eastburn Public House for some Ghostfish and a good time.
You can’t go to Oregon and not think about hiking, depending on the time of year. Luckily there are plenty of options for Ghostfish no matter which direction you head out of Portland, just remember to leave no trace and pack out what you pack in. Use our Beer Finder App to see which is closest to your hike or hotel.
If hiking is a bit too outdoorsy for you check out Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Just a few short miles from the center of Oregon’s largest city. The honking of geese replaces the honking of cars. A refuge and special place for both animals and humans.
Oregon Fun Facts
- Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in the United States.
- At 1949 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.
- The Oregon state flag has a beaver on the back. It is the only US state flag with a different image on the reverse side.
- The University of Oregon mascot is the Ducks. Go Ducks!
- Oregon has the most ghost towns of any state. Booooooo!
- It is the only state to have an official state nut, the hazelnut.
- Portland is known as the City of Roses. (The nickname grew in popularity after the exposition, where Mayor Harry Lane suggested that the city needed a “festival of roses.”)
- The Oregon Trail went from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City. It was 2,000 miles long and was used by people to travel west during the 1800s.
- No one knows for sure what the word Oregon means. It was used by the local American Indians to refer to the river.
Ghostfish being available in Oregon is all because of our distributing partners at Columbia Distributing and Bigfoot Beverages. Checkout the list of retailers in the area that carry Ghostfish below!
- Whole Food Markets (Most Locations)
- New Season Markets (Most Locations)
- Natural Grocers (Most Locations)
- Capitol Hwy Grocery & Deli
- Duke’s Public House
- Barbur Foods
- Johns Market Off
- Beer Store Milwaukie
- Food Front Cooperative Grocery
- Fosters Market and Deli
- Milwaukie Bowl
- Market of Choice
- The Westgate Bourbon Bar & Taphouse
- Arch Bridge Taphouse
- Pizza Roma
- Wildfin American Grill
- Imperial
- Andina
- Growlers Hawthorne
- The Eastburn
- Hawthorne Fish House
- Spaceroom
- Horse Brass
- Belmont Station On
- Plus many more!
Use the Ghostfish Beer Finder App to find what’s closest to you!
Impact Giving | Ghostfish Brewing and The Mountaineers
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2019 issue of Mountaineer Magazine and on www.mountaineers.org.
Leave it to a Mountaineer to find a mountain!
This was my thought as I finished reading an email from Web Chang, a staff member at Mountaineers Books. Web’s message arrived shortly after Ghostfish released our third packaged beer of 2015: Shrouded Summit Belgian White Ale. In this case, the mountain Web had found was on the side of our can, which vibrantly depicts two trekkers stopping for a moment to take in a majestic view of cloud covered Mt. Rainer (designed locally by Kevin LeDoux).
Web wanted us to know that he appreciated the can design of Shrouded Summit, and as one of three co-founders of Ghostfish Brewing Company, receiving this message was extremely gratifying. Looking back, this early brush with The Mountaineers was foreshadowing of an incredible partnership to come, focused on supporting your nonprofit mission in the most delicious way possible.
GLUTEN-FREE PIONEERS
Ghostfish Brewing didn’t start out as a dedicated gluten-free brewery. While many people now associate Ghostfish as “the gluten-free brewery”, we’ve always considered our focus to be making the highest quality beer that also happens to be gluten-free. We don’t make beer for people who are gluten-free – we make beer for beer drinkers!
I joke now that in the beginning (2013) we were setting ourselves up to be yet another one of the 7,000+ craft breweries across the United States. The plan was always to be innovative by providing an environment that encourages individual contribution, artful aesthetics, and challenges norms. Sometime into the planning phase, we decided to become a dedicated glutenfree brewery to support our vision and contribute to a more sustainable model of production.
What we didn’t necessarily grasp at the time was that we were pioneers in a growing, yet small segment of the craft brewing movement. When you think about beer made from barley, wheat, and rye, you don’t necessarily think about how much tinkering and transformation has occurred over centuries in beer engineering to get to where we are today.
There was no history of gluten-free brewing, nor a playbook that existed, when we started Ghostfish.
SUSTAINABLE GRAINS
We create our beer using traditional brewing methods, but grains we use are most certainly non-traditional by today’s standards. You’ll find plenty of millet, brown rice, and buckwheat (unrelated to wheat) in our grain room. These grains were used in the creation of beer around the globe for centuries, and in fact, millet predates barley in beer brewing history! All these grains are naturally glutenfree and don’t contain the proteins that cause harm in people with Celiac Disease.
While each of our primary grains have amazing sustainable qualities, millet is particularly drought and heat tolerant. It is a highly nutritious cereal grain that sustains more than a third of the world’s population. Buckwheat, which is a fast grower, thrives in poor soil conditions, and is a wonderful cover crop that maintains soil health, reduces soil erosion, and supports a healthy proliferation of honeybees. If you want to bring bees back to your garden, plant some buckwheat!
THE MOUNTAIN-WHO’S?
I’ll admit that I knew very little about The Mountaineers prior to starting Ghostfish Brewing. Growing up in rural northwest Ohio didn’t lend itself to thinking much about mountains, not unless you count watching the von Trapp family escaping Austria into Switzerland. My first exposure to mountains came during a family vacation to Gatlinburg, TN, right in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. It wasn’t until I moved from Ohio to Colorado in my early 30s that I began to appreciate mountain pursuits.
Summiting “14’ers” was something that a low-lander like me could handle and appreciate. If reaching the top of Mt. Elbert (14,440 ft) was one of my proudest outdoor achievements while living in Colorado, summiting Long’s Peak (14,259 ft) gave me serious bragging rights amongst my friends and family. Okay, so I know what you are thinking: ”Yea, but you started at an elevation near 10,000 ft.” Well, you’d be right, and I’ll also admit that none of my 14’er adventures were considered technical feats, but they did give me a deep appreciation and respect for mountains and how unruly they can be.
When I moved to Seattle, my mind was blown once again by the outdoor recreation possibilities of our region. In researching new objectives, I stumbled onto The Mountaineers and was drawn to its mission.
CREATING KICK STEP IPA
I was intrigued by the idea of creating a beer with The Mountaineers from the first mention. In discussing the details with The Mountaineers CEO Tom Vogl over a few Ghostfish beers in 2017, we both grew even more convinced. While I like to think that we were chosen because of our environmentally sustainable grains, our pioneering spirit, or the fact that we already boasted a few mountain-themed beers (Shrouded Summit Belgian White Ale and Peak Buster Double IPA), in the end I believe the decision had everything to do with shared values and alignment of our mission to develop community by fostering a sense of teamwork and a place of belonging.
We got right to work, starting with a name. It might seem easy, but choosing beer names has become extremely challenging in today’s overcrowded craft beer scene, and the last thing you want to do is step on another brewery’s toes by duplicating or replicating an existing beer. We brought a group together to brainstorm name options to convey climbing heritage while being modern, edgy, authentic, distinctive, aspirational, and cool. Fortunately, we landed on Kick Step, a technique true to the outdoor community that also lent itself well to a can design (and avoided the standard mountain-themed clichés).
While I can’t take credit for the “romance copy” printed on the side of each can of Kick Step IPA, I will say that it sums up in every way possible why it makes sense for Ghostfish Brewing and The Mountaineers to work together.
Ghostfish and The Mountaineers were both founded on the idea of transcending limits. We thrive on a spirit of wonder, a sense of adventure, and a commitment to the wild places of the Pacific Northwest. We’re powered by strong, passionate communities who support our missions. Whether it’s distinctive craft beer made from high-quality, low-impact grains, or unique, life-changing experiences in the outdoors, we believe life is meant to be lived and lived well – no matter who you are. This is Kick Step IPA: a liquid representation of our shared values.
A DELICIOUS WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Any good brewer will tell you that there’s always room for improving a beer. To that point, we’ve been tinkering with the Kick Step IPA recipe over the past 5-6 months, making small adjustments to improve the overall taste, flavor, and aroma. The goal from the beginning was always to create a uniquely Pacific Northwest-based IPA to celebrate the place we call home. To accomplish this, we chose a trio of Washington grown hops to accentuate the blend of millet and brown rice malts that comprise the base of the beer. A healthy dose of Bravo, Cascade, and Simcoe hops creates a pleasant bitterness profile with distinct flavors of candied orange, sweet fruit, and pine. Kick Step IPA is crafted with a sessionable spirit in mind to keep you light on your feet after any adventure.
Today, Kick Step IPA distribution is growing across the U.S. and Canada, and people in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and many other areas not only get to enjoy Kick Step IPA, but get exposed to The Mountaineers mission.
I am extremely proud of the relationship we have with The Mountaineers, a nonprofit organization committed to connecting people with the natural world, and I am honored to support the incredible work you do. That’s why 10% of Kick Step IPA cases and kegs sold go to The Mountaineers. It gives me great pleasure knowing that our contributions, nearly $20,000 and growing, will benefit future generations of outdoor enthusiasts who desire to explore the wild places of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
The next time you are out adventuring with purpose, reward yourself with an ice-cold Kick Step IPA!
Ghostfish Brewing Partners with Orca Protection & Rescue to Release Limited Killer Ale IPA
Seattle, WA – Ghostfish Brewing is set to launch Killer Ale IPA on March 9, 2019, a bold and distinctly Northwest influenced India Pale Ale brewed to benefit Washington-based Orca Protection & Rescue.
Founded in 2018 by Captain Hobbes Buchanan, Orca Protection & Rescue (OPR) is dedicated to the protection and rescue of all marine wildlife in the Salish Sea, by reducing private and commercial vessel harassment, assisting with strandings and entanglements, and removing ghost fishing gear, marine debris and plastics.
“I met Captain Hobbes while I was a passenger on his whale watch tour boat last summer,” stated Ghostfish Co-Owner Brian Thiel. “What I learned about the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) that day from Captain Hobbes left me pondering what I could do to help improve their survival.”
After learning that Brian was an owner of Seattle-based Ghostfish Brewing, Captain Hobbes contacted Mr. Thiel a few days after their initial acquaintance. He shared more about OPR and what the organization was doing to help save the whales and wildlife in the Salish Sea.
“Brian seemed like he really cared about the whales so I decided to approach him with this partnership idea. Who doesn’t love whales and ales….it just seemed like a match made in heaven….and a great way to raise funds to help save these magnificent animals. Orca whales are looking like the canaries in the coal mine. If we don’t act now to save them, we humans are the next to go,” stated Captain Hobbes.
“Orca whales are looking like the canaries in the coal mine. If we don’t act now to save them, we humans are the next to go.”
Captain Hobbes Buchanan
Join Ghostfish Brewing and members of the OPR organization to celebrate this partnership and release of Killer Ale IPA at an educational themed launch party on March 9, 2019 at the Ghostfish Brewery Taproom, between the hours of 2 – 5 pm, located at 2942 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA 98134. $1.00 of ANY beer bought that day will be donated to the OPR towards fundraising efforts.
Representatives of the OPR will be speaking on various topics pertinent to their organization’s mission as they relate to the SRKW population of the Salish Sea. The main topics they will be addressing include food, harassment, noise, and marine debris and plastics.
Killer Ale IPA will be available in limited 16oz can 4-packs and on draft at the Ghostfish Brewery Taproom and at select retail locations throughout Washington. 10% proceeds from the sale of Killer Ale IPA benefit the OPR.
“With the Killer Ale IPA project, we’re hoping to inspire many others to make small positive steps to help our environment.”, stated Mr. Thiel. “The Killer Ale IPA cans will be held together in a 4-pack carrier made of eco and animal friendly paper-based beverage board material from Fishbone Packaging. A small, yet important step for Ghostfish Brewing to be more environmentally responsible.”
“With the Killer Ale IPA project, we’re hoping to inspire many others to make small positive steps to help our environment.”
Brian Thiel
About Orca Protection & Rescue
Captain Hobbes Buchanan was a former whale watch tour operator (for 18 years) who in 2018 realized he was part of the problem regarding vessel noise and harassment. He started OPR in the Fall of 2018 as a non-profit dedicated to the survival of our endangered SRKWs and all marine wildlife in the Salish Sea. Learn more and donate at www.orcaprotection.org and www.facebook.com/OrcaProtection/.
Ghostfish Expands Distribution to Vermont
Ghostfish Brewing Expands Distribution to Vermont
December 12, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Seattle, WA (December 12, 2017) — Ghostfish Brewing is excited to announce its new partnership with Vermont Beer Shepherd to bring its boundary-pushing craft beers to Vermont, expanding Ghostfish’s distribution from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast. “VT Beer Shepherd is proud to partner with Ghostfish to bring their award-winning beers to Vermont,” says VT Beer Shepard co-founder Indy Ewald. “Ghostfish is a wonderful addition to our gluten free offerings, as well as appealing to the most discriminating craft beer drinker.”
Ghostfish Brewing Launches in Oregon and Earns Two Medals at the Best of Craft Beer Awards 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —February 10, 2017
Ghostfish Brewing Company
2942 1st Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134
Ghostfish Brewing Launches in Northern Oregon
and Earns Two Medals at the Best of Craft Beer Awards 2017
Seattle, WA— After recently expanding its distribution to Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho with the Odom Corporation, Ghostfish Brewing Company is excited to announce its launch into Northern Oregon.
Ghostfish Brewing’s draught and packaged beers will be distributed by General Distributors Inc. (GDI).
Ghostfish Brewing Releases Special Beer for 2nd Anniversary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —January 16, 2017
Ghostfish Brewing Company
2942 1st Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134
Ghostfish Brewing Celebrates its 2nd Anniversary with a Limited Release and Party
Seattle, WA— Ghostfish Brewing has brewed a limited amount of a very special anniversary beer for their upcoming celebration.
This Wood-Aged Imperial Brown Ale has an intricate grain bill featuring a veritable rainbow of rice and millet malts, giving it a complex nutty sweetness and full-bodied taste. Wood-aging on hard maple staves for two months softened the alcoholic sharpness of this sturdy brew, and contributed mild tannins and woody aromatics to help balance the malt character.
Ghostfish Brewing Expands Distribution
For Immediate Release
Ghostfish Brewing Company 2942 1st Ave South
Seattle, WA 98134
Ghostfish Brewing Extends Reach
Seattle, WA – Ghostfish Brewing Company recently expanded its distribution footprint throughout Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.
The Odom Corporation will distribute draught and package versions of Ghostfish Brewing’s flagship beers including Grapefruit IPA, Vanishing Point Pale Ale, Shrouded Summit Belgian White Ale, Watchstander Stout, and Peak Buster Double IPA, as well as seasonal and limited releases as they are available
Special Beer for Emerald City Pet Rescue
For Immediate Release: 08/25/16
Ghostfish Brewing Company LLC 2942 1st Ave South
Seattle, WA 98134
Ghostfish Brewing Releases Special Beer for Emerald City Pet Rescue
Seattle, WA – While you sit inside Ghostfish Brewing’s taproom you are bound to look out through the expansive wall of glass windows to see a parade of cute and adorable dogs stroll by. Led by volunteers, these dogs are out stretching their legs from their cozy stay at the nearby Emerald City Pet Rescue shelter. Emerald City Pet Rescue (ECPR) was established in 2013 in Seattle, WA as a non-profit dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating neglected animals. They predominantly pull animals from high-kill shelters from around the country and place them in loving forever homes.