Oregon June 30-July 7

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by Tolann, Jun 25, 2012.

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  1. Tolann

    Tolann Initiate (0) Jul 9, 2007 Colorado

    Hi NW BAs-
    I am so excited for my 'beer-cation' next week. I've researched and planned a ton, but I wanted to run my route past the experts.

    • Saturday my husband and I fly into Portland. Right away we're going to Bend. Hopefully we can complete the Ale Trail before we leave on Monday. I think Boneyard will be most difficult to squeeze in since they're only open 'til 6:00 on Sat and closed Sunday. Might have to wait for them to open Monday before we leave.
    • Monday we go to Newport, with a stop at Three Creeks and Corvallis Block 15 along the way. We're staying 1 night in Newport then Tuesday we go to Pacific City to visit Pelican Pub, and we're staying 1 night there at Cape Kiwanda across the street.
    • Wednesday is a bit of a drive all the way across to Hood River. I'm not sure of the route we'll take. We have 1 night booked there.
    • Thursday we go back to Portland taking the route across the edge of Washington so we can stop at Everybody's and Walking Man.
    • That leaves us 2 nights in Portland and we fly back to Denver Saturday afternoon.

    So the question is, what should we be sure not to miss along this route? Is there something footsteps off the beaten path that we should go out of our way for? It's an ambitious schedule I know, but I'm always looking for tweaks.

    Thanks for your help!
     
  2. davemont

    davemont Initiate (0) Feb 20, 2008 California

    From a visitor's perspective, when in Portland, make sure you visit HotD, Cascade, and Upright. Then a couple of the famous beer bars and bar/bottle shops, such as the storied Baileys and Horsebrass. Beermongers is a great place for visitors; the staff there really is hospitable, and Apex is across the street. You'll have more good options than time. Cheers!
     
  3. mudbug

    mudbug Pooh-Bah (1,762) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    When in Newport visit Bier One in the Decco district (they are pouring Boneyard IPA for $3/pint right now, but taps change so it's always worth a visit) Of course go to the Rogue Brewery in South Beach (Just over the bridge, the public house in Newport isn't as much fun). Look for Twist in Pacific City (Russian River brews), The Mcminneman's in Lincoln City has a very good Citra hopped IPA. Rusty Truck brewing at the 101 Roadhouse in Lincoln city (a work in progress) Don't miss the Horsebrass in PDX!
     
  4. mudbug

    mudbug Pooh-Bah (1,762) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    The straight shot from Bend to Newport is quite a long haul,over two mountain ranges! maybe a overnight in Eugene is in order?
     
  5. maltmaster420

    maltmaster420 Initiate (0) Aug 17, 2005 Oregon

    4 hours isn't too bad of a drive, and the Santiam highway is one of the most gorgeous drives in the country IMO. On that note OP, don't get so focused on beer that you miss out on Oregon's scenery. There are several waterfalls along highway 20 between Bend and Corvallis, some amazing beaches to check out along the coast, and ever more waterfalls along the Gorge between PDX and Hood River.
     
  6. Tolann

    Tolann Initiate (0) Jul 9, 2007 Colorado

    Our overnights are already booked. Since it's a holiday week, I wanted to be sure we have a place to sleep!
    Thanks for the suggestions! Please keep them coming! Here my over-ambitious, 'draft' to-do list as of right now. It's the longer drives I kinda want to add some pit stops to if they're worth while. Yes, this is a very beer-centric trip, but we'll have to give our livers a rest too, so additional suggestions welcome!

    Bend (Ale Trail)
    10Barrel
    bend Brewing
    Boneyard
    Bew Werks
    Cascade Lakes
    Deschutes Tasting Rm
    Deschutes Public House
    Goodlife
    McMenamins
    Silver Moon
    Three Creeks
    Crux

    Corvallis
    Block 15

    Newport
    Rogue Ales tasting room
    Rogue Public House
    Rogue House of Spirits

    Pacific City
    Pelican Pub

    Government Camp
    Mt. Hood Brewing (?)

    Hood River
    Double Mountain
    Full Sail
    Big Horse Brew Pub
    Everybody's Brewing (WA)
    Walking Man Brewing (WA)

    Portland
    Deschutes Portland Pub
    Hopworks Urban Brew - Bike Bar
    Hair of the dog
    Upright Brewing
    Cascade Brewing Barrel house
    Widmer Brothers Gasthaus
    Horse Brass Pub
    Belmont Station
    Green Dragon
    New Old Lompoc - Sidebar
     
  7. Tolann

    Tolann Initiate (0) Jul 9, 2007 Colorado

    Doing my best on that note! Also in mind is the aquarium in Newport, a visit to a petrified forest, and Multnomah Falls
     
  8. maltmaster420

    maltmaster420 Initiate (0) Aug 17, 2005 Oregon

    You should hit up Flat Tail while you're in Corvallis, especially since they're only 4-5 blocks away from Block 15. Dave has been making all sorts of crazy experimental beers from a no-boil Berliner Weiss to a bourbon barrel aged soured imperial porter with raspberries to an almond pale ale aged in Buffalo Trace barrels and served on nitro.
     
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  9. mudbug

    mudbug Pooh-Bah (1,762) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I'd skip the Newport Rogue public house and just go to the Brewery in South Beach (The distillery is right there too) and they are both walking distance to the Aquarium and the Hatfield Marine Science center (an often overlooked gem) then visit Bier One. Twist in Pacific City on the way to Pelican is a good stop.
     
  10. hopsbreath

    hopsbreath Savant (1,157) Aug 28, 2009 Florida

    That's a very impressive list you've put up Tolann and you obviously did your homework. Very well done. Just a few suggestions for while you're in Portland. While at Hair of the Dog you might find yourself in the need for a little sobering. I recommend walking the single block up Water Avenue and stopping at Boke Bowl if you like ramen. They make their own noodles and generally pride themselves on prepping all the accompaniments in house. Some of the best noodles I've ever had and I lived in Japan for a few years. Need a wake me up when you're done eating? Water Avenue coffee is located in the same building and is one of my favorite coffee shops in Portland. Small batch roasting means you're drinking coffee roasted either that day or the day before. Finally, your beer list is complete except for one spot I just visited. The Commons is a cool spot to visit and really let's you walk around and get up close to the equipment. Recipes/notes are hanging from the fermentors and the brewers are eager to talk beer and give a look into the business of making beer. Doesn't hurt that the beer is pretty good to boot. Enjoy you time here!
    http://bokebowl.com/home.html?redirect_to=/
    http://www.wateravenuecoffee.com/
    http://www.commonsbrewery.com/
     
  11. Reino

    Reino Zealot (536) Aug 30, 2007 Oregon
    Trader

    I agree with Maltmaster20 about hitting up Flat Tail while in Corvallis. My advice for Block 15 is to try and avoid it during the dinner rush hours. Doesn't matter what day of the week it is, if you're not lucky enough to get a bar spot, you'll probably be waiting awhile. They are also great about giving tours if you give them notice. It's one of the most interesting brewery layouts you'll run across.
     
  12. Tolann

    Tolann Initiate (0) Jul 9, 2007 Colorado

    Thanks for the tips! Flat Tail sounds like a no brainer. I hope to get to Corvallis mid afternoon-ish on Monday.
    Water Ave Coffee sounds awesome! Yes, coffee will be order.
    and thanks for the tip in Newport as well! All too easy to have Rogue + distillery, and the aquarium + science center in walking distance. Great edits guys.
     
  13. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    I'd skip Rogue throughout the entire state of Oregon..
     
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  14. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    In Portland, drop Green Dragon and add Lucky Lab on Hawthorne. You won't find much impressive about Deschutes in Portland either considering your Bend stop. Opt for Bailey's instead.

    Impressive/ambitious list!
     
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  15. mudbug

    mudbug Pooh-Bah (1,762) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I admit a lot of their beers are not mind bending but the Brewery itself is a cool place with a quirky bar and there are a few standouts like old crusty and the hazelnut brown, plus the distillery is just across the boat basin (very close) There are also guest taps in the bar, so it's not all Rogue.
     
  16. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    Just one man's opinion, but I had one of the worst customer service experiences of my life at the Newport Brewery.
     
  17. mudbug

    mudbug Pooh-Bah (1,762) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Sorry to hear that, I go there every now and then and it's been fine although I will admit that the trick is to sit in the bar, not the restaurant.
     
  18. Tolann

    Tolann Initiate (0) Jul 9, 2007 Colorado

    aww, that sounds like me telling you to skip New Belgium next time you're in Colorado. :wink:
    I was told it was worth the experience.
    And we always sit at the bar. The restaurant area is the kid section.
     
  19. Tolann

    Tolann Initiate (0) Jul 9, 2007 Colorado

    Sounds like some good substitutions. Thanks for the suggestions!
     
  20. NWer

    NWer Pooh-Bah (2,145) Mar 10, 2009 Washington
    Pooh-Bah

    While at Bailey's check out Tugboat across the street. A little under-the-radar place I think is worthwhile for what it's worth.
     
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