You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘beer’ category.
Rogue River rafting and Ninkasi Brewing and Whitewater Warehouse…the greatest vacation of ALL TIME! Still a few spaces available on the Sunday, July 17 – Tuesday, July 19 Rogue River Craft Beer and rafting trip. This is a lodge-to-lodge craft-n-raft adventure with Oregon craft beer tastings each evening. Ginger Johnson, owner of Women Enjoying Beer will be there to offer her craft beer knowledge and will explain how beers can pair well with unique foods. For more details, check out the Rogue River Craft Beer and rafting web page...or call our friendly staff at 800.214.0579.
Two leaders in Oregon’s burgeoning craft beer industry have signed on to raft the mighty Rogue River with triple “W” in 2011. One is a wildly popular Oregon brewer; the other a spokesWOMAN (cheerleader) for the craft beer industry.
OK, lets talk about these fascinating folks. 
First, Jamie Floyd. Jamie is the owner of Ninkasi Brewery, a craft brewery located in Eugene, Oregon. In 2001, Floyd and co-owner, Nikos Ridge developed Ninkasi Brewing Company, named for the Sumerian goddess of brewing and fermentation from the ancient agrarian civilization in Mesopotamia. “Brewing has been a part of civilization since the beginning,” Floyd says. “I’m just the village brewer.” Floyd will bring his “village brewer” perspectives to our 2nd annual Rogue River “raft & craft” trip. Check out this interesting article/video on Floyd and Ninkasi, written by the Flux staff at the University of Oregon.
Second, Ginger Johnson. This human-ball-o-fire knows so much about the emerging craft beer marketplace that she literally oozes knowledge (and she loves to share that knowledge). Owner of the famous www.womenenjoyingbeer.com website, Ginger’s focus is on opening up the world of beer to women but she is an equal opportunist–making sure that she never excludes the male audience. Just look at that smiling face. Her understanding of the craft beer market is infectious…and she will be on the raft trip to answer questions about craft beers and pairing them with some not so obvious food choices.
When is this incredible, one of a kind river trip scheduled to take place? This summer…July 17 – 19 on Oregon’s beautiful wild & scenic Rogue River. Call Whitewater Warehouse/ROW Adventures today to book your space(s) at 1-800-214-0579 or check out the Whitewater Warehouse website for more information.
OK, OK, so it’s only March but, people, you’ve got to put important dates like this on your calendar! July 17 – 19 (coincidently July is Oregon Craft Beer month) Whitewater Warehouse is sponsoring an Oregon Craft Beer-Rogue River rafting trip–featuring the uber-popular Ninkasi Brewing Co.
To amp things up a bit more, Ninkasi’s president, Jamie Floyd, will be on the rafting trip to answer questions about the different craft beers the company brews and the process that each beer goes through to acquire that unique, one-of-a-kind Ninkasi taste. Ninkasi’s popularity has shot into the Craft-Beer-Drinking-Stratophere. The company’s Facebook page has almost 16,000 “likes” (fans) and counting!
Making the trip even more brew-cooler (if that is possible), Ginger Johnson creator of the popular site, www.WomenEnjoyingBeer.com will be along to show how Ninkasi’s different beers pair with unique food combinations. She and Jamie will be available during the beer tastings each evening before dinner to discuss the various beers’ subtle but distinctive flavorings. “I am thrilled to be a part of Whitewater’s 2011 Rogue River Craft Beer trip again this year. Last year’s trip was such a blast and I expect this year’s trip, with the addition of Jamie, to be over-the-top. Itching to go!”
What could be better than sun, fun, warm water, and yum-o-licous brews from Ninkasi each evening? Nothing. So book this unique July 17 – 19, 2011 Rogue River rafting/craft beer tasting trip today by calling the friendly folks at: 1-800-214-0579.
Cost is $950 per guest (double occupancy). You’ll spend three days rafting the wild and scenic Rogue River, two nights at different lodges along the way, everything from lunch the first day through lunch the last day is inclusive in this price (shuttle back over the mountain too), and, of course, Ninkasi craft beers and food pairing each evening as well.
This Whitewater Warehouse guest blog is written by Ginger Johnson, owner of Women Enjoying Beer and craft beer specialist. She has chronicled in the last two blogs her Oregon Rogue River rafting and craft beer adventure. Here is her third and final installment about the trip.
Interested in joining us on an Oregon Rogue River Raft and Craft trip in 2011? Just click here for more details: 2011 Oregon Raft & Craft Trip.
July 20, 2010 – Day 3 and the final day of our inaugural Raft & Craft trip.
Dawn came again gently after a full nights sleep at Marial Lodge. We were at breakfast by 8 for a day of about 16 miles, through a canyon and much sunshine. Good bacon at breakfast only enhanced the day!
Off we went to get on the river by 9 am. The day felt chilly to start as we went through some striking narrow canyons for the first while. Completely different and we heard some good stories as we all rode. There are pretty of serious rapids, Blossom and Coffee Pot among them, which has WWW making sure everyone is safely on board the pontoon rafts. No sense taking foolish chances with Mother Nature.
Rogue River
This re-solidified the excellent and wise experience of Bob & Guy for the benefit of their guests. We all felt safe the whole time – which of course only makes the trip that much more enjoyable (and recommendable).
By midday lunch stop, we’d seen lots of turtles, plenty of other traffic including the jet boats on tour, and several other rafting parties. A few areas of still(er) water had Bob and Guy using the oars more to move us along.
Lunch was generous again with BLT’s – mmmmm! – and more fresh fruit and veggies. On the river again after a bite to finish the float.
Landing safely around 145ish (no watch on), Bob & Guy easily navigated us to a ramp, where we all proceeded to unload and unpack. After all the fanfare of that, the rafts were loaded on the trailer,
pontoon rafts safely loaded up
some of the guests said goodbye and headed off, and we climbed into the truck to drive back over the pass to Galice, where cars were parked upon our launching.
The road over the pass is rather dramatic and closed in the winter for good reason – it rises from 90 feet above sea level to over 5000! And I couldn’t help but think – “what a great ride this’d be on a snowmobile!” Anyway, just shy of 2 hours later, we slid into Galice, gathered gear and bid adieu.
What a spectacular trip! Ultra hospitable, safe, fun, refreshing, tasty, energizing and now I can’t wait for next year.
Thanks to Ninkasi & Russian River for great beers
This is day two of Ginger Johnson’s (owner of the website/blog Women Enjoying Beer) famous Rogue River rafting and Ninkasi craft beer vacation. In her previous guest blog she wrote, in a very “Gingerish” way, about her first day on the Rogue River with Whitewater Warehouse. This blog details what happened on the second day of the whitewater rafting and craft beer adventure.
Interested in a similar trip in 2011? Click on this link…Oregon Raft & Craft trip.
July 19, 2010
Yaaaaaawn…smack smack….waking up with the natural light is a treat. That’s how day 2 came about on our Raft & Craft Trip. After a fantastic first day, we’re all all-ready for another one.
Everybody rousted out and up to breakfast at 8, with one slow riser who came happily and sleepily in a bit into the meal. No real big deal…we’re on relaxed mode. After a brief good morning and a warm breakfast, we returned to our cabins to pack and be at the river for day 2 by 9:30 to set out.
So we were. Loaded up, ready to go and off we went at about 945ish – another blue sky sunny day ahead of us on the Rogue.
View from the pontoon style raft
I kayaked again for a short bit then was happy to give it to a guest for the rest of the day. I tell you what – I honestly don’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed and alert at the same time! Riding on the raft, soaking up the sun like a sunflower, and feeling so well taken care of.
The morning was smooth again with a variety of rapids as well as an opportunity to jump into the river and float along with the rafts with a life jacket – very refreshing. One of the other kayakers joined the Dunkers Club too!
We stopped for lunch for more fresh tasty fare with a cliff high view of the river. After we were full we set out for the Rogue River Lodge, an historic stop along the river with a colorful history including past visits to some Hollywood celebs years back.
Historic Rogue River Lodge
We meandered around, taking in the museum, a few of us jumped into a crystal clear swimming hole (COLD – whew!), and then headed back to our rafts.
It was only a short bit downriver till our nightly lodging – Marial Lodge – which was entirely lovely and comfortable. The crew proceeded to group unpack again – many hands, you know – and took to assigned cabin rooms. As I offered up to meet in one hour later for the beer tasting upon our arrival, several of the goers said “We have to wait an hour?!”. Good response….and it told me the guests were thoroughly enjoying a great combination trip.
After everyone was once again showered up and had wandered back to the lodge, I had the table set
Tasting night 2
and ready for the 2nd night of beer tasting and pairing. Here’s the menu we enjoyed:
- Ninkasi Double Red Believer with molasses ginger cookies – also paired with the smoked salmon and Oregon Hazelnuts
- Ninkasi Oatis Oatmeal Stout with Dagoba chocolates (milk & dark)
- Russian River Temptation with tangy chevre on water crackers
MMMMMMMMM! Again, met with happy enthusiasm and ‘mmm-ing’ all around.
Dinner in the adjacent dining room followed our tasting on the deck and we all savored a dinner and good company, including 2 other guests staying at the lodge. One of the very unique things about Marial Lodge is the turn tables at the tables – space saver, serving genius. Our host Lori told me her uncle, who had the lodge previous, hated wasted or unused space.
Marial Lodge on the Rogue
The rest of the troop bug doped up and went for a walk. I stayed in and lazily read a few of the books on the coffee tables in the lodge – history, stories, nature.
One can only take so much stress, so I headed to bed as the sun went down. Ready to get an abundance of sleep again before day 3.
‘Night!
Next Blog – Day 3
This is a Whitewater Warehouse “guest blog” written by the famous Ginger Johnson owner of the website Women Enjoying Beer. In the next several blogs, Ginger chronicles her 2010 Oregon Rogue River rafting and craft beer trip. Ginger will also be our resident craft beer specialist on Whitewater Warehouse’s 2011 Raft & Craft trip….this blog is part one of her 2010 Craft & Raft Rogue River adventure….
July 18, 2010
Gorgeous day dawns in Southern Oregon. Okay, well, it was really beautiful – partially because we were all looking forward to it as well. Funny how it’s as ‘nice’ as you want it to be.
I got up and drove to meet Bob and Guy at the Rand boat launch for the inaugural White Water Warehouse and Women Enjoying Beer Raft & Craft Trip. When I arrived they were both occupied preparing the 2 pontoon rafts, setting up equipment, gear, coolers, and so on. Practiced hands to be sure – they’ve been at this since 1983.
The guests began arriving at 9 am and everyone exchanged introductions. After our own bags were dry bagged and packed on board, Bob gave us a safety talk and we were off!
Lunching it up – Day 1
Down the lovely and very scenic Rogue River. That first morning, 3 of us experienced the trip at water level in inflatable kayaks. All life jacketed up, we floated along and had an ideal first morning.
Oh – and I started the trip Dunkers Club, going over twice – kerplunk! The key to kayaking, I learned, is to head straight into waves; being 90 degrees to them is how you’ll make it through them. The water, I’m here to tell you, was lovely and felt great in combination with a strong sun.
The river was also deep enough in most places to safely be in the river, legs dangling below you, with no fear of scraping. The tough part is getting back into the kayaks with a bulky (and important) life jacket. Once again, Bob & Guy are smart veterans who help guide you the entire trip so you are totally at ease and able to fully enjoy the adventure.
Tumultuous Rainey Falls
We put in at Rainey Falls for lunch where Bob and Guy proceeded to efficiently unpack and set up. It was obvious right away no would go hungry unless they simply didn’t eat! Fresh foods and plenty of it – cucumbers, hummus, blueberries, cherries, sandwiches (meat, tomatoes, trimmings, PBJ), pasta salad and lots of other stuffs. Lemonade and water to quench our thirst and restock the water bottles, a nice view to enjoy during the midday meal and a cloudless sky to gaze at. Tough job….
After repacking up and heading into the current again, we traveled a while more, with a stop at a water fall with a spot deep enough to cannon ball into – which some of us did following Bob’s lead!
Back into the current we go towards Black Bar Lodge, our accommodations for the night. We landed peacefully, everyone happily intact, around 5pm. After a quick group unload, we headed to our charming cabins, showered up and met in the lodge for the first beer tasting and pairing – 1 of 2 for the trip.
Craft Beer – the “Craft” part of the trip
This being the first time WWW & WEB have collaborated, it went off with much success. The lodge is comfortable, we had three courses and the very happy guests and gracious hosts all had a good time.
Ninkasi was our featured beer partner. And I couldn’t resist also featuring a Russian River beer each night too.
The menu the first night looked like this:
- Ninkasi Total Domination IPA paired with a robust blue cheese
- Ninkasi Radiant Ale with fresh mangoes and deep red plums
- Russian River Consecration paired with Dagoba chocolates (super fruit and Roseberry)
Mmmmmmmm! Lots of great questions and comments came from the group, we all polished off a few (taster) glasses of the beers and savored the foods.
Inside my Black Bar Lodge cabin
Needless to say, they were then really excited about the next nights treats!
After dinner, Bob shared some entertaining stories about the river, lodge and area folk which was totally relaxing. As if we weren’t relaxed enough! A little more conversation flowed and with the sun going slowly down, we all bade good night to each other after given our time to regroup for tomorrow and headed out to our cabins.
It didn’t take long for camp to be silent save for the deer and birds settling in around us. Lights out at 10 as the generators got turned off for the night.
To bed. Ahhhhh….
Next Blog: Day 2 on the Rogue River
July is Craft Beer month and the friendly folks at Whitewater Warehouse are getting an early start on 2011’s month-long celebration of these incredible small batch brews. July 17 – 19, 2011 are the dates set for the one and only Rogue River “Raft and Craft” Ninkasi craft beer tasting trip.
Adults pay $950 each (double occupancy–so bring a friend!) for an all-inclusive rafting-lodge-beer tasting holiday. Here’s what folks will get for their cash outlay: three days of outfitted Rogue River rafting and inflatable kayaking with the finest company on the planet; cozy, private cabins (with attached bathrooms/showers) at two different lodges; all meals from lunch the first day through lunch the last day; all government fees; shuttle back over the mountain at the end of the trip; free use of inflatable kayaks or participants can ride comfy rafts; and, of course, Ninkasi craft brew tastings each evening…and Nin-beers paired with each dinner.
Ginger Johnson, of the famed Women Enjoying Beer website, will be on hand to talk about the various Ninkasi beers that you will be tasting and she will pair those brews with finger foods that complement their unique tastes. Ginger’s a champion for the craft beer industry and really knows her stuff. She’ll give you interesting insights into the craft beer industry and how it is evolving.
So join this one-of-a-kind Northwest rafting and craft beer tasting vacation. With just 20 seats available, this trip is sure to be sold out before the summer of 2011 starts. Call Whitewater Warehouse 1-800-214-0579 with questions or to sign up.
It’s no secret that we here at Whitewater Warehouse LOVE great food. When we think of top-notch meals, we think of locally grown and produced foods. We believe fresh foods go into making the most memorable meals. Must be why the French and the Italians are so famous and receive 5-star accolades for their focus on seasonal, local-sourced foods.
Southern Oregon’s agriculture region might be described as “little Italy” with its dozens of world-class wineries and its emphasis on local, sustainable farming practices. The area is so passionate about eating local that it has developed a theme called THRIVE (The Rogue Initiative for a Vital Economy) and a complementary website entitled “Buy Local – Buy Rogue.”
THRIVE’s mission is to bring community members and locally-owned, independent businesses together to create a more socially, environmentally and financially sustainable economy in the Rogue Valley. The group encourages consumer to vote with their dollars by buying local.
We put together a listing of Rogue Valley farms and southern Oregon wineries. We think you will be stunned when you review the incredible listing of local food producers and wineries that make their livelihood in the Rogue Valley. As THRIVE would say, “Know your farmer, know your food.”
About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com Or visit Whitewater Warehouse’s FaceBook page.
Southern Oregon is rock’in yet another Fall food festival in early November….Nov. 5 – 7 to be exact. Ashland’s Chamber of Commerce is highlighting all the excellent local-sourced foods and chefs by sponsoring the 4th Annual Food and Wine Classic. Patterned after TV’s Iron Chef competitions, this 3-day food festival features dinners and desserts, fun in the form of chef competitions, and food/wine/beer educational workshops. 8 local chefs will compete by featuring local farm-fresh foods and artisan food makers’ products.
You can sign up for the Food and Wine Classic by clicking here. At the upper end, the cost is $70 per participant. That buys the ticket holder a three-course dinner on Friday night, entry into the chef competition on Saturday, entrance to one workshop per day, and a signature wine glass. If you don’t have time for the Friday night dinner, you can purchase a ticket for $35/person and it buys you everything but the Friday night dinner–a pretty darn good value! If you have questions, you can call the Ashland Chamber of Commerce at: 541-482-3486 (ext) 106 Looks like they are just starting to put together lodging packages for the event as well so you might ask about that when you call….
About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com Or visit Whitewater Warehouse’s FaceBook page.
Looking for a unique and different Oregon coast vacation? Plus–bonus–this Oregon Coast Chowder, Blues & Brews festival has one of the cutest logos ever (don’t you agree?!?)
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its 13th annual Fall Festival with award-winning chowder offered from all along the coast of Oregon, the finest blues music that Oregon has to offer and microbrews from some of the best breweries in the northwest! The festival is set for a time of the year where we can expect the most beautiful weather one can imagine on the Central Oregon Coast.
Beginning on Friday afternoon, October 8th, the Florence Events Center will be rocking with “musical delights” performed by the great blues artists of the Western Oregon area.
Saturday, October 9th, will highlight the ninth year of the Oregon Coast Professional Chowder Cook-Off where festival goers will have a chance to taste the best chowder the Oregon Coast has to offer from communities extending from Astoria to Brookings. The event will also have delicacies from some 20 food vendors and microbrews from five of Oregon’s best microbreweries.
The Oregon Coast Professional Chowder Cook-Off People’s Choice tasting starts at 1:00 pm on Saturday and goes until the chowder is gone. For more information contact the Florence Area Chamber at 541-997-3128 or the Event Center at 541-997-1994.
About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com Or visit Whitewater Warehouse’s FaceBook page.
Southern Oregon's Surprise Destinations 