Best Beers
The Perfect Oregon Case
By John ChandlerWith contribution from Brian Barker
STATEWIDE BREWS
Deschutes Black Butte Porter, Bend
deschutesbrewery.com
Black Butte’s swirling dark chocolate notes and lingering roasted malt finish make it impossible to keep a sixer of this out of our grocery cart.
Also try: Southern Oregon Pin-Up Porter
Rogue Irish Lager, Newport
rogue.com
Refreshing and very drinkable lager with shades of dry grass and honey followed by a crisp champagne finish.
Also try: Caldera Lawnmower Lager
Terminal Gravity ESG, Enterprise
terminalgravitybrewing.com
This American golden ale is balanced and lightly hopped—ideal for summertime sipping—but with a bit more body and flavor than a typical lager.
Also try: Ninkasi Radiant Summer
Gilgamesh Mamba, Turner
gilgameshbrewing.com
Made with tea leaves in place of hops, Mamba is a warm-weather refresher reminiscent of a hearty sun tea spiked with a splash of grapefruit juice.
Also try: Oakshire Vit
Ninkasi Tricerihops Double IPA, Eugene
ninkasibrewing.com
A tight-wire act of herbaceous hops, creamy citrus notes, and pine resin, none of which lose their footing—or your interest.
Also try: 10 Barrel Apocalypse IPA
Pelican Tsunami Stout, Pacific City
pelicanbrewery.com
It’s dark and brooding as a storm cloud. But don’t head for higher ground just yet. Espresso, chocolate, and sweet tobacco goodness hide beneath the Tsunami’s smoky froth.
Also try: Oakshire Espresso Stout
Walkabout Worker’s Pale Ale, Central Point
541-664-7763
Big hop flavors out of the gate slowly fade to a chorus of round orange notes, which linger happily on the back of the tongue.
Also try: Deschutes Mirror Pond
10 Barrel Sinistor Black Ale, Bend
10barrel.com
All the complex roasted malt characteristics of a porter, but less aggressive in both hop-bite and alcohol content.
Also try: Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Caldera IPA, Ashland
calderabrewing.com
Packed with whole flower hops, this is a bold, juicy citrusy beer that finishes dry. (We like it right from the can.)
Also try: Terminal Gravity IPA
Bend Brewing Outback X, Bend
bendbrewingco.com
Tonya Cornett laced this 9.5 percent ABV ale with ribbon-smooth flickers of coffee and currants.
Also try: Gilgamesh Hopscotch Ale
Wakonda Beachcomber Cream Ale, Florence
541-991-0694
You have to drive to Florence to get it, yes. But when you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a garden’s worth of dancing fruit and spice notes in what might be the state’s best beer.
Also try: Pelican Kiwanda Cream Ale
Southern Oregon Na Zdravi, Medford
sobrewing.com
Honey-golden in color, this Czech-style pilsner’s tart-apple spiciness and clean, dry finish make it a beer worth revisiting.
Also try: Wakonda Sneaker Wave Pilsner
Published: July 2010


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Help please.