In recent years the KLCC Microbrew Festival had been less than exciting. This year was very refreshing. Mostly thanks to the newest breweries that have sprung up in the Eugene area. The samplings from out of towners available was also good, but I was very disappointed that Crux Fermentation and Wakonda Brewing were unable to attend.

As usual, the event was at the Lane County fair grounds and a very good crowd turned out. Like all beer fests in Oregon, it’s one ticket per taste. After attending the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, the ticket system is just annoying. Still, it’s how things are done out here so spending my tickets wisely was my strategy. Sorry Elysian.

Claim 52 and Agrarian Ales, both very young in Eugene, were pouring samples. The Pablano infused Pablamo! from Agrarian was one of the obligatory chili beers every fest has. The Pablamo! was more drinkable than the often too hot or nacho tasting chili beers. I like chili beers, but a little goes a long way. Often a pint is way too much. The Pablamo! was a better chili infusion, instead of just trying to burn my face like other chili beers I have tasted. The Claim 52 stout was mild, maybe a little weak, but their Kölsch was great!! I am looking forward to more from both breweries.

The other more established Eugene breweries had some interesting beers as well as the favorites we all enjoy. Track Town Ales Track Town Chai Porter was perfect for any chai lover. Or even if you don’t drink chai tea. Steelhead Brewing continued to confuse me on if they are now brewing under the name McKenzie or not. Ninkasi had their Ancient Ale-iens and Falling Sky had their enjoyable Fallen Sky Juniper Rye, both I see sparsely around town. It was nice of Ninkasi to provide Ms. Pacman, Donkey Kong, Fussball, and Cornhole games. Also, they brought fire for some reason. The outdoor fire at the tasting room is functional and looks great. Inside I just wondered, “Why go to all that trouble?”.

Ninkasi brought games

From far away East Coast land, Dogfish Head and Magic Hat were visiting. Dogfish is always good and Magic Hat’s Not Quite Pale Ale was very pale and very foamy.

I didn’t spend my tickets on mead or cider (or Elysian), but one beer I did want to spend a few tickets on was the Lava Lake Wit from Crazy Mountain. Very nice kind of spiced finish. Really stood out among all the pales, stouts, and IPAs always available here in Eugene.

Trying to get into the tech age we all live in, KLCC had a mobile page you were supposed to use to rate the beers you tasted. Not a terrible idea, but executed poorly. The page is provided by Beer Universe and you sign up. A list of the beers at the festival are displayed and you rate from one to five stars. There is an area for notes as well. While this all sounds ok, the problem is in using the mobile site. Some names are too long and did not display fully. I had to use trial and error to get to the right page for some. Also a total lack of social share buttons. If you are getting people to use their phones at your event, give them something useful or at least sharable. This was neither. I would rather of had a simple list that displayed properly or better yet an event map. Phone apps are cool, but not without utility.

All told, the KLCC Microbrew Festival was well worth the $15 admission and the $1 tastes. I didn’t try all the beers at the festival, but living in Eugene it’s tough not to have had most of them and often.  The collaboration brews were a nice touch. I am still disappointed about Crux and Wakonda not being there, but maybe the Bier Stein or 16 Tons can help me out with those sometime.