Best Beer City: Corvallis, Eugene, or Salem?

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by Beervana, Jul 12, 2015.

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  1. Beervana

    Beervana Initiate (0) Apr 15, 2014 Canada (BC)

    Hey, what's up guys?

    My girlfriend and I are heading down to Oregon for a weeklong beer-centered road trip starting here in Victoria in late Aug. We have most of the stops planned out already but there's one night on the tail-end that we could use some some help deciding on. What we've got planned so far is a night in Astoria, 2 in Portland, 1 in Hood River, and 2 in Bend... for the last night, we're thinking of staying in either Corvallis, Eugene, or Salem. Any suggestions or recommendations on which?

    We'll only be there for an afternoon, evening, and morning so we don't really need a depth of good beer stops, just one, maybe two exceptional spots. Some interesting things to do around town, maybe a good hike, some good food options, definitely wouldn't hurt either. Always love to get some (hopefully unbiased) local advice so we're all ears here. Cheers guys!
     
    #1 Beervana, Jul 12, 2015
  2. guajolote

    guajolote Maven (1,359) Sep 12, 2008 Oregon

    I live in Salem, and let me be the first to tell you to cross it off your list. Don't get me wrong -- if you live here, the beer situation is pretty damn good. Especially compared to when I moved here 5 years ago. Salem is not a beer destination. But I digress.

    Taking into account your "one, maybe two" caveat, I'd recommend Corvallis. Block 15 should be a destination for anyone coming through the mid-Willamette valley. And their sister restaurant/beer bar next door, Les Caves, should take care of any beer and good food needs you have. If you were planning to spend more time or hit more spots, I'd go with Eugene, as there are more breweries and a better selection of beer bars.
     
    #2 guajolote, Jul 12, 2015
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  3. Beervana

    Beervana Initiate (0) Apr 15, 2014 Canada (BC)

    Appreciate the advice guajolote! Venti's seemed like a cool spot and Salem would've been a convenient stop but as I look into it more, I think you're right, probably best to cross it off the list on this trip. Cheers!
     
    #3 Beervana, Jul 12, 2015
  4. mudbug

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

    #4 mudbug, Jul 12, 2015
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  5. Reidrover

    Reidrover Grand Pooh-Bah (4,886) Jan 14, 2003 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I agree.
    If you think Salem was bad 5 years ago..i came here in 2001...was way below just bad!
    Better now but as you said not worth a night
     
    #5 Reidrover, Jul 12, 2015
  6. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Id go with Corvallis just for Block 15.
     
    #6 distantmantra, Jul 12, 2015
  7. therackman

    therackman Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2009 Oregon

    Corvallis for block 15 and caves. B15 has the best beer of the 3 cities you listed. Flat tail is also worth a stop.

    I'm bias to Corvallis but Eugene really is a better beer city. More breweries and variety but the two standouts for me are Oakshire and Hop Valley.

    Enjoy your trip.
     
    #7 therackman, Jul 13, 2015
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  8. John_M

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

    This is an easy post to respond to. Eugene is the obvious answer.

    Yes, Block 15 and the Les Caves are very good, but after that, where do you go (I'm aware that there are other breweries in Corvalis, but I've yet to be impressed by anything other than B15)?

    OP. Run a word search for Eugene in this forum and you'll see what I mean about places to go in Eugene. There are so many excellent places in town, that it would be a pain to re-write them all. There are easily 6 or 7 breweries and brewpubs worth visiting in town, and a good 5 or 6 multi-tap pubs and growler stations as well. The restaurant scene isn't as outstanding as it is in PDX, but it's not half bad, and pretty much any place in town will have something on tap or bottle from Oakshire, Hop Valley or Ninkasi.

    Enjoy your trip.
     
    #8 John_M, Jul 13, 2015
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  9. Beervana

    Beervana Initiate (0) Apr 15, 2014 Canada (BC)

    Appreciate all of the replies guys! Like I said, 6 or 7 brewpubs doesn't do much for me since I'll only be there one night. I think I'm going to go ahead and book Corvallis. Les Caves for dinner and Block 15 for a couple more afterwards sounds pretty damn good to me!

    I think I'll have to catch Eugene on the next trip when I have a little more time to stay; for now, go Beavers I suppose. :grinning:

    Cheers everyone!
     
    #9 Beervana, Jul 13, 2015
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  10. Beervana

    Beervana Initiate (0) Apr 15, 2014 Canada (BC)

    Oh, and one last question I should probably ask. Does Block 15 sell bottles-to-go there or is it growler fills only?
     
    #10 Beervana, Jul 13, 2015
  11. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Bottles are randomly available and don't last long. They don't do fills on certain beers.
     
    #11 distantmantra, Jul 13, 2015
  12. John_M

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

    Occasionally they have some bottles available there, but most of what they bottle is snatched up pretty quickly. So it's unlikely (but not impossible) that there will be anything they bottle available during your visit.

    Have fun.
     
    #12 John_M, Jul 13, 2015
  13. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Gee, it sounds like it might be time for some Eugene BA to compile a post about the various options in this town. Someone with a knowledge of the local scene and some basic HTML formatting skills. Know anyone who fits that description, John? :wink:
     
    #13 sharpski, Jul 13, 2015
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  14. John_M

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

    :-) Fair point (though my HTML formatting skills are very, very basic).

    I'll try to put something together next time I have a some free time at home. If I'm able to put something together, we'll see if there's sufficient interest to keep it active.
     
    #14 John_M, Jul 13, 2015
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  15. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Let me know if you want some help with piecing it together John. I have spent enough time tinking around on here and my blog to get the hyperlinks up and set fairly easily. You know the beer scene here better than me though for sure. I would be willing to tag team it with you.
     
    #15 jbakajust1, Jul 13, 2015
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  16. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    OP, even though you seem to have made up your mind on Corvalis, one thing that you said did jump out at me... places to hike... Not only do we (Eugene) have some amazing breweries (Oakshire, Ninkasi, Hop Valley), and food joints, as well as one of the top ranked Beer Bars for the PNW (Bier Stein), but we also have Skinner's Butte, Spencer's Butte, and Mt Pisgah (which has tons of wild hops growing on it).
     
    #16 jbakajust1, Jul 13, 2015
  17. John_M

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

    Thanks Justin. Before I post a final product, I'll run it by you first, to make sure I haven't inadvertently left something out.
     
    #17 John_M, Jul 13, 2015
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  18. therackman

    therackman Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2009 Oregon

    Wise choice in Corvallis. It will be a laid back way to finish a great trip. Definitely come back for Eugene when you have more time.

    If you have time for a hike, would recommend heading out to Mary's peak about 15 miles outside of town. If you want to stay closer, Bald hill is a nice place for an easy hike.

    Another must stop in Corvallis is Corvallis brewing supply for bottles. It's just a short walk from block 15. If you're into College campuses, take a walk around OSU and appreciate the beautiful grounds. Go beavs!
     
    #18 therackman, Jul 14, 2015
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  19. bfields4

    bfields4 Savant (1,171) Dec 11, 2007 Colorado

    Not to thread jack, but that would be greatly appreciated moving up to Eugene mid-August, and can't wait to check everything out.

    To the OP. My GF's from Corvallis, so I've been a couple of times. Maybe I was just in on a good nights, but the offerings I've had from Flat Tail were really solid as well. I actually preferred their hoppy beers to Block 15. They also had a collaboration beers with JP from the brewing network, so if you're a fan of that podcast. Corvallis has a really nice downtown too, perfect for a laid back beer or two.
     
    #19 bfields4, Jul 14, 2015
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