The BeerMongers & Away Days Release First in Series of 15th Anniversary Collabs

The BeerMongers will officially celebrate their 15th Anniversary in September, though they’ll also be celebrating all year long through a series of collaborations. Their first release in the series, an Ordinary English Bitter brewed with Away Days Brewing, lands this Thursday at their SE 11th and Caruthers taproom.

Mongers’ owner and founder Sean Campbell “did not want to ‘force’ anything and let the projects evolve organically,” hence why he’s spreading out these anniversary releases. “I don’t want to do anything just for the sake of doing it,” says Campbell and adds that he simply wants to “work with our friends to make some fun beers that will highlight different ingredients, techniques, etc.”

The first collaboration release is Mr. Ordinary English Bitter, which also happens to be the first time this style has been brewed by Away Days. The limited release will be available on cask at each respective taproom and in 16oz cans as well, and will also be available on cask at the PDX Cask Passport wrap party at The BeerMongers, Saturday May 4th. The beer, as described by head brewer Marshall Kunz:

This Ordinary Bitter clocks in at a sessionable 3.9% with a gentle hopping as to not stand out. We used Marris Otter as the base for a warm, toasty, familiar foundation with a touch of Caramalt for balance. We tapped the legendary Chris Milner for hop selection, choosing two classically basic hops, East Kent Golding and Willamette. They bring just enough spice and woodiness to enhance quaffability. A very subtle dry hop of Willamette brings a pleasant bit of grassy aroma to the beer.

This first in a series of Mongers anniversary releases makes sense considering the PDX Cask Passport program was created by Away Days, with The BeerMongers an actively promoting member. According to Sean, “Marshall, Pete, and Niki at Away Days are my friends, we love cask beer, I love all things English, and we wanted to get the cask passport going, so it seemed like the perfect collab to start the insanity!”

While the PDX Cask Passport is winding down May 4th, Away Days next project – relocating into a Brooklyn neighborhood brewery, taproom and beer garden, is scheduled to open soon. Further down the road, another location – this one a three story production brewery, taproom and restaurant, is in the works, set to occupy the former Troutdale City Hall.

In addition to this first cask ale release, The BeerMongers has at least 4 other “beers in development including a Brett Saison with pFriem, a Rye IPA with Kings & Daughters, a Smoked Lager with Wayfinder, and something weird with Duality,” says Campbell.

About The BeerMongers:

A stalwart neighborhood pub and taproom in Southeast Portland that’s been continuously open for 5,343 days, The BeerMongers offers a wide variety of craft beer and cider options, both on draft and in package. They regularly showcase special events and food vendors including Ninth & Fitzwater, among many others. Mongers is not only a Timbers & Thorns bar, but also hosts weekly events that include trivia, cribbage, bottle shares, sporting events, tap-takeovers, educational sessions, and more.

About Away Days Brewing:

Away Days is a well-known term in English football (soccer) culture, referring to the day you go and watch your team play in another city. The day is all about travelling with your community, celebrating (or commiserating) your team, and building experiences around your passion for football, travel and beer. Opened in 2019 by former Toffee Club owners and British transplants Niki Diamond and Pete Hoppins, Away Days Brewing is inspired by a love of the beautiful game and favourite memories of European travels.