During crisp autumn months, sipping a local craft beer on a sunny patio with the smiling people of the community is a really special experience. Find the right beer and patio combo with this guide to the top beer gardens in Eugene.
McMenamins North Bank
The riverfront dining space at McMenamins North Bank restaurant and brewpub is a great way to get a feel for this vibrant river city. You can ride your bicycle right up to the patio from the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System. On a temperate autumn evening, McMenamins offers roaring fire pits and cozy throws to wrap up in while you enjoy your meal and a tasty pint.
This new South Eugene neighborhood brewery, established by David and Lorraine Lehane from Australia, is an inviting option for an autumn afternoon. Open Thursday - Sunday; Drop Bear Brewery (formerly the site of Turtles) offers a street front patio. Watch the world whizz by as you relax with a beer slushy (yes, they serve those!) and a plate of delicious Thai food from the permanent Thai food truck onsite. Or feast on their wood fired pizza and vegan fare (Lorraine is a dedicated vegan foodie). This family-friendly brewery stocks plenty of board games, welcomes well behaved dogs indoors, and is bicycle-friendly. So cycle on over to Drop Bear Brewery on a beautiful fall day and explore their artful flight of great beer.
Drink like a Viking in the Westside Warehouse District of Eugene. Braggot is a traditional brew of hops and honey first used by Vikings. Viking Brewing Company is bringing inspired new techniques to this beverage of the ancients. Sip on a refreshing pint on the patio and play a game of bean-bag toss. This location is open on weekends only.
Cloistered in the leafy garden behind the restaurant, McMenamins High Street Brewery offers a pleasant, shady patio for leisurely dining. Order a Ruby ale on the heated porch or pull up a seat near the fire pit in the garden.
Tucked away on Oak Alley is the original of the Falling Sky locations. Here, guests can see the large copper-plated brewing equipment. Falling Sky makes over 400 different kinds of beer and offers a delicious seasonal pub menu. The small outdoor space is well-loved year-round. And when it rains — that's okay! Because when the weather is wet, Falling Sky offers a discount on pints.
Oakshire Brewing is located in the heart of the Whiteaker neighborhood — a unique community full of art and counter-culture history. Join the locals for a pint on the open patio. The outdoor space is dog and kid-friendly so the whole family can enjoy a stroll down to this welcoming pub. Food trucks commonly roll-up beside the outdoor picnic tables. Oakshire gives one percent of the profits from sales of their flagship Watershed IPA to protecting the pure McKenzie River which makes the beers in Eugene so special.
Wildcraft makes ciders differently. Expect to be wowed by the unique flavor such as wild rose or beet cider offered in a beautiful space. The crafters here care as deeply about the ciders they make as the lands from which the fruits are harvested. You can relax on the outdoor deck located below the basalt rock climbing columns of Skinner Butte with a glass of cider and a friend.
Frequently hosting live music and surrounded with food trucks, the beergarden. is a family-friendly, comfortable outdoor space for relishing an afternoon or evening with community.
Close to campus, Elk Horn Brewery has a tiny beer garden with an outdoor fireplace. Snuggle up to the warmth and sip craft brews paired with Southern-style food.
PublicHouse's seasonally-tented courtyard is a community hub for after work relaxation. Order drinks in the beer hall or whiskey at the whiskey bar and pair with a selection of dishes from multiple food vendors.
Obsidian Grill's beer garden is located behind the McKenzie General Store up in the Cascade mountains. Duck into this casual enclave for a cold beer and a great meal. Enjoy live entertainment on Saturday nights.
The Covered Bridge Brewery is a festive gathering place right in historic downtown Cottage Grove with craft beer, food trucks, plenty of outside tables and occasional evening live entertainment.
Melanie is a University of Oregon graduate who studied Cultural Anthropology. After finishing school, she worked as a touring photojournalist writing concert and album reviews for online publications. Melanie is now the Art Director for Travel Lane County. She has lived in Eugene for more than a decade and spends nearly every weekend searching for new favorite places in the county. She has also lived in California, New Mexico, Florida, Spain and Slovakia but loves Oregon the most.
Melanie enjoys exploring the vibrant arts and culture scene in Eugene. She also loves painting, cooking for friends, dancing, hiking and learning new things.
