Written by Delaney Rea | Photos by Benji Rothenberg
Outside dining is a staple of the Oregon experience. There’s something about the communal atmosphere that’s found on a warm outdoor evening on the patio of your favorite restaurant or nestled in the heart of a food truck neighborhood. Enjoying food and drink epitomizes the feel of Northwest cuisine in a way no other dining experience really can, so it’s no wonder this style of eating out is so popular. Yet in Eugene during the winter, the dream of summer evenings like these is but a faint memory in the presence of a sub-freezing deluge of rain and gloomy vibes. The idea of eating outside right now seems downright abysmal. Despite the grim weather forecast, Beergarden offers a chance to enjoy the benefits of outside dining in rain, shine, snow, sleet, hurricane (maybe not), personal identity crisis – whatever the season, this is the perfect place to find communal outdoor eating and quality brews. The moment you step foot into the building, the mood is tangibly welcoming. Over 90% of the interior is retrofitted with vintage wooden art and carvings. On tap, a wide variety of beer, wine, ciders and more are sourced both locally and internationally. The rear patio provides heat lamps for warm winter dining, and food carts on location offer Hawaiian grinds, Southern barbecue and multiple options of food-fusion wizardry.With over 40 brews on tap and four diverse food cart options, Beergarden. has enough combinations of food and drink to satisfy endless visits. Still, not all beverage-food combinations are created equal. With the help of the resident bartender and food truck vendors, here are some of the best pairings offered at Beergarden.
All Aboard BBQ’s Pulled Pork Sandwich & Lagunitas Brown Shugga Ale
Served with sides of rustic baked beans and Washington apple coleslaw, All Aboard BBQ’s Pulled Pork Sandwich is a mouthwatering taste of classic southern-style barbecue. The pork is a slow-smoked shoulder, made with All Aboard’s signature rub and Black Butte Porter BBQ sauce. Pairing well with the dish is the Lagunitas Brown Shugga Ale, a drink the truck actually uses in some of their recipes. Hailing from Lagunitas Brewing in California, the ale boasts a potently sweet flavor with a brown sugar twist.
The Zingaro’s N.Y. Pastrami Ruben Basket & Hop Valley Paunchy Porter
At the Zingaro, the food is their passion. The care they put into developing their original menu is especially evident in their N.Y. Pastrami Ruben Basket. This house-smoked pastrami sandwich is put together Irish-style, layering the pastrami, sauerkraut and swiss cheese together in healthy amounts on marble rye bread. The cart recommends Hop Valley’s Paunchy Porter, a brew straight out of Eugene, alongside the sandwich. The two are enjoyable together, rather than the Porter being too strong and overpowering the meal.
Lani Moku Grill’s Garlic Chicken & Coldfire Fire Fly IPA
One of Beergarden’s longest-standing partners, Lani Moku Grill has a variety of Hawaiian dishes that are among the best taste of the islands that Eugene has to offer. One of their most popular options is their Garlic Chicken dish. Lightly coated in batter and deep fried to perfection, the chicken is then tossed in house-made garlic sauce and green onions. To pair the dish with a local brew, the Fire Fly IPA from Eugene’s own Coldfire Brewing will do the trick. Coldfire combines traditional brewing techniques with tastes unique to the Northwest, giving this IPA a familiar yet unique punch.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Plenty of Beers, Zero Fears: Beergarden.