The local craft beer culture is alive and kicking in Medford and we couldn’t be happier to be in the middle of it. Our kids even enjoy the breweries because the food is that good and the service is that great, so we’ve let you know which are kid-friendly and which have kids menus, so that us parents can enjoy our great local beer and our kids can enjoy themselves too!
Walkabout Brewing Company
Walkabout Brewing Company is one of southern Oregon’s original breweries born in 1997. Their tasting room has a true pub feel with dart boards, and a comfortable bar to snuggle up to. They have three flagship beers to choose from and six others that rotate through, from seasonal lagers to Stouts to IPA’s and even a Gluten-Free option. If you are hungry they have a full menu of pub fair including nachos, baked pretzels and stone-cooked pizzas. They also have a beautifully landscaped patio and grass area where they regularly host live music, trivia, and other events.
Brew pick – We always enjoy the classic Worker’s Pale Ale for its hoppy, but light finish.
Grub pick – Buffalo Chicken Nachos made on pita chips instead of tortilla chips; they are topped with buffalo sauce and blue cheese, making a perfect, salty, spicy, cheesy, snack.
Children allowed? Yes | Children’s menu? No
Location: 921 Mason Way, Medford, Oregon MAP
OPPOSITION BREWING
Opposition Brewing is housed in a warehouse in northwest Medford; you literally drink your beer where it is made. Belly up to the bar and talk beer with the locals in the super laidback atmosphere. We just happened to visit when they went from 6 taps to more than double at 15 taps of awesome, small batch beer that they make all in house except for one guest cider. There is minimal seating inside but since they can open their roll-up doors they more than double their seating, making for a great place to hang out on warm sunny days. If you head over Thursday through Sunday they have mobile food vendors on site so that you can enjoy some of our awesome local food.
Brew picks – The River Runs Red is red ale that was a pretty easy drinker with a smooth finish. My dad liked the Sixth Seal for the classic northwest pale ale. I highly suggest trying a sampler because they had so many great beers on tap with fun names like Krumpus, Bloody Hippy and Chicklet Pimp.
Children allowed? 21 and over please.
Location: 545 Rossanley Dr, Medford, Oregon MAP
OSMO’S ALEHOUSE
Osmo’s Alehouse is the newest to join Medford’s beer scene; Osmo’s has a sweet little brewery in downtown Medford with all of the comforts of home. We love to go here to hang out with our friends playing board games, listening to live music, or, get this, play video games. Yes, they have the whole living room set up with a video game console setup to play all your favorites. They have live music every Wednesday and often on Friday’s or Saturday’s complete with one of our many local food trucks. Their beers are complex and delicious, often collaborating with our local Whiskey Distillery Immortal Spirits to give some of their ales that barrel aged goodness.
Brew picks – Try the Honey Nut for a lighter bodied beer with a clean finish and of course my hubby loves their IPA.
Children allowed? 21 and over only please.
Location: 522 S Central Ave, Medford, Oregon MAP
BricktownE Brewing Company
BricktownE Brewing has been one of our favorite spots since its beginning as a hole in the wall brewery downtown. Their beer is consistently great with the always on the menu flagship brews, and the always creative and tasty seasonal specialties. The recently hired a new chef and the food is back to the deliciousness of years past. Burgers are cooked perfectly and their classic nachos are yummy, topped with pulled pork; take them up a notch by subbing tater tots for the chips. Bonus: They are kid-friendly! They have a great kids menu with healthier options than your average chain restaurant. Our daughter Olivia loves their air-fried chicken tenders!
Brew picks – Their current seasonal Hibiscus Lime is a fantastic light beer with a crisp clean finish. I also really enjoy their Blue Collar Cream Ale for an everyday sipper. My husband’s favorite is their Gunslinger double IPA; in fact it is on his top 5 all-time fave beers.
Children allowed? Yes, in the main restaurant and at outside seating, not in the saloon.
Children’s menu? Yes
Location: 44 S. Central, Medford, Oregon MAP
Portal Brewing Co.
Portal Brewing has an enchanting and cozy tasting room in downtown Medford, centered between BricktownE and your next stop Common Block. As you will notice, their artwork is fantastic; beautiful paintings label each beer that they serve. They have 14 of their own brews that they rotate through on a regular basis and a menu of yummy pub fare to choose from.
Brew picks – As if you should be surprised, I really enjoyed their Sunset Cream Ale for its easy drinkability and smooth finish. It is the perfect summer sipper. There was also resounding support for their Jackie Brown Ale (Coconut Brown)
Grub picks – The Schnitzel Master – Grilled sausage stuffed into a pretzel with cheese and bacon (does that not sound sinfully delicious? It comes with the biggest and most unique variety of mustards we have ever seen. You must order it!
Children allowed? 21 and over please.
Location: 100 E 6th St, Medford, Oregon MAP
Common Block Brewing
Common Block is the largest of Medford’s breweries and they now have seven original brews on tap. Honestly this is the most family friendly brewery in Medford. They have a great kids menu with lots of tasty, even healthy options. We love sitting on the front patio and when the sun goes down they have a great deck off of the back to view summer concerts at the park.
Brew picks – I enjoy the Steep Slope Session Ale for its mellow flavor. Gary of course enjoys the Rogue Runner IPA for its perfect balance of bitter and clean finish.
Grub picks – Their Beer Braised Nachos have an amazing cheese sauce that throws them over the top. I am addicted to their Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Bacon, and Pear salad, and our twelve year old can’t get over their Chefslayer burger mainly because of the combination of fried egg and bacon.
Children allowed? Yes | Children’s menu? Yes
Location: 315 E. 5th St, Medford, Oregon MAP
From tiny hole in the wall breweries with a five tap system to warehouse breweries, to breweries with sprawling restaurants connected, southern Oregon’s thriving brew houses are something you are not going to want to miss. You can take your kids for an evening out or do the whole southern Oregon ale trail in a day without them. If you follow our itinerary we start with the furthest brewery out, to the downtown breweries so that you can end your ale trail with a crawl through downtown Medford. Just be safe!
Beer tasting tip: If we want to tackle the whole trail Gary and I will share a tasting tray at each brewery so that we don’t drink too much. If we don’t have a designated driver we make sure to have our taxi driver’s number in our phone so that we make it as easy as possible to get home safely.
There are also many chauffeur services that can be hired to take you around to be extra safe. Whichever direction you decide to go, you will be truly impressed with Medford’s beer culture. Cheers!
To see all of the breweries in southern Oregon head to my website!
