2015 Oregon Beer Awards

In a state with such a vital craft beer culture, Willamette Week found it strange that there was no award ceremony to celebrate the best of the industry. So, this year, with the help of Ben Edmunds, brewmaster at Breakside Brewery and president of the Oregon Brewers Guild, and Ezra Johnson-Greenough of the New School web magazine, WW brought more than 20 industry insiders from around the state for a four-hour meeting powered by Atlas Pizza. After lively debate, the committee selected 10 worthy nominees in 15 different categories. The committee then rallied 200 industry experts to vote for the inaugural Oregon Beer Awards. Here are the results, with the full list of nominees below.

Brewery of the Year

Breakside

The Dekum Triangle pub and Milwaukie production facility continue to churn out incredible beers at an ever more incredible pace. Plaudits include a 2014 gold medal for IPA, the most-contested category in the history of the Great American Beer Festival.

Best Brewpub Experience

Pfriem Family Brewers

This Belgian-focused brewpub boasts killer beer and an ambitious food menu on the banks of the windswept Columbia River Gorge.

Best Lager

Heater Allen Pils

McMinnville's lager brewery makes everything from Schwarzbier to Märzen. This Czech-style Pilsner is rounded out by a pleasant maltiness.

Best Session 

Barley Brown's Handtruck Pale Ale

This citrusy pale ale from the Baker City brewery won the last two gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival.

Best Hoppy

Barley Brown's Pallet Jack

An easy-sippin', heavy-hittin' IPA made with Columbus, Citra, Amarillo and Simcoe hops.

Best Island of Misfit Beers

Burnside's Sweet Heat

The state's most popular chili beer is made with imported Jamaican Scotch bonnet peppers and sweet apricot puree.

Best Belgian

The Commons' Urban Farmhouse Ale

Our 2013 Beer of the Year, this light, bright saison is an everyday favorite across Oregon.

Best Dark

Barley Brown's Turmoil

In a state that loves its hops, this strong and hoppy Cascadian dark ale bested a field of milder stouts.

Best Sour/Wild

Logsdon's Peche 'n Brett

Dave Logsdon's eponymous Hood River brewery makes an amazing Brett beer aged on organic peaches.

Best Traditional

Occidental's Altbier

St. Johns' Occidental specializes in German ales, including this Düsseldorf-style alt with a complex grain bill and Saphir hops.

Best Barrel-Aged

Pelican's Mother of All Storms

This is a potent English barleywine aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels on the beaches of Pacific City.

Best Strong Hoppy

Laurelwood's Megafauna

Laurelwood's annual double IPA is a massive 9.5 percent ABV hop bomb.

Best New Brewery

Buoy

Astoria's excellent new brewpub on the banks of the Columbia River offers great views, fresh-caught fish and chips, an excellent German-style Helles and a tasty IPA.

Best Beer Bar

Belmont Station

The classic bottle shop and bar emerged even better from a recent expansion. It has incredible selection and a great staff. 

Best Beer Festival

Cheers to Belgian Beers

One-off beers made with easterly Belgian yeast in the industrial-chic Metalcraft Fabrication warehouse.

The full list of nominees....

1. BREWERY OF THE YEAR

Barley Brown's Brew Pub

Breakside Brewery

Deschutes Brewery

Fort George Brewery

Gigantic Brewing Company

Heater Allen Brewing

Old Town Brewing Co.

Pfriem Family Brewers

Pints Brewing

The Commons Brewery

Upright Brewing


2. BEST NEW BREWERY

Bouy Beer Company

Ex Novo Brewing Company

Baerlic Brewing Company

StormBreaker Brewing

Wild Ride Brewing Co.

Fat Heads Brewery

2015 Oregon Beer of the Year | Favorite Oregon Beers # 2-10 | Oregon Beer Awards  

Portland-Area Breweries from A to Z | Astoria  | Bend | Hood River | Portland Beer Bars

An Oral History of Cascade Kriek | Celebrity Oregon Beer Picks | Beer Calendar

Best Growler Spots | Homebrew Shops | Kid-Friendly Brewpubs | Beer Bodegas

Top of the Shelf: Saisons | Imperial Stouts | Imported IPAs | Wheat Beers | Barleywines

WWeek 2015