Cascadia Beer Odyssey: We love Eugene, Oregon

Eugene is one of my favorite places. Steeny and I both lived here for short times and loved it. Our first stop was to Hop Valley Brewery in Springfield. I've had an opportunity to brew with head brewer Trevor Howard when we worked together at Rogue. He took over the Eugene City Brewery when I left and has since moved on to be partners and head brewer at Hop Valley. He is supported by a great crew including Todd Friedman (pictured with us below. The Infinite Hoppiness, brewed for the 2012 Sasquatch Beer Festival was amazing. The hops went on and on.

Following Hop Valley was an amazing visit with Matt Van Wyk. Matt spent many years brewing at Flossmore Station before coming to Eugene and creating truly imaginative beer at Oakshire Brewing. We had a great tour and beer sampling from Matt who graciously came in to meet us after hours. Our favorites were the barley wine aged in brandy barrels, Reclamation Lager (nicely hopped Czech Pils), Black Wolf Schwarzbier and a beautifully balanced framboise which reminded me of La Conner Red. Matt’s generosity continued as he drove us to the Ninkasi Empire. Good friend and Ninkasi owner Jamie Floyd was out of town, but we enjoyed a pint without him.

An afternoon and evening in Eugene reminded me not only of how much I love this city, but also of why I love the craft beer industry. While individuals are making great beer, it’s the community of brewers I miss the most. Matt’s generosity is not atypical of the west coast beer world. The fellowship and spirit of camaraderie and sharing is what drives this industry. While we build relationships in the legislative world we come from, it seems some of those connections are based in who needs what and when they need it. Too often shallow. Obviously the government arena isn’t without great bonds as proof of the four of us travelling together, but the beer industry is special because of the greatness of its people…