What a brew!
Pelican’s newest location highlights the beautiful Siletz Bay
By Sabine Wilson
For the TODAY
When it comes to blazing trails on the Oregon Coast, Pelican Brewing Company has certainly made a name for itself. Whether it is implementing eco-friendly initiatives to its company culture, like using sustainably sourced seafood, or positively impacting the community, like providing programs that support high school students’ career paths, Pelican is clearly more than a well-established beer.
When Pelican opened its fourth location in Lincoln City, folks familiar with the business knew it would send positive ripples through the community.
“We were born at the beach,” said co-owner and vice president Jeff Schons, “We not only love and understand the coast but we are committed to it.”
Pelican is exceptional in that it offers staff a competitive living wage, health insurance, a 401k, vacation pay and more. This likely contributes to the longevity and great relationships the restaurant sees with its workers.
“We focus on trying to hire the best team possible and offering these benefits in the restaurant business helps us retain a great team for the long term,” Schons said. “It sets the opportunity apart as a long-time career versus a short-term job.”
Each of Pelican’s four locations have something not only unique, but alluring to guests. For their flagship location in Pacific City, Pelican remains the only beachfront brewpub in the Pacific Northwest. The Tillamook location has an open view of the brewery, offering guests a firsthand seat to the process of creating Pelican’s famous beers. In Cannon Beach, the building features an open kitchen with beautiful vaulted ceilings and is only a short walk to the beach.
“We are pretty intentional about what we want in a site. But we aren’t continuously looking for a new location because we’ve found that if you search too hard you might not find it,” Mary Jones, co-owner and president said. “Siletz Bay is a spectacular setting and we have learned that the best locations naturally find their way to us just like this one did.”
The Siletz Bay location is special for numerous reasons. The incredible location offers a million-dollar view of the bay, wildlife and wetlands viewable through the floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the structure. The building is a testament to all that the company has learned from the ventures that came before it.
“I think we learned so much from our previous locations and we applied that to Siletz Bay,” Schons said. “We wanted to replicate different parts of each location. For instance, we aimed to recreate our favorite aspects of our Cannon Beach location in how beautiful, efficient and easy it is to operate with an open kitchen and dining room.”
The next-level architecture and design is evident. Working with the globally-recognized company EDG Design as well as Portland-based Jones Architecture, it is no wonder the building is absolutely stunning. With contrasting wood, a soaring ceiling and huge windows, the building sets itself apart as exceptional in its own right.
Another distinct addition to the Lincoln City location is the Phil’s Nest Crab Boil Experience, an indoor-outdoor dining space available for guests who want a fresh seafood meal with a difference. It also provides an option for those who might not want to wait for a table in the standard dining room. Guests can have a signature dine-in crab boil, order some fresh ready-to-eat seafood or take some to go.
“It’s new and exciting because it is something we have not done before,” Jones said. “You also have the option to reserve a spot for a group where we offer a fun seafood boil in gorgeous ceramic pots filled with crab, sausage, corn, potatoes, shrimp and clams. It’s a great way to sit around, crack crab, get information on where the seafood comes from and receive guidance on how to eat it.”
Phil’s Nest is right next to the ‘beer to-go’ window and the live crab tank.
While the improvements for this still-very-new location continue to build, even the menu recently received a mouthwatering update just a few months ago.
“As far as appetizers go, I’m a huge fan of the Ahi Poke and Wonton Chips,” Schons said. “For an entrée, salmon is a go-to.”
The fresh ahi tuna is tossed in a ginger lime sauce and then sprinkled with aromatic scallions and sesame seeds. This order comes with house fried wonton chips. The Pale Malt Crusted Salmon is local and wild-caught, topped with Hazestack orange beer sauce and scallions. It is served with cranberry rice and a seasonal vegetable.
“I really love the Ginger Lime Portobello Bowl,” Jones said. “I also recommend trying our new Sparkle Hops drink.”
A great option for vegan and vegetarian diners, the portobello bowl is made with marinated portobello mushrooms coupled with house-made pickled vegetables on a bed of tender rice noodles and red cabbage, tossed in ginger lime and unagi sauce and topped with fresh cilantro, mint and hazelnuts. Pair your delicious meal with any recommended beer or with Pelican’s newly released non-alcoholic, hop-infused Sparkle Hops.
Though Pelican does not accept reservations, private dining experiences can be reserved for groups of up to 90 people.
“We have a meeting room upstairs with an amazing view,” Jones said. “The room is reservable and able to host any private event.”
In the future, Pelican looks forward to hosting events on the north end of the patio and creating a beer garden with live music and corn hole games.
Pelican Brewing Siletz Bay is open daily from 11 am to 10 pm at 5911 Hwy. 101, Lincoln City. Phil’s Nest is open Monday through Friday from 4 to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7 pm. For more information, go to pelicanbrewing.com or call 541-614-4216.