Visiting Eugene/Springfield 2018 Updated

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by jbakajust1, Feb 3, 2016.

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  1. ppilot

    ppilot Zealot (522) Jul 17, 2009 Oregon

    ColdFire, Claim 52 would be at the top of my list and if you have the time, Alesong.
     
    #41 ppilot, Feb 12, 2018
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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


    Was hoping Justin (@jbakajust1) would chime in, as he still lives there (and is pretty active in the beer community there). In any event, here's my two cents:

    I still go down to visit friends every once in a while, and I don't get the impression that the beer scene has changed all that much since 5/16. Bier Stein is now under different ownership, and I've been told that prices seem to have crept up a bit there, and service has deteriorated somewhat (as a lot of the staff took off after the ownership change). Mancave brewing has now gone belly up, but there's a new brewery downtown called Manifest. Have not had any of their beer so I can't comment on it. Alesong is probably the biggest addition to the Eugene scene, with the brewer there (Matt Van Wyk - previously of Flossmoor Station and Oakshire) producing a wide range of interesting styles (very nice barrel program there). They have a tasting room, but it's pretty far out of town, and IMHO, probably not worth the drive. Alesong beers are readily available all over town, so unless you're a huge fan of their beer and want to make the pilgrimage over to the tasting room, I wouldn't bother to make the drive (hours there are still pretty limited, so be sure to check that they're open if you do decide to go).

    Again, just my two cents on this, but I really feel as if the Tap and Growler and their sister pub (the Beer Garden) have become the gold standard in Eugene when it comes to a great tap selection (Beer Garden has an impressive bottle selection as well). For bottles, I would continue to recommend the MofC stores on Willamette and Willakenzie, as well as the Bier Stein and 16 tons over on E. 13th. I should add that there's now a Whole Foods in Eugene, so you might want to check that out as well (at the corner of E. 8th and High St. - no more than a stones throw from Sam Bonds).

    One thing I would also mention, if this matters to you. While Springfield was always something of a beer wasteland when I lived in Eugene (through 6/16), there have been some significant improvements over the past couple of years. Both the Hayden Bridge Tap House and the McKenzie River taphouse, bottleshop and growler station have taps lists that can rival just about anything you can find in Eugene. Both places keep an up to date online draft list, with "real time" keg level availability.

    Anyway, enjoy your visit.
     
    #42 John_M, Feb 12, 2018
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  3. ppilot

    ppilot Zealot (522) Jul 17, 2009 Oregon

    Claim 52 has a Taproom in Springfield and is worth checking out if you are in the area. In terms of additions in the last couple years, I would put Coldfire and Alesong as by far being the biggest ones. Coldfire in particular is probably the best all around brewery in Eugene right now and Alesong is completely different animal and way the hell out of Eugene(Their barleywine was probably the best beer I tasted in 2017 and I had it on 12/31/17)
     
    #43 ppilot, Feb 13, 2018
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  4. IpeeA

    IpeeA Savant (1,023) Jan 22, 2010 Missouri

    Thanks for your replies. In addition to these breweries, I was wondering what shelf beers are available at the moment that you would recommend picking up. Any limited HoDs available? Russian River, etc.? I'm comin for you this weekend!!! TIA!
     
    #44 IpeeA, Apr 4, 2018
  5. jbakajust1

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

    Oops... not sure how I missed this.

    Same brewery. Mancave is now Manifest. The fruited sours that Brandon has been brewing there are pretty good. The Elderflower sour is unique and really enjoyable. Saisons are good. Exalted is still hoppy as hell. Still working on getting everything lined up in the new spot. There is going to be a collaboration beer with Stone in the near future. I will be brewing a collabo with him soon too.

    I would agree with T&G. BG is hit or miss for great drafts, and way overpriced; not just overpriced compared to the Stein or Growler Guys, but compared to T&G, same beer on tap at both places and BG will be $0.75-$1.25 more.

    ColdFire is hands down the best brewery in Eugene. Range of styles, all done really well, killing it on hop forward beers, kettle sours, lagers, and of course Silver Medal St James. Taplist for this weekend is well rounded with Pastry Stout Stein Collabo, new Pilz, 2 Tangle of Tigers, Blackberry Gose, and collabo 80 shilling with a local homebrewer that kills that beer style.

    Claim 52 has the brewery in Eugene, the Abbey in Spfld, and is opening the Kitchen in DT EUG. They are churning out some really tasty NEIPAs, but not sure that anything else they make is up to snuff.

    Falling Sky's ownership has changed and they lost 2 of the asst brewers. Their system has changed a lot and they are doing a killer German Hefe. Other than that, standard fair.

    Viking is opening a second spot in South Eugene near the MoC on Willamette. This location will be family friendly which is great since the W11th brewery is no minors allowed.

    Steelhead/McKenzie has a new production brewery in the works.

    Alesong is wonderful, always has great beers, the atmosphere is great, the view is fantastic sitting at the base of the vineyard.

    Oakshire is really creeping up in costs. Not just Hellshire fest tickets, but their one-offs, especially hazy IPAs. I know they take more hops, and a different yeast (that they can get free from other breweries in town), but $7 for a pint when $5.50 gets you a pint (or $13 for 4 pints in cans) of Cumulus from CF a few blocks away isn't justified. If you want a hazy IPA stick to C52 and CF.

    Hop Valley is owned by MillerCoors. They still make good beer, and employ a large number of locals, but they are taking over taps at bars and shelves in stores left and right too. Each person can make their own choice on HV.

    Ninkasi is still Ninkasi.

    Block15 Sticky Hands Tropical Slam is out in cans around town, and it is phenomenal. Regular SH is as well and you should be able to find super fresh cans.

    You can get 2017 Abyss at EUG Winco for $12 bombers. You can also get most of the Deschutes Reserve beers at the Royal BiMart for $12-14; people complain that they don't refrigerate, but I don't refrigerate those beers until I am going to drink them anyways.

    We get some RR, but not much; they backed off OR distribution a few years ago. If you go to a little bar at an Inn in Pacific City, you can get most RR beers on draft (PtE), and bottles. Only place in OR to have a consistent supply of RR beers.

    16 Tons tends to have a decent supply of HoD. Buy at your own risk as they are still having carbonation issues. A carbonated bottle of Adam or Fred or CAFtW are delicious beers, but flat they taste like syrup.

    As far as PNW shelf beers go, we get a decent amount of stuff from Fremont, Breakside, Block15, Ecliptic, Bouy, Fort George, Ex Novo, pFriem, Crux. For non-PNW we get Jester King, Perrennial, Modern Times, Lost Abbey. Rare/Wild/Specialty PNW we have Little Beast, Wolves & People, Reach Break, de Garde, Cascade, Logsdons, Yachats. Bier Stein has bottles of The Carol Situation, a collabo Wild Ale from Oakshire and :*cough, cough*: Justin Bruce :*cough, cough*: that is delicious if I might say so myself :*cough, cough*:! Worth getting a bottle.
     
    #45 jbakajust1, Apr 4, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2018
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  6. IpeeA

    IpeeA Savant (1,023) Jan 22, 2010 Missouri

    You, sir, are the man! I'd offer to buy you a beer when I'm in town, but it's going to be quite the whirlwind trip this time. I'll probably ask the same question (regarding shelf beers) when I return in June and am spending more time. If possible, your first beer is on me then! Thank you!
     
    #46 IpeeA, Apr 5, 2018
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  7. jbakajust1

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

    Coming back in June? Any chance that is for HomebrewCon? What dates?
     
    #47 jbakajust1, Apr 5, 2018
  8. IpeeA

    IpeeA Savant (1,023) Jan 22, 2010 Missouri

    Nope. For a high school reunion (SEHS) lol. Will be in town June 21-24ish. When is HomebrewCon?
     
    #48 IpeeA, Apr 6, 2018
  9. jbakajust1

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

    26th thru 29th. SEHS... so your an Axeman, Axewoman, Axeperson...
     
    #49 jbakajust1, Apr 6, 2018
  10. jbakajust1

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

    Saw that C52 restaurant is open.
     
    #50 jbakajust1, Apr 7, 2018
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  11. IpeeA

    IpeeA Savant (1,023) Jan 22, 2010 Missouri

    Yes, I was an Axeman. Who knows what I am to be now?! Lol. I'll hit you up in June as well!
     
    #51 IpeeA, Apr 7, 2018
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  12. IpeeA

    IpeeA Savant (1,023) Jan 22, 2010 Missouri

    Worth mentioning: they all have garbage hours!!!!
     
    #52 IpeeA, Apr 8, 2018
  13. jbakajust1

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

    Which ones?
     
    #53 jbakajust1, Apr 8, 2018
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  14. IpeeA

    IpeeA Savant (1,023) Jan 22, 2010 Missouri

    Tap & Growler, Coldfire, & Beer Garden, all closed by 11pm on a Saturday. Finally asked one of the bartenders what was up and he explained there's a time restriction on any place that ONLY serves beer. Disappointing to say the least.
     
    #54 IpeeA, Apr 12, 2018
  15. jbakajust1

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

    We have no need to drink past 11pm here, we start with breakfast and get a good 15 hours in. You need to ballz up son.
     
    #55 jbakajust1, Apr 12, 2018
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