So, you’re an Oregon Ducks fan, eh? We won’t hold it against you. Oregon is known for their ridiculously awesome game-day uniforms, high-tempo offense, and one of the best mascot heads to ever grace the shoulders of Lee Corso. In the beer world, though, they are be known for being home to some of the best craft beer in the United States! Below are listed some of our favorites from the state of Oregon. It should be noted that the following list is not intended to be the BEST-OF Oregon list, but simply some local favorites to be enjoyed during a game! Enjoy responsibly!
1. Fresh Squeezed IPA:
We reviewed this beer for International IPA Day, but it has quickly become one of our go-to brews. Deschutes Brewery, located in Bend, Oregon, put this beer together better than a Mariota touchdown drive. The juicy, tropical hop flavors shine in this crowd-pleasing beer. Fresh Squeezed would make a perfect companion for many game-day snacks, but our suggestion would be a spicy mango salsa.
2. Full Sail Pilsner:
I don’t want to over-hop the Pacific Northwest, but that’s what they are known for. Cascade hops in that region are the pride and joy, and this beer is a celebration of Cascades. While it has the earthy, bready malt notes that you want in a pilsner, it also has a focus on the spicy, citrusy notes of the hops. This is a beer with beautiful balance and a delicious mixture of crisp sweetness and slightly bitter, but clean, hops.
3. Rogue Voodoo Doughnut:
If you’re non-traditional, the way Oregon’s uniforms are, then you’ll want a funky, non-traditional, mishmash of a beer. You’ll want something like Rogue’s Voodoo Doughnut series. Now, we know this isn’t everyone’s favorite beer in the world, we have seen many people pour this beer down the drain, but our review of their Raspberry Chocolate Pretzel version was basically this, “It is what it says it is”. You get all of the flavors you were promised, and nothing else. It’s a polarizing beer series, but if you like changing uniforms for every game, neon colors, and chromed-out facemasks, then you’re probably up for the challenge of Rogue’s Voodoo Doughnut beers.
4. Fort George Quick Wit:
You know that we are fans of cans here at the BRC, and you know that Oregon is one of the greenest states in the US, so I assume they love cans just as much as we do. That’s not the only reason Quick Wit makes our list, though. Fort George’s wheat beer is made with organic malts, is unfiltered, and brewed with lemongrass, coriander, and elderflowers. Basically, it’s every nature-lover’s best friend. Quick Wit is full of fruity flavors like bananas, blackberries, orange peels, and lemon zest, but it also has a crisp, dry, wheaty finish, perfect for enjoying over a long 4-quarter shootout.
5. Deschutes The Abyss:
Maybe you want to watch the game and enjoy a cigar (hopefully for us Ohio State Fans, this isn’t a victory cigar). If that’s the case, and you want something dark to go along with that rich, smoky stogie, nothing will satisfy your thirst better than The Abyss from Deschutes. The Abyss is an in-you-face stout aged in Pinot Noir barrels. It pours jet black and has notes of licorice, oak, cherry, vanilla, charcoal, red wine, and molasses among others. This one isn’t a year-round brew, but it is in season now, so get it while you can.
6. Hop Valley Citrus Mistress
This seasonal IPA features 4 different hops with multiple flavors and aromas complimented with the addition of grapefruit peel. It creates a bouquet of citrus, peach and tropical fruits with enough Munich malt to produce a classic burnt orange color. Brewed in the home of the Oregon Ducks, Eugene, Oregon!
For those interested in more Oregon craft beer, please visit OregonCraftBeer.org for a full listing of breweries, beers and offering time-tables!