Nobody Asked Us, But...

No tour of Portland (105.3 miles north of here) is complete without a swing past 1133 W Burnside St. for a deep in- and exhale of the hoppy aroma that surrounds the Blitz Weinhard Brewing Co.-or a pilgrimage to the gravesite of Henry himself.

In recent months, you may have noticed canned Private Reserve on supermarket shelves, but you probably don't know that soon no tour of Tumwater, WA will be complete without swinging past the brewery at 100 Custer Way SW, which Miller Brewing Co. recently acquired from Pabst Brewing Co., along with the rest of the Stroh's Brewing Co.'s holdings. Stroh's, which went belly up this year, has manufactured Henry's since 1979 (and you thought it was locally owned); Henry's went to Miller, Rainier will soon head to the grave.

Visit the landmark (details at left and below, as featured on your nearest Henry's six-pack) before it's too late.

Kick Vera Out!

The issue with the closure of the Blitz Weinhard Brewing Co., is not about local vs. corporate ownership. Instead it is about civic pride, and the pungent smell that will soon be absent from the air just down the block from Powell's Books. Miller can hardly be blamed for their decision; Tumwater is likely more cost-effective in the long run. However, it does indicate a failure on the part of Portland's community leaders that a landmark such as Henry Weinhard's can be allowed to leave. This would never have happened if we ran the city, dammit.

Weinhard-aku

Damn, Mister Weinhard, Leaving us to swill Black Star, My liver hates you...

Yet as long as Henry himself remains buried in P-town, there will still be a mecca for those who know how to get there.

Henry rests today in a cemetery in Portland, along with former Bronco semi-great Lyle Alzado (he died of steroid-induced brain cancer in 1992) and Wyatt's brother Virgil Earp.

It isn't the easiest to find, but maybe that's for the best. Only the most dedicated of beer drinkers will make it to the several ton WEINHARD marker. It takes a lot to get us sentimental, but if when you leave, out of respect, please leave an unopened beer for the man himself.