Breweries in 2025: Discovering the Ultimate Oregon Beer Trail
Set off on a sudsy sojourn through Oregon’s splendid landscape! Delve into the Ultimate Oregon Beer Trail, where a world of crisp lagers, hazy IPAs, and tantalizing stouts await deep within the heart of Beaver State. Weave through stately forests, gleaming rivers, snow-capped mountains, and culturally rich cities, where the fingerprint of Oregon is found in every brew.
Kick-off at Portland
Begin this spellbinding adventure in the heart of Portland, the largest city in Oregon, and affectionately dubbed as ‘Beervana.’ It’s home to over 70 craft breweries! A must-visit location on the Portland loop is Breakside Brewery, renowned for its assorted selection of brews. Also, give a whirl to the Von Ebert Brewing, famed for their artistic ingenuity reflected in their lagers and ales. But remember not to get stuck in a rut –Portland is bustling, and there’s always new brewers popping up in every nook!
Onward to Willamette Valley
Heading south on I-5 will guide travelers into the rolling green splendor of Willamette Valley. It’s not just world-famous for pinot noirs; breweries have sprouted up among the vines. Make a point of stopping by Ninkasi Brewing in Eugene, a long-time local favorite. On a sunny day, their pet-friendly beer garden is a sublime spot to enjoy a hoppy Total Domination IPA. Different climate, different taste; the Valley’s distinctive terroir lends unique flavors to local brews that can’t be missed!
Exploring the Coastal Breweries
Turn westward to experience Oregon’s spectacular coastline, dotted with lighthouses and small towns, peppered with breweries. By the coast, weather can be a fellow brew lover’s ultimate spoiler as it changes pretty fast; remember always to pack a light jacket. Pelican Brewing in Pacific City offers breath-taking ocean views and not to mention their award-winning brews! Down in Newport, Rogue Ales has been a frontier in the craft brewing industry for decades. Their Dead Guy Ale is iconic. Beware of the tourist rush during summer, but luckily, locals know to arrive early or late to sidestep the crowds.
Traversing Eastern Oregon – Where Wilderness Meets Brews
Crossing over the stunning Cascade Range into Eastern Oregon opens up a new world of high desert landscapes and craft beer haven. Bend is a high desert paradise with natural wonders and the highest brewery per capita ratio in the country – they lovingly refer to it as the “Ale Trail.” Make sure to visit Deschutes Brewery, Bend’s founding brewery. Up in Hood River, tourists find Double Mountain Brewery, serving up some memorable libations that somehow taste better after a day spent exploring the scenic Columbia River Gorge.
Ending the Trail in Southern Oregon
The brew journey concludes in the relatively unsung beer haven of Southern Oregon, which turned heads when Ashland’s Standing Stone Brewing and Medford’s Walkabout Brewing Co. began collecting national awards for their brews. Southern Oregon breweries often feature outdoor seating because locals know the weather is often gorgeous… in between winter storms. It’s a surprise not quite out of the bag yet!
This ultimate Oregon Beer Trail isn’t just a sojourn through breweries and brewpubs; it’s a journey through the geography, culture, and spirit of Oregon. Time it to coincide with the zesty Oregon Brewer’s Festival held end of July or simply follow the hop harvest from late August through September. That’s when the freshest wet hop brews are released, emphasizing Oregon’s agricultural wealth like nothing else can.
In Oregon, it’s not merely about drinking beer; it’s about experiencing and savoring the place, the people, and the passion poured into each pint. The trail is yours to tread and remember, savor responsibly. Who knows what new flavor inspiration will open before you by 2025 on our vibrant Oregon Beer Trail. Happy exploring!
Don’t just take the journey. Live it. Inhale. Suspend. Imbibe. After all, it’s brew-o’clock somewhere (most likely here in Oregon)!