The Beer Beacon Beckons

While traveling in Oregon or Washington the last brewpub most beer geeks want to stop at is a McMenamins. Also known by some “McMinimums”, the chain’s offering for food and beer tends to be relatively mundane. Some may describe the beer as “unfinished” or “rushed to the taps” but on a recent visit to Lincoln City, we found this McMenamins to be a pleasant surprise.

The Lighthouse Brewpub located on the north end of town as you approach from Highway 18 is positioned in a strip mall and looks pretty unassuming, even for a McMenamins. Decked out in typical McMenamins’ style, the signature paintings and wood finish motif is present throughout the pub. Having premiered in 1986, The Lighthouse was the first brewery on the Oregon Coast and is the only McMenamins brewery to sport an open fermentation system. While your typical McMenamins ales can be found on tap, there are two house brews that are unique to The Lighthouse. A Cascade Head Ale, named for the nearby nature preserve, was a light golden ale with a subtle hop presence and a Porter that was light and robust. Along with these beers the seasonal list included a Wheat, the Sleepy Hallow Nut Brown (out at all McMenamin’s right now), an Irish Stout on nitro and a 2008 Barelywine aged in oak barrels.

Having stopped in for lunch and not wanting to be sloshed before heading back to work, I decided to return again later in the day (after hitting Pelican and winning the grand prize at their trivia night! Oh Yeah!!) Arriving at 9:30 at night just before closing the Lighthouse was barren but after talking to the barkeep I was allowed to stay. Soon after I was brought some samples along with a warming glass of the aged Barleywine. Full of oak undertones with a mild sweetness and a very well balanced palate, the Barelywine turned out to be a great nightcap and an overall amazing beer. It was brewed by the current McMenamins High Street Brewer in Eugene when he used to work at the Lighthouse in 2008.

The brewer’s at McMenamins can turn out some extraordinarily tasting beers. Each month they will have a special beer release at pubs around town. Check out the list on their website. And in the future don’t think you are too big of a beer snob to stop by a McMenamins the next time you run across one of their distinctive pubs.