Chetco Brewing Makes Impressive, Rarely Seen Beer in Oregon’s Banana Belt

If you see the Block & Tackle Imperial Stout on tap, order it—the beer won silver at the World Beer Cup a few years back.

(Courtesy of Chetco Brewing)
By Martin Cizmar

927 Chetco Ave., Brookings, 541-661-5347, chetcobrew.com. 2-9 pm Monday-Thursday, noon-9 pm Friday-Sunday.

Sitting just six miles north of the California state line in the far southwestern corner of the state, Brookings is in a "banana belt" that's warmer and brighter than the rest of the Oregon Coast. If you're visiting, it's probably to admire the towering redwoods and stunning rock formations along this stretch of coast. But make time for a stop at Chetco's sparse, sunny taproom in a former RadioShack. Despite some Stumptown-themed decor, Chetco's beer very rarely shows up in Portland. That's a shame, because their offerings are roundly impressive, including hoppy beers that tend toward resinous, and light but roasty stouts. If you see the Block & Tackle Imperial Stout on tap, order it—the beer won silver at the World Beer Cup a few years back.

Nearby: Brookings only has 6,000 residents, but it does have two breweries. On the southern edge of town you'll find the loosely Tolkien-themed Misty Mountain Brewing (15517 Oregon Coast Highway, Harbor, 541-813-2599, mistymountainbrewing.com). My favorite beer there was a saison.

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