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