Interested in the Eugene craft beer scene, and especially our newest brewpub, Falling Sky Brewing?

Fresh take on the brewpub – The Register-Guard Newspaper, Eugene, Oregon

70 wild ales on tap at the 16 Tons Taphouse, Apr. 28 & 29

Beer goes wild Apr. 28-29 with 70+ wild ales at 16 Tons. Get puckered with Lambic, Flanders Red, Oud Bruin, Sasion, American Sour Ales, Berliner Weisse, Gose, beers with Brett, and more.

New collaboration beer unveiled

16 Tons also will unveil a special beer brewed in honor of the Eugene beer shop and taphouse’s second anniversary. El Coloquio de Cervantes is a barrel-aged Sour Imperial Rye Saison with Raspberries, made by Portland’s Upright Brewing.

On tap

Here are some of the beers expected to be available by the sample, glass, pint or growler:

• Upright El Coloquio de Cervantes
• Oakshire Frederic’s Lost Arm Gin Barrel
• Flat Tail Wild Five Amber
• Flat Tail Put a Bird on Wit
• Flat Tail 1st Anniversary Ale
• Flat Tail Raspberry Beret
• Bear Republic Tartare
• Cascade Bourbon Barrel Kriek
• Cascade / New Belgium Pater
• Russian River Sanctification
• Russian River Supplication
• Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne
• Deschutes Malhuer Wild Ale
• Commons Barrel Aged Urban Farmhouse
• New Belgium La Folie
• Block 15 Prickly Wit
• Block 15 La Ferme’ de Demons
• Banhoff Leipziger Dopple Porter Porticus
• Flemish Primitve Surly Bird
• Kissmeyer Denied Entry
• Stillwater Stateside Saison
• Grassroots Do Saisons Think of Electric Yeast
• Grassroots Wachu Saison
• Van Honsebrouck Bacchus
• Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne
• Commons Hoppy Saison
• St. Louis Framboise
• Oakshire Domaine du Lane
• Dupont Avec Les Bon Voeux

Go

The 16 Tons Taphouse is located at 265 E. 13th Ave, Eugene, OR, and online at sixteentons.biz. The Wild Ale Fest is cash only, and runs 4-10 p.m., Apr. 28-29.

Get wild!

Latest word on the 2nd annual Eugene Beer Week…

A week of craft beer events all over Eugene & Springfield

Eugene hosts its 2nd annual Beer Week May 7-13. Eugene Beer Week celebrates craft beer culture in the Willamette Valley. Events from beer releases to brewer dinners are in the works. Venues and breweries include…

• Ninkasi
• Oakshire
• Hop Valley
• Falling Sky
• 16 Tons
• The Bier Stein
• Izakaya Meiji
• Rogue
• Cornucopia
• Hot Mama’s Wings
• The Eugene Hilton
• Cascade Brewers Society
• Boneyard Beer
• Brewpublic
• Sasquatch Brew Fest
• Deschutes
• Hopworks
• And more!

Eugene Beer Week will feature beer tastings, brewer’s dinners, special bottle releases, a homebrew competition and other events celebrating craft beer. Breweries, retailers, bars, restaurants, and craft beer writers join together helping bring greater awareness of our region’s craft beers. Eugene Beer Week will culminate with the Sasquatch Brewer’s Dinner and Brewfest, which celebrate the life of a Eugene brewing legend: Glen Falconer.

The grassroots nature of this event brings a focus to Craft Beer and Eugene in a way that few, if any, events ever have. EugeneBeerWeek.org is the hub for the week with detailed information about all of the beer-related events taking place.

Events will be added to the website as we get closer to May.

More info

• Website: www.eugenebeerweek.org
• Eugene Beer Week Facebook page
• Twitter @EugeneBeerWeek

Who has the best burrito in Eugene, Oregon?

It could be the carnitas, their juicy soft porkiness spiced just right. Or it could be the battered fried fish, spritzed with lime. It could be the char marks on the fresh tortillas, that taste like no other tortilla I’ve had in Eugene. Or it could be calling in an order, and owner Magarita High’s voice saying, “Hello my friend!”

Now, I’ve written about Eugene burritos before. Sunset Magazine even included my recommendation on the West’s best burritos. Thinking about the issue some more though, and after noshing down fish burritos on Friday night, I’m calling it for good.

The best burrito in Eugene is from Lonches to Go.

That’s it. Named. Seconded. Done.

Lonches serves up lots of other great non-burrito food (such as a damn good chile relleno and tasty tacos), but the burritos are always foremost to me. Whether fish or carnitas, and with plenty of red chile salsa on the side, I can also fill my belly for $5.50.

Lonches To Go rocks. They’re at 910 River Road. Usually people pick up their orders, but there is a covered outdoor seating area and a newer indoor seating area too, if you want to have a sit while enjoying burrito goodness. Call in your order at 541.461.7920, and praise Eugene’s best burritos Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

11 a.m. Apr. 4: Break out the strong ales at The Bier Stein’s Starkbierzeit

Stark-what? Stark. Beer. Zite! That’s right. The Bier Stein is farewelling Winter and welcoming Spring with a cellar full of strong and vintage ales.

For years the good folks at the Stein have quietly tucked away strong beers (9% to 18%) from craft breweries around the U.S. Now it’s time to tap! Bottles and kegs will be opened at 11 a.m. on Apr. 4. Each draft is individually priced by the glass, or available in build-your-own flights. Bratwursts and soft pretzels are also on the menu, along with house-made doppelbock mustard. Word is you can also pair your preferred strong beer with a selection of fine cheeses and chocolates too.

Starkbierzeit continues through April 5. Come in for your glass of amazing cellared strong beers such as…

• The Bruery Cuir 3rd Anniversary Ale
• Deschutes Dissident 2010
• Dogfish Head 120 Minute
• Stone Vertical Epic 11-11-11
• Block 15 Pappy’s Dark
• Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head Life and Limb 1
• Firestone Walker Parabola 2011
• Full Sail Topsail Imperial Porter 2012
• Sierra Nevada Bigfoot 2010
• Flat Tail Bourbon 6 a.m. Stout

There’s a glass waiting for you

Starkbierzeit awaits at Eugene’s The Bier Stein, hailed as having the largest beer selection between Portland and San Francisco:

• Web: thebierstein.com
• Where: 345 East 11th Ave., Eugene, Oregon
• Phone: 541-485-BIER

Attention, Eugene beer lovers! After some initial equipment hiccups, new-pub-in-town Falling Sky is now finally becoming a brewpub. Today at 5 pm Falling Sky starts pouring 7 house beers:

• Bare Hands Bitter
• Persuasion Pale Ale
• First Flight IPA
• Pouring Porter
• Rough & Ready NW Red
• Three Sisters Pale Ale
• Golden Naked Blond

$3 commemorative FIRST DOWNPOUR t-shirts are also available with every pint bought.

Falling Sky is located at 1334 Oak Alley. The location is great—now let’s see how the beer measures up!

Tonight! Fri., Mar. 9: Brewer’s Union Cask Night

Ted from Oakridge’s Brewer’s Union Local 180 has a cask of IPA for you from 5-8 tonight! More info

Sat. & Sun., Mar. 10-11: 16 Tons IPA Fest

Like it hoppy? Want to experience the bitter taste of life? (Well, or of beer, anyway.) Hopheads unite! Then 16 Tons Taphouse (Corner of 13th & High) is hosting an India Pale Ale Festival this weekend from 4pm-10pm on March 10 & 11. Entry is free, with fees for tasters.

Taste India Pale Ales including Red IPA, CDA, Imperial, Triple, Belgian IPA, Single Hop, Continually Hopped, Dry Hopped, Fresh Hopped, Bitter, Citrusy, Piney, Sticky, and downright dank. 70 beers with massive hop character will be available for tasting from Ninkasi, Oakshire, Hop Valley and many more, such as…

• Boneyard Notorious
• Dogfish Head 120 Minute
• Russian River Pliny the Elder
• Green Flash Palate Wrecker
• Avery Maharaja
• Hopworks Ace of Spades
• Block 15 Six Hop Wonder
• Brewer’s Union Union Dew (cask)

Both events at the 16 Tons Taphouse, 13th & High, Eugene.

Ireland in Eugene, Mar. 9-10, 2012

Evening Concert: Friday, Mar. 9

Featured music group Bua won the Irish Music Awards’ 2009 “Top Traditional Group”. Come get to know the sound and spirit of an awesome Traditional Irish Music group!

Starting performance is The McG’s, a local duo with a fiddler and guitar player who play traditional Celtic music.

The concert is in Beall Hall at the University of Oregon, and starts at 8 pm. Tickets are available to purchase with assigned seating through the EMU Ticket Office or by calling (541) 346-4363. Tickets can also be purchased in the lobby of Beall Hall starting at 7 pm. (Doors to Beall Hall may not be open until 7:30 pm, after sound checking is finished.) Directions and parking for Beall Hall

Eugene Irish Cultural Festival: Saturday, March 10

The 2012 Eugene Irish Cultural Festival takes place 10:30 am to 6:30 pm at Sheldon High School, 2455 Willakenzie Road, Eugene, OR 97401. Directions. Wristbands can be purchased at the door: $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors (bring student ID if you are a student and driver’s license if you are a senior), children 5 and younger are FREE.

Workshops

Register for workshops online. Space is limited, and workshops fill quickly.

• How to Play Guitar at an Irish Session Workshop
• Irish Song Workshop
• Irish Dance Workshop (taught by Maldon Meehan, music played by Bua)
• Traditional Irish Tunes on Fiddle Workshop
• Traditional Irish Tunes on Flute and Whistle
• Basket Weaving Workshop (must be 15 or older, $8 supply fee)
• Uilleann Pipes Workshop
• How to Draw Celtic Knot Workshop ($3 supply fee)
• Introduction to Irish Music on Fiddle (for those who know how to play violin/fiddle, but are new to Irish music)
• Ceili Dance – Learn Irish Social Dancing
• Introduction to the Irish Language Workshop
• About Traditional Irish Music Presentation
• Genealogy Workshop – How to Trace Your Ancestors Back to Ireland
• Next Level of Irish Language Workshop
• Irish Calligraphy Workshop ($3 supply fee)
• Irish Dry Stone Masonry Presentation
• Irish Dance Workshop (taught by Geraldine Murray)

Performances

The Festival’s closing performance will be given by Sons of Malarkey, a wonderfully dynamic Celtic group. The Sons play 5-6 pm in the Sheldon Auditorium.

More performances:

• Celtic Duo – Jodie St. Clair (fiddle) and Terry Orbeck (guitar)
• Planxty Carolan – Eugene Recorder Ensemble
• Sheldon Choirs
• Irish Stories
• Linda Danielson & Janet Naylor
• Murray Irish Dancers
• Ceili Mhor
• Irish Session
• Hurling Match
• The McG’s
• Harp Circle

Family Activities

These activities are open to people of all ages. Learn more about Irish culture, history, mythology, geography, crafts and the first Irish alphabet with which they wrote:

• Earn an Irish Coin
• Ancient Body Art and Temporary Tattoos
• Make a Bridget’s Cross
• Grow Your Own Shamrocks
• Irish Place Names
• Make a Celtic Cross
• Make Your Own Celtic Knots
• Color Celtic Knots
• Make a Book about Irish Fairies
• Make a Book about Irish Mythology
• Make a Book about Irish Bogs
• Learn About Irish Bogs

Vendors

• Irish Food provided by the South Eugene High School Culinary Group
• Coffee, Espresso, Latte, Tea, Hot Chocolate provided by Espresso on the Move
• Kettle Corn
• Raffle Tickets
• Musician’s and Workshop Teacher’s CDs/DVDs/Books
• Eugene Irish Cultural Festival Items: Mugs, Magnets, Pens and T-Shirts (from previous festivals)
• Other vendors selling Celtic items: Books, Jewelry, T-Shirts, Candles, Celtic Wall Decorations, Trips to Ireland in 2013, etc.

Many thanks to this year’s sponsors

The Eugene Irish Cultural Festival is made possible by the festival’s sponsors: KVAL, University of Oregon School of Music, Red Lion Hotel, Lane Forest Products, QSL Print Communications, Darren Andreason/Eugene Mailbox Center, James Wilson, Sweet Life Patisserie, Sundance Natural Foods.

A weekend of Ireland in Eugene

More information about the Festival is available online at www.eugeneirishfest.org. See you Friday and Saturday at the 2012 Eugene Irish Cultural Festival!

Want a taste of the Good Life?

The volcanos of the Cascades apparently no longer erupt with lava but with breweries. That’s the only conclusion I can draw, anyway, given how many breweries keep popping up in Bend, right in the ol’ shadow of the mountains to the east.

At The Bier Stein this Saturday from 5-8 p.m., meet the brewer and taste beers from the up-and-coming Good Life Brewing from, you guessed it, Bend! Good Life will be pouring free samples of 3 brews:

• Descender IPA
• Mountain Rescue Pale Ale
• Pass Stout

The Stein also will have 22-oz. bottles of the newly released Mountain Rescue Pale ale for sale.

Sample Oregon farmhouse ales

With a traditional farmhouse brewery located in Hood River County, Logsdon Farmhouse Ales is truly going back to the land to bring you interesting beers. From 4-6 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 25, meet the brewer and taste Logsdon Farmhouse beers at the 16 Tons Taphouse, 265 E 13th., Eugene. More info

When life gives you rain… brew beer

Falling Sky, Eugene’s newest brewery and brewpub, makes me want to go out for a beer more often. It’s comfortable, airy and family-friendly. The fries are excellent. And there’s no feckin’ TV or blaring music to make me want to split my head open with a maul.

Plus, Falling Sky is right in downtown Eugene, tucked into Oak Alley behind the Falling Sky Brewing Fermentation Supply Shop on 13th (same ownership, they simply renamed Valley Vintner & Brewer).

This could easily be Eugene’s best brewpub.

The ever-bolstered downtown Eugene brew scene

High ceilings and light colors make the pub feel airy, welcoming and friendly

Here in rainy ol’ Western Oregon, we in Eugene have far more pouring than mere water. The last 10 years have brought a new flurry of brewing and microbrew goodness to Eugene, from local juggernaut Ninkasi and the diverse craft of Oakshire, to the ever-packed Bier Stein and the connoisseur selection in 16 Tons.

And, to be sure, we have brewpubs. Steelhead and McMenamins High Street have long held down the fort in downtown Eugene, but they needed company. When Rogue’s Eugene City Brewery came along, it further bolstered downtown’s brewpub scene. Hop Valley is fab (even typing their name has me fondly remembering their mac-n-cheese), but their I-5/Gateway location isn’t exactly stumbling distance for the Eugene dweller.

The new Falling Sky Brewing is something different.

Eugene’s best brewpub?

Copper-clad brewing equipment soon will be concocting Falling Sky beers

The light yellows, light blues and natural wood finishes give the place a convivial, welcoming air. The long, picnic-style communal tables make it easy to do your own thing, talk with friends or get to know the folks sitting next to you. A cabinet is marked “Kids Games”. Behind a large inside wall/window, the steel and copper-clad brewing equipment gleam. Come summer, I want to claim an outside table as a second home.

Yes, I like this place.

On my first visit to Falling Sky, with a friend and fellow dad on a recent Saturday afternoon, we silently fist-pumped at all the wee kids and families about the place. This was our kind of pub: the kids could play, and we could have a beer.

His burger satisfied; my fries came out wafting of potatoes, and crunched just right. We talked for ages, about the problems of the world, about being fathers, about the books we were working on.

This was definitely our kind of pub.

But is it Eugene’s best brewpub?

The verdict awaits the beer

No business startup is without its hiccups. For Falling Sky, the hiccup has been its brewing equipment. Kinks in the brewing system have meant Falling Sky isn’t serving their house beers yet (though some will be available at the upcoming KLCC Microbrew Fest). Instead, a diverse list of guest taps is pouring; when I was there, beers from Corvallis to California were filling up pint glasses.

And for now, that will keep the jury out on whether or not Falling Sky may, in fact, be the best brewpub in Eugene. The food and atmosphere are amazing… but until we can properly sample Falling Sky beers, we’ll just have to keep coming back to see when what’s pouring at Falling Sky, is Falling Sky.

More about Falling Sky in the news

• Brewing Beer While the Sky is Falling – KLCC (NPR)
• Eugene brew supply store readies new brewpub restaurant – KMTR
• New Brewers on the Block – Register-Guard
• Forecast for Eugene: Falling Skies – Beer and Coding in Eugene
• Falling Sky Brewing to feature handcrafted brews, locally sourced cuisine – School of Architecture and Allied Arts – University of Oregon

Connect with Eugene’s newest brewery & brewpub

• Facebook: Like Falling Sky Brewing on Facebook
• Twitter: @fallingskybrew
• Yelp: Falling Sky Brewing House, Eugene, OR
• The Brew Shop (on 13th & Oak): Falling Sky Brewing Fermentation Supply Shop
• The Brewery & Pub: Falling Sky Brewing