John Harris’ background in one steeped in Oregon’s rich craft brewing history. After beginning as a brewer at McMenamins’ breweries, he moved to Deschutes where he created the recipes for Mirror Pond, Black Butte Porter, Jubelale and Obsidian Stout. He spent the next 20 years of his career as a brewmaster at Full Sail in charge of creating the Brewmaster Reserve line of beers. In 2013, Harris founded Ecliptic Brewing purchasing the brewhouse from friend and Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione. Harris’ love for brewing and astronomy shines as he pushes the limits of creativity rotating Ecliptic’s offerings every six weeks in accordance with the old world calendar, producing seasonal favorites. In conjunction with Ecliptic’s can release party for its Starburst IPA and Quasar Pale at 4 p.m. in Peaks and Pints, we present Craft Beer Crosscut 3.25.17: A Flight of Ecliptic.
Ecliptic Star Destroyer
8% ABV, 39 IBU
Part of Ecliptic Brewing’s Cosmic Collaboration Series, this craft beer emerges from the wormhole as an “Imperial Darkside Lager,” or schwarzbier if you want to get technical. In keeping with Ecliptic’s space tendencies, the beer was ultimately called Star Destroyer, thanks to Van Havig of fellow Portland, Oregon craft brewery Gigantic who agreed to collaborate on the brew only if it carried the name of the wedge-shaped capital ship of Star Wars fame. Anyway, this beer attacks with a big toast and light toffee nose. The flavor is Munich malts, some caramel, toffee, sweet fruit, a bit of coffee and bitter dark chocolate.
Ecliptic Capella Porter
5.2% ABV, 39 IBU
Did we mention Ecliptic Brewmaster John Harris is known for creating award-winning Black Butte Porter? He’s a star porter creator and his Capella Porter, named after a bright star in the constellation Auriga, won gold at the World Beer Cup, the U.S. Open Beer Championships and the Oregon Beer Awards, proving it’s one of the country’s best porters. Its aroma swirls with chocolate, rich smooth malt and hazelnuts followed by a nice medium body. Flavors of chocolate and caramel meld with just a touch of roast. A collection of Nugget, Chinook, Centennial, and Cascade hops brighten this lively porter.
Ecliptic Quasar Pale Ale
6% ABV, 65 IBU
Inspired by its luminous namesake, Simcoe and Mosaic hops give Ecliptic Brewing’s Quasar Pale Ale an energetic aroma swirling with green onion, garlic, tangerine and pineapple. The flavor, however, rockets across the tongue with melon and pineapple and leaving very little bitterness behind. With a soft, easy touchdown, Quasar is a stellar beer for enjoying out under the sun.
Ecliptic Starburst IPA
7.8% ABV, 75 IBU
Harris’ dream to make it easier to bring Ecliptic on stargazing treks into the mountains became real when he selected a counter pressure canning system from Codi Manufacturing out of Golden, Colorado. He selected his juicy Starburst IPA to lead off the aluminum charge. The dry-hopped IPA explodes with Amarillo, Azacca, Centennial, Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops for fresh flavors of citrus, fruit and pine. Starburst is backed by 100 percent pale malt for a super clean finish and puts the focus on the hop flavors and aromas.
Ecliptic Orange Giant
12.5% ABV, 80 IBU
Ecliptic’s gold medal Orange Giant Barleywine pours a beautiful bright cloudy orange with a white head. Three malts create a hearty malt profile with robust character. Its resiny, warm spiciness jumps out of the glass, especially in the finish, due to copious amounts of Chinook and Nugget hops. Those who enjoy the edgy-hoppiness of an American barley wine will dig the Giant, although the hops are partially balanced by the malts, and the high alcohol is nicely subdued.
