Brewery Hopping

Post up at the bar and become a local.

The "friends maker"

During my recent trip up the California/Oregon Coast it some how turned into my West Coast Brewery Tour.  I was told by a friend, "Stop in Santa Rosa, find Russian River Brewery, and order Pliny the Elder!"  So, obediently, I stopped and did as I was told.  I started with the Pliny and ended with a whole flight of 18 beers (just samplers!)... but none the less left me with a feeling of How did that happen!?  Once, I got over the overwhelming feeling of looking like lush with my eyeballs nearly falling out of their sockets.  I started on my flight... Ladies and Gentlemen, Get ready we are about to take off! 2 pints, 1 flight, and 5 hours later, I had not left the tarmac, but instead I had unofficially turned into a local. I took my duties seriously by informing other patrons to order the Pliny and entertaining them by holding varied conversations.

It even turned out that a guy who had also graduated from my high school 2,000 miles away was sitting only 2 bar stools away with his girlfriend. Small world!  Finally, I tore myself away from the bar but not without a growler of Pliny. Tip #1 Go to Santa Rosa, stop by Russian River Brewery, and like 90% people at the bar order Pliny the Elder!

My next stop was Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe in  Eureka! Once again I found myself engaged in another person's journey and story.  There is just something about the atmosphere of a brewery. If I had to choose my natural environment it would be in a brewery.  Go figure! Tip #2 Lost Coast is a great place for a great meal and fine beer.

After crossing the Oregon border I was craving a nice meal and a delicious beer.  So, I leafed through the brew magazine that the bartender Amir had given me at Russian River.  I found that Eugene had many breweries.  I ended up posting up at  Steelhead Brewery's bar.  This time I was alone at the bar so, I struck up conversation with the bartender, waitresses, and a brewer.  We joked how it seemed like the brewers were in some type of beer zoo since, they brew all their beers directly behind the bar with only a glass divider keeping them from the general public. I think they should but a sign that says, "Don't feed the Brewers!" 

After, three breweries and many carbs later I think I need a Beer-cation... until I get to Portland which, has no breweries... Oh, wait a minute!

Portland Breweries

Tip #3 Don't be a loser and Drink and Drive! I heard DUIs cost like $5,000... imagine how much beer you could buy with that!