Best of Oregon beer
To an outsider, Oregon often appears to be a dreary place to live. It rains, and rains and rains even more. Yet according to a recent study by Britain’s University of Warwick, the northwest state boasts a higher rate of happiness than its sunny and popular neighbor to the south, California. Why?
Two reasons stand out above the others: we love our coffee and we love our beer.
It’s no secret that the northwest is known for great coffee. Much like England is known for tea to get them through a long grey winter, Oregonians enjoy a hot caffeinated drink. We’re not talking the Dunkin’ Donuts blend that is abundant on the east coast, either. This is the real stuff. Stumptown, Starbucks and countless other roasts and blends have turned Oregonians into snobs. We don’t just drink coffee for the caffeine boost; it’s a boost for our souls, something that gets us through months on end without seeing sun.
Less known, however, is just how much Oregonians depend on good beer, for many of the same reasons as coffee. In 2009, while other industries were struggling to adapt and survive during a severe recession, Oregon breweries surpassed the one million mark for barrels produced for the first time, a 15.2 percent increase over the previous year.
“The brewing industry is a major contributor to Oregon’s economy and a big supporter of our communities,” said Brian Butenschoen, executive director of the Oregon Brewers Guild.
Portland is home to 32 breweries within its city limits, more than any other city anywhere in the world, according to the OBG. Likewise, Eugene, Bend and several other Oregon cities have become home to several high-quality breweries each. In all, there are 74 brewing companies throughout the state with 102 brewing facilities.
Quantity doesn’t always mean quality, but when it comes to beer in Oregon, it does: 13 Oregon beers placed at the prestigious 2010 Beer World Cup. Winners of gold included: Shredders Wheat from Barley Brown’s Brew Pub of Baker City in the American-Style Wheat Beer category; Caldera Rauch Ur Bock from Caldera Brewing Company of Ashland for Smoked Beer; Session Black from Full Sail Brewing Company of Hood River for American-Style Dark Lager; Drop Top from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company of Portland for Ordinary Bitter; Bachelor Bitter from Deschutes Brewery of Bend for Special Bitter or Best Bitter; Outback X from Bend Brewing Company of Bend for Strong Ale.
Hop Valley of Springfield, Rogue Ales of Newport, Hopworks Urban Brewery of Portland, Pelican Pub & Brewery of Pacific City, Caldera Brewing Company of Ashland and Upright Brewing Company of Portland also had beers place in their respective categories. Widmer Brothers Brewing was a double winner, with their ALT taking bronze for German-Style Brown Ale.
Wired Oregon has picked a handful of the best around the state. You can find most of these beers at your local supermarket, including Safeway, Albertsons, Whole Foods and Market of Choice.
EUGENE-SPRINGFIELD:
Ninkasi Brewery
Founded: 2006
Beers: Three year-round brews, including Total Domination IPA, and several seasonals including Oatis Oatmeal Stout and Spring Reign.
Public Space: Tasting Room, Open every day noon to 9 p.m.
272 Van Buren St.,
Eugene, OR 97402
ninkasibrewing.com
541-344-2739
Hop Valley
Founded: 2008
Beers: Nine, including Double D Blonde, 541 Lager and Vanilla Porter.
Public Space: Restaurant at the brewery, Open Sun-Thurs 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
980 Kruse Way
Springfield, OR 97477
541-744-3330
hopvalleybrewing.com
Oakshire
Founded: 2006
Beers: Three year-round brews including Overcast Espresso Stout, several seasonals including O’Dark:30 Cascadian Dark Ale.
Public Space: Tasting Room, Open Saturday noon to 4 p.m.
1055 Madera St.
Eugene, OR 97402
541-688-4555
oakbrew.com
COAST:
Rogue
Founded: 1988
Beers: More than three-dozen brews, including Dead Guy Ale and Yellow Snow IPA.
Public Space: Restaurants and breweries in Newport, Portland, Independence, Astoria, Eugene, Issaquah, Washington and San Francisco.
rogue.com
Pelican
Founded: 1997
Beers: Five year-round brews, including MacPelican’s Scottish Style Ale and Tsunami Stout.
Public Space: Restaurant at Pelican Pub & Brewery, Open Sun-Thurs 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri-Sat 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
33180 Cape Kiwanda Drive
Pacific City, OR 97135
503-965-7007
pelicanbrewery.com
BEND:
Deschutes
Founded: 1988
Beers: Seven year-round brews, including Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale, and several seasonals and reserves, including Red Chair NWPA and The Abyss Imperial Stout.
Public Space: Restuarants and breweries in Bend and Portland.
deschutesbrewery.com
PORTLAND:
Laurelwood
Founded: 2001
Beers: Ten brews, including Tree Hugger Porter and Free Range Red.
Public Space: Four Portland locations.
laurelwoodbrewpub.com
Widmer Brothers
Founded: 1984
Beers: Eight brews, including Widmer Hefeweizen and Drop Top Amber Ale.
Public Space: Widmer Brothers Brewery tours, Fri 3 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
929 N. Russell St.
Portland, OR 97227
503-281-2437
widmer.com
McMenamins
Founded: 1983
Beers: Five flagship brews, including Terminator Stout and Hammerhead NWPA.
Public Space: Pubs in Portland, Clackamas, Oregon City, Gresham, Troutdale, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Sherwood, West Linn, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Roseburg, Bend, Forest Grove, McMinville, Lincoln City and Gearhart.
mcmenamins.com
HOOD RIVER:
Full Sail
Founded: 1987
Beers: Three year-round brews, including Amber and IPA, several seasonals and reserves.
Public Space: Pubs in Hood River and Portland.
fullsailbrewing.com
BAKER CITY:
Barley Brown’s
Founded: 1998
Beers: Shredders Wheat
Public Space: Pub open daily 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
2190 Main St.
Baker City, OR 97814
541-523-4266
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7 Comments
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You left out two other good breweries in Hood River …
Kevin,
Understandably, with over 70 breweries in the state some were going to get left off the list. What are the two good breweries you’re thinking of? This story was an overview of the beers we knew to be, for the most part, widely available. We plan to highlight specific breweries in the future, and maybe your Hood River suggestions could be part of that series.
As often as possible, we make a pilgrimage from San Luis Obispo to eat and drink at Pelican. My husband loves the IPA, particularly the seasonal IPA that Pelican made last summer, and I’m devoted to the Dorymans Dark.
I’ll agree with all the above EXCEPT Hop Valley. Nothing “best of” to be had there
I love Oakshire and Laurelwood
I’m not a huge Hop Valley Fan Either. Haven’t found anything there that really stands out.
Ninkasis new tasting room is great. It’s a fun place to hang out, interesting people and great service from the staff. They’ll even serve mixed drinks….beer that is.
I like Hop Valley’s Vanilla Porter a lot…not as good as McMenamin’s Porter, but it goes perfectly with the Black and Blue Burger, which, for my money, is the best burger in Eugene (and no, Hop’s not paying me to say that).