There is a local little sports type bar here that I happened to notice was doing a tap takeover event with a local brewery, Black Raven, a few weeks ago. I stopped by the event as it was a chance to try some new local beers and see a new restaurant. The brewer was there and we chatted– I was surprised at the quality of these beers.  Anyway, with every beer you got a raffle ticket and I happened to win a tshirt.  Of course, the shirt was size 2XL and I am a medium generally. Luckily, the brewer told me all I had to do was come by the brewery and I could exchange the shirt. Well, that was a stroke of luck because Black Raven turned out to be a great local brewery.

Located in Redmond, this is your typical brewery. It is in an industrial park and a bit difficult to find if you don’t know what you are looking for– which I didn’t.  After finding the brewery and exchanging the shirt, I got to try some of the best beers I have had in the area. This place is definitely worth the trip.

I had tried Trickster IPA, Hochtoberfest, and Second Sight Strong Scotch Ale while at the local restaurant so I avoided those on this trip. You can see my reviews on Untappd at terezam. The Hochtoberfest was one of the best fall beers I have had so far this year– a must try.

I started with the Sunthief Kristallweizen. This beer was very wheaty, bready, and yeasty. It had little nose.

Kravens Kirweisse smell like a sweet wine and, being currant based, has very currant flavors. Overall, this beer tastes a lot like a sweet wine and would be a great introduction for a wine drinker to beer. It is very unusual.

Three Sundays Oaked Tripel has a slight oak nose. The taste is very sweet up front, like candy, but finishes with a bit of burn. My husband wasn’t keen on this one as he said it tasted like bubble gum. I thought it was quite unique and different but definitely would be an acquired taste.

The Totem Pale has a slightly hoppy nose. The taste is way too bitter up front but luckily it doesn’t linger long. The beer seemed a bit unfinished.

Tamerlane Brown Porter has a nice nose of chocolate and hazelnut. Another unusual beer, the flavor starts out sweeter like a nut brown and ends more bitter like a porter.

La Petite Mort has a strong nose of spices, particularly cinnamon, and a bit of sweetness. This beer starts out very sweet and ends a bit sour, like fermenting fruit. Again my husband said this beer had a bubble gum like flavor. I found it very interesting and well balanced between sweet and sour.

By far, Black Raven had the most innovative and experimental beers I have yet seen in the area. I was glad to see something other than a West Coast style IPA. I am definitely going to look for their beers around town and try to make it back to the brewery.