A Full Scale Full Sail Takeover

Perched just off the shores of the picturesque Columbia River sits a once dilapidated cannery, left to house the nomadic pigeons of the Pacific Northwest. This shell of a building, just 60 miles east of Portland proper, found new life in 1987. Built on the dreams, determination, and the love of beer nurtured between two friends, Founder Irene Firmat and brewmaster Jaimie Emmerson, the Full Sail culture was born.

Helping to pave the way through the early stages of the micro-brew revolution in the Pacific Northwest, Full Sail was one of the first small batch brewers to bottle the true flavor profiles of crafted, artisan beer.

As one of the perks of the job, we get invited to experience a lot of cool things, so when Full Sail called, we answered. Getting the chance to shepherded on a private tour, guided by one of their award-winning brewers, is an opportunity that no self-respecting beer lover would think twice about. So we packed out bags, made the drive along the Columbia, and sat waiting in anticipation for the brewery doors to grant us access.

Unlike Dante and Virgil, I was hoping my tour guide, master brewer Chris Davis, would leave me among the hops, malts, and barrels long enough for me to go unnoticed as a new resident. But with the promise of beer at the end of our journey, we proceeded through the intricate process of creating the full-flavored liquid libations. The care that goes into every nuance of the Full Sail system is evident in both their attention to cleanliness and their effects on the environment.  Surrounded by the towering Northwest pines, and lush forests, their minimal footprint is serving as a model for other breweries to follow.

“Our beers are brewed with four natural ingredients water, malt, hops, and yeast. They contain No additives, No artificial colors, No stimulants, No sugars, No high fructose corn syrup, No preservatives, No fluoride, and No animal products are used. Our farmers plant non-GMO varieties for our hops and malt so you can enjoy with confidence!”

As we wound our way through the factory, I couldn’t help but feel a little like Laverne and Shirley waving goodbye to the iconic glove that would endear itself to generations. Starting with the building blocks of beer, we moved through the plant towards the conveyor belt, filled with finished product. Past the clinking bottles, Chris guided me to a tucked away room, filled with sleeping, aging beers. After I tried to climb in the closest barrel of bourbon Nut Brown Pub Ale, Chris broke the awkward moment with the offer of a beer tasting. 

No sooner had we sat down on the wooden stools overlooking the picturesque Columbia River, than the tasting paddle was placed in front of me. Chris had picked several beers he though expressed the depth of flavor, and current trends that are driving brewers. From the classic Full Sail IPA to the Pub Series Nut Brown Ale, the beers rolled across the palate easily, and exemplified the tried and true style that was born nearly three decades ago on these hollowed grounds.

As I poured over the layered nuances, and mingling flavors, trying my best to seem as professional as possible, something hit me; here I am, enjoying a bevy of beers the man next to me made, while watching the kite surfers take off into the my tree-lined views. Life is good, and this is what beer is about. This is what Irene and Jaimie had envisioned so many years ago. They weren’t brewing beer for the awards, which they have, or the accolades, which keep coming. Their collective vision was bringing to life that moment where their passion-driven beer collides with the beauty of the Columbia, creating a feeling that words cannot define.

So with a smile, I put down my pen, and simply took in the moment.

Full Sail puts out a consistent offering of flagship beers that have helped define the beer scene in the Pacific Northwest. Their Pub Series gives their brewers the chance to innovate classics, or dream up something completely new. Taking a page from the history book, Full Sail gives history buffs the chance to drink a homage to pre-prohibition brews with the Session line. Featuring everything from the bright Session Wheat to the bold Black Lager, a history has never been so tasty.

Whether you’re a Hop Head searching for your next piney-fix, or a rare concoction of decadent flavors, Full Sail brings it all to the table.