A few things are surprising about the Pacific Northwest. First and foremost, there is an incredible local density of caffè, as in the variety of brown beverage produced in Italian espresso machines. This is striking, to the point that you will pass little shops on the wayside selling fishing permits, firewood and espresso. No joking.
Another feature of the pacific northwest are the microbreweries. As I was told, this trend really took off in Portland, but it’s everywhere up here now. If you want a sampling, go to Henry’s 12th Street Tavern in Portland. They have exactly 100 beers on tap – and I counted them. Small isn’t always beautiful, however. I have tasted many of the microbreweries around here, and occasionally, I would actually prefer some standard Miller or Budweiser to their product:
The above was advertised as an IPA, but it was foamless and turbid like a 2-day-old wheat beer. And that’s what it tasted like. Maybe it was two days old, after all.
The picture below is for Albert the office mascot. Thousands of puffins and other marine birds nest on the rocks around where Tillamook lighthouse stands. Even though there’s abundance, they’re not found on the menu, perhaps the local chefs are lacking the right recipe?
