Epikurean Korner

Today we unveil, or rather uncap, a new feature on The Kreation Korner. It's a paean to the finer things in life that delight the palate, both hard and soft. Although the daily life of a Kreationist is a spartan one marked by restraint and simple sustenance, we'd be unbalanced as human experiencers if we didn't indulge in the exquisite every now and then. For our first stab at this brave new genre, we present to you a promising young food and beverage writer named Harvey Betschbenghar. His delectable prose conjures imagery so vivid it's as if you're enjoying an intimate yet casual dining experience right there in the privacy of your own e-reader. Perhaps you'll envision ragged, under-paid servers milling about below dim rafters, delivering polenta fries and hoppy libations to a caste of Patagonia-clad patrons. Harvey's objective today is to bring us his three top local beer picks for the month of March. Turns out, craft lagers and ales are a pretty big deal here in the West. Sip:

Leopold's Revenge Belgian Ale
Severed Hand Brewpub & Community Still - Bellevue, ID - 9.9% ABV
When I rode a penny-farthing across Belgium and crashed in farmhouses after college, I fell in love with the yeasty nectar that is Belgian witbier. Once I returned stateside, however, its been one disappoint after another sampling the not-so-délicieux wannabe white ales of yankee brewers. That is, until my tongue touched the fermented revelation that is Leopold's Revenge. Brewed in open vats in a central Idaho barn, this ale is authentic right down to the wild yeast and bits of owl shit. A

Tedious Urbanite Bacon Arugula Porter
Pompous Motherfucker Ales - Washougal, WA - 7.1% ABV
Given the popularity of both micro-brewing and charcuterie in the Pacific Northwest, it's astonishing the two are only now joining in malty matrimony. Let's run through the logic, shall we: I like bacon. I like beer. Therefore, I must like bacon-beer. Also, the arugula lends a pleasant crispness and deep, verdant complexion. B+

Hop for Red Hoptober Quadruple-Hopped IPA Starring Hop Connery and Alec Hopwin
Busted Antler Brewing Co. - Juntura, OR - 13.7% ABV
Busted Antler has only been open for business four days and already they're cranking out some truly rock 'n' roll concoctions. Hoptober is the favorite pour at the company's tasting room and it overwhelms the senses. Unremitting and unrelenting, calling it an India Pale Ale is a rather liberal definition--it's really just a big glass of Cascade hops. So yeah, pretty epic. A-