PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers season starts this weekend, and Widmer Brothers Brewing is tapping two new Timbers-themed beers at a kick-off party today, March 3, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at the Widmer Brothers Pub on North Russell Street in Portland, where the MLS Cup will also be on display.
To celebrate the Timbers MLS Cup championship, Widmer Brothers brewed a small-batch collaboration with Head Coach Caleb Porter and the Portland Timbers coaching staff called First Star. Named for the gold star worn by MLS Cup champion teams to signify their title wins, this being the Timbers’ first, First Star is a rye altbier that is dry hopped with Ella hops, an Australian varietal with tropical fruit notes that balance the robust maltiness of the rye altbier.
The brewery is also tapping Thrill of Victory Cascadian Dark Ale, which is the promised collaboration with Columbus Brewing that came about after a bet between the two breweries before last year’s MLS Championship game between the Timbers and the Columbus Crew. Thrill of Victory is brewed with white and chocolate wheat malts and Azacca hops and experimental X-438 hops, which give the beer a slight roastiness with notes of passion fruit and juicy fruit.
The two limited-edition small-batch beers will be available on draught only. First Star and Thrill of Victory are being tapped for the first time today at6:00 p.m. at the Widmer Brothers Pub, where the MLS Cup will be on display. Fans can come and get their photo taken with the Cup, and members of the coaching staff will be in attendance.
Raffle tickets will be given to everyone who purchases any of the Timbers-themed beers on tap, which includes Widmer Brothers’ recent collaboration with the Timbers Army – Green & Gold Kölsch – as well as First Star Rye Alt, Thrill of Victory Cascadian Dark Ale, and Hefe, the official craft beer of the Portland Timbers.
Widmer Brothers and the Portland Timbers have been partners for over 16 years, and last year the brewery’s flagship Hefe was named the “Official Craft Beer of the Portland Timbers.” Hefe turns 30 this year and will continue being bottled in Portland Timbers co-branded packaging in the Oregon market for the duration of the 2016 MLS Season.
“Last season’s championship was obviously really special to the Portland community, and to us here at Widmer Brothers,” said Rob Widmer, co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing. “So many people on the Widmer Brothers team are longtime fans, and we are overjoyed to be hosting the MLS Cup at the Pub and tapping these two new, special Timbers-themed beers. We think this will be a fitting kick off to a great 2016 MLS season. Come join us!”
In addition to the kick-off party today at the Pub, First Star is being tapped on March 5, 2016, at select pubs and restaurants around Providence Park, including Hotlips (Civic), Civic Taproom, Cheerful Bullpen, Marathon Taverna, Kingston, Kell’s on 21st, Lightning Will, and Scooter Mc Quades.
Widmer Brothers is also making First Star available at the Timbers’ opening game versus the Columbus Crew at Providence Park on March 6, 2015.
For more information on Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit widmerbrothers.com or see what the brewery is up to on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Widmer Brothers Brewing
Widmer Brothers Brewing helped create the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement in 1984 when founders Kurt and Rob Widmer, then in their 20s, began brewing unique interpretations of traditional German beer styles. In 1986, Widmer Brothers Brewing introduced the original American-style Hefeweizen, which elevated the brewery to national acclaim. Since then, the brewery’s iconic Hefe, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2016, has grown to become Oregon’s favorite craft beer. For more than three decades, Widmer Brothers has continued to push the boundaries of craft beer, developing a variety of beers with an unapologetic, uncompromised commitment to innovation. Based in Portland, Oregon, the brewery currently brews a variety of beers including Hefeweizen, Upheaval IPA, Steel Bridge Porter, Drop Top Amber Ale, and a full seasonal lineup. Additionally, the brewery continues to make a series of limited edition, small-batch beers available in Oregon and at the Widmer Brothers pub in North Portland.