Dr. Stan likes his breakfast, Hector tends not to bother, even when it’s inclusive as it is a Super 8 Albany. Having said that, I am well aware of how simple the fayre tends to be in such cases. Hector eschewed the opperchancity to swim in the decent looking pool, too cold. Else, the weight of the late night Burrito was still hanging heavy.
Anytime Taxi was called, today we met Ben who drove us the half hour drive from Albany to Corvallis. I had looked at buses, however, they appeared to be timed to suit schools opening and closing, there was not much else and a change was necessary. Taxi, simples. Plus, we knew we had to get back later.
Ben was aware of Evergreen Indian Cuisine in downtown Corvallis, but had never heard of Nirvana Indian Restaurant at Timberhill Shopping Centre in the north of the city. Evergreen was dismissed because we had been to the Eugene branch, Hector was far from impressed. Nirvana is also a Punjabi House, expectations were therefore high. Now Ben knows, he promised he will try it. Hector assisted with the navigation, when the LG is working it is good, when…
Once again, Dr. Stan, the Buffet King had a better meal than Hector. There was something definitely – not quite right – about Hector’s Keema Mattar. The most memorable thing about today’s Curry is that Mein Host had worked at Tandoori (Tel Aviv, Israel) in the years immediately before it was reviewed in Curry-Heute.
There was a forty five minute walk, downhill, to downtown Corvallis. A brighter day than yesterday, Corvallis looked good in the sunshine, a much prettier town than nearby Albany. One would surmise that the quality of life in Corvallis is favourable. We had a quick look at the Riverfront Commemorative Park.
With the number of Brewpubs and Craft Beer Houses in the city centre, Corvallis could be Bier Heaven. Many of the people we had chatted to in the last week had recommended Corvallis, Block 15 Brewing Co. in particular. We would leave them to the end.
After our brief reconnaissance, we climbed up the stairs into Sky High Brewing. Our first Bier was available in Cask and Keg, We both had the Freewheel IPA at 7.0% and 77 IBU, with Dr. Stan going for the Cask. He lost out a bit with the huge head. Where was his CAMRA foam gauge?
This dark gold Bier has a slight haze, good body, and full on Hops. The Cask version was decidedly cloudier and more chewy. Dr. Stan had spotted the cask cooling in a fridge, if only a certain award winning bar in Glasgow (Scotland) could take cooling their ale so seriously.
Being early on a Monday afternoon, Sky High was quiet. Given that many venues do not stay open late, one wonders when they make their money. The serving Doris was quiet, courteous and busied herself with the gantry.
Bier #2 was High and Outside IPA at 6.8%, with a whopping 82 IBU, a very pale yellow and a slight haze. It looked a bit thin but was far from it, a decent body therefore. The given hops are Magnum, El Dorado, and Marynka.
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We walked the three blocks to Oregon Trail Brewery, missing out Flat Tail Brewing which opened later. Oregon Trail Brewery is a microbrewery housed at the rear of the Old World Deli. The view of the building from the car park to the rear surpasses that from the main street.
With a choice from five, the only Bier for us was the IPA which proved to be quite substantial. Oregon Trail IPA at 6.5% and a strange 66.9 IBU was full on with big flavours from the Nugget and Centennial hops.
Dr. Stan paid $8.00 cash, including the tip, this may well be the cheapest Bier we shall have on this trip. I assume Dr. Stan gave a tip, the barman was a bit off, serving food was by far his greater priority.
It was seconds back to Flat Tail Brewing, even allowing for taking the more scenic route parallel to the Willamette River. Hanging baskets, one can never have too many hanging baskets.
The bar area seemed small and belies the larger seated area we walked through on entry. We had to take seats to the left side of the bar as we entered, the ones facing being taken. With multiple taps in view, we had a choice from twelve on the Bier menu, including three IPAs.
There was no interaction with the bar staff on placing the order, I was given a chit. We have become used to running a tab, and paying on a pad on departure, interim paper was novel.
The N.E.W. IPA at 5.0% has Citra and Mosaic hops. Yellow, hazy, cool, the given notes told of blueberry. I noted citrus to the fore, lemon juice. Inspired by a Belgian Wit complete with Coriander, Hoegarden even, the flavours in this Bier were very familiar. This Bier had less body than I have drunk in recent venues, one could just knock this back.
On ordering a second Bier, the serving chap came to life. On seeing me take my notes on the LG, he offered me a charger. When I produced my own backup he was well impressed. And so we came to make ourselves known and hence appreciate our visit to Flat Tail. Our second Bier was well dangerous.
Pulp Action IPA at 7.8%, a Juicy IPA featuring the same hops – Citra and Mosaic. This was possibly the most tangy IPA I have encountered on this trip, yet thin for this abv. As with the N.E.W. IPA, one could quaff this, which would not be a good idea.
We would have been happy to stay longer but had to keep to the plan, the fourth brewery, the big one, Block 15, the brewery many have mentioned as being the must visit.
Corvallis was living up to what we had been promised. There are other venues we could not get round today, bars too which may be ranked as highly as No Rails Ale House (Albany). I checked the prices for accommodation here tonight, same as in Albany, If we ever come back this way, an afternoon at Calapooia (Albany) then a couple of nights in Corvallis would do very well. The Greyhound Bus would then hopefully take us to wherever, thereafter.
Block 15 Brewing Co. was around the corner and one block away on the parallel street. Not the largest of premises, some were sat al fresco. On entry I spotted a mezzanine but would never venture up there. A Doris was taking names, there was a twenty minute wait for a table. Asking for seats at the bar enabled immediate entry.
Two chaps sat at the far end with spare seats either side of them. Dr. Stan and I took the available stools, Hector had the central pillar blocking his view. The two chaps were self aware, Dr. Stan and Hector were soon reunited, eleven days, and we’re still talking.
When do you close? – I asked the barman.
11.00.
We’ll still be here.
It was 19.30 and I had identified five IPAs of great interest. Having truncated our session at – Oregon Trail – might pay dividends. First up was Fluffhead IPA at 6.5%. Another miky creation, one is getting to really love these. The Mosaic, Chinook, and Azacca hops were full on. This Bier was beautifully smooth. Some may well have settled for this, excellent, but at Block 15 we had the best array of IPA yet.
Take me home, country roads – Hector was on the verge of a very good night. 
Phresh Pressed at 7.0% is a so called Tart IPA. Juicy IPA, acidity and citrus flavour – are claimed on the given description. It was sour, but nothing like as sour as a Lambic, say Cantillon Geuze (Brussel, Belgium), but sour enough. Still, my reason for choosing this was to clean the palate before the next hop overdose.
Stan, call me a taxi…
We’re on first name terms this evening. No response.
Stan you’re meant to call me a taxi.
Stan was too busy ordering food. Did he not have enough at breakfast and lunch? Americans amuse with their stretched out naming of – Paaaah-staaa. Spaghetti ain’t good enough for them, it has to be Linguine. Linguine with Cheese and Toast ($13.00), one must have a gallon of Cheese, this is – Amayreekaaa.
Note to self, at no point on this trip have I been able to challenge a citizen of the USA to show me the place/country – America – on the map.
Too much information alert:
Curry does not generally have the nasty effect on me that universally people associate with its eating. However, doggy food does. After my late night Burrito at Taco Bell (Albany) and today’s Curry at Nirvana I have not been straying not too far from the facilities. I decided that eating more was not a good idea. Liquid Bread – bring it on!
Alpha, an IPA at 6.5%. This is an amber/orange hazy delight. With the taste-buds restored, there was an instant hop hit. This was a dry as Bier can taste.
Just how many more could I have? The barman was well onside with us.
The place was emptying, it is a school night. With only a few punters left on the premises I managed to capture some decent photos. The photo of Dr. Stan and Hector is much appreciated.
I decided to skip Fresh Flow IPA.
Finally, my fourth, and fifth, IPA – Alesong 2nd Canniversary at 7.0%. What is a – Canniversary? This Bier was yet another standout, gold and hazy, ah, the hops.
Had it been the weekend, 01.00 is the closing time. It had gone 11.00. I had already called Anytime Taxi, Ben was primed this morning that we would be coming back as late as we could get away with. It was Brent who came to take us back to Albany. We recognised the car, not the driver of course. Ben, Brett, Brock, wot, no Bert?
It was fitting that Hector was last out of Block 15.
There was no late night Burrito, and no late night swim. Hector is embarrassed that there was no time for a swim in the last couple of days, there is always tomorrow morning.
The Brewpubs and restaurant visited today:
Sky High Brewing – 160 NW Jackson Ave, Corvallis, OR 97330
Oregon Trail Brewery – 341 SW 2nd St #A, Corvallis, OR 97333
Flat Tail Brewing – 202 SW 1st St, Corvallis, OR 97333
Block 15 Brewing Company – 300 SW Jefferson Ave, Corvallis, OR 97333
Nirvana Indian Restaurant – Timberhill Shopping Center 2309 NW Kings Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97330