1859 Oregon Magazine’s Beerlandia Column July/ August 2023

As I write this, I’m in the air returning from Nashville. I enjoyed some good beer while I was there, but that’s not what I think about when I think of Music City. Images of barbecue, whiskey, and blues-infused country music fill my mind before beer. I’ve been fortunate to have been a few places in the world where I tasted the beer and got the T-shirt. A few of those places are well-known for their beer. Others are well-known but also have a beer. Oregon is different. It’s well known for beer and… fill in the blank.

I’ve enjoyed some unforgettable experiences in Oregon. The moments sitting dockside at a high lake, dangling my legs on a tailgate at the end of a southern trail, driving past the verdant hills of the east, staring at the mountains that benevolently dare us to climb, or donning a wetsuit at the coast have all contributed meaning to my life. These experiences still would’ve meant something without it, but a good beer caps off these experiences like a soundtrack to a movie. This, for me, is what Oregon is known for, the beer-filled experience that sates our thirsty souls.

There are a few places in Oregon on my agenda this late Summer. I can’t hope to visit them all, but I do hope to visit and experience them again. Places like the Oregon Brewer’s Festival on Portland’s Waterfront, The Oregon Trail Brewfest in Oregon City, The Babes and Brews in Lincoln City, and all the patios, fun runs, and beer festivals throughout Oregon.

Chances are I’ll be near the water this Summer. But, wherever you are, go outside. Go find your place. The best Oregon beer experience is always the next one, and the next one is around the bend.