12°c Light rain showers
8°c Light rain
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Soccer intersects with brewing in Portland: Introducing the Timbers Army beer
FILE - In this April 21, 2012, file photo, Portland Timbers fans yell during the first half of the team's MLS soccer game against Sporting Kansas City in Portland, Ore. The Timbers open the 2013 regular season against the New York Red Bulls in Portland on Sunday. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)
PORTLAND, Ore. - Green Bay Packers fans have the cheese head. For fans of the Detroit Red Wings, there's octopus.
Portland Timbers supporters? They have their own beer.
It seems only natural that the Rose City's love affair with microbrews and soccer would somehow intersect.
But Widmer Brothers Brewing's new Green & Gold Kolsch is not just a random beer with the Timbers' colours slapped on the label: It was actually created by a longtime member of the Timbers Army supporters group. Abram Goldman-Armstrong's recipe won last year's Timbers Army Homebrew Competition.
"I imagine that some folks may be surprised that a group like the Timbers Army has a homebrew competition, but in Portland that's completely normal," said Rob Widmer, who with his brother Kurt founded Widmer Brothers in 1984. "Everybody either brews or knows somebody who brews. It's part of the fabric of what makes Portland Portland.
Goldman-Armstrong got the idea for the Kolsch during a trip to Cologne, Germany, for the 2006 World Cup. Even some of his backyard hops — he's been crafting his own beers for decades — went into the Green & Gold batch. Just for effect.
"I obviously can't grow enough to supply Widmer," he laughed.
The special beer is another example of how the Timbers have really become ingrained in the city's identity. The team itself has embraced the relationship, like last season when they invited different food carts from around Portland to offer menu items at home games.
Green & Gold Kolsch, which Goldman-Armstrong described as a lighter, straw-colored ale with both fruity and spicy aromas, will be on tap at all Timbers games at Jeld-Wen Field this season, starting at the opener on Sunday against the New York Red Bulls.
Goldman-Armstrong and the Widmer brothers — already sponsors of the Timbers — will be at the game for first toast.
The beer will also be available in pubs and retail stores in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington. Just don't tell supporters of the rival Seattle Sounders.
More Sports
- Back to Top
- Return to Sports
More Sports
(1 of 7 articles for today)
Chinese sensation Guan Tianlang, 14, to play at Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament
10:31 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular Sports
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Colin Greening has OT winner in Senators 2-1 victory; Penguins lead series 2-1
- Sweden beats Switzerland 5-1, wins gold at world hockey championship
- Russian oligarchs foot much of the bill for 2014 Olympics in Sochi as price of doing business
- Ready for prime time
- Who do you think will win their series in NHL's second round of playoffs?
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Ex-Jets MacLean, Carlyle on Sochi coaching list
- Proving They Belong: Saskatoon Blades upset Halifax Mooseheads at Memorial Cup
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- Ready for prime time
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Bombers training camp opens June 2
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Who do you think will win their series in NHL's second round of playoffs?
- Boston completes miraculous comeback in overtime to oust Maple Leafs
- Bombers sign three defensive players
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- Bombers detail parking plan for new stadium
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Bomber boozers will change or they 'won't be here': GM Mack
- Young prospects will get every opportunity to stick with the big club: Cheveldayoff
- Jets' playoff hopes dealt fatal blow
- Hall turning heads at Bomber mini-camp
- CFL draft pick Mulumba would be proud to be a Bomber
- This end-of-season scenario old, and Jets fans and players know it
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- When money talks, it says, 'End fighting in the NHL'
- Game ball to tour communities before grand opening of new Bomber stadium
- Gryphons lose, but Founders keepers
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Bombers handing off opening-day ball to fans
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel to attend all-German Champions League final in Wembley
- Rockies INF D.J. LeMahieu works his way back to the big leagues, LHP Francis goes on 15-day DL
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Love the wilderness? Put Bloodvein on life list
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- Bombers detail parking plan for new stadium
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Gerula gets title fight after long layoff
- Overton-Clapham moves back to third for Alberta rink
- It's broke - Fix it
- Overton-Clapham joining Alberta's Webster team
- Gryphons lose, but Founders keepers
- Kevin Martin looking for a new third following departure of John Morris
- Bombers tackle parking issue
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.