The 50 in 50 by the numbers -- The Statistics Post!

 Being even more of a data geek than a theater or brewpub geek (although it's close with the brewpubs), I can't leave this blog without adding a recap post of some of the more notable numbers.

Most plays by theater company:

• Oregon Shakespeare Festival -- 7, plus 2 online
• Albany Civic Theatre -- 4
• Shaw Festival (ONT) -- 4
• Stratford Festival (ONT) -- 4
• Majestic Theatre -- 3, plus 1 online
• Portland Center Stage -- 3
• Oregon Contemporary Theatre -- 2
• American Players Theatre (WI) -- 1
• Elgin Theatre (Toronto, ONT) -- 1
• OSU Theaters -- 1
• Red Octopus Theatre -- 1
• Valley Shakespeare -- 1
• National Theatre at Home -- 15 online
• Shakespeare's Globe -- 3 online
• Broadway -- 1 online

Most plays by state (and county):

Oregon -- 22

• Jackson -- 7
• Benton -- 4
• Linn -- 4
• Multnomah -- 3
• Lane -- 2
• Lincoln -- 1
• Polk -- 1

Online -- 22

Ontario, Canada -- 9

Wisconsin -- 1

Most pubs by state (and county):

Oregon -- 36

• Lane -- 10
• Benton -- 7
• Lincoln -- 4
• Multnomah -- 4
• Linn -- 4
• Polk -- 3
• Jackson -- 2
• Douglas -- 1
• Marion -- 1
• Tillamook -- 1

Ontario, Canada -- 8

Washington -- 4

Wisconsin -- 2

Most days of hiking by state (or county):

OR -- 10

• Benton -- 3
• Jackson -- 2
• Tillamook -- 2
• Deschutes -- 1
• Klamath -- 1
• Polk -- 1

WA -- 5

Top Pub Crawl Friends of the 50 in 50:

Heather and Mark -- 5

Vicki and Mike -- 5 (V), 3 (M)

Wert family (Toronto) -- 3

Wert family (Wisc.) -- 2

Fred and Linda -- 1

Joe and Lisa -- 1

Top Theater-goer Friends of the 50 in 50:

Vicki and Mike -- 7 (V), 5 (M)

Heather and Mark -- 3

Fred and Linda -- 2

Wert family (Toronto) -- 2

Wert family (Wisc.) -- 1

Top Trail Friends of the 50 in 50:

Heather -- 3 hikes, 18.4 miles

Vicki and Mike -- 3 hikes, 17 miles

Joe and Lisa -- 2 hikes, 8.5 miles

Halfway point, plays:

Hairspray, OSF, October 27, 2019 -- 160 days, 44% of a year

Halfway point, pubs:

Backwoods Brewing Company, Portland, November 16, 2019 -- 180 days, 49% of a year

Halfway point, hikes:

(by mileage, passed 25 miles) Hike #4 – 2.5 mile hikes, Beaver and Cattail Pond Loop, McFadden Marsh, Finley Wildlife Refuge, May 10, 2020

(by number of hikes) Hike #8 – 1 mile hike, Marys Peak picnic, with Joe and Lisa, June 26, 2020

Plays seen prior to Covid-19: 32

Pubs visited prior to Covid-19: 30

Miles hiked prior to Covid-19: 24, 3 hikes (of 80 total miles on 15 hikes)

The 50 in 50 hikes, revealed!

 Okay, so it took me awhile to compile these.  There may be some missing, but the ones listed here total to well over 50 miles, so we're covered.  I'll try to add links or supplemental info about the specific hikes at some point, but here's the list for now.

Hike #1 – 12 mile hike, Metolius River Trail, May 21, 2019

Hike #2 – 6 mile hike, Ashland, Bandersnatch/Red Queen trails, with Vicki and Mike, June 2, 2019

Hike #3 – 6 mile hike, Ashland, Lithia Park and Bandersnatch trail, with Vicki and Mike, October 27, 2019

Hike #4 – 2.5 mile hikes, Beaver and Cattail Pond Loop, McFadden Marsh, Finley Wildlife Refuge, May 10, 2020

Hike #5 – 4 mile hikes, Beazell Memorial Forest, South Meadow/Plunkett Creek Loop; Fort Hoskins Historic Park, Recreational Trail; Corvallis birthday hikes, May 21, 2020

Hike #6 – 2 mile hike, Neskowin beach, June 14, 2020

Hike #7 – 8 mile hike, Pacific City beach hike, June 15, 2020

Hike #8 – 1 mile hike, Marys Peak picnic, with Joe and Lisa, June 26, 2020

Hike #9 – 3.6 mile hike, Lava Canyon, Mt St Helens, July 13, 2020

Hike #10 – 9.2 mile hike, Windy Ridge (Truman Trail, Loowit Trail, Loowit Falls,) Mt St Helens, July 14, 2020

Hike #11 – 5.6 mile hike, Lewis River Falls, Mt St Helens area, July 15, 2020

Hike #12 – 7.4 mile hikes, Johnston Ridge Observatory and Coldwater Lake, Mt St Helens, July 16, 2020

Hike #13 – 3 mile hike, Boot and Carty Lakes, Ridgefield Refuge, July 17, 2020

Hike #14 - 5 mile hike, Boundary Springs, Crater Lake NP, September 5, 2020

Hike #15 – 5 mile hike, Morgan Lake trail, Baskett Slough Refuge, September 20, 2020

The 50 in 50 pubs, full list

 Here's the full list of pubs we visited, all in one place.

Pub #1! -- Conversion Brewing, Lebanon, May 21, 2019

Pub #2 -- Falling Sky Pour House Delicatessen, Eugene, May 31, 2019

Pub #3 -- Caldera Brewing Company, Ashland, June 1, 2019

Pub #4 -- Flat Tail Brewing, Corvallis, June 30, 2019

Pub #5 -- 3 Magnets Brewing, Olympia, Wash., July 14, 2019

Pub #6 -- Cascade Brewing Barrel House, Portland, July 18, 2019

Pub #7 -- 3 Sheets Brewery & Taproom, Albany, July 26, 2019

Pub #8 -- Chatoe Rogue, Independence, July 27, 2019

Pub #9 -- Long Timber Brewing Company, Monroe, July 30, 2019

Pub #10 -- Vintage Brewing, Sauk Prairie, Wisc., August 31, 2019

Pub #11 -- New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus, Wisc., September 1, 2019

Pub #12 -- Von Ebert Brewing, Portland, September 14, 2019

Pub #13 -- Oast House Brewers, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, September 26, 2019

Pub #14 -- The Exchange Brewery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, September 27, 2019

Pub #15 -- LayLow, Toronto, Ontario, September 29, 2019

Pub #16 -- Bellwoods Brewery, Toronto, September 30, 2019

Pub #17 -- Henderson's Brewing Company, Toronto, September 30, 2019

Pub #18 -- Herald Haus Brewery, Stratford, Ontario, October 1, 2019

Pub #19 -- Black Swan Brewing, Stratford, October 1, 2019

Pub #20 -- Braai House, Stratford, October 2, 2019

Pub #21 -- Sky High Brewing, Corvallis, October 6, 2019

Pub #22 -- Standing Stone Brewing Company, Ashland, October 26, 2019

Pub #23 -- Block 15, Corvallis, November 3, 2019

Pub #24 -- The Horn Public House & Brewery, Depoe Bay, November 8, 2019

Pub #25 -- Backwoods Brewing Company, Portland, November 16, 2019

Pub #26 -- Claim 52 Brewing, Eugene, November 23, 2019

Pub #27 -- Brewers Union Local 180, Oakridge, January 12, 2020

Pub #28 -- Culmination Brewing, Portland, January 25, 2020

Pub #29 -- Mazama Brewing, Corvallis, March 6, 2020

Pub #30 -- McMenamin's on Monroe, Corvallis, March 13, 2020

==== Extended break due to Covid-19 stay-at-home orders =====

Pub #31 -- Yachats Brewing & Farmhouse, Yachats, May 23, 2020

Pub #32 -- Newport Brewing Company, Newport, May 24, 2020

Pub #33 -- Pelican Pub & Brewing, Cape Kiwanda/Pacific City, June 14-15, 2020

Pub #34 -- Rusty Truck Brewing, Lincoln City, June 16, 2020

Pub #35 -- Viking Braggot, Eugene, July 3, 2020

Pub #36 -- Heathen Brewing, Vancouver, Wash., July 13, 2020

Pub #37 -- Barrel Mountain Brewing, Battle Ground, Wash., July 15, 2020

Pub #38 -- The Heavy Metal Pizza and Brewing Co, Vancouver, Wash., July 17, 2020

Pub #39 -- Dirt Road Brewing, Philomath, Ore., August 13, 2020

Pub #40 -- Oakshire Brewing, Eugene, Ore., August 22, 2020

Pub #41 -- Elk Horn Brewery, Eugene, Ore., August 22, 2020

Pub #42 -- Two Shy Brewing, Roseburg, Ore., September 3, 2020

Pub #43 -- Steelhead Brewing Co., Eugene, Ore., September 7, 2020

Pub #44 -- Xicha Brewing, Salem, Ore., September 20, 2020

Pub #45 -- Barsideous Brewing, Lebanon, Ore., October 17, 2020

Pub #46 -- Plank Town Brewing, Springfield, Ore., October 18, 2020

Pub #47 -- Gratitude Brewing, Eugene, Ore., October 18, 2020

Pub #48 -- Santiam Brewing Company, Salem, Ore., October 25, 2020

Pub #49 -- Alesong Brewing & Blending, Eugene, Ore., November 1, 2020

Pub #50 -- Gilgamesh Brewing: The Woods, Salem, Ore., November 8, 2020

The 50 in 50 plays, full list

 What you all (all two or three of you) have been waiting for, the full list of plays! (followed shortly by the full list of pubs, and (much delayed) the hikes!)

Play #1! -- Good People, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Eugene, May 31, 2019

Play #2 -- Between Two Knees, Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), Ashland, June 1, 2019

Play #3 -- Alice in Wonderland, OSF, June 1, 2019

Play #4 -- Cambodian Rock Band, OSF, June 2, 2019

Play #5 -- Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Albany Civic Theatre (ACT), June 28, 2019

Play #6 -- The Unexpected Guest, ACT, July 26, 2019

Play #7 -- Hamlet, Valley Shakespeare Company, Monmouth, July 27, 2019

Play #8 -- On Golden Pond, Red Octopus Theatre, Newport, August 2, 2019

Play #9 -- She Stoops to Conquer, American Players Theatre, Spring Green, WI, September 1, 2019

Play #10 -- In the Heights, Portland Center Stage, September 14, 2019

Play #11 -- Victory, Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., September 26, 2019

Play #12 -- The Russian Play, Shaw Festival, September 27, 2019

Play #13 -- Getting Married, Shaw Festival, September 27, 2019

Play #14 -- Man and Superman, Shaw Festival, September 28, 2019

Play #15 -- Come From Away, Elgin Theatre, Toronto, September 29, 2019

Play #16 -- Private Lives, Stratford Festival, October 1, 2019

Play #17 -- Merry Wives of Windsor, Stratford Festival, October 1, 2019

Play #18 -- Mother's Daughter, Stratford Festival, October 2, 2019

Play #19 -- Birds of a Kind, Stratford Festival, October 2, 2019

Play #20 -- Dancing at Lughnasa, Majestic Theatre, Corvallis, October 5, 2019

Play #21 -- Mamma Mia!, Albany Civic Theatre, October 12, 2019

Noteworthy addition: National Theatre Live presents A Midsummer Night's Dream, Florence, October 23, 2019

Play #22 -- Mother Road, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, October 26, 2019

Play #23 -- La Comedia of Errors, OSF, October 26, 2019

Play #24 -- Indecent, OSF, October 27, 2019

Play #25 -- Hairspray, OSF, October 27, 2019

Play #26 -- Next to Normal, Majestic Theatre, November 2 and 16, 2019

Play #27 -- Macbeth, Portland Center Stage, November 16, 2019

Play #28 -- The Thanksgiving Play, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Eugene, November 23, 2019

Play #29 -- School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Portland Center Stage, January 25, 2020

Play #30 -- Guards! Guards!, Majestic Theatre, January 31, 2020

Play #31 -- A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, ACT, February 6, 2020

Play #32 -- The Secret Garden, OSU Theaters, February 29, 2020

===== end of in-person theater due to Covid-19 (during 50 in 50) ========

Play #33 -- One Man, Two Guvnors, National Theater at Home, April 4, 2020

Play #34 -- Jane Eyre, National Theater at Home, April 10, 2020

Play #35 -- Hamlet, Shakespeare's Globe, April 16, 2020

Play #36 -- Treasure Island, National Theatre at Home, April 18, 2020

Play #37 -- Twelfth Night, National Theatre at Home, April 29, 2020

Play #38 -- Frankenstein, National Theatre at Home, May 3, 2020

Play #39 -- Two Noble Kinsmen, Shakespeare's Globe, May 16, 2020

Play #40 -- Barber Shop Chronicles, National Theater at Home, May 19, 2020

Play #41 -- A Streetcar Named Desire, National Theater at Home, May 22, 2020

Play #42 -- This House, National Theatre at Home, May 30, 2020

Play #43 -- Coriolanus, National Theatre at Home, June 7, 2020

Play #44 -- The Madness of George III, National Theatre at Home, June 12, 2020

Play #45 -- Small Island, National Theatre at Home, June 20, 2020

Play #46 -- A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare's Globe, June 28, 2020

Play #47 -- A Midsummer Night's Dream, National Theatre at Home, July 1, 2020

Play #48 -- The Copper Children, Oregon Shakespeare Festival (at Home, O!), July 3, 2020

Play #49 -- Les Blancs, National Theatre at Home, July 8, 2020

Play #50 -- The Deep Blue Sea, National Theatre at Home, July 10, 2020

Play #51 -- Amadeus, National Theatre at Home, July 22, 2020

Play #52 -- Peter and the Starcatcher, Oregon Shakespeare Festival (at Home, O!), August 29, 2020

Play #53 -- I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change!, Majestic Theatre, September 18, 2020

Play #54 -- Hamilton, Broadway online, September 23, 2020

Play #50-something (51) -- Amadeus, National Theatre at Home, July 22

 Wouldn't you know it?  Just when you think you've kept sparkling records and knew every last play you watched over the course of 18 months, one slips by.

Notwithstanding what I wrote for play #50 (The Deep Blue Sea), *this* play was the last in the weekly series of free plays shown by National Theatre Live at Home.  Technically it should be 51, so I will edit the ones I previously numbered 51-53.

Anyway, Amadeus the play is much like Amadeus the delightful 1984 film (which was based on the play), which saw a young F. Murray Abraham play an old (and young) Salieri, the study in mediocrity who compares poorly to the brash, rock 'n' roll prodigy that is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

This production's Mozart is also a high-energy genius, but with perhaps a bit more insecurity, leading to a harder edge of needing to prove himself at times.  Salieri is played with the right balance of outward self-assuredness and inward awe paired with disgust at this young silly person squandering his talent.

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-amadeus

https://mdtheatreguide.com/2020/07/theatre-review-amadeus-streaming-from-the-national-theatre-london/

Pub #50 -- Gilgamesh Brewing: The Woods, Salem, Ore., November 8

Did we really make it?  The last day of the 50 in 50, and we visit our 50th brewpub?  Yes. Yes, we did!

A few months ago, with about ten pubs left to go, we decided we should make sure we prioritized special pubs in the time that was left.  Of course, there was also the reality of limited travel and accessibility due to Covid, so we figured we'd focus on places within an hour of home.  Finally, we thought we should choose a memorable or favorite place for #50, so we planned to go to Gilgamesh in Salem, a favorite for its beer and ambiance, with a patio overlooking Pringle Creek.

Apparently it had been some time since we were there, though, and in our preliminary research, we realized they now had an outpost in West Salem (that served brunch!) as well as one in Independence, which is about halfway between Corvallis and Salem.  

So we had to decide between (1) returning to an old favorite, (2) getting brunch, or (3) a shorter trip.  Brunch won the day.

We also planned to meet up with our friends Heather and Mark, who had recently been overtaken in the Friends of the 50 in 50 challenge by Vicki (5 to 4).  This visit meant it ended in a three-way tie with five visits each.  Well done, all!

While "The Woods" is a gross misnomer, situated as it is in a shopping center at the corner of two busy roads, even a bland, commercial patio couldn't distract from the superb brunch food and incredible beer selection they had.  Websites don't always have the most up to date tap list, and in this case, I was just as glad they didn't.  For although I like Gilgamesh's creative tea-based beers (Mamba, with black tea and bergamot, and DJ Jazzy Hef, with Jasmine tea), I was overjoyed to see three intense stout options: Hobo Cake, with German Chocolate cake and caramel flavors, covered with about a half-inch of thick whipped cream, and topped with an amerena cherry (smaller, more intense, and way better than a maraschino); I Did it all for the Cookie, a Gingersnap cookie Milk Stout; and Shalom Y'all Coffee Stout, with Turkish coffee, vanilla, and cardamom (made for an excellent Israeli street food hole in the wall in Portland).

I got the Hobo Cake and C got the Cookie (also very tasty, with a great balance of the ginger and chocolate flavors).  I liked it so much, and hey, it's my pre-birthday celebration, that I decided to get another, even though (or possibly because) it was 13.9% alcohol.  (No, I didn't drive home.)

For brunch I got the Red Cedar Scramble, with bratwurst, red peppers, tomatoes, and eggs, and C got the Tree Hugger Toast, a souped-up avocado toast, with bacon and poached eggs.  It was quite chilly outside, but we were able to be in the sun most of the time, and dressed very warmly.

I've told a number of people now that Hobo Cake may be the best beer I've ever had.  That may not be strictly true, but it's certainly in the top 5 of most memorable.

Speaking of rankings, we're likely to have a few more posts going forward summarizing our experiences and identifying our favorites.  We also still need to document our hiking miles.  But the goal(s) have been achieved!  Now we can just chill.

https://www.gilgameshbrewing.com/thewoods

Pub #49 -- Alesong Brewing & Blending, Eugene, Ore., November 1

 Like Santiam Brewing, I've known about this brewery.  I had even bought one of their classy bottled ales (Ginger Snap) last year (but hadn't tried it yet).  It wasn't until we drove right by it on our way to Diamond Lake (along Territorial Highway, southwest of Eugene) that we realized what an excellent destination it was. So we were happy to schedule an actual visit here. 

After the previous weekend's frigid weather, this weekend was stellar: bright, sunny, and in the low 60s (felt even warmer in the sun).  The views across the valley from their outdoor patio were fantastic, and the flocks of loud, susurrating birds were highly entertaining.  (The server thought they were around because of the nearby vineyard's grape harvest (King Estate Winery, a longtime visitor destination).)

We don't often get charcuterie boards, but there weren't many other options here.  Turns out, we should get the charcuterie boards! Their pistachio salami and prosciutto were amazing, the cheeses were melt in your mouth tasty, and the sourdough bread was well-textured. We also shared their Apple & Smoked Cheddar sandwich, which was made all the more delectable thanks to the juices of the warm pistachio salami. Mmmmm!

Oh, but what brought us there in the first place?  Oh yes, the ales!  We started with a tasting flight, and were overwhelmed by the high quality of their barrel-aged blended beers.  Gose Añejo is a tequila barrel-aged sour with orange, lime, agave, and sea salt.  Sharp, limey flavors say "HELLO!" and refuse to be ignored.  Magic is Real is a sour ale with raspberries, blueberries, and vanilla.  The balance with this one, as with all their ales, is perfect, with the sweet and tartness of the fruit coming through strongly enough to balance the sour notes.  Raindrops on Roses is a rose'-styled sour ale with Pinot Noir grapes, giving it just enough of a Pinot flavor to make you go, "Wait, what? Is that wine in my beer?"  And Señor Rhino, the best of a group of all-stars, is a bourbon and tequila barrel-aged imperial milk stout with ancho chiles, cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla.  But even with all those flavors, it tasted perfectly balanced and natural, with just enough heat from the chiles and spice from the cinnamon, and a lovely cocoa flavor mellowed by the vanilla. C, who claims to find stouts too heavy and dark, absolutely loved this, and we ended up buying a bottle.

Since the flight wasn't really all that much between the two of us, C ordered another glass of Señor Rhino, while I sampled another variety, Terroir: Chardonnay, which, unsurprisingly, is a sour ale with Chardonnay grape juice.  Like Raindrops on Roses with the Pinot Noir, the Chardonnay came through clearly but was so well blended that it didn't overwhelm, it just enhanced the sour ale. They played well together, to put it another way.

After such a heavenly experience, we will definitely be back next year!

https://www.alesongbrewing.com/