TRIP PLANNER: COTTAGE GROVE PG. 86
Preserving Kelp Forests
Meet Oregon’s New State Vegetable
Nonalcoholic Beers for Dry January
S PAC E O U T
Oregon’s Best Places to Stargaze
DESTINATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELER
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January | February
volume 84
food + drink
NONALCOHOLIC OPTIONS TO TRY 1 Sparkle Hops
(hop-infused sparkling water), Pelican Brewing Co.
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2 Nø Mø, Crux Fermentation Project Pils or Tropical Pils, Roaming Nobles Brewing Co.
4 Black Butte Nonalcoholic, Deschutes Brewery
5 N/A IPA, 10 Barrel Brewing Co. Lolo Hops (hop-infused sparkling beverage)
Honorable Mention Oregon Strata Wet Hop IPA, Athletic Brewing Co.
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food + drink
Beerlandia
No Alcohol, No Problem written by Jeremy Storton photography by Alyson Brown
IF YOU’RE reading this, then you probably already know: Oregon is the best state for beer. In every corner of our state, in every fold, every valley and every town, we have some of the best beer in the world at our fingertips. But there’s a time and place for everything. Sometimes we have to boldly choose to give ourselves a break from alcohol for the sake of safety, health and even sanity. But that doesn’t mean we have to forego the flavor and experience we’ve grown to love. I’m not into diets or even Dry January. Giving up something I love for a time is one of my personal definitions of madness. Rather, I advocate for a mindful and sustainable lifestyle. A good meal is balanced by exercise and portion control. A good beer is balanced by nonalcoholic alternatives. For every action,
there must be an equal and opposite reaction. Screw the diets—this is the way. No-alcohol, or NA, beers are defined as having less than 0.5 percent alcohol. Zero alcohol is self-explanatory. Modern technology has not only allowed brewers to make damn tasty NA beer, but it also helped this segment grow to a $17.5 billion industry in 2020. For reference, that’s way bigger than Taylor Swift. Big brands have created some great NA options, but so have some of our favorite local breweries. We can now drink good Oregon beer without worrying about driving, who’s watching the kids or excess calories. It doesn’t matter whether you choose to go dry for life, for a month or for a moment— the choice is yours, and all are welcome to this party.
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The remote Minam River Lodge is accessible only on foot, on horseback or by small chartered airplane. (photo: Evan G. Schneider/ Minam River Lodge)
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OREGON DESTINATIONS
FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELER written by Jean Chen Smith
W
ith limited time between work, family and other commitments, a vacation is something I look forward to from the moment I decide where I’m going. As we welcome 2024 and begin to plan for the year ahead, we look to new destinations, and new experiences. Why not try something new this year based on the type of traveler you already are? Choose your own journey— here are nine of our favorite spots.
JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2024
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adventure Southeastern Oregon’s Alvord Desert is one of the state’s darkest places to ogle stars and the Milky Way.
Oregon’s Top 8 Places to Stargaze Going beyond light pollution for celestial arrays OUTSIDE OF Oregon’s metropolitan areas lies a celestial sanctuary, where expansive landscapes, high desert elevation and commitment to preserving natural darkness create ideal astrotourism opportunities for stargazers. With two designated International Dark Sky Places in Central Oregon and remote destinations hundreds of miles away from light pollution, Oregon offers cosmo lovers an abundance of stargazing options throughout the state. 80
1859 OREGON’S MAGAZINE JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2024
Joey Hamilton/TravelOregon.com
written by Jen Sotolongo
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