Ferment Brewing Excels at Winter w/ new Barrel-Aged Strong Ales, Frog beer, and Yurts

One of the many things that Hood River, Oregon’s Ferment Brewing does really well is winter. From the return of their heated winter yurts on a deck overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, to the three new barrel aged winter warmer beers and the a hoppy red ale collaboration with the Oregon Wildlife Foundation.

Ferment’s yurts are a favorite way to hide away and enjoy some warmth when it’s cold outside. The yurts can host small groups of up to six and are dog-friendly. Visitors will find the yurts on the heated patio before entering the main restaurant, next to the giant fireplace.

Ferment Brewing’s three barrel aged beers have also arrived just in time for the gift giving season. Each beer has been aged for 6-12 months, allowing for rich layers of malt to blend together and create a contemplative sipping experience.

The limited beers include the latest variations of Ferment’s Imperial Stout and Ferment Barleywine Ale, and Stock Ale. All three beers are available on tap and in 500ml bottles at the brewery and throughout Ferment’s distribution in Washington and Oregon.

• Imperial Stout — Aged in a mix of whiskey barrels and red wine barrels before being blended together. This huge sipper presents flavors of coffee, dried fruits, juicy berries, leather, and oak. 13.6% ABV

• Ferment Barleywine Ale — Brewed with a blend of seven different malted barley varieties from Europe, and aged in a variety of oak barrels, creating deep malt layers that evoke dried fruit, oak, and toffee. 12.4% ABV

• Stock Ale — Traditionally cellared in barrels for long periods of time, we aged our Stock Ale for 8 months to allow Brettanomyces to perform its slow-acting magic and create a warm complexity. Look for notes of toasted almonds and dried Bing cherries. 10.2% ABV

These beers join a host of lower-abv dark beers at Ferment, including Peppermint Porter, Woodsman Porter, Nitro Dry Stout, ESB, and later this month the brewery will Doug The Dark, a highly anticipated Cascadian Dark Ale that is already available in seasonal 16oz 4-packs and on draft throughout Ferment’s distribution channels.

Ferment Brewing has teamed up with Oregon Wildlife Foundation for Red Legged Ale, a collaborative hoppy red ale that supports our red-legged amphibian neighbors in Forest Park. The beer is available on draft and in 16oz 4-packs for a limited time beginning today.

Every fall and early winter for millennia, red-legged frogs have migrated between their home habitat in Forest Park to wetlands near Multnomah Channel to lay their eggs, creating the next generation. Conversion of wetlands and road construction now threaten the frog’s very existence, cutting them off from the wetland habitat they need to fulfill their life history. For years, wildlife supporters have aided the frogs by hand-collecting them in buckets and moving them safely across Highway 30, but that’s not a sustainable long-term solution.

To solve the problem, Oregon Wildlife Foundation commissioned the design of a highway crossing structure — an undercrossing near the town of Linnton to help red-legged frogs, other amphibians, and small animals get safely across Highway 30 to reach the Harborton wetland near Multnomah Channel. Sales from Red Legged Ale benefit the Oregon Wildlife Foundation’s advancement of the Harborton Frog Crossing. The beer is a red ale made with rolled oats, German wheat, and English crystal malt for a velvety smooth texture. Local Centennial and Ekuanot hops from Yakima Chief were added to the whirlpool to create a delicate lemon and rose aromas and a beautifully hoppy finish.

“As a brewery that values and celebrates nature, Ferment Brewing is committed to promoting conservation efforts in our community,” said Jenn Peterson, Ferment’s Director of Operations. “That’s why we couldn’t be more proud to support the Oregon Wildlife Foundation and their vital work in protecting and preserving red-legged frogs. Enjoying a delicious pint of Red Legged Ale means you’re not only savoring a great beer, but also making a positive impact on the local ecosystem.”

Grab a 4-pack or enjoy a glass at Ferment’s Hood River brewpub, which now has heated dog-friendly yurts up for the cold weather. Or find it throughout Ferment’s distribution footprint in Oregon and Washington.

Learn more about the red-legged frogs at myowf.org/frogs.