Wining and dining out may be one of man’s oldest pastimes, yet businesses in downtown Eugene find cause to approach collective consuming in the spirit of adventure. Those who are over 21 and have embarked on the worlds of beer and wine know that not all drinking affairs are created equal. Before settling for a ho-hum experience, try these unique tasting opportunities all located in the hub of Olive Street.
Nine months ago, the Eugene City Brewery on 844 Olive St. became the newest home to Rogue Ales Eugene City Brewery.
“We have a huge distribution in Eugene and this is the sampling ground,” manager Conrad Deskus said.
The Eugene City Brewery offers 34 flavors of beer, including five brewed on site: Honey Orange Wheat, Track Town, Alt Beer, Imperial Red and Pale Ale.
“We use only the best ingredients and a ton of malts and grains,” Deskus said. “In some states we had trouble getting approved because the beer came back as a food group.”
Rogue not only serves the public beer-drinking interest, but supports several community service causes as well.
“We’re in the process of planning ‘Locks for Love,’ where the kitchen chef will shave his head in order to give his hair to cancer patients,” Deskus said. “We are also working with the Hash House Harriers, a drinking group with a running problem, to put together an event to raise money for the Special Olympics.”
Rogue strives to be a company that is community minded and unique. “We have our own standards in pricing, bottling and printing,” Deskus said. “We’re only in competition with ourselves.”
Rogue beers range in price from $4.50 to $5 a pint or $3.75 to $4.50 a glass. Pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads and appetizers are also offered at a range between $4 and $12. The Eugene City Brewery is open 11 a.m. until midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. until 1 or 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Trivia buffs shouldn’t miss Mr. Bill’s Traveling Trivia contest every Friday at 8 p.m.
The Oregon Wine Warehouse on 943 Olive St. offers a multitude of local and foreign wines all selected by the meticulous palate of owner Bob Wolfe. While wine tasting may not be a traditional drinking venue for college students, Wolfe aims to create an environment that accommodates all.
“Most of the college students who come in are young ladies who drift over from Luckey’s next door,” Wolfe said, referring to the neighboring bar.
Tasters are offered wine in flights, between two and six quarter-glass pours. Along with the flights, Wolfe provides tasting notes detailing the growing region and methods of the wine maker.
“Education and tasting is the best way to learn about wines,” Wolfe said. Wolfe will sometimes pick a theme for his flights.
“I will pick four pinots produced in the same method from one winery in Oregon to showcase the uniqueness of different growing sites,” Wolfe said. “Oregon versus Burgundy is another theme I have done to compare the wines of the two regions, since both are famous for pinot noirs.”
The Oregon Wine Warehouse boasts about 100 pinot noirs, 35-40 white wines and 30 cabernets and merlots.
“We’re in the middle of one of the great wine regions of the world and offer some of the most exquisite examples,” Wolfe said.
Flights range between $8 and $11 for four quarter-glass pours, and $2 and $6 for one quarter-glass pour. Glasses of wine are available for $6-$9 and a bottle for $13-$27. Cheese, olives, bread and micro cannery albacore tuna compliment wines at a price range between $2 and $12.
For a more in-depth exploration of wine, Wolfe arranges formal sit-down tastings for $20 and up. Participants try 10 to 15 wines “blind,” and then make comments before the grand unveiling.
The Oregon Wine Warehouse is open Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 or 9 p.m., and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
If you like wine, but a hearty meal is also on the agenda, Oregano’s at 830 Olive Street offers a fine Italian dining experience with a great atmosphere. Flights of wine and complimentary wine tasting are available every night of the week.
Customers are also welcome to bring in a bottle of wine from the Oregon Wine Warehouse, and uncork it at no fee. The menu features generous portions of dishes like chicken coppacola, which is chicken breast with Italian ham cooked in the wood fired oven; fettuccini de la casa with marinated artichoke hearts and sun dried tomatoes; and true Chicago deep dish pizza, four inches thick. Menu items range between $7.95 and $19.95 in price. Wine ranges on average between about $12 to $18 a bottle and $3.75 to $6.50 a the glass. Flights of wine are $6.50.
Oregano’s caters to college students with Date Night on Wednesday and Girls Night Out on Thursday. Date Night offers couples a full meal, dessert and a bottle of wine for $29. On Girls Night Out, girlfriends enjoy two-for-one appetizers from 4 to 6 p.m. and a complimentary bottle of wine with any dinner. The Eugene City Brewery, Oregon Wine Warehouse and Oregano’s all offer innovation and fun.