Essential Guide to Southern Oregon Breweries

Most of the larger cities in Southern Oregon are connected by I-5, starting with Roseberg in the north, followed by Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashland near the California border. Roseburg has lately emerged as the brewing hotspot of Southern Oregon, with seven breweries. Ashland, however, has one of the region’s oldest and most famous breweries, Caldera.

Crater Lake

The deepest lake in America was formed by the crater left after the eruption of Mt. Mazama. Its brilliant cobalt-blue waters are fed by nothing more than snowmelt and rain, and evaporation keeps the water level consistent. The water is clear enough to see down 100 feet. Crater Lake rests in a volcano’s caldera at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet, and snows can linger until May, so plan ahead for summer visits—it’s one of Oregon’s most popular sites.

Wild and Scenic Rivers

Southern Oregon is notable for its rivers, which tumble from inland mountain ranges through beautiful valleys and meadows to the ocean. The Umpqua, Klamath, and Illinois all offer wonderful recreational opportunities, but the gem of the region is the mighty Rogue River, cited as one of the original eight “wild and scenic rivers” in the 1968 federal legislation that protected US waterways. It flows through Grants Pass, and features a trail that follows the river’s course all the way to the ocean.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Founded in 1935, the OSF has become Oregon’s premier cultural event. Each year, the Festival stages around ten plays, including not just those by Shakespeare, but some touching on Shakespearean themes, and others by up-and-coming playwrights. The four-acre grounds in downtown Ashland contain multiple venues, including an Elizabethan theater.

Southern Oregon is enjoying a renaissance in new brewery openings, but for continuity, look to Caldera Brewing in Ashland. Founded in 1996, it was successful enough to send bottles statewide and achieve some prominence in Portland. It has a familiar lineup, including one of the earliest lagers brewed year-round in the state.

Wild River Brewing was born when a pizza and deli restaurant in Cave Junction started brewing beer. Wild River has always been a draft-first brewery, pulling pints at their four pubs, which reach from Medford to Brookings on the Coast. Wild River’s Double Eagle Imperial Stout has been a cult favorite for decades.