Crafting Beer in Corvallis (Block 15)- Travel to OSU’s Town
Posted in Food, Microbrewery, Oregon, Restaurant, Travel | By Roger Gillespie | Tags: Beer, Brewpub, Corvallis OR, Food, Oregon, Restaurant, Sustainable, Travel
Go Beavs!
After a two and a half hour drive over the Cascade Mountains on a road (U.S. 20) that wouldn’t win any awards for staying in a straight line, I arrived in Corvallis, Oregon. Most people will probably say, WHERE?
Although near Eugene, Albany, Salem and, ultimately, Portland, Corvallis is not the most well known of cities in the Willamette Valley. While the aforementioned cities have a common trait (they are all next to I-5 traveling north and south through Oregon), Corvallis is just a bit off the beaten track (8 miles west of the interstate highway.) Not so much a tourist destination as a sports and education destination, Corvallis is home to Oregon State University. GO BEAVS!Now, just what do the words “College Town” and “BEER” have in common? If you don’t know the answer to that one you need to rent “Animal House” on DVD (which, by the way, was filmed just down the road in Eugene and Cottage Grove, Oregon.)
After you finish the movie, it’s time hop in your car and cruise on down to 300 SW Jefferson in Corvallis. That’s where you’ll find…
Block 15 Restaurant & Brewery -
one of the newest brewpubs in Oregon. Opening its doors at the end of February 2008, Block 15 is only a short distance from Oregon State University. The brewpub took over a 1926 building that was originally built for the local Gazette-Times newspaper.
With over 12 of their own craft brews on tap at any time, you can order Ridgeback Red, Glo, Golden Ale, Nebula Oatmeal Stout, Alpha IPA, and Printmaster’s Pale which use Northwest grown hops and organic base malt combined with imported specialty malts.
But, it was lunchtime and I was also there for the food.
Block 15 from the upper level
Soups and salads, sandwiches, pastas, fish and my favorite …
HAND-SPANKED BURGERS (Painted Hills Beef, Fossil, Oregon)
But, in their own insidious way, the brewers have issued: The Brewers Challenge Burger $13.50
There before your eyes are two … TWO hand-spanked beef patties, TWO slices of Tillamook cheddar cheese, a layer of thick sliced bacon, FRIED jalapeños AND your choice of two sides.YOUR CHALLENGE:
Clean your plate like your mother always told you to do, and she’ll give you your first pint of beer for free!
Well, maybe your mother didn’t offer you a free beer, but the brewers at Block 15 will make up for her inattention to detail by granting that promise.
If you want your lunch cooked in some hops and barley, then try the House Beer Sausage.
From just up the road in Albany, Pepper Tree Beer Sausage is grilled in Block 15 Glo, Golden Ale, and topped with stone ground mustard, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese.
$8.25
I opted for the Grilled Turkey and Cheddar.
Turkey breast, grilled onions, cheddar cheese, and honey mustard on grilled sourdough bread.
$7.75
I didn’t complain. But I did have to complain about my inability to try one of the craft beers. You see, I was driving and the State Police, no matter where you are, seem to have a rule about mixing those two activities. (That’s why it’s a good thing Block 15 is only a few blocks from the University.)
The closest I could get to a beer was the house brewed Root Beer. It was a “busy” concoction made with sassafras, wintergreen, licorice root, vanilla, organic cane and brown sugars, & local wildflower honey.
$3.00 (No Refills)
SUSTAINABILITY
Throughout Oregon in both restaurants and brewpubs you will hear the word “Sustainability.” Simply put, we are talking environmentally friendly and the use of locally grown products. Block 15 sets high standards for itself in this category in both the brewing of its beer and the restaurant side of the business.
Whether you’re there for a weekend of one of the many sports played on campus, or just passing through, Block 15 Restaurant & Brewery is definitely worth the stop. Hopefully, you won’t be driving.
Block 15 Restaurant & Brewery
300 SW Jefferson
Corvallis, Oregon
11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday
11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Thursday-Saturday
Happy Hour Menu: 3-6 p.m.
Late Night Menu: 10 p.m. to close
Free WiFi
Tags: Beer, Brewpub, Corvallis OR, Food, Oregon, Restaurant, Sustainable, Travel