Oregon's Lane County Ale Trail Just Expanded Its Delicious Reach

Published 02/26/2020 at 3:23 AM PDT
By OREGON TRAVEL DAILY STAFF

(Eugene, Oregon) – The indie beer trade scene just got bigger around the Eugene area, with Lane County's Eugene Ale Trail expanding its reach even further around the region. Travel Lane County said the area’s craft beverage world grew stronger with one brewery changing hands, while a new one opened in Cottage Grove and an old face added a new location.

The agency’s Eugene Ale Trail brings together a wide geographical area under the banner of beer, hosting breweries from the Oregon coast through the valley and into the Cascades. Its Ale Trail app provides detailed maps and information for all the participating breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries. Spending a day or two - even or more - exploring this bounty leaves visitors amazed by the creativity and expertise of these brewmasters, winemakers and distillers.

At the former Sam Bonds Brewing location on E. 8th Avenue in Eugene, Gratitude Brewing is new on the scene but in a familiar place known to regional residents and brew explorers. Their new direction includes a menu with "hoppy beers and kettle sours."

With Cottage Grove’s Coast Fork Brewing, the Ale Trail stretches southward for the first time as these hallowed halls recently opened their doors. Cottage Grove residents are already familiar with the excellent offerings of the Coast Fork Farm and Brewstation, but the addition of Coast Fork Brewing expands the beer selection to include their very own creations.

Springfield residents and Willamette Valley visitors became familiar with the award-winning Swallowtail Spirits variety of distilled spirits over the past few years, but finding the tasting room's original location wasn't always easy. That changed with the opening of Swallowtail's new "Tasting Room and Venue" in the heart of downtown Springfield.

The Oregon travel promotion team based out of Eugene said the Lane County area is now in the heart of what is called “Cellar Season,” which is a high point for many wineries in the region.

“But that doesn't mean you can't branch off for good pint of craft beer or a tasty distilled spirits cocktail,” Travel Lane County said in a press release. “With a craft beverage purveyor in nearly every corner of the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region you won't have any problem finding something to “ ‘wet your whistle.’ “

Visit the Tasting Trails & Food Tours page to learn more about exploring the bounty we have here in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region.