"Craft Beer Pioneer" Top 5 Page for this destination Oregon Local Custom Tip by richiecdisc

Many are coming to realize that Oregon is full of many scenic wonders but it has been a forerunner in the craft beer revolution in the United States as well. In the early 1980s, small breweries started to spring up around the the US with many of the first in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. The climate is quite good for growing hops and there's no shortage of high quality water. Add to this an alternative entrepreneurial spirit and making beer was a no-brainer. Cascade hops are quite robust and lend a citrus nose and flavor to the beers it is used in so initial beers tended to be very hoppy or bitter. Recent trends bring a big malt profile into the mix and make for more balanced beers. But make no mistake, beers from the Pacific Northwest are not for the meek. While brewers in Europe initially complained of unbalanced beers in the US craft industry, more of them are now incorporating American hops as well as ideas into make "bigger" beers.

Oregon is a great place to try some of these amazing beers. Portland is a particular hotbed but there are some great ones along the coast as well. Conveniently, many of the breweries have restaurants attached so you can make a culinary experience out of out. Check my individual Oregon pages for details on all the ones we hit during our summer of 2008 visit.