There are plenty of reasons to spend some time in the lovely seaside town of Cannon Beach, my favorite destination on the Oregon Coast. Like most places along the coast, the beach is clean, expansive, and beautiful. I’m a bird nerd and the birdwatching at Haystack Rock is amazing. For a beach town, it feels very grown up. More galleries and boutiques; fewer arcades and candy stores. There’s nothing wrong with a loud, raucous beach town, but Cannon Beach feels a bit more quiet and civilized.
Turns out, beer is also a reason to visit Cannon Beach. Below I share some advice for enjoying the beer scene in this oceanside hamlet. Here’s my simple and quick guide for beer cruising in Cannon Beach, Oregon.
Stock the Fridge at Fresh Foods
This is a very nice grocery store, especially for a town the size of Cannon Beach. It almost feels like a miniature Whole Foods Market. There’s a deli, a coffee shop, and more importantly a beer cave. The walk-in cooler is loaded with a large selection of local and not-so-local craft beer options. On top of that, Fresh Foods Marketplace has a crowler-filling station with eight beers on tap. 3401 S Hemlock St, Cannon Beach, OR 97110.
Dinner and Beers at Pelican Brewing
Depending on how long you’re in town, you may end up at Pelican Brewing more than once. It’s that good. The place is large with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The staff manages peak hours with ease. Dinner hour gets especially busy with families and larger groups. The food is great, with a nice selection of pub grub. The beer is excellent, as you would expect from Pelican Brewing, which operates three other locations on the Oregon Coast. 1371 S Hemlock St, Cannon Beach, OR 97110.
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
A Taste of Something Different at Public Coast
Located on the north end of town, Public Coast Brewing takes its name from the happy fact that Oregon’s beaches are public domain, entrusted to the state, and accessible by its citizens. The cabin-like brewpub offers indoor and outdoor seating for guests of all ages. The beers here diverge from the common path of IPAs (though they have those, too), offering things like an oatmeal stout brewed with maple and cinnamon or a beer brewed with Earl Grey Tea and lemon that was inspired by Arnold Palmer (the drink, not the man). The food menu is a bit more predictable than the beer but offers plenty of options. 264 E 3rd St, Cannon Beach, OR 97110.
The Time Machine at Bill’s Tavern and Brewhouse
Located in the heart of bustling downtown Cannon Beach, Bill’s Tavern and Brewhouse is the original brewery in town. They’ve brewed beer here since 1997. In some ways, it tastes that way. I say that with reverence. The beers are true to style, simple, clean, and free of many of the flavors that confuse craft beers these days. If you want a pale ale that tastes like a pale ale, this is your place. The food menu is pretty standard for a pub of this type. The space is divided, with one half welcoming families and the other reserved for grownups. 188 N Hemlock St, Cannon Beach, OR 97110.
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
Be Kind to This Beautiful Place
Sunsets at the beach are beautiful. Sunny afternoons playing in the sand and the surf are memorable. Watching the pelicans skim the waves is fascinating. If you are enjoying those things with a beer in hand, leave no trace. Pack it out. Enjoy.
