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Tour Stop 132 - 7 Devils Brewing Company - 7/14/2022
247 S. 2nd Street, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420 #541-808-3738
Experience before you go . . .  Well it was only a matter of time before we got to the great state of Oregon! With 311 breweries in the state there's a lot of untasted craft beer that the Hoppin' Brewery Tour has yet to experience. So with our niece Taylor getting married to her soulmate Zach the road trip up the West Coast was in full swing. We would've loved to have gone all the way up the West Coast to the state of Washington but Coos Bay was the furthest north we got. And early in my twenties when I spent four months backpacking through Europe I learned a valuable lesson. I learned to enjoy what you get a chance to see and don't worry about the things that you don't. All of our lives are really just short stories, and in the whole scope of things we're really just a blip on the radar, so enjoy what you see and don't fret on what you don't.
So one beautiful sunny Oregon day we put the windows down and we drove north to Coos Bay, which is famous for the runner Steve Prefontaine. During his brief 24 year lifespan Steve Prefontaine grew from hometown hero to record-setting college phenomenon to international acclaimed track star. In that time he claimed seven NCAA titles a fourth place Olympic finish in the 1972 (5K) and American records from 2000 meters through 10,000 meters. There's a huge mural of him in the center of town right off of Hwy 101 which is way cool. RIP Steve!!!
All right another famous aspect of Coos Bay is it's the home of 7 Devils Brewing Company. Founded in 2013, 7 Devils strives to be a sustainable business offering employment opportunities and a public place for gatherings. Invested in the community, 7 Devils works hard to source everything locally, promoting community strength and involvement. So Kat & I managed the front sign selfie and meandered in the front door.
 Expansive but cozy, table and chairs to the right and bar to the left. High ceiling, warm colors, local art and smiles from employees and guests...our kinda place! Of course we're drawn towards the bar and there's two empty stools with our names on them...guess they knew we were coming! Beck greets us, I hand her a HBT card and Bing Bang Boom the Hoppin Brewery Tour hits the #132 mark!! So many breweries, so little time! Kat and I order up a 7 Devils flight with a mixture of pallet pleasers including of course a couple IPAs. The first one was Groundswell IPA (7.1%) and second was Spindrift Hazy IPA (5.8%). The Spindrift Hazy became my friend on this HBT...aromas and upfront flavors of pineapple, mango, and ripe melon. And we rounded off the flight with the Endless Summer Blonde (5.2%) and the Arago Amber (6.3%).  Kat left me at the bar and went to do some Coos Bay window shopping. So there I was all by myself and surprisedly feeling right at home. Behind the bar walks a working guy who obviously knows what he's doing. He pours himself a pint, smells it, tastes it, and stands there for a second letting it all sink in. I ask him, "you must be one of the brewers", "yes I am, I am the master Brewer and my name is Sam"! Sam was a nice guy and knew his stuff. Of course had to do the selfie and give him a card...all good! Next, up walks Aaron and Zac and they sit right to my left, little do they know they're about to be part of the HBT of the day. So we start talking and solving all the worlds problems and I gotta tell ya, there's a boat load of them!! Come to find out Aaron has chronic optic nerve damage and Zac is his full time care giver. I gotta tell you, I need a full time care giver like Zac hangin at the brewery all day drinking...luv it!! Also I learn of the connection that Beck the bar tender and Zac are married which is pretty dang cool.
So I finish my brews, pay tribute to the Prefontaine picture on the wall and say adios to my new friends. Seven Devils is a community brewery with good beers and good food and they also have a second location, the Waterfront Alehouse located on 1240 N. Bayshore Dr. Coos Bay, OR 97420. So stop in either of the two locations to get a real feel of what Coos Bay is all about.
Until next time and remember......
Go get'cha one!!
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