Eugene and craft beer go together like peanut butter and jelly. Like Hayward Field and hurdles. Or green and yellow.
In a town where everybody knows the breweries’ names, the only thing that doesn’t make sense about craft beer flowing at the University of Oregon is that it didn’t happen sooner.
That all changed this week, when Falling Sky Pub and Pizzeria opened for business in the Erb Memorial Union. The brewpub will feature its signature beer and seasonally inspired pizzas made with local ingredients.
Most members of the campus community won’t need an orientation to navigate the EMU’s newest eatery. With two other local pubs and four years of brewing in Eugene, Falling Sky has established itself as a reliable place to land a beer and a meal.
Known for its creative menus and convivial venues, Falling Sky has been recognized as one of the best brewpubs in Oregon by Thrillist and The New School. And Eugene Weekly proclaims Falling Sky is “a hit because it’s hard to decide which is better, the beer or the food. …”
Priding themselves on being a “collaboration of makers,” the folks at Falling Sky handcraft everything from the beer to the soda to the pizza dough to the cured meat.
“We strive to be a special place all about our location in the Willamette Valley, the kind of place you want to bring people to (and) show off where you live,” said Falling Sky co-owner Rob Cohen, the guy behind the restaurants at all three locations.
While the idea of a brewpub at a university might seem odd, more than half the student body is actually of legal drinking age and thousands of thirsty faculty and staff work on campus. Plus, the culture of craft beer is all about community and responsibly enjoying beverages that often are much different than those many people associate with their college years.
“Having a pub is a positive way to build community, and that’s a big part of what the EMU is about,” EMU Director Laurie Woodward said. “Falling Sky will provide a safe environment for students of legal age to enjoy a beer responsibly and will help us to foster a more responsible drinking culture on campus.”
Turning Falling Sky into a community hub is something many people are ready to raise their glass to. Students on the EMU Board are eager to see their classmates “building memories that will last a lifetime” as they enjoy beer with friends.
“We are hoping the new space is a true social hub for UO and the local community,” said Cohen, echoing the student sentiment.
While school’s out for summer, Falling Sky will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. In September, it will extend its hours until midnight Sunday to Wednesday and until 1 a.m. the rest of the week. They will offer both takeout and delivery.
—Emily Halnon, University Communications