I found out this weekend that one of my favorite local breweries has closed their tap room in Corvallis and has opened a shiny new location in the Portland area. In memory of the tap room that I enjoyed visiting, here is a re-post of my review from Mazama Brewing. I look forward to trying the new location in the future!
I recently visited a local brewery that I had been to before I started this blog and enjoyed quite a bit. Mazama Brewing, located just outside Corvallis, Oregon, is a small, Belgian-themed microbrewery with an understated yet lovely tap room. Grab a beer and read on for my review!
- Beer – Predominantly Belgian themed, they have offering that range from witbiers to saisons, pilsners to lagers, with a porter and a sour thrown in the mix (and of course the ever-present IPAs). It’s a solid line-up of beer with good flavor profiles for the most part. Surprisingly, my favorite beer of theirs was the IPA however the porter was a close second. I tend to enjoy dubbles however their offering left something to be desired. It felt flat and bland when it comes to the flavor profile one would expect from a dubble. That being said, the rest of their offerings were tasty and worth the visit. Score: 3.5/5
- Brewery – As I mentioned in the beginning, their tap room is understated but well done. I particularly liked the rough-hewn wood tables and Edison lamps around the room, lending a sense of subtle class to the room. Small yet cozy, it adds a modern touch with a television behind the bar for watching any sporting events that might be on. The menu has several food options that looked appetizing and smelled equally so. They even have a nice little outdoor area to enjoy when the weather is nice. The only drawback as I see it is the one restroom. When it gets busy, there will be a line. Score: 4/5
- Ambiance – That would be the best way to describe the tap room. When I stopped in there were only a handful of patrons around but the general vibe I got was one of relaxation and comradery. This is place you go to relax and enjoy an afternoon or evening of drinking with friends. Score: 4/5
- Location – Located just outside of town in a small industrial complex, Mazama has plenty of parking, including spots for electric vehicles to charge up under a few solar panels. Also in this complex is a meadery and cidery, so even those friends who don’t like beer have options. The only drawback to their location is when it is time to leave. To get back into town, you must make a left onto a busy highway with no light. You may be sitting there for a while waiting for traffic to clear. Score: 4.5/5
- Customer Service – As it was a quiet night around the holidays, there were not many staff members working. The ones present were friendly and open, happy to carry on a conversation and still get our beers ready in a timely fashion. Hopefully this is indicative of the culture behind this brewery as I was impressed by the high quality of the staff and service we got. Score: 5/5
Total Score: 21/25
Final Thoughts: I will be keeping Mazama in my rotation of regular breweries I visit when home. A solid line-up of beers combined with a lovely tasting room make this a neat little brewery to visit with friends and family when looking for something low-key to do. I recommend checking them out if you ever find yourself in the Corvallis area.
Brews Alert 