State of Spirits

Friday night in the ‘Barmuda Triangle’: Front — Scott Lively (left), Martin Kelly, Aaron Duchateau. Back — Brian Estes, Elizabeth Fraser-Paul, Garret SewardPhoto by Athena Delene

Dear Oregon: You, or rather your drinking habits, are moving up in the world. In last year’s edition of Swizzle, EW reported that, according to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC), Oregonians bought Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey more than any other distilled spirit in 2014.

In 2015, we must have collectively suffered a hangover from slurping too much of that sugary booze equivalent of a pumpkin spice latte, because Jack is back. In 2015, in dollar sales, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 got the top spot at $14,155,282, knocking Fireball to second place at $12,073,778.

In volume sales, however, vodka is king with HRD Vodka taking first place with 901,384 liters sold, followed by Fleischmann’s Royal Vodka with 733, 962 liters.

These numbers fall into what OLCC has stated is a “record-breaking” 2013-2015 biennium, tipping the scales at more than $1 billion in liquor sales. “This is nearly $90 million (8 percent) more than the previous biennium (2011-2013),” the OLCC reports. “Approximately 5.8 million cases of distilled spirits were shipped to Oregon liquor stores from OLCC’s Milwaukie warehouse during the biennium.”

In spite of what this campaign season is driving many of us to do — drink and forget — the OLCC says these numbers don’t necessarily reflect that the individual consumer is drinking more. The commission finds that the boom is likelier driven by an improving state economy — allowing for consumers to purchase pricier spirits — as well as an increasing population.

Makes sense considering that in 2015, for the third year in a row, Oregon was the top state to move to.

To witness this swell in Eugene, just head down to the “Barmuda Triangle” downtown — the crossroads of Willamette and Olive where a concentration of watering holes like Luckey’s, The Davis, The Horsehead, Jameson’s, Starlight Lounge, Sidelines, First National Taphouse and Cowfish all fall within a block radius — on any given Friday or Saturday night: The bars spilleth over and the sidewalks fill with wobbling folks from all walks of life.

If downtown is your scene, try shaking things up with the new sci-fi trivia at Starlight Lounge (see story “Trekkie Trivia”). Want to imbibe and play with smaller crowds? Check out Pinball Knights at Blairally Vintage Arcade (see “Pinball Wizards”). For a less-crowded, off-the-beaten track experience, head southeast to Dexter’s new Rattlesnake BBQ at the Dexter Lake Club (see “Good to Be Back”). For the anti-scene, which, as one writer discovered, involves drinking with as few people as possible, head to Springfield (see “All Quiet on the Eastern Front”).

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

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None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!