Pelican Brewing in Pacific City sits on the most gorgeous real estate, you feast as much on the views as you do on the food and drink. The Haystack Rock is the focal point of these views, and the ocean, which changes form and light throughout your meal. It’s stunning. Pelican is the only beachfront brewpub on the Oregon Coast. People have wedding receptions here all the time, and I can really see how you would want to celebrate something sacred with that amazing backdrop.

 

 

Atmosphere

Indoors, the atmosphere is classic brewpub. Dark wood, comfortable booths, and lots of windows to showcase the views. When the owners first bought the property in 1996, it was abandoned. It’s utterly shocking that any structure in this location would ever be left behind, but luckily they resurrected it, refurbished, and Pelican became an award winning brewery. There is a hotel next door that is part of the Pelican enterprise, and I think it’s a brilliant way to make it a destination and draw people to the magnificent local beauty of the Oregon Coast. We didn’t have time to stay this time, but that is something I would love to experience.

 

 

Pairing

Pelican is big on how their beer pairs with their food. As a non-wine drinker, I totally appreciate this concept and have been doing it on my own for years. I did learn from the folks at Pelican that food changes the taste of beer. IPA tastes less terrible to me, for instance, when paired with an acidic food like ceviche. For real, it changed the flavor and took the bitterness down for me.

 

 

I’m not an IPA person, I say it all the time and I know it’s extremely popular and I seem to be in the minority, but Pelican does have beer for me too. Their Tsunami Stout is delicious and that one was probably my favorite, although the Sea’N Red is a wonderful, smooth Irish style red ale that is less filling than the Stout. I also liked the Peached on Deck which is a pale lager with hints of peach.

The Calamari with light beer batter was also quite good, not rubbery like calamari can be, and it paired beautifully with the beer. Note the fabulous presentation of the beer flight, their pelican branding is delightful.

 

 

Food

We had a delicious, buttery seafood quiche and green salad with nuts and cranberries. Much of the food is farm to table but as with other restaurants on the Oregon Coast, they don’t really tell you unless you ask. For me, that’s a huge selling point and I enjoy my food more when it’s fresh and/or organic. You can taste it, and I value organics and the locavore concept. The Oregon Coast is wonderful in this way, and the food is high quality because of it.

 

 

Pelican Brewing Bottom Line

Pelican Brewing makes a solid brewpub choice for where to eat and drink on the Oregon Coast. Views are spectacular, and they serve upscale pub food created with thought given to how the food pairs with their beer.

If you go, I strongly recommend stopping at nearby Green Acres Stables first, and go on a horseback ride to work up your appetite. And you can end your meal with a long walk on this beach which is dotted with sand dollars that pop against the volcanic black sand. Find out more on Pelican’s WEBSITE.

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• We were guests of Pelican Brewing, opinions are my own.
• Image 1 courtesy of Pelican Brewing.