Beer Guide 2014: Eugene Day Sip

By Adrienne So

Ninkasi Brewing Co.

272 Van Buren St., ninkasibrewing.com.

This swag-packed tasting room feels more like a theme-park gift shop than a pub. But the beer makes up for it. Each is served with its own playing card, with composition, history and suggested food pairings. Try one of the elegant single-hop experiments or a longtime favorite.


Oakshire Brewing

207 Madison St., oakbrew.com.

The generic, salvaged wood-and-steel brewery chic of Oakshire's tasting room belies the fact that this is a place where you can taste some of the most innovative beers in Eugene. The Goatshed Coffee IPA is unexpected but surprisingly smooth, and a pink pumpkin ale is eye-catching and redolent of squash without being either cloyingly sweet or choked with nutmeg.


The Bier Stein

1591 Willamette St., thebierstein.com.

In the heart of downtown Eugene, this tap house and shop vies with 16 Tons for the title of the city's most beloved beer. The Bier Stein is bigger, with a more cosmopolitan selection that includes Czech, Belgian, German and South American finds along with local standards.


The Tap and Growler

207 E 5th Ave., tapandgrowler.com.

This well-designed growler filling station and tasting room displays a passionate attention to detail, with custom swivel seats at the bar and customized glassware. Selection skews heavily local in an obscure, interesting way. Calapooia SantiAmber? Never heard of it—I'll take two.

 

Hop Valley Brewing

990 W 1st Ave, hopvalleybrewing.com.

Hop Valley is a Lord of the Rings-style hobbit hole with a heavy wooden door. Hops dangle everywhere as helpful waitstaff abound. Flights include as many as 12 tasters. The Strong at Heart Stout uses 12 malts to chewy effect, and a carrot blossom honey saison has the perfect hint of sweetness. 



Portland-Area Breweries from A to Z | Beer of the Year | Favorite Beers #2-10

Portland-Area Cideries | Top 5 Ciders of the Year | Beer Bars and Bottle Shops

Local Growler Makers | Surprising Growler Fills | Homebrew Shops

Restaurants With Great Beer | Local Beer and Liquor Pairings

An Oral History of BridgePort IPA | Beer Events Calendar | Beer Tours

Day Sips: North Oregon Coast, Hood River, Eugene, Seattle

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