Five men got together and produced a baby — one that’s named Seven Brides Brewing and lives in Silverton. The name stems from the assorted partners having seven daughters between them, and realizing they’d need a way to pay for seven future weddings. This also explains the girl-centric names for some of their beers (see Becky’s Black Cat Porter, Lil’s Pils, Emilie’s Ember, Oatmeal Ellie — and hopefully no one named their daughter Drunkle).

Daughter Lauren, nicknamed Lou, was namesake for the IPA. According to co-owner Jeff DeSantis, when she found out she’d be commemorated by this hoppy brew, she said, “It’s a monster and named after me!” So Frankenlou’s IPA it is. Now available in pint cans, it’s anything but dainty or frilly, roaring with 105 IBUs, courtesy of Oregon hops. Big, sticky pine and citrus notes abound but the malt bill that boosts it to 7% ABV makes you want to hold her in your arms and never let go.

You won’t find Frankenlou’s IPA at the Oregon Garden Beerfest in Seven Brides’ backyard, which goes down Friday–Sunday, April 26–28. However, the brewery will there, pouring Abiqua Black IPA and Paige's Purple Haze Blueberry Wheat as a two of the 125 beers, ciders, and meads available in the botanical garden. It’s one of the best settings for a beer fest anywhere, definitely worth the trip.

Event Date: 04/26,04/27,04/28
Event Time: Noon-11 PM
Location: Oregon Garden
Price: $15 per day or $30 for the weekend
Website: OregonGarden.org/Brewfest.htm