Widmer Brothers

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Beer of the Day: Omission's Lager and Pale Ale

What happens when the CEO of a craft brewery is diagnosed with celiac disease?

What happens when the CEO of a craft brewery is diagnosed with celiac disease? While many in this circumstance might consider a career change, this wasn't the case with Terry Michaelson, CEO of Widmer Brothers Brewing in Portland, OR. Instead, he developed Omission beer ($10 per six-pack), a line of craft beers brewed using traditional ingredients, including malted barley, which would be safe for consumption for himself and his peers.

Utilizing a unique process to remove the gluten from the libation post-brew, Omission scored below the threshold for gluten content set forth by Codex, but the test that most intrigued me was whether or not the two brews, a lager and an American pale ale, could stand up to their traditional counterparts. Find out how Omission performed where it counts most: flavor.

beer

Happy Hour: Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale

If you enjoy wheat beers, you're most likely familiar with the Widmer Brothers.

If you enjoy wheat beers, you're most likely familiar with the Widmer Brothers. Its American brew is an incredibly well-known Hefeweizen. I got my hands on a six pack of Widmer's latest creation, Drifter Pale Ale ($8.99). Typically, pale ales are made with Cascade hops, but Drifter uses a different variety called Summit. These hops provide an intense citrus flavor; seriously, it tastes like there's orange juice in the beer! A touch of caramel malt balances out the tartness of the citrus.

Although I normally prefer light beer, this refreshingly smooth brew is crisp and clean with only a slight bitterness — making it highly drinkable. If you enjoy sipping new, innovative brews, definitely give Drifter Pale Ale a try.

I paired mine with the Schlow burger, but it would be welcome with pizza or fried seafood. Have you tasted Drifter or any of the Widmer Brothers' other beers?