Finnriver Cider Dinner at Harvester Brewing Gastropub – Wednesday May 28th at 6:30 PM.
Finnriver Farm and Cidery
Finnriver is a wonderful cider maker I first discovered at the Imperial Bottle Shop and Taproom last November. They were doing a Cider and Cheese pairing with the Cheese Plate PDX Food Cart.
The paring were wonderful and I fell in love with a number of Finnriver beverages including their Black Currant Apple Brandy Wine and their Artisan Methode Champenoise Cider.
Imperial Events
On a side note – Imperial regularly does fun events like the Cheese and Cider Pairing I attended. They post info about these events on their Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ImperialBottleShopandTaproom.
They are having a Weird Beer Bonanza on June 12th featuring a number of beers that do seem kind of weird including – Burnside Brewing Co‘s Carrot and Raisin Imperial Rye Brown aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels, and Gilgamesh Brewing‘s FunGuy Bock (brewed w/mushrooms), to name just a few.
Back to Finnriver!
I have since come across Finnriver at the Portland Spring Beer and Wine Fest and at the Portland Spring Cider Festival AKA Cider Rite of Spring put on by the Northwest Cider Association.
Every time I have seen Finnriver I have really enjoyed their ciders. I liked them so much, I have been planning a culinary trip to Port Townsend in August to see first hand what they do.
When I heard about the Cider Dinner they are having at Harvester Brewing I was thrilled! I cant wait for this event!
Finnriver Cider Dinner at Harvester Brewing Gastropub – Wednesday May 28th at 6:30 PM
I am going to tell you all about this event – however let me put the link to buy tickets right here in case you decide to join me – www.finnriverharvester.brownpapertickets.com
Five Delectable Courses!
At this dinner you will get to enjoy FIVE courses and each one is a winner!
Course One Amaranth-Walnut Crisp with Caviar Lentils & Ancient Heritage Pearl Cheese paired with Finnriver Black Currant Cider – A lively craft cider, with an earthy sparkle and purple blush. This semi-sweet cider explores the tart mysteries of black currant. Fermented on the farm using 100% apple juice pressed from Washington organic heirloom and dessert apples.
Course Two Snap Pea & Radish Salad with Ricotta Salata and Farmstead Dressing paired with Finnriver Farmstead Cider –An earthy, semi-sweet cider made with a blend of community-harvested apples, and traditional & dessert apple varietals. Unfiltered for a rustic finish and hearty taste of frontier cider tradition. Portion of proceeds benefits local Food Banks.
Course Three Choice of Black Cod or Tempeh with Chickpeas, Morel Mushrooms & Asparagus Braised in Habañero Cider paired with Finnriver Habañero Cider –A blend of chili heat and tart apple. Fermented on the farm using 100% apple juice pressed from Washington organic heirloom and dessert apples, with organic habanero chilies.
Course Four Ancient Heritage Dairy’s Hannah Cheese with Green Strawberry Compote paired with Harvester Apple IPA – The Apple IPA features the wonderful characteristics of a dry cider crossed with a classically-hopped Northwest IPA. It starts with an IPA base brewed with buckwheat and chestnuts and kettle hopped with three large aroma additions of Centennial hops. Then apple must is added to create a mixture of 51% IPA and 49% cider.
Course Five Honey Polenta Cake with Rhubarb Lemon Balm Gelée & Chamomile Sorbet paired with Finnriver Seasonal Honey Meadow Cider – A Finnriver seasonal the Honey Meadow Cider features strong honey warmth with herbal, floral notes from locally grown lemon balm and organic chamomile. Lemon balm offers a tangy, grassy citrus brightness.
The Hosts!
This fun dinner will be hosted by Chefs Neil Davidson & Lauren Chandler and Finnriver Co-founder, Crystie Kisler.
Neil Davidson is the chef at Harvester Brewing’s Gastropub. Neil has previously cooked at Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry and Ad Hoc as well as a supper club in San Francisco that featured a multi course menu paired with beer. You can follow Neil on Twitter here – www.twitter.com/theNeilD
Lauren Chandler is the chef who founded Lauren Chandler Cooks. Lauren regularly provides public cooking classes where people are equipped to prepare food that is both healthy and great tasting! You can follow Lauren on Facebook –www.facebook.com/laurenchandlercooks
Crystie Kisler is one of the co-founders of Finnriver and I have been told that she is wonderful storyteller. You can follow Finnriver on Facebook and Twitter. F- www.facebook.com/finnriver T – www.twitter.com/FinnriverFarm.
I hope to see you Wednesday night at the Finnriver Cider Dinner at the Harvester Brewing Gastropub!
The link for tickets is – www.finnriverharvester.brownpapertickets.com
That’s It!
I am Steven Shomler I write about the great food and the great stories that I come across on my culinary adventures!
