An once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is happening this morning when a total solar eclipse cuts a path across North America after a 99-year hiatus. For a few minutes from Oregon through South Carolina, the sky will go dark, the stars will come out and temperatures will drop in the middle of the day for people in the path of totality. The moon won’t be seen completely covering the sun in the South Sound, but the area will get 94 percent totality during this celestial phenomenon. At Peaks and Pints, the eclipse will peak at 10:20 a.m. To celebrate this cosmic wonder, we have invited Ecliptic Brewing from Portland, Oregon, to hang out with up, tap their craft beers, give away space pints and watch the splendor (on our ginormous big screen). In 2013, famed brewer John 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. Judging by the current state of things (Trump, ahem), this could be your last chance to kinda-sorta see an eclipse, unless you plan on taking a drive across the United States. Peaks and Pints doesn’t want to be all doom and gloom, but if we’re going out, it’s going to be after we down the flight of Ecliptic craft beer that we call Craft Beer Crosscut 8.21.17: A Flight For The Eclipse. This beer flight is perfect for any coast-to-coast solar eclipse celebration, or even a binge-worthy night of your favorite sci-fi flicks. Remember, it’s important not to look directly at the sun because the intense light can cause permanent damage to your eyes.
Eclitpic Carina Peach Sour
5.5% ABV, 10 IBU
It’s fun to watch uninitiated beer drinkers sample sour beer for the first time. Even if they’re well aware of the oncoming pinch of acidic tartness, they inevitably grimace and recoil. After a few more sips, however, their tongues adjust to the physical sensation and their palates warm up to the complexity of flavor. A tart and lively example of the style is Ecliptic Brewing’s Carina Peach Sour Ale, which the Portland brewery now brews year-round. Carina Peach Sour Ale takes its name from the constellation Carina, the keel of the ship Argo in the southern sky. Loaded with fresh peach flavor, Carina hits the nose with peach. It launches with sweet peach flavors, and lively mouthfeel. The Lactobacillus gives the craft beer a complex combination of flavors and aromas.
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 Chromosphere Blonde Ale
5% ABV, 40 IBU
“This day has been one that I have been thinking about for a long time and having a beer for the day was of huge importance to me,” said Ecliptic co-founder and head brewer John Harris. “The can design (done by Senior Art Director at Sasquatch Agency, Sean Haggerty) honors the event and the beer inside just as I had hoped and I can’t wait for you all to drink it while watching the eclipse.” The famed brewer Harris speaks of is his Chromosphere Blonde Ale, a sessionable ale brewed with Amarillo and Cascade hops for citrusy flavors and aroma. Think flavorful toast. Think rich marmalade, Think crisp, soft wheat. Think about wearing those special glasses when viewing the eclipse.
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 Space Ghost Golden Session Barleywine
8% ABV, 75 IBU
From Fort George to Worthy and on to Gigantic, the Cosmic Collaboration Series from Ecliptic Brewing has most recently been Oregon brewery focused. This time around however, Ecliptic looked out east for their next collaboration partner. Melvin Brewing from Alpine, Wyoming traveled to Portland to create a beer that defies all explanations. The Cosmic Collaboration is playfully named, Space Ghost Golden Session Barleywine and takes inspiration from Melvin’s illustrious Imperial IPAs. Space Ghost explodes with a panoply of Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy and Southern Cross for a huge tropical fruit flavor, very much in line with passionfruit and guava. Yes, it has a malty sweet backbone, but the hops are not a ghost. Super smooth. Far out!
