Train 511 took us from Portland to Eugene, departing at 09.45, arriving at 12.20. This meant an early rise and also not being able to get rid of our bags until mid-afternoon. Strangely, we had to be at Amtrak Union Station (Portland) seriously early to check in our luggage. I suppose this creates jobs and saves the traveller having to negotiate high access railway carriages from low platforms. The – stool – one sees in old American movies prevails. With seats pre-allocated rather than reserved, everyone was escorted on to the train. Is this security, or just jobs for the boys?
The train crawled along compared to the European norm. The rolling stock was quaint. Thalys/ICE, this was not. I suppose most people drive, it would have been quicker and at the time of our choosing. This was not a trip where hiring a car made any sense.
Arriving at Eugene, our luggage was presented to us by a porter. The impression of small-town USA was most apparent, and this is a city. A straight line walk from the station took us past the old Oregon Electric Station, now a restaurant. This was not for us. In keeping with the – no Burgers, no Pizza – philosophy, Hector had a Greek-Indian venue in mind, Poppi’s Anatolia. Perhaps nobody has had the heart to tell the owners that Anatolia is actually a former name for what is now – Turkey.
As Hector was not prepared to tolerate Chicken Curry, the chosen alternative was Giros. Dr. Stan had Moussaka Stew served on Rice. Weird. There is an Indian restaurant proper in Eugene, tomorrow.
A few minutes south of Poppi’s is Falling Sky Brewing. We would take refuge with our luggage until check-in time. With a long day, hopefully, in front of us, we needed a sensible start, so the 7.3% – Juicy Miss Hoppins – ticked that box. Light gold with a slight haze, this 50 IBU IPA was exactly what the Hector was looking for. The hops were right on the button. Any thoughts of blocked sinuses and not being able to taste the Bier were left behind last night in Vancouver (Washington) at the Tap Union Freehouse.
With the other IPAs at silly abv for this time of day, Hector went to the dark side. The 5.8% Dreadnut Stout was thoroughly refreshing despite the body seeming thin after Miss Juicy Hoppins. One always hopes for a big blast of chocolate/coffee/nuts, it was not forthcoming from this Bier.
It just happens that we have arrived in the middle of – Eugene Beer Week. Uncanny.
It was time to check in at t’Travelodge. After a week of sharing rooms with Dr. Stan, prices were such that in Eugene we (I) could afford separate. It felt as if I had stayed here previously, the classic motel room. There is a swimming pool available. With the temperature cooler than it has been since our arrival in the USA, nobody was in it. Tomorrow, no matter what. Hector has been swimming a kilometre typically six days a week since last August. Unpacked, settled in there was a knock on the door, someone looking for – Herr Schneider.
Steelhead Brewery & McKenzie Brewing, or is it the other way around? We made the fifteen minute walk northwards through the gloom and damp to this well established venue. From what I can gather, the Steelhead premises are the original brewhouse, for McKenzie Brewing which is next door. Whatever, Steelhead Brewery sells McKenzie Bier and was a very busy venue.
Taking a high table as close to the bar as possible, it was waitress service. We tried to keep a straight face, if Mrs Wolowitch (Big Bang Theory) has a brunette clone, she was serving us … same face, same squeaky voice. Nobody talks that way.
$4.95 for a Bier, the cheapest pricing of trip, so far. Twisted Meniscus IPA was Bier #1. At 6.8% and with a highly regarded 70 IBU, this Northwest IPA had Munich and Vienna Malts then NW Hops. Gold, with a slight haze, it was very quaffable, and thankfully not served too cold.
As Steelhead was as much a restaurant as a bar, food was ordered. Hector decided to have that well known Mexican-American crossover dish, the Chilli Dog. What an abomination. How much Cheese can one pour over one’s food? In terms of the Mexican element, order restored. This was as cold, wet and bland as I find Mexican food to be, last night was the exception that proved the rule.
Next up was Bombay Bomber APA at 6.2%. Munich Malts featured again and New World hops – Mt. Hood Hops. Munich Malts? I wonder if they actually mean Weyermann from Bamberg? There was a suitably dry aftertaste, however, the body was appreciably thinner compared to Twisted Meniscus.
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It was only a walk of four blocks, five minutes, through residential property until we reached the industrial estate housing ColdFire Brewing Company. The bar was at the far end, past all the tanks. Tables lined the route, this was decidedly Spartan after Steelhead Brewing. They had a Bier which was totally – in the style. Cumulus Tropicalis at 6.5% was so hazy it looked milky. This was so easy on the palate, a joy to drink. One could easily have sat and had a session on this. In more salubrious surroundings we may have been tempted, but stick to the plan.
Spring IPA at 6.7% as the name suggests is a seasonal brew. With 65 IBU I was hoping for a lot more than this Bier delivered. The Cumulus Tropicalis was maybe just too good for the Spring IPA to follow. Cumulus Tropicalis may well confirm the standard we shall henceforth seek on this trip, juicy, and full on milkshake in appearance, citrus-fruity flavours.
We retraced our steps towards home. Sam Bond’s Brewing was the intended next stop, they were closed. According to Google they should still be open. Elk Horn Brewery, a taxidermist’s delight, was a block beyond t-Travelodge and still open. It was 22.45 when we arrived, Google had them closing at 23.00. We had time for one more Bier. Indeed they were about to close but despite this we were still offered a tab and food. It was basically kids who were staffing Elk Horn and perhaps too many of them, programmed to do their tasks robotically it appeared.
Maybe it’s down to drinking Komes – Baltic Porter (Polska) that I turn away from – the hop – at the end of the night. The Palate needs cleansed for more hops the next day. Hazelnut Wodka achieves the same end. How could I ignore the 6.0% Boggy Boon – Hazelnut and Chocolate Stout?
Thin in body, the flavours emerged as the Bier thankfully warmed. It was much cooler tonight, we did not need such cold Bier.
I took the time to photograph the stuffed animals on display. We were offered more Bier. How long – drinking up time – may have been was never established. It had been a long day, mission accomplished, tomorrow Hector goes swimming before Curry & Bier. I could get used to this life. Hang on, this is my life!
The Breweries, Brewpubs and restaurant visited today:
Falling Sky – 1334 Oak Alley, Eugene, OR 97401
Steelhead Brewery & McKenzie Brewing – 199 E 5th Ave #1, Eugene, OR 97401
ColdFire Brewing Company – 263 Mill St, Eugene, OR 97401
Elk Horn Brewery – 686 E Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401
Poppi’s Anatolia – 992 Willamette St, Eugene, OR 97401