Our Friends Over at Driven Dead are throwing a Party

If you're in the Portland, Oregon area and looking for a Halloween party for a good cause there's a Costume Party October 27th

Driven Dead C.C. Rod & Costume Party

Bring your Hot Rod, Custom, Motorcycle, Vintage Bicycle Hell bring your family ride! Wear a costume cause it is a Halloween party!! There will be prizes for best costume & best couple costume.

 

The Entertainment will be
The Twangshifters
Johnny Credit And The Cash Machine
Levi Dexter will be DJing

$6 will get you in the party
Proceeds going to Loaves and Fishes, to help feed some hungry people.
Also bring some food to help save a $1!
Tell all your friends & party with the Dead!!!!!

East Portland Eagle Lodge #3256

4904 SE Hawthorne Blvd

Portland, Oregon 97215

View Larger Map

The Academy Theater

If you love beer and movies and haven't been to The Academy Theater then you need to check your local listings and get on over there. Our friends over at The Academy have got a great line up for the rest of October starting with...

BLOOD SIMPLE
(1984) that runs 10/19-10/25
1hr 35min‎‎ - Rated R‎‎ - Drama
‎ ‎1:45‎ ‎5:50‎ ‎10:15pm

THE BLAI‎R WITCH PROJECT
(1999) which will run from 10/26 - 11/1 

1hr 21min - Rated R - Horror
showtimes to follow

They will be showing THE WALKING DEAD for free every Sunday night starting at 9pm for you zombie lovers.

They are also showing a plethora of other second run films such as

MOONRISE KINGDOM
1hr 33min‎‎ - Rated PG-13‎‎ - Drama‎
‎11:45am‎ ‎3:50pm‎

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
2hr 44min‎‎ - Rated PG-13‎‎ - Action/Adventure‎
‎6:15‎ ‎9:25pm‎

BRAVE
‎1hr 40min‎‎ - Rated PG‎‎ - Animation‎
‎12:00‎ ‎4:50pm‎

THE BOURNE LEGACY
‎2hr 15min‎‎ - Rated PG-13‎‎ - Action/Adventure‎
‎2:05‎ ‎4:20‎ ‎7:00‎ ‎9:15‎ ‎9:40‎ ‎11:55pm‎

ParaNorman
‎1hr 33min‎‎ - Rated PG‎‎ - Animation/Comedy/Suspense/Thriller‎
‎12:15‎ ‎2:15‎ ‎4:15pm‎


Stay tuned to Cinema Brew for upcoming events and shows The Academy Theater will be putting on. The holidays will no doubt bring with it great Christmas movies. The Beer and Movie Fest will be returning sometime around February. Head on over to The Academy's Facebook page and give them a like and stay
in the loop.

Geronimo and the Last Stand of Film

  The American memory of the great Apache warrior Geronimo is one of rebellion as he stood against the American government who wanted to put him into the reservation system that was established during the 1800's for the Native American people. He fought back, he killed and I am not saying that I agree at all with that but I DO understand why he was fighting. But there are two sides to every story. Allow me to paint a different picture for you. Geronimo was a traditionalist who didn't want to see the way of his people die in the meager lands that were given to them. He fought not because he loved war though he was great at it. Geronimo fought to preserve his way of life. What does any of this have to do with beer or movies? Well let me get us there. Movies like Geronimo's legend will live on forever no matter how we view them. We will continue to make them and watch them. Film will never leave us, but the way in which we view film is. In the everlasting attempt for better quality sound and picture the film industry is moving, very quickly I might add, to an all digital format. It is leaving behind the ways of physical film. Not so long ago I was a projectionist in my youth and it was with great honor that I got to build and show many of the great films of my generation. I handled everything from starting projectors to building prints of soon to be released movies to tearing them down on their last days. Sometimes my work encompassed the entire span a particular film ran at my theater. Despite all the tasks of the job, my hands down favorite part was screening the film for any inaccuracies with the build process. We would sit in our theater seats with our stopwatches, store bought goodies, clipboards (to count reels) and get paid to watch movies before the throngs had a chance. I felt like a secret keeper for the two days or so that we would walk around as people pre-bought tickets and say to myself "been there, done that, got paid". We were the first to see the images and sometimes we were the last. We were the elite, we were well-trained and certified. These days are numbered at most theaters, for some already those days have passed. Now I know what your thinking, "better picture and sound how is that a bad thing?" I respond with a resounding "it isn't", but as a purist who has been on both sides of the screen, it's like watching a classic car that runs fine just fine being traded for a brand new car, fresh off the line. Now the theater process begins and ends with opening a case, putting a disc in and pushing start. No more scratches and cigarette burns that usually accompany 35mm viewing. I will still love going to the movies and will do it as often as possible...but like Geronimo, I am anticipating the sadness that will accompany being a traditionalist in a rapidly changing world. However I will not fight this because I realize it will make producing movies easier and cheaper and will yield an altogether better showing. There will always be rogues that keep a projector in the back and are willing to throw an old reel on for our viewing pleasure. So here we go..... GERONIMO!!!!!!!!
This has been a Cinema Rant, thank you for enduring the course.

Septembrew's Journey Part II

September has ended, we are well into October and I am late in getting back to you all on the journey of the 9th month. September had me meandering around the world of beer to find brews that lay in "hiding". I believe I found a diamond in the rough, in the form of Mississippi Mud. Mississippi Mud is a hybrid of a porter and a pilsner brewed in the fashion of a 18th century English beer brewed by Mississippi Brewing Co. New York, United States. It is a dark color with a tan head. It is smooth and rich flavor that tastes of a well roasted coffee and caramel with a light aftertaste that fades gently away. The bottle design is a bit cheesy but at the same time, lends a certain atmosphere and gives the beer character that harkens to the good ole days of chugging from a clay jug. I will be drinking this charming beer again.

  Late in September I let my wonderful wife pick the movie for our movie night. So we sat down with our beer (I will get to that selection soon) to select the film...this particular evening we were gonna watch Bridesmaids (2011) starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Rose Byrne. This is a hilarious movie that follows the life of an out of work pastry chef  Annie played brilliantly by Kristen Wiig. Annie has a difficult time as her best friend Lillian played Maya Rudolph is getting married. Down on her luck Annie now feels as though she has to compete with Lillian's new friend Helen portrayed by Rose Byrne for the attention of the bride. Now I know this reeks of a chick flick but hear me out, this film was written in part by Wiig who is one of the greatest female cast members from SNL, so it has some clout. It's raunchy and hilarious for no matter the gender. It in my mind this movie can compete openly with 2009's The Hangover. I would love to go on about this movie but it is one that needs to be viewed and experienced cause I am not gonna do any justice to how hard I laughed my ass off.

 Now on to the beer that accompanied the evening's film. Kristen Wiig is currently at the top of a very high list of female comedy femme fatales, the quirky blonde pistol needed a beer to match. I think I had just the thing. Three Creeks Brewing outta Sisters, Oregon has a veritable line of beers to suit every situation. I had yet to try one of their beers to date but this night seemed better than any. I wisely chose the Knotty Blonde. Blondes don't always have more fun but this one did, it tasted of light hops mixed with honey and malt. A very pleasant finish leaves you wanting more when the bottle runs dry. It was lighter than how I normally take my beer but she didn't disappoint and has me ready to try the whole line that Three Creeks has to offer.

 Three Creeks Brewery Pub  
"Where we utilize only the finest ingredients available for all of our food and brewing activities, while striving to impress even the most sensitive of palates, Our menu of excellent yet casual and unpretentious pub food is served in a family-friendly, smoke-free environment that all patrons will enjoy. Our old west livery stable provides a comfortable, warm and rustic atmosphere that includes a full restaurant, 10 barrel brewing system, comfortable bar area complete with large screen TV’s and pool tables as well as a large patio for the enjoyment of our hand crafted ales."
Three Creeks Brewing Co.
721 Desperado Court
Sisters, OR 97759
11:30am - 9pm Sunday-Thursday
11:30am - 10pm Friday-Saturday

 Go check them out!

Cinema Brew on Your Android Device

Ryan and I were sitting here at Cinema Brew Headquarters discussing business and one of the questions brought up was, "What can we do to make it easier for our viewers to get their fill?"

The obvious answer was, "Mobile Apps".

And since we're both fans and users of the Android platform, we started there!

So grab your phone, open your scanner, (Google Goggles, QR Droid, or any other scanning app) and scan the following QR Code!

Brew Free! or Die IPA

As I said I would in my first post about 21st Amendment Brewing, I have given their beer  another try, and I'm glad I did.
Brew Free! or Die IPA is a good beer. Again, the packaging is great, this time the box has a drawing of Mt. Rushmore. Could just be me but Abraham Lincoln looks as though he is about to punch George Washington right in the kisser, both Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt may have already taken one to the eye. Are you missing a tooth, Teddy? Don't get in between Abe and beer. The cans sport the same artwork as the box. This time around, I decided I wanted to drink it from a glass.  Pours a cloudy, golden color and the white head dissipated quickly, leaving a slightly carbonated beer with a caramel malt and grapefruit(?) hop flavor. As an IPA, this beer can hold it's own and at 7%, watch how many you put away, it sneaks up on you. I might drink it again and I'm now excited to try the rest of their line up.

I had second one from the can, didn't notice an appreciable difference. Can or glass, give this one a try! Or better yet, if you find it on tap, give it a try and let me know what you think.

Ale to the Chief

I came across this blog earlier tonight.

It's aimed at all you Home Brewers out there!

White House Beer Recipe

It's Official, Portland's Among the Best in the World

Well Portland we have done it, we are ranked among the top 10 best beer cities in the world including such heavy hitters as Munich, Dublin and Boston according to USA Today thanks to our high quality microbrews that dot our fine city. Now that's high praise check it out. http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2012/10/02/10-best-beer-cities-in-the-world/1608885/

If you don't have the time for the whole article here is the excerpt about Portland from USA Today

Portland, Or

What to See: With an almost endless list of local producers, Portland's craft-beer scene has been hopping with creativity since the 1980s. Tours and tastings are aplenty, but the Brewvana experience offers a little bit of everything: transportation to and from Portland's breweries, a sit-down lunch with beer pairings, and a tasting lesson. Festivals throughout the year also celebrate Portland's unique beer culture, including Feast Portland, the Oregon Brewers Festival, and the Portland International Beer Festival. 

  

   Where to Drink: For the young, hip, and bicycled, there is no end to options for Portland-area libations. Check out Rogue Distillery & Public House, which serves up its own ever-popular options (including world champion Dead Guy Ale) alongside haute pub fare. Eco-friendly brewpub Hopworks Urban Brewery serves organic beer and sustainable eats in an old tractor showroom.

Keep up the great work Oregon.

Beer to Survive the Apocalypse

Yesterday, I stopped at my local Fred Meyer to grab a couple beers. If you live in the Portland, Oregon area and haven't been to a Fred Meyer beer isle in a while, I suggest you make the trek. They have done an overhaul of the beer department, quite stellar, with a huge selection of Microbrews.
 After drooling for way too long, I settled on a couple of bottles I've never tried, one from Three Creeks Brewing, out of Sisters, Oregon, and the other from a relatively new kid, Hopworks Urban Brewery from right here in Portland, Oregon, only being around since 2008. Don't let their adolescence scare you, they are contenders!
For this Breview, I have to go with  HUBs beer, the Survival 7-Grain Stout. Where to start with this magnificent beer? I guess with the bottle, it's a great looking bottle, just look at it. Simple yet bright. I want to cut it into a glass to drink all my beverages from (& I might).
As you already know, I'm a fan of the dark smokey porters and stouts. Stouts, in my opinion, demand to be enjoyed at around between 55-60°F. I always pull them from refrigeration about 30 minutes before I crack the top, this was no exception. HUB claims it uses seven grains; Kamut, Oats, Barley, Wheat, Amaranth, Quinoa and Spelt. I'm a firm believer that they are telling the truth  You can taste them all, like a liquid trail mix. Then they make it even more complex with the addition of cold-pressed Stumptown Coffee. Nutty, toasty, smokey and fruity. This thick headed beer is more than a drink, it's a meal. If I had to score this beer, I would feel comfortable giving it a 98/100.
And you can't, especially in Portland, look past the fact that it uses all Organic ingredients. I would love to work with the beer geniuses at Hopworks sometime, so I can learn to make a beer as fabulous as this one. (Hint, Hint guys) I highly recommend you get up from your computer and go get one right now.

Or stop in at Hopworks on SE Powell and order one. Their food is pretty damn delicious, as well.

And I'll breview Three Creeks Porter tomorrow!

Septembrew's Journey Part I

 It has been a few days now since I have written anything to appease the Beer or Movie Gods. But it doesn't mean that I haven't been busy drinking and watching away for the sake of brewers like you. So to start I would like to sum up a few brews and a few movies I watched. My time didn't allow for both so I hope you will forgive me. September was a month of suggestions for me, readers and friends threw many suggestions at us and I went to work getting to the bottom of the barrel and the film canister. Bill already covered our journey through the canyon that is Hell or High Watermelon...bottom of the canyon that is. I can't say anything that Bill didn't already cover. We had a great time trying it however we found a way to make something out of nothing. My favorite taste test came via a suggestion from a reader. Fearless Brewing out of our own backdoor of Estacada. The brew of choice for our trying was Scottish Ale. This is a malty caramel  beer with a slightly nutty and roasty flavor. It was a very pleasant experience one that will have me going back for more. I had the canned version of the beer but I am very excited to make the pilgrimage to Estacada to try the many other beers that they brew from the upper Clackamas (for those keeping tabs that's the good part) especially now that they have unleashed the Scottish Strong Ale last weekend upon the world so stay tuned we will see if we can get our hands on that. Let me mix it up by tossing in a movie to throw ya off.

Click to view trailer

  I recently sat down to watch the movie Ted (2012) Starring Seth MacFarlane, Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. A story about a boy who makes a wish on Christmas Eve that his teddy bear will come alive and be his best friend forever and ever. Well his wish it comes true and over time he becomes a local celebrity and eventually becomes a has been and blends right in to the world around him.Well like all good best friends they grow up and change and like life does it throws them curves. It's a great movie even if ya took the bear and turned him into a person. I don't really wanna give away more I laughed my ass off and really enjoyed myself. To be continued....I recently sat down to watch the movie Ted (2012) Starring Seth MacFarlane, Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. A story about a boy who makes a wish on Christmas Eve that his teddy bear will come alive and be his best friend forever and ever. Well his wish it comes true and over time he becomes a local celebrity and eventually becomes a has been and blends right in to the world around him.Well like all good best friends they grow up and change and like life does it throws them curves. It's a great movie even if ya took the bear and turned him into a person. I don't really wanna give away more I laughed my ass off and really enjoyed myself. To be continued....

Beer Cupcakes?

One of our fans on Facebook wanted a suggestion on a beer to use to make Cupcakes.

 click here to see more

O̶m̶s̶i̶ ̶A̶f̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶D̶a̶r̶k̶:̶ ̶B̶u̶r̶g̶e̶r̶s̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶B̶r̶e̶w̶ Until Next Time

Burgers and Beer

We get serious about warm buns, frosty mugs, and hot, dripping patties. Discern the difference between grain- vs. grass-fed beef, delve into the science of skunky beer, and experience the magical action of yeast. Drink up with beer samples from local breweries while learning how the beer is made. Fourteen breweries are participating in the second annual brewfest. Brewfest tasting packages include event admission, souvenir pint glass, and 10 tokens for samples. Science nerds unite for childfree, brain-building science fun at OMSI After Dark! 

OMSI After Dark Brewfest

Taste the difference with samples from 14 local breweries. Tasting includes event admission, souvenir pint glass and 10 tokens for samples. $25 for non-members, $15 for members, $5 for OMSI After Dark members.  Additional tasting tokens will be available for purchase for $1 each.

Participating breweries:2 Towns Ciderhouse

Come Hell or High Watermelon? Door Number One, Please!

   

This last weekend I decided to go ahead and give 21st Amendment's Hell or High Watermelon a try. I could easily sum it up in 4 words; DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. It is officially the worst beer I've ever tried.  The packaging is quite clever and artistic, promising something special. Special is one way to describe it. Maybe it's the fact they only sell it in the can (and on tap), I haven't liked too many canned beers I've tried. To be completely honest, I felt as though I was drinking a Budweiser with a slightly fruity aftertaste. If you are a Budweiser aficionado, you may enjoy it but this is one beer I won't be trying again.

      With that being said, I haven't given up on 21st Amendment brewing all together. I'm going to give some of their other beers a try. Maybe their Monk's Blood or Back in Black IPA. And I like the idea of a watermelon wheat, so I may have to try brewing some myself next summer.

      

Lawless:A Guest Breview

Cinema Brew has a treat for all of you. Today we have a guest reviewer in the form of Jon Nelson of Hooded Figure Productions and the web series Film Breach, has stopped in to give us a breview of the new movie Lawless.

Set in Franklin County, Virginia this Depression-era film is about three brothers who have formed a bootlegging business running moonshine throughout the county, but are threatened by a new deputy in town with the sole responsibility of putting bootleggers out of business.

The opening credits reveal a long list of talented actors consisting of Tom Hardy, Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman and Shia Labeouf. This cast might seem too good to be true, but they all perform top notch and there is also a surprising performance from newcomer Jessica Chastain, who you might remember from The Help. Guy Pierce’s performance as the film’s villain, Charlie Rakes, steals the show though. His overly proper portrayal of the deputy leaves you in wonder and fear from every scene he is in.
The film, although slow at times, has enough story and action spread throughout to keep the audience entertained. The action scenes seemed a little too brutal and graphic, but mixed with some of the slower scenes the emotional roller coaster that is Lawless has very high peaks and low dives. The family dynamic between Hardy and Labeouf is what drives the film. Hardy plays the protective older brother who is believed to be invincible, while Labeouf plays “the runt of the litter” and struggles with this hierarchy.
Altogether, I would recommend Lawless for any film buff, but it is not a family movie by any means. The graphic violence and nudity should keep the children and first daters away, but for true fans of film and Tom Hardy lovers this is a must see.
Being that this is a guest review for Cinema Brew I should probably recommend a brew to go along with this film, but being that this film is about bootleggers and their moonshine the recommendation seems rather obvious. The Original Moonshine Clear Corn Whiskey distilled in Culpeper, Virginia, only 100 miles east of where our film takes place. After the lengthy process to secure a license, Chuck Miller became the first official legal craft distiller in the United Sates in 1987. The taste is smooth, mellow and elegant. A mild warm sweetness of unrefined raw sugar, retaining the richness from freshly picked corn. 

Jon Nelson is a writer/director over at Hooded Figure Productions, a local up and coming film company as well as the creator of Film Breach. Film Breach is a weekly series that shows new filmmakers the tricks of the trade, understanding equipment and the jargon, and some fun effects. So head on over and check them out.

Our Commander and Chief enjoying a cold one!

Shocking Conclusion

After taking suggestions from Facebook fans, I picked up a half rack of Shock Top. I went with the variety pack, being that it was only $4 more than the 6-pack.
The variety pack contains 3 styles, Belgian White, Wheat IPA and Raspberry Wheat.
I decided to try the Belgian White first, as it was the beer originally recommended. It has a great aroma of citrus with a hint of anise. The initial flavor is of orange and coriander followed by a light taste of wheat, not much in the way of hops. It's a decent beer but nothing special, you can definitely tell it's a "domestic" beer trying to be a microbrew.
Next I tried the Wheat IPA. This too, smelled of citrus.  It's got a little more body to it and a bit more hops. Again, a "domestic" trying too hard to be a real beer. I doubt I'll try it again.
As far as Shock Top goes, Raspberry Wheat is where it's at, especially if you like drinking fruity beer. As soon as you pop the top you are hit with the aroma raspberries and oranges. The flavor is predominantly raspberry with a hint of citrus and spice. With a smooth finish, this beer goes on well. Perfect for a little "porch sitting" on a warm afternoon.
If I get a chance, I'll probably give their Lemon Shandy a try, too. Just for the hell of it.
The best thing about Shock Top is the creative labeling on their bottles, but worth a try if you want something a little different.
And when I find 21st Amendment's Hell or High Watermelon, I'll breview it as well, though it may end up being next summer before I get the chance. If you have a can or 2 to share, let me know.

Super Awesome Fan Mail # 1 don't miss this!!!

Dear Cinema Brew

 I am curious can you find a beer that would go well with the movies E.T. and The Sandlot?
                                                                                          Good Luck
                                                                                         Special Kay

 Well Special Kay we accept the challenge. E.T. (1982) is a tough one as it is a family film about an alien left behind on Earth by his species. It's not long after meeting young Elliot that our beloved E.T. finds himself alone partaking of a brew brought to you by the Coors Company. Now it would be too easy to pick the beer our hero imbibes. So I sat on it while I thought about the beers gone by when I was struck by a memorable scene in which E.T. lays on the bathroom floor as pale as the tile underneath him, then it hit me...an IPA was the way to go. I am not the biggest fan of IPA's so I had to go with one that I liked and would drink again. The hoppy Ninkasi Triceahops Double IPA would work just fine.

 Now The Sandlot (1993), the heartwarming story of a bunch of 12 year olds on the edge of becoming teenagers but still holding on to the dreams of their youth as they spend their summers playing baseball at the local sandlot. Summers past leave their impressions don't they? So does this lovable movie...one of my favorites actually. My summers where like this when I was 12 and can relive those sweltering days of youth whenever I pop it in the DVD player. This one was easy, it had to be a seasonal summer ale and I have tried the Citra Blonde Summer Brew  and loved it, so there it is Special Kay, hope we helped out. Please feel free to submit anymore questions or even suggestions of your own. Is it beer o' clock yet?

Drinking at the Speed of Beer

I came across this article about the rapidity of drinking beer based on glass type earlier today and wanted to get everyone's opinion on it. So go take a look and let me know.
Do you find yourself drinking beer faster out of a straight glass or a curved glass?
Do you drink your beer faster if the glass isn't filled to the top vs. a full glass?

Dead Guy Monday Night

Sitting up at Tom's Pizza watching a little Monday Night Football, having a Dead Guy Ale from Rogue Brewing. Rogue has some really good beers available, and their story is great. Just a couple of U of O Alumnus and former Frat brothers, Bob and Jack, along with the help of another buddy and Bob's accountant, started a Brew Pub in Ashland.
Dead guy is great from the moment you pick it up, the label on the bottle of a skeleton sitting on a oak barrel just screams try me, at least it does to me. The fruity, nutty aroma when you pop the top off the bottle beckons you to drink right from the bottle, but don't, you'll miss out on so much. The copper color as you pour it into your pint glass is worth the wait. Once you put the glass up to your lips, you'll be glad you did. The lack of hops for a German Style Maibock Ale will be the first thing you notice, followed by the fruity, nutty finish. Unfortunately tonight I'm having it on tap, still delicious though. Give it, or any of Rogue's other beers a try when you get the chance.
In fact,
       Excuse me Bar Keep, I'll have another.

To Beer and Back Again..A Hops Tale

 In honor of the recent news that The Hobbit would be turned into three movies instead of the original plan of  two I struck out on my own unexpected journey...a journey of flavor. Let's face it most of us have seen the Lord of the Rings dozens of times so the review is nothing new here. But the added twist of attempting to match a great beer to this great film seemed almost as difficult as Frodo's journey to Mount Doom (ok not really). The LOTR Fellowship of the Ring Special Edition runs about 3 hr 30 min so finding a beer that could endure the journey started at the beer section at the local grocery store...yes my local World Market would have been better to find a more international brew selection they have many. Seeing as the urge to watch this film struck me on my drive home I had but one option. But don't discount what I had access to was no mere domestic selection Fred Meyer has expanded there beer section to include many great micro brews as well as international selections. I decided to go with a German Lager cause in Europe the Germans GET beer better than any. I was naturally drawn to one of favorite choices one that until recently I had only been able to get at my favorite local German Food vendor Gustav's. The Warsteiner Premium Dunkel. It is a smooth and rich textured lager with a slight but sweet aftertaste, fantastic dark color and aroma that sits well at room temperature without losing it's pleasantness. The kick of flavor comes from the great barley roasting. It was a journey that paired well as I watched Frodo (Elijah Wood) inherit the One Ring of Power From his Uncle Bilbo (Ian Holm) at the willing of the wizard Gandalf the Gray (Ian McKellan) and leave the comfort of his home in The Shire to journey to take the ring to a council that will decide the entire fate of Middle Earth. This film is fantastic to say the least and sets the other films up so in it's right it is not as dark as those that proceed this one. We go from green pastures decorated for Bilbo's 111th birthday to the darkness of the road ahead and the town of Bree where our heroes come into contact with Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) who carries them away from the pursuing Ringwraiths who are desperate to reclaim The Ring for their master Sauron. Sword fights, chase sequences, spell casting, monsters, elves....I could literally go on for ever this movie has everything. I sipped down my last bit just as the finale of the film was getting gaining on me. As the credits rolled I was left wanting more....more of the Hobbits and company.... more of my delicious brew. In the War    of the Ring, the Warsteiner is the only choice for me. Out of the bottle its great but it's best out of the tap so prepare for war, stop in at Gustav's and get a growler of the Warsteiner and get ready to journey to beer and back again. The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey opens December 14, 2012  followed by The Desolation of Smaug on December 2013 and There and Back Again on July 2014 This has been a Cinema Breview drink safe watch happy.

Black Butte Football Day Breview

       I'm taking a break from movies today to enjoy one of my other great loves, NFL Football. It doesn't matter who's playing, Sunday is reserved for football. What does matter is the choice of brew to accompany the game.
      Today I picked up 2 types of beer. First is an old favorite of mine, Black Butte Porter. Deschutes has always impressed with their selection of fine microbrews, with the porters and stouts at the top of my list. Their Black Butte Porter is great and a little deceptive. Like any good porter, it doesn't get bitter when it gets warm and it drinks like a lighter beer. So if you like to nurse your beer, don't have room in your cooler or you just forgot to put it in the fridge, you can still enjoy your bottle of Black Butte.
      A nutty roasted malt start, with a chocolate, coffee finish, Black Butte actually goes down best just below room temperature. This medium body Porter really works for almost any occasion. I highly recommend you give it a try.
      And for those of you are scared of the dark beers, I also picked up some Widmer Brothers Drop Top Amber Ale. There's not a lot to say about Drop Top, it's a light bodied ale with faint honey tones and minimal hops. A good choice if you don't like bitter beer.It's an all around decent beer if you want to kick back and have a few mellow beer.
      So if you want to get your drink on while watching a game, a movie or even just relaxing around the house on a lazy afternoon, grab either of these beers and you shouldn't be disappointed.

RocknRolla with Noble Scot

  MacTarnahan’s Noble Scot Ale with it’s brown sugary, carmel flavor reminds me of Saturday mornings, buttered toast with cinnamon sugar and burning leaves. Well balanced and full bodied, it’s an all around good beer that you should try while it’s available, as it is a seasonal beer.

  Going back to his roots of British Crime Comedies, Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla (2008) while not as good as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, still packs a One-Two Punch.

  Lenny Cole(Tom Wilkinson) along with his right hand man, Archy(Mark Strong) are the “Old School” crime mob run the fast growing London real estate market . They find it hard to stay on top when Russian billionaire Uri Omovich(Karel Roden) moves into town . Uri along with his sexy accountant Stella(Thandie Newton) is planning an illegal land deal. But when Cole’s drug addicted, rockstar stepson, Johnny Quid(Toby Kebbell) steals Uri’s favorite painting, things go awry.

  The “Wild Bunch”, consisting of Mumbles(Idris Elba) and Handsome Bob(Tom Hardy), led by One Two(Gerard Butler),  a group of small time gangsters trying to get rich quick. With the help of Double-crossing Stella, the “Wild Bunch” steals  7 million Euros from Uri, twice.

  A movie about a stolen painting and duffel bag has never been so funny.

  I know, I know, you thought I was going to tell you more about the movie, but with the amount of “Who’s working with who?” and “Who’s really the bad guy?” I’d be here all day and you’d have no reason to watch it for yourself.

  It’s good to see Ritchie making movies again, because after  ‘Swept Away’, I thought he was done. If you’re lucky, maybe we’ll breview Sherlock Holmes for you.

AND A LITTLE BONUS!

  If you live in the Portland area and can tell me why I chose the Noble Scot to go with RocknRolla, I’ll buy you a beer! 

Hint: It's related to the movie.

Suggest a Breview

The work week is finally over. It's amazing how a short holiday week can feel just as long as regular week. I'm going to be picking up a few brews and couple movies tonight. I'm looking for some suggestions on what I should get.
I will post breviews of whatever I choose.

Breview of Horrible Bosses and A Working Man's( or Woman's) Beer

Hello,
  I'm Bill Bartlett, the other half of Cinema Brew. I've always been a lover of movies... And Beer.
The following is my first Official Breview.
  I stopped at Laurelwood Public House and Brewery last night on my way home from work. I found a nice quiet booth and ordered a Workhouse IPA. I grabbed my Smartphone to see what movies I had on it and what do you know, Horrible Bosses (2011). I'm going to attempt to breview this movie without spoiling it for those who haven't seen it.
Jason Bateman, yet again, astounds me with how funny he is, this time with the help of Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day. Then you add antagonists like Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston.
After nearly 2 hours of trying to laugh silently, I found myself hating Kevin Spacey because I almost believed he really was David Harken. I don't envy Nick Hendricks(Bateman) trying to move up in the ever competitive world of advertising with a sadistic boss like Harken always trying to keep him down.
  TORN is the only way I can describe how I felt watching Dale Arbus(Day) try to fend off his boss, Dr. Julia Harris(Aniston), who wants to sleep with him, even though he was engaged. The most seductive and immoral role I've ever seen Aniston. I'm glad I've never had a boss like her, I'm afraid I might have given in to her advances, she was HOT!
 Let's not leave out Kurt Buckman(Sudeikis). After his "good" boss, Jack Pellitt(Donald Sutherland) dies, Pellitt's son Bobby(Colin Farrell) takes over. The pot-bellied, comb-over sporting, cocaine addict new boss really makes Buckman's job a living hell.
  I fully understand why Nick, Dale and Kurt want their bosses dead. After talking with Motherfucker Jones(Jamie Foxx) a self proclaimed Murder Consultant, things really get out of hand, each planning to kill each other bosses. I'm going to leave it that, only saying that the outcome is pretty hilarious and everyone gets their "just desserts". Definitely a must see for fans of dark comedies.
   As for the beer, the bitterness of the hops blended with the citrus and pine undertones, Workforce IPA was the perfect beer to accompany Horrible Bosses.

An Introduction and a Cinema Breview By Ryan Lund

My name is Ryan Lund and I am a cinephile and beer lover. It is an honor to meet all of you. I would like to start things off by paying tribute to all things local...(kinda) by introducing a local brew and a local film ( I will be stretching this truth slightly). First and foremost we have the film, one of my true favorites The Maltese Falcon (1941) starring Humphery Bogart, Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre. The film follows San Francisco detective Sam Spade ( Bogart) as he tries to work out a case involving three adventurers who are all in competition to gain ownership of a jewel covered falcon statue dating back to 1539. Not as heavy as some of Bogart's other films like Casablanca. One can really get lost in the excitement of the chase of this one. This gem of a film is to me as priceless as the statue our stars pursue. Now the film isn't local at all but I chose it cause of the long standing rumor that Bogart had a house here in Portland...I know I cheated and I am sorry but I can't take it back now. Now on to the brew perhaps my favorite beer brewed here locally at the Ram Brewery. Grab a half gallon growler and take it in to have them top it off for around 12 bucks. The sweet malty amber has the hint of caramel to it's finish and really hits the spot for any movie really so I kinda cheated again and picked a versatile beer but they are my favs so I can't change that. I hope you have enjoyed. This has been a Cinema Breview drink safe watch happy.

Labor Day

In honor of the laborer this Labor Day weekend we are paying tribute to you. We have stepped back from giving our opinion to letting the movies decide for us.  When the grill cools down and the tiki torches burn out and it's time to kick your feet up but don't want the festivities of the long holiday weekend to end then look no further we have selected a few movies that salute the blue collar worker. Each of our selections lend each of it's own ideas of which beer should be ingested. First is a classic film all unto itself Cool Hand Luke (1967) starring Paul Newman in one of his best roles and George Kennedy. Lucas Jackson finds himself with a prison sentence after being busted drunkingly cutting the heads off of parking meters. He is sentenced to 2 years in a prison work camp in Florida. Being the 1960's this film has cool written all over it literally....well only once however it continues to deliver the cool beyond just the title opening. Continue your cool with one of the more popular beers of the 1960's. Drink the same beer that possibily got Lucas into the bind he is in. Beers finding themselves popular during this time were Hamm's and the always classic Pabst Blue Ribbon. Not your glass of beer then check out our final selection Caddyshack (1980) starring Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murray as the always loveable Carl Spackler. Though the story follows a young caddy played by Michael O'Keefe as he attempts to gain a scholarship from the country club where he is employed. The true heart and humor of the story follows the groundskeepers assistant Carl played by Murray as he is entrusted with ridding the course of their gopher problems. The 1980's had one true beer that stood higher than it's competitors and even finds it's way into the film. Grab a Budweiser before sitting back to watch Carl wage war on his underground enemy. This has been a Cinema Breview. Drink safe watch happy.

Welcome One and All

Welcome Everyone to the revolution that is Cinema Brew. Here at Cinema Brew we are bringing two passions together...film and beer. Who amongst us hasn't sat back to watch our favorite movie and thought to ourselves, "Wow this movie is great but it would that much better with my favorite brew." That's where we come in, just like a wine paired to a fine meal there is a perfect beer for every flick ever made. We may not talk about beer or film together all the time, we might give you a great beer to accompany an action film.  We might review or recommend a film with the hopes you will match it yourself and let us know what it's all about. But we promise that just like a great couple they may not always be holding hands but they are still together. So if you have a movie-drinking habit or a beer-watching problem, then Cinema Brew is for YOU.

Cinema Brew