It was the taxidermy. Or maybe the hushpuppies. Actually, for a lot of people in Eugene, it was the politics. If you drive past 686 East Broadway today, you won't find the steam rising from the kitchen or the smell of smoked pork cushion wafting toward the University of Oregon campus. The building is quiet. In late 2024, Elk Horn Brewery Eugene OR officially poured its last pint, ending a decade-long run that was, to put it mildly, a rollercoaster.
People loved it. People hated it. There wasn't much middle ground.
The Rise of a Southern-Style Powerhouse
Stephen and Colleen Sheehan didn't start with a massive brewery. They started with a dream and a food truck called Delacata. They were doing Southern-Northwest fusion before it was cool, serving up catfish and po'boys to a town that—honestly—was starving for something other than kale salads and standard pub burgers.
In 2014, they took a massive leap. They converted an old Carl’s Jr. into a two-story gastropub. It was a beast of a project. We’re talking over 5,000 square feet, dozens of employees, and a decor style that felt more like a Montana hunting lodge than a hippie-haven Oregon taproom.
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They had:
- Catfish An’ Fixin’s with jalapeño cheddar hushpuppies.
- House-made ciders that actually packed a punch (the 11% ABV Creamsicle cider was legendary and dangerous).
- A huge outdoor seating area that was always packed before Duck games.
For a while, it worked. They were winning awards. People were talking. But the "South by Northwest" vibe eventually hit a wall that no amount of smoked gouda beer cheese could fix.
Why Elk Horn Brewery Eugene OR Closed Its Doors
It wasn't just one thing. It’s never just one thing, right? The brewery faced a "perfect storm" of rising costs and local friction.
First, the money. By 2024, the math just didn't work anymore. Tristan Cooley, who owns Gratitude Brewing nearby, noted that the cost of raw materials and shipping skyrocketed after the pandemic. You can't just double the price of a burger without losing your regulars. Elk Horn was feeling that squeeze.
Then, there was the controversy. Stephen Sheehan became a lightning rod in Eugene. He started a group called "Eugene Wake Up" to address vandalism and issues with the local transient population. In a town with Eugene's specific political leanings, that didn't go over well with everyone. He was called a "capitalist bastard" at city council meetings. The brewery was vandalized. Windows were smashed.
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By the time they announced the closure, the building was already on the market for $2.6 million. In September 2025, a Seattle-based parking giant, Diamond Parking Inc., bought the lot for about $1.8 million.
The building is slated for demolition.
The Menu People Still Talk About
Even the biggest critics usually admitted the food was solid. If you ever ate there, you probably remember the Horn Burger. It was a half-pound of grass-fed beef that required about six napkins.
But the real stars were the Southern specialties:
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- The Pitmaster Pulled Pork: Slow-smoked and tossed in a stout BBQ sauce.
- Fried Okra: You don't find good okra in the Willamette Valley often.
- The Perfect 10 IPA: This was their flagship, and even people who didn't like the owners would still sneak in for a pint of it.
They also did these "Poppin' Grattons"—fresh fried pork skins with house BBQ seasoning. They were basically addictive.
What’s Left of the Legacy?
If you're looking for that specific Elk Horn flavor, you're mostly out of luck in Eugene. The equipment has been sold. The taxidermy is gone. The Sheehan’s Facebook post (which they later deleted) mentioned that the pandemic and the changing climate of the city simply made it impossible to continue.
It's a weirdly common story lately. Rogue Ales Public House in Eugene closed. Steelhead Brewing morphed into a steakhouse. The craft beer bubble didn't exactly burst, but it's definitely leaking.
Actionable Insights for Eugene Beer Lovers
If you’re mourning the loss of Elk Horn or just looking for where to go next, here is the current landscape in 2026:
- For Southern Food: Check out Noble Wave in Salem if you’re up for a drive, or look for local spots like BBQ By Tony for that smoked fix.
- For the Atmosphere: Falling Sky Brewing still maintains that "made from scratch" ethos, though the vibe is more "academic-meets-industrial" than "hunting lodge."
- For High-ABV Ciders: WildCraft Cider Works on Lincoln Street remains the gold standard for authentic, hard-hitting Oregon cider.
The spot on East Broadway will eventually be a new development. Maybe apartments, maybe more parking. But the era of sipping a 11% cider while staring at a stuffed elk head on Broadway? That’s officially over.
If you have old Elk Horn glassware or a t-shirt, hold onto it. It's a relic of a very specific, very loud decade in Eugene's food history.
Next Steps for You: Check the current tap lists at The Bier Stein on Willamette Street. They often pick up kegs from smaller regional breweries that fill the void left by spots like Elk Horn. If you’re hunting for that specific "Perfect 10" style IPA, ask the bartenders there for a "Piney, resinous Oregon IPA"—they’ll know exactly what you’re looking for.