Oregon Trader Brewing Company

Small out of the way brewpub, thats been in operation for the best part of a decade. Not much to look at from outside and even inside its fairly simple, yet its clean, light and welcoming. Maybe a dozen tables, small bar with 6 stool. The far wall is absolutlycovered in beer memrobilia..thats the wall that has the English style dart boards. Very friendly locals and the bar person was wonderful,letting me sample any beer I wanted..they had 10 regulars and I think 4 seasonals and specials, quite a line up for such a small place. The beers I did taste were very nicelly done. Did not try the food, but I think its mainlly snack type stuff. Overall a great little watering hole.Will visit again

As I sat down at the Oregon Trader and started in on my first beer, (the Asher Amber – thought I’d go in alphabetical order this time) I listened in on the conversation at the table next to me. It was two biker chicks arguing over what it means to really be a biker chick. Now this is my idea of ambience. I was instantly glad I came.

The Asher Amber as it turns out, is not Oregon Trader’s best effort. But they do present nine regular beers (“our standard lineup”), one or more seasonal offerings, and obviously, some great conversation. Most of their beers are quite satisfying. An exception to this would be their celebrated (or reviled) Green Chili Beer. I told myself this time out I would live dangerously and try a chili beer. It was with great difficulty that I finished off a full two-ounce sample. It induced heartburn.

Oregon Trader was founded in 1993. It resides on Hill St. in a quiet section of Albany where mixed residential and light industrial zoning somehow harmoniously converge. The brewpub is two blocks from the river and a block off Main Street. A large sign above the loading bay proclaims “Hill Street Brews.”

This is a tiny place. There’s just one room with a six-seater bar and perhaps ten tables. Large windows with white holiday lights and flower boxes full of sunflowers and gladiolas create an open, relaxed atmosphere. It feels almost like someone’s living room. There’s one silent TV, two lazy ceiling fans and only snack food to be had such as nachos or pizza bread.

I arrived on a Saturday night to find a three-piece band dishing out good times tunes and bluegrass to foot stomping locals. People came and went with growlers, and those biker chicks…well, they proved to be real biker chicks.

Beer is three bucks a pint most of the time. Two Dollar Tuesdays and Once Again Wednesdays make it just two bucks a pint. There’s competition darts on Friday and they're closed on Monday. But if you need to find some Oregon Trader beers (and who doesn’t need a pint on Monday?) you can get them at Wyatt’s Eatery downtown.

The Oregon Trader Brewpub feels much like a neighborhood café. It’s informal and lively and very friendly. They brew their own root beer and offer a fair selection of California meads. Best bet for beer is the Toasty Oaky Stout.