Research Paper
Solera Brewery is small brewery located in Parkdale, Oregon. They are regarded as one
of the best craft-breweries in the Portland area due to their interesting process. They specialize in
“one of a kind beers made in small batches.” (Solera Brewery, n.d.) With just one IPA on tap,
Jason Kahler, head Brewer, forges his own way in an era dominated by hops. Instead, he focuses
on distinctive craft beers made with local ingredients found in the “wild.” Solera is all about wild
ales and the unique flavor you get using this method.
When Kahler was younger, he became really interested in sour-beers. As he was just
starting out, he found it far too expensive to craft beers using wild ingredients purchased from
manufacturers. …show more content…
What makes a sour beer so pricey in addition to the cost of manufactured ingredients is
the time needed for the yeast and bacteria to give the beer that desired flavor. This process can
take years; far too long for a young brewer to wait. Instead he used Solera, a historic process to
cut the aging down to two months. Traditionally, Solera is a cluster of wooden barrels used to
make a variety of drinks, such as sherry or ports. Kahler used this technique to achieve the
complex craft beers he wanted. (Bernstein, J, 2013) This was just the start for Solera Brewery as
it relates to embracing unusual brewing techniques.
In order to understand Solera’s process, one must clarify the definition of Wild Beer. Jason
Kahler poses the question “What’s your philosophy of wild ales?” He states that there isn’t a
sufficient understanding in the differences between ales characterized by the term “wild.” In fact
for many aficionados the terms sour, spontaneous, or wild are used interchangeably. Kahler says,
“most people use these labels to describe anything that has any brettanomyces or bacteria in it.”
(Alworth, J, 2015) Kahler believes it is the way they are made that determines their differences.
Solera Brewery is small brewery located in Parkdale, Oregon. They are regarded as one
of the best craft-breweries in the Portland area due to their interesting process. They specialize in
“one of a kind beers made in small batches.” (Solera Brewery, n.d.) With just one IPA on tap,
Jason Kahler, head Brewer, forges his own way in an era dominated by hops. Instead, he focuses
on distinctive craft beers made with local ingredients found in the “wild.” Solera is all about wild
ales and the unique flavor you get using this method.
When Kahler was younger, he became really interested in sour-beers. As he was just
starting out, he found it far too expensive to craft beers using wild ingredients purchased from
manufacturers. …show more content…
What makes a sour beer so pricey in addition to the cost of manufactured ingredients is
the time needed for the yeast and bacteria to give the beer that desired flavor. This process can
take years; far too long for a young brewer to wait. Instead he used Solera, a historic process to
cut the aging down to two months. Traditionally, Solera is a cluster of wooden barrels used to
make a variety of drinks, such as sherry or ports. Kahler used this technique to achieve the
complex craft beers he wanted. (Bernstein, J, 2013) This was just the start for Solera Brewery as
it relates to embracing unusual brewing techniques.
In order to understand Solera’s process, one must clarify the definition of Wild Beer. Jason
Kahler poses the question “What’s your philosophy of wild ales?” He states that there isn’t a
sufficient understanding in the differences between ales characterized by the term “wild.” In fact
for many aficionados the terms sour, spontaneous, or wild are used interchangeably. Kahler says,
“most people use these labels to describe anything that has any brettanomyces or bacteria in it.”
(Alworth, J, 2015) Kahler believes it is the way they are made that determines their differences.