Natalie Rose Baldwin studied biochemistry at the University of Colorado; started washing kegs at Burnside Brewing and rose to lead R&D brewer before leaving for Breakside Brewery. She has won several medals at the Great American Beer Festival, is professional judge at GABF and the Wolrd Beer Cup, works with the Oregon Brewers Guild Diversity and Equity Committee, is a Pink Boots Portland Chapter co-leader, and was the recipient of a Pink Boots scholarship in 2018. In February 2023, she filled Kevin Davey’s boots at Wayfinder Beer, who was the founding brewmaster at Wayfinder when it opened in 2015. Baldwin continues to brew their hop-centric beers, dedicated decoction ditties, German meets American craft swagger lagers, Cold IPAs, and esoteric beers. Today, We check in with Wayfinder with a five-beer flight we’re calling Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Wayfinder.

Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Wayfinder

Wayfinder Glass Dolls Italian Pils

4.5% ABV

Brewed with Ariana and Sladek hops over a base-layer of floor malted grains, and then fermented agonizingly cold and krausened, this simultaneously soft and crisp Italian pilsner offers notes of fresh baked bread and delicate accents of honey sweetness with floral and grassy finish.

Wayfinder Laura Palmer

5% ABV

“Pouring a golden hue with a delicate white head and a whisper of the Double R Diner’s secret stash, Laura Palmer Blonde Ale invites you in with enticing aromas of freshly steeped Steven Smith Tea black tea and zesty lemon,” states Wayfinder with Twin Peaks reference. “The initial sip reveals a light and refreshing body, perfectly balanced with subtle malt sweetness and a hint of biscuit-like character. As you raise your glass, listen closely. You might just hear an owl hoot, a clue waiting to be unraveled.”

Wayfinder Marzen

5.5% ABV

Wayfinder’s interpretation of this classic beer style employs an extensive double-decoction mashing regime and prolonged maturation. The resulting aroma is a touch of light toffee with a spicy, delicate hop. The body is warming and pronounced but finishes dry and moreish.

Wayfinder Jazz Witch Cold IPA

7.2% ABV

Jazz Witch is brewed with tropical, bebop-infused bohemian hops, with heavy influence of surreal New Zealand strains sending a whiff of diesel over lemongrass inflected notes of pineapple, mandarin, and that wild American underground flavor jazz.

Wayfinder Gravity Drop

9% ABV

Baltic porters are fermented with lager yeast, and aged to properly develop and round their flavors, so it takes both skill and patience to properly pull the subtleties out of this somewhat rare style of beer, which Wayfinder Beer did. Their Gravity Drop Baltic porter has intense chocolate, fig and caramel aroma that drinks warmly and falls off the deep end. It’s rich, elegant, and warming to the bone.

LINK: Peaks & Pints beer and cider cooler inventory