Steelhead Brewery in Eugene Closes After 32 Years

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by jbakajust1, Apr 6, 2024.

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  1. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
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    #1 jbakajust1, Apr 6, 2024
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  2. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    This makes me very sad. Granted, the place is barely a shadow of its original self, but I still have fond memories of the place. The first time I visited Oregon (I was living in Sacramento at the time), back in the mid 90s, my then girlfriend and I drove from our campsite on the coast to visit the High Street McMenamins and Steelhead. The two places could not have been more different. At the time, Steelhead seemed a bit unusual... it was the closest I'd ever come to drinking good beer in a fine dining establishment. I was so inquisitive, the "manager" came by to talk to us. The legendary Teri Fahrendorf. She could not have been more friendly and informative. I had no idea who I was talking to at the time, but later saw pictures that confirmed who it was.

    We went to a lot of different brewpubs on that trip, but Steelhead was a standout. Food was really good, the atmosphere was convivial and the beer quite good. I remember when we left it was kind of a shock to think we had to drive back to the coast and sleep in a tent.

    RIP Steelhead. You may be gone, but you'll never be forgotten.
     
    #2 John_M, Apr 7, 2024
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  3. Reidrover

    Reidrover Grand Pooh-Bah (4,886) Jan 14, 2003 Oregon
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    Sad, they tried very hard to stay afloat. I kinda liked their beers. Easy to drink and approachable and by no means bad.
    I thought they were going to be OK as i say more of their canned line up in bigger stores. Alas not.
     
    #3 Reidrover, Apr 8, 2024
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  4. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
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    Some dumbass lit a fire behind the brewery which caught the back wall on fire. All of their cans were smoked out. I offered the Eugene owner 5 options to keep it going, but the majority owner in NY wouldn't give the green light. Had they gone ahead with any of my suggestions they may have made it through, but once they said no, it was a death nail.
     
    #4 jbakajust1, Apr 8, 2024
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  5. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
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    I'm FB friends with her, and she was posting stuff leading up to the closure, lots of stories of her time there etc..
     
    #5 BBThunderbolt, Apr 10, 2024
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  6. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
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    I think I had one of their beers in a mixed craft beer box my brother got me from a place like World Market back in the late '90s. Don't recall seeing their stuff up here in Spokane on tap or on grocery shelves.
     
    #6 woemad, May 17, 2024
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