BEST PLACES FOR DRINKS

Calapooia Brewing Products, NE Hill St., Albany

BEST BAR, LINN COUNTY

Winner: Calapooia Brewing, Albany

Locals walk and bike to this brew pub nestled in a small neighborhood to listen to live music and play darts. Dogs are plentiful in the outdoor seating area. The place has a cozy, welcoming feel, with blankets and heaters outdoors. Staff is friendly, and the food is tasty, with rotating specials. Beer brewed in house is on tap, and the bar pours homemade root beer and mixes drinks using Vivacity small-batch, distilled spirits made in house.

Favorite: Vault 244, Albany Favorite: The Squeaky Cork, Albany

BEST BAR, BENTON COUNTY

Winner: Block 15 Brewery & Tap Room, Corvallis

You can sit inside the taproom, marvel at the fermentation tanks, and take in the essence of malt and hops, or get a beer and relax outside at tables or on the lawn. Inside, brewers can be seen working away. A temperature-controlled room is filled with barrels of bourbon, cognac, brandy and other spirits. The outside covered patio offers a beautiful view of Marys Peak. Delicious sandwiches and snacks are on the menu.

Favorite: Squirrel’s Tavern, Corvallis

BEST COFFEE

Winner: Margin Coffee Roasters, Albany

This is next-level coffee. Science, craft and passion go into making each cup. Homemade pastries, sandwiches and desserts are available. Sign up for a beginner’s coffee course to learn the history of coffee and get a hands-on experience with roasting, brewing and cupping coffee. Barista training classes also are available, and teach latte art. Sit and sip in a place that invites relaxation and rumination, or gather with friends in the group space.

Favorite: Weekend Coffee Roasters, Albany Favorite: Dutch Bros Coffee, Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Sweet Home

BEST CRAFT BREWERY

Winner: Conversion Brewing, Lebanon

Atmosphere, staff, quality and tastiness make this the place to go. Live music and a family atmosphere. In-house brewed soda and beer with a variety of rotating selections. Homemade pizza in a wood-fired oven, tacos on Tuesdays and spicy (or not) burgers. Lots of comfort food to choose from. Dutch apple pizza for dessert. Beer, wine, cocktails and a whiskey menu. Dine indoors or outside. Outdoor nighttime dining is accentuated by string lights.

Favorite: Calapooia Brewing, Albany Favorite: Block 15 Brewing Co., Corvallis

TacoVino, Monroe Ave., Corvallis

BEST FANCY COCKTAIL

Winner: Vault 244, Albany

This might well be the place with the biggest fancy drinks menu in the mid-valley. If you don’t see what you want, ask; the bartender enjoys mixing it up for special requests. The Vault is upscale and relaxed without being stuff y or pretentious. But if you’re going out for fancy, you may as well dress the part. Happy hour is a great time to sample the food menu without having a full meal.

Favorite: Sweet Red Bistro, Albany Favorite: Frankie’s, Albany

BEST LOCAL IPA

Winner: Conversion Brewing, Lebanon

IPA lovers have spoken, and Lebanon has the best. Live music and good food have put this place on the map. When heading to the mountains for a getaway, travelers stop here to fi ll their growlers with libations to enjoy by the campfi re. Hot pizza and a cool beer soothe weary travelers heading home from a weekend at the slopes. IPAs are popular here, but there are many other off erings. Favorite: Calapooia Brewing, Albany Favorite: Block 15 Brewing Co., Corvallis

BEST LOCAL WINERY

Winner: Willamette Valley Vineyards, Turner

Environmentally sustainable farming helps this vineyard turn grapes into wine time and time again. The tasting room sits atop a hill overlooking the slopes covered with grapevines; beauty and elegance describe the view. Selections include pinot noir, Chardonnay and pinot gris. Tours, tastings and food pairings are available. You can even take a class and create your very own pinot noir custom blend. A climb to the top of the lookout tower shouldn’t be missed.

Favorite: Lumos Wine Co., Philomath Favorite: Ankeny Vineyard, Salem

BEST MARGARITA

Winner: TacoVino, Corvallis

It’s no secret that margaritas go well with tacos, but it’s an open secret that TacoVino serves the best in the valley. Seasonal fruit mixes cool you down during the summer, and spicy fl avors warm the palate during the winter. The bartender enjoys creating new fl avors. These beverages go well with tacos, which are not your standard off erings: Peking duck, curry chicken, caramelized tempeh, jerked jack fruit and daily taco specials tantalize the taste buds.

Favorite: Tacovore, Corvallis Favorite: Frankie’s, Albany

BEST PLACE FOR A BEER

Winner: The Barn at Hickory Station, Albany

Electronic boards listing more than 40 craft beverages on tap greet you at the door. Select your suds and then choose indoors or out to get comfortable. Picnic tables and a few stuff ed chairs strategically placed indoors allow for television viewing so you can catch a game. Outdoor seating is covered and heated. There are a few seats around gas fi re rings. Food carts feature delicious off erings. Don’t forget to bring the family dog.

Favorite: Calapooia Brewing, Albany Favorite: No Rails Ale House, Albany

BEST TO-GO COCKTAIL

Winner: 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Corvallis

These people love to talk cider. Using only whole ingredients, apples from Oregon and Washington, they take no shortcuts in making cider, which is slowfermented at cold temperatures: It takes time to bring out the natural fl avors and aroma of apples. 2 Towns promises there is nothing sketchy in its bottles -- no concentrates, refi ned sugars or those other things you know nothing about. Fill a growler or stop by for cans of your favorite.

Favorite: Frankie’s, Albany Favorite: Sweet Red Bistro, Albany