These are just a few of my recent and/or favorite locations visited in the past few years along the west coast. See my linked Google Reviews page on the Home screen for a more complete list.
Cheers!
~S
Cheers!
~S
Deep Space Brewing
6255 NE Century Blvd, Hillsboro, OR 97124
Great Tap List 🍻 Food 🌭 Family Friendly👨👩👧👦
Wonderful recent renovation into a cozier craft brew tap room + full menu restaurant serving up elevated pub fare with an outstanding array of craft beers, ciders, and guest taps. Still family friendly with ample indoor and outdoor seating, enclosed patio with yard games, umbrella shade, and an altogether much classier ambiance now without the previous Chuckee Cheese-like play area.
Currently pouring a pleasantly tongue tingling Plum Cream Ale which paired very well with the hot summer day like no other beer could. I sampled this cream ale at the Hillsboro market in the morning and was eating at the tap room by lunch, effective marketing from Don 👍. Another creative creation was their wHeaTnBerry (Habanero Lime Berry Wheat Ale), slight fruity flavor with a light linger of spicy peppers that also provided refreshment from the heat while giving your taste buds a bite as well. The bar manager, Don I believe, was great, bringing us out a complimentary flight of their other staple brews (IPA, Marshian Peat, & Altbier) just to fill out our experience of Deep Space brews! Nice move to retain your clientele, once again!
Wonderful recent renovation into a cozier craft brew tap room + full menu restaurant serving up elevated pub fare with an outstanding array of craft beers, ciders, and guest taps. Still family friendly with ample indoor and outdoor seating, enclosed patio with yard games, umbrella shade, and an altogether much classier ambiance now without the previous Chuckee Cheese-like play area.
Currently pouring a pleasantly tongue tingling Plum Cream Ale which paired very well with the hot summer day like no other beer could. I sampled this cream ale at the Hillsboro market in the morning and was eating at the tap room by lunch, effective marketing from Don 👍. Another creative creation was their wHeaTnBerry (Habanero Lime Berry Wheat Ale), slight fruity flavor with a light linger of spicy peppers that also provided refreshment from the heat while giving your taste buds a bite as well. The bar manager, Don I believe, was great, bringing us out a complimentary flight of their other staple brews (IPA, Marshian Peat, & Altbier) just to fill out our experience of Deep Space brews! Nice move to retain your clientele, once again!
The food was of significant portioning and fresh quality. The full mezze platter was massive, buttery grilled cheese with fontina cheese accompanied by a really tasty tomato soup, and salad equally approved! Pretzel and stoneground mustard on happy hour too (~$3)!
Our baby J enjoyed all the food and polite service, "played" some Cornhole and smelled some flowers while mommy and daddy relaxed for a few... thanks for the fantastic service Don. See ya again soon!
Best,
~S
LABrewatory
670 N Russell St, Portland, OR 97227
(971) 271-8151
(971) 271-8151
Sauntering into this salubrious establishment on a whim of spontaneity, we couldn't even get through the door before being taken aback by their beautifully sun-lit setting, Tamale Boy eatery attached, an impressive microbrew setup with tours by Portland Kettle Works, and simply superb service from bartender/beer-ista Brian, aka (b)Rooster!! He was friendly and informatively conversational, had that special "beer brain" to preemptively serve up samples that picqued our taste buds, and was an outright exemplary example of what a beer-tender ought to be. 👍🍻
Doubling as a cafe in the AM to early afternoon and low-key brewhouse by evening into night, they serve Dawn Patrol Coffee Roasters and their own lineup of well varied beer styles (IPAs, Pilsner, Stout, Sour, Porter, Red, Lager, Common, etc)... Their Strawbeerie Pale Ale was a winner in my book, hitting the palette with a subtle essence of strawberries without an overwhelming flood of fruitiness... tastes like a beer with some berry notes, not berries with a bit of beer. Indulged in an IPA for a change since they had a single hop SMASH on tap and absolutely loved it...great flavor, not overhopped with 5+ varietals of hops that dominate the flavor profile, and very refreshing to say the least.
Doubling as a cafe in the AM to early afternoon and low-key brewhouse by evening into night, they serve Dawn Patrol Coffee Roasters and their own lineup of well varied beer styles (IPAs, Pilsner, Stout, Sour, Porter, Red, Lager, Common, etc)... Their Strawbeerie Pale Ale was a winner in my book, hitting the palette with a subtle essence of strawberries without an overwhelming flood of fruitiness... tastes like a beer with some berry notes, not berries with a bit of beer. Indulged in an IPA for a change since they had a single hop SMASH on tap and absolutely loved it...great flavor, not overhopped with 5+ varietals of hops that dominate the flavor profile, and very refreshing to say the least.
Excellent vibe altogether. No parking lot but street parking is around at no cost. Family friendly with decent amount of indoor/outdoor tables, a loft area, and airy, open ambiance everywhere. Eye-catching deco and a neat theme of beakers and graduated cyclinders lacing the walls... For a scientist, I say "A" all the way.... As a beer enthusiast, "A+" is even more accurate. See ya soon! Thanks again Rooster!!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Mayfly Taproom and Bottle Shop
8350 N Fenwick Ave, Portland, OR 97217
(503) 206-8034
(503) 206-8034
Be Good. Have Fun.
Happy Hour All Day Mondays!
Very open and airy corner tasting room in the heart of the Kenton neighborhood. Excellent selection of various beers, ciders, a mead amongst their 16 rotating taps. Superb service and small talk from bar manager Ryan who politely and preemptively poured generous tastes to help guide our ultimate decisions. Bar snacks available and any outside food more than welcome.
Currently pouring: Delicious Cold Chillin' Cream Ale from Wild Ride brewing... light and refreshing, silky, smooth, and perfect for a hot day! Another unique option I gladly indulged in was their Nectarade Citrus Mead by Nectar Creek nearly blew my mind with it's very own version of a sort of 7-up citrusy Gatorade, but with 6.9% ABV. Great visit! Thanks Ryan
Best,
~S
Happy Hour All Day Mondays!
Very open and airy corner tasting room in the heart of the Kenton neighborhood. Excellent selection of various beers, ciders, a mead amongst their 16 rotating taps. Superb service and small talk from bar manager Ryan who politely and preemptively poured generous tastes to help guide our ultimate decisions. Bar snacks available and any outside food more than welcome.
Currently pouring: Delicious Cold Chillin' Cream Ale from Wild Ride brewing... light and refreshing, silky, smooth, and perfect for a hot day! Another unique option I gladly indulged in was their Nectarade Citrus Mead by Nectar Creek nearly blew my mind with it's very own version of a sort of 7-up citrusy Gatorade, but with 6.9% ABV. Great visit! Thanks Ryan
Best,
~S
Ruse Brewing
4784 SE 17th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
A rustic, hearty & unexpected infusion of craft beers and upscale, industrially-hip ambiance!
Discover your inner-brewings amidst sacred geometry and ancient hieroglyphics at Ruse Brewing's FLAWLESS TAPROOM in SE Portland. With a hop-forward focus on flavor, their lineup is indeed predominantly composed of IPAs, with a couple Saisons (Rural Space & Dreamscape - both delightfully light and refreshing), a Pale Ale (Phantom Shore - surprisingly smooth with a bite of Citra hops well balanced by the presence of tangelo, kiwi and nectarine), a Coffee Porter (Grizzly Menace - dark as it ought to be and brightened by a chocolatey blueberry finish), their standard Ruse Pilsner and of course a near perfect Lager that I fondly recall because of it's advertised "peppery melon" profile imbued by the heavenly aroma of Jade (Pacific Formations Lager).
Being ecstatic about discovering this newfound brewery, I forgot our phenomenal bartender's name in the melee of capturing footage and sipping delicious craft beer - sorry bud, but your service, smile, and small talk did not evade our memories. The experience was one of kind entering their open, airy, and all-around inviting, wooden walled tasting room in a rather unsuspecting part of town that will forever be changed for the better thanks to Ruse's placement. They are family friendly, have live music, and food trucks come through too. Thanks for the great visit!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Nano Beer Fest
John's Market - Portland, Oregon
Wildwood Taphouse
9345 NE Windsor St, Hillsboro, OR 97006
(503) 521-7924
(503) 521-7924
A fantastic, warmly welcomed addition to our neighborhood, nestled in between Bugatti's and Insomnia Coffee, conveniently only mere minutes from home. With approximately 20 rotating beers (+ a few ciders) on tap, Ruby Jewel ice cream in the freezer, and superb service from owned/operators Andrew & Will, this taphouse is quickly becoming the local watering hole and is well worth a visit.
Family friendly until 6pm, somewhat limited food options (including chips n salsa, pretzels, pub mix and ice cream), numerous board games and ample seating indoors plus a few picnic tables out front, they have covered their bases considering their crowd and are doing a great job! The beer list is sufficiently diversified for those who don't live off IPAs, including stouts, porters, red ales, pilsners, blondes, sours, and quite a few unique varietals. They are an affable and customer service oriented team with a refined taste for outstanding craft brews!
Family friendly until 6pm, somewhat limited food options (including chips n salsa, pretzels, pub mix and ice cream), numerous board games and ample seating indoors plus a few picnic tables out front, they have covered their bases considering their crowd and are doing a great job! The beer list is sufficiently diversified for those who don't live off IPAs, including stouts, porters, red ales, pilsners, blondes, sours, and quite a few unique varietals. They are an affable and customer service oriented team with a refined taste for outstanding craft brews!
The taproom is not vast, yet has an open, airy layout with a modern microbrewery vibe, nothing overly flashy but well maintained and clean. Great times visiting since discovering this gem only recently. I can't praise the owners enough for their friendly service and for picking this location in general...destiny I suppose! See ya real soon gentlemen!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Ancestry Brewing
8268 SE 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 946-8424
(503) 946-8424
With a midday Happy Hour from 11am-3pm and about 15 beers on tap, there is really no competition on where to go for lunch in Sellwood! Had to revisit this location to indulge in a few more of their lovely libations. Took full advantage of the Burger + Beer deal for $12, added a mound of parmesan covered fries for only $2 more and engaged in playful conversation with our outstanding bartender, Liz! She's quite an asset for Ancestry! 👍
Sipped some Cream Ale, which I enjoy more and more each time and had to take a bottle home to the wife, sampled the Coffee Cream Ale as well since it sounded too good to resist (deliciously creamy like a cold brew coffee on tap), and, as always, had a pint of the Blackberry Wheat since it's such a perfectly light and well fruited wheat ale for early on in the day. Veered off my path a bit and tried the Hawaii 503 Tart IPA (pretty tasty with with a pleasant sweetness that offsets the bite of an IPA), Red City IPA (too hoppy for my preference, but well balanced in flavor), and was offered a taste of the Wine Country with a very complex body and lingering flavor of Cabernet barrels... Delicious!
The Happy Hour burger is advertised as only 4oz, but filled me up sufficiently to get through the rest of the day... and another pint 🍻. Fries were fantastic, crisped well as seasoned abundantly. As mentioned, our bartender Liz did a phenomenal job keeping us entertained, well fed, and thoroughly refreshed with samples, suggestions, and altogether amazing service. Can't thank her enough for the friendly conversation!
Outstanding beers of unique variety, wonderful employees that take care of their customers, and 2 locations to choose from (Sellwood + Tualatin), I'd suggest you make it to Ancestry Brewing today!
Thanks!
Best,
~S
Thanks!
Best,
~S
The Hoppy Brewer
328 N Main Ave, Gresham, OR 97030
(503) 328-8474
(503) 328-8474
Little Beast Brewing Beer Garden
3412 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 208-2723
(503) 208-2723
'Rare Beer' is an accurate description of their brews since you won't find a tap list quite like their lineup anywhere else. With a clear specialty in the farmhouse, saison, sour style of wild ales, they also boast a decent variety including pales, stouts, wheat ales, Belgians, and an even an IPA (only 1 👍) for those of you who love your hops.
I particularly enjoyed the Rhus Jus, which was sweetly, subtly sour with the essence of I believe black currant and an overall lightly refreshing flavor. Could drink it all day! Next up was the Bes, their tart wheat ale brewed with chamomile, lemon, coconut, and pineapple... The diversity of ingredients was appealing enough to preemptively order a pint without a taste test first. I'm a sucker for these sort of imaginative, innovative blends of beers, what they appropriately deem to be "mixed culture ale."
Their food/snack menu is also creatively concocted, albeit somewhat limited, with several standard options such as a Cuban, chicken, or meatball sandwich, also shepherd's pie both with and without meat, and cheese/charcuterie boards perfect for sharing in their humble, unassuming establishment.
The location is a home retrofitted into a beer garden with bar, indoor tables, and both covered/uncovered outdoor areas. Great use of space in my opinion and what the future of micro/nanobreweries will look more like... wish they were my neighbors!
Thanks and see ya again soon!
Best,
~S
Thanks and see ya again soon!
Best,
~S
Vagabond Brewing2715 SE 8th Ave STE 175, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 946-8090 3/1/2019
Better go now before everybody else discovers this amazing family friendly brewery/restaurant! Awesome new location next to the Darigold facility pouring some deliciously crafted libations plus an innovative food/snack menu and incredible interior ambiance to boot. Our bartender, Nicole, happily doled out tasters with a smile ensuring we all selected the best beer options for our particular tastes and was ready to refill as soon as those pints neared the end. She was well informed on the establishment's history along with all their beers/menu items. Great service to say the least!! |
We had several IPAs, all well received, also the Pilsner, and Dark Lager... What stuck out was not some crazy, unique and innovative flavor profiles, but more so consistently well crafted brews that hit all the expected notes plus some. The Pilsner tasted like a Pilsner should, yet was done so clearly with care and compassion for the art of brewing beer. Their beers are well made with the intention of perfection rather than experimental, one barrel varietals you may never see again. Their staple beers are just the tip of the iceberg and I can't wait to see what they brew up next!
Happy hour deals from 3-6p are great! Burger for $7, pints $3.50, and quite a few additional options. Regular menu pricing is also pretty standard, if not more reasonable than the competition ... $9 burger, $2 extra to add fries... Can't complain. The venue itself is fantastic! Filled with wooden beams, an old Cessna and plane components inspired by the 3 owner's history in the armed services protecting and defending our country. They made a very wise investment and I'm confident you will agree.
Stop by today, in Salem and now SE PDX! Thank you Nicole and team for making our first visit the most memorable...we shall indubitably see you again soon!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Double Mountain Taproom
4336 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206
(503) 206-5495
(503) 206-5495
3/9/19
Great spot on the corner with a large dining room and bar area, wooden interior gives it a warm, open atmosphere with high ceilings and plenty of windows. Quite a few of their brews on tap (~15) of decent variety and a standard food menu with sandwiches and pizza we regretted not ordering as soon as we some one brought fresh out the oven. My meatball sub was what you'd expect, well sauced, accompanied by chips... I was satisfied. Coworker ordered the Reuben on marble rye, looked delicious and he reported the same.
Great spot on the corner with a large dining room and bar area, wooden interior gives it a warm, open atmosphere with high ceilings and plenty of windows. Quite a few of their brews on tap (~15) of decent variety and a standard food menu with sandwiches and pizza we regretted not ordering as soon as we some one brought fresh out the oven. My meatball sub was what you'd expect, well sauced, accompanied by chips... I was satisfied. Coworker ordered the Reuben on marble rye, looked delicious and he reported the same.
We had several beers, including both of their nitro brews, one being a pale and the other an Irish stout... quite the difference in flavor yet equally crafted with care. Tried the Hop Lion and Brut IPA as well, both enjoyable as far as IPAs go.
The service was excellent, all bartenders very courteous and attentive to our thirst. Glad we stumbled upon this neighborhood attraction, we will definitely be back to wet our whistles again soon!
Best,
~S
Level Beer
5211 NE 148th Ave, Portland, OR 97230
(503) 714-1222
(503) 714-1222
2/15/19
Awesome establishment!!
This brewery covers all the bases with a well rounded tap list of decently varied beers/ciders, a huge covered/heated outdoor patio area and ample indoor seating as well, several arcade games, a pod of food carts out front (Mexican, Greek, & Burgers), creative wall art and uniquely branded swag, outstanding service (Bartender Stacy was great!), a kids/baby play station corner in the patio, and just an incredible vibe altogether.
Awesome establishment!!
This brewery covers all the bases with a well rounded tap list of decently varied beers/ciders, a huge covered/heated outdoor patio area and ample indoor seating as well, several arcade games, a pod of food carts out front (Mexican, Greek, & Burgers), creative wall art and uniquely branded swag, outstanding service (Bartender Stacy was great!), a kids/baby play station corner in the patio, and just an incredible vibe altogether.
A bit off the beaten path in N-NE Portland, well worth the little drive to this hidden gem. Check them out today and wet your whistles in style at this hip, relatively new microbrewery doing big things in the PNW. Find their retro deco cans in your local retailers too!
Level Beer has been one of my favorite brewery discoveries in Oregon thus far and I encourage you to experience the same the delight!
Thanks!
Best,
~S
Ben's Bottle Shop
8052 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98664
(360) 314-6209
(360) 314-6209
2/17/19
Great spot in strip mall with plenty of indoor seating, event space, 24+ beers on tap and 700+ in bottles (available to go or to drink on site for additional surcharge), and a full kitchen food menu to boot. Our bartender was very friendly doling out the tasters to better guide our decisions. They have a decent variety of various brew styles ranging from the abundant IPAs, stouts, sours, porters and more. Worth the visit! Thanks.
Best,
~S
Great spot in strip mall with plenty of indoor seating, event space, 24+ beers on tap and 700+ in bottles (available to go or to drink on site for additional surcharge), and a full kitchen food menu to boot. Our bartender was very friendly doling out the tasters to better guide our decisions. They have a decent variety of various brew styles ranging from the abundant IPAs, stouts, sours, porters and more. Worth the visit! Thanks.
Best,
~S
Montavilla Brew Works
7805 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215
(503) 954-3440
(503) 954-3440
Caps N' Taps
337 NE 4th Ave, Camas, WA 98607
(360) 210-7244
(360) 210-7244
Grains of Wrath
230 NE 5th Ave, Camas, WA 98607
(360) 210-5717
(360) 210-5717
Sasquatch Brewing Co.
2531 NW 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 841-5687
(503) 841-5687
11/30/19
Outstanding selection of inventive craft beers and ciders!! One of Portland's best breweries I've been too (amongst over 💯). From their frequently updated tap list of diversely concocted brews, I have tried and enjoyed the following: Pure Guava Gose (just as it sounds, not too incredibly sour as far as goses go, deliciously fruity but not overly fruited), Vanilla Bourbon Cream Ale (smooth as velvet and oh so delicious, light and dark at the same time), Picnic Days Berlinner Weisse (made with blueberries and light in ABV, fantastic table beer for early or all day drinking), and on this most recent visit I indulged in a couple ciders, including their seasonal Warm Apple Pie Cider (slightly tart, warmly sweet, and imbued with a heavenly, seasonally inspired embodiment of the holidays) and the Hope Pomegranate & Ginger Cider that I truly enjoyed, nice ABV and mouth watering flavor!
Outstanding selection of inventive craft beers and ciders!! One of Portland's best breweries I've been too (amongst over 💯). From their frequently updated tap list of diversely concocted brews, I have tried and enjoyed the following: Pure Guava Gose (just as it sounds, not too incredibly sour as far as goses go, deliciously fruity but not overly fruited), Vanilla Bourbon Cream Ale (smooth as velvet and oh so delicious, light and dark at the same time), Picnic Days Berlinner Weisse (made with blueberries and light in ABV, fantastic table beer for early or all day drinking), and on this most recent visit I indulged in a couple ciders, including their seasonal Warm Apple Pie Cider (slightly tart, warmly sweet, and imbued with a heavenly, seasonally inspired embodiment of the holidays) and the Hope Pomegranate & Ginger Cider that I truly enjoyed, nice ABV and mouth watering flavor!
Bartender was efficient and friendly. The food menu looked decent, although I stick to a primarily liquid diet at most breweries 😆, and the location itself tucked away in NW Portland in an industrial district not too far from downtown Portland. Will be back soon! Thanks!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Old Town Brewing
5201 NE MLK Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 200-5988
(503) 200-5988
1/21/19
Great tap list of creative brews, upscale pub food at decent prices, friendly service, and beautiful ambiance.
Gorgeously decadent interior with wooden beams, tables, chairs, copper bar tops, and an altogether aesthetically appealing interior. Ample seating downstairs and upstairs on the loft. Bartender was polite and prompt, provided the necessary tastes to make to proper selection from their unique tap list.
Great tap list of creative brews, upscale pub food at decent prices, friendly service, and beautiful ambiance.
Gorgeously decadent interior with wooden beams, tables, chairs, copper bar tops, and an altogether aesthetically appealing interior. Ample seating downstairs and upstairs on the loft. Bartender was polite and prompt, provided the necessary tastes to make to proper selection from their unique tap list.
I started off with the Zitrone (lemon water blonde) and found it very refreshing, light on the taste buds with a subtle sweetness. Then I went for the Mind Your Elders (elder flower lager) which was really delicious, offering a moderately floral flavor and we'll brewed lager body. Mmm mm!
Definitely will be back! Thanks!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Hopworks Urban Brewery Vancouver
17707 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98683
(360) 828-5139
(360) 828-5139
Super clean, new age location that stands out amongst the surrounding scenery as an authority on all things refreshing and delicious! With 20+ craft beers brewed on site, HUB has been brewing some badass beverages for quite some time now and glad to see they've branched out into Vancouver.
Food menu was upscale pub fare with some inventive dishes in addition to what you'd expect from a beer bar/restaurant. Had to try a few of their seasonals and ended up erring with what I know and love, Suds Creek American Wheat (light, refreshing, but not weak on ABV at 5.7%) and HUB Pilsner. Also sampled the Long Root NW Pale Ale (also light with a crisp bite and a little lingering flavor) and the Abominable Winter Ale. Service was great as it always is with the brand that has been pioneering the craft beer industry in the PNW for over a decade. Thanks for all the laughs and libations! See ya soon!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Breakside Brewery - DEKUM
820 NE Dekum St, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 719-6475
(503) 719-6475
Outstanding location, libations, cuisine and customer service! Craft beers at their best in a very airy, open semi-industrial, yet still very modern setting.
Stopped in right at opening, welcomed in with a smile, seated at the bar and promptly greeted. The bartender/manager Vinny was conversational, knowledgeable, doled out samples like a mind reader, and added immensely to the personable experience we had. Started out with the More Friends, More Memories, a somewhat tart and deliciously sweet wood barrel aged brew with a raspberry overtone. We punctuated our beverages with a couple appetizers, although the entire menu of elevated pub fare looked really appetizing! (Burgers, sandwiches, burritos, etc).
Stopped in right at opening, welcomed in with a smile, seated at the bar and promptly greeted. The bartender/manager Vinny was conversational, knowledgeable, doled out samples like a mind reader, and added immensely to the personable experience we had. Started out with the More Friends, More Memories, a somewhat tart and deliciously sweet wood barrel aged brew with a raspberry overtone. We punctuated our beverages with a couple appetizers, although the entire menu of elevated pub fare looked really appetizing! (Burgers, sandwiches, burritos, etc).
Had the fried pickles spheres, which are thoroughly dipped in a thick cornbread crust, served with ranch and a spicy aioli... Best fried pickles I've ever had, no lie... and I'm not even a huge fan in general. Other app was the Jalepeño Poppers, halved and full of gooey cheese with chunks of chorizo... Mmm mmm mm! This doesn't even do them justice. Sufficiently full with room for one more beer.
Ended the event with the seasonal Fall Apple Ale, spiced and slightly sweetened with the flavors of fall. I enjoyed it almost as much as the first. We also tried multiple IPAs, all of which I was very impressed with, comprised of complex flavors not overwhelmed by screaming hops. The Coming Out Party and What Rough Beast IPAs were two noteworthy beers with great profiles and subtle bites that still let the other unique traits stand out. Thanks again to Vinny for gladly sharing all the tastes and telling us about Breakside. Can't wait to return!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Great Notion Brewing & Barrel House
101, 5885, 2204 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 548-4491
(503) 548-4491
OUTSTANDING craft brewery with an attractive and inviting tasting room of decent size, a wide variety of rather unique beers (approx 20, ranging from fruity sours to a dark stouts), and a tasty menu hosting an array of above average pub fare. The service was prompt and polite, assisted with a smile repeatedly by our bartender Amanda. Orchard Reserve Cherry was further on the bitter end of the sour spectrum, still slightly sweet in a mouth puckering way, butttt the Blueberry Muffin sour was jussssst right! Such a lovely fresh tasting, yet extra infused blueberry flavor (this is definitely full on fruit to be blunt)... I absolutely loved it!
Despite not caring for IPAs much, I had to taste several of them since they sounded so incredibly innovative, such as Lychee Mochi, Mango Coconut, Fruit by the Foot, Fruited, Pineapple, the list goes on...these are really tasty, fruity, English style IPAs, thus they have much more flavor than your standard over-hopped American style IPAs. The Wiggle and Squirm that my buddy had were also very tolerable and lightly hopped, citrusy IPAs that I could actually enjoy drinking. My last beer was the Coconut Chocolate Brownie Stout, super dark, rich and weighing in at a hefty 12% ABV... mmm!! The end!
Food sounded/looked great, simply wanted beer this time around, yet I know we will be back again soon, surely to find a new batch of brews to taste! Patio seating, food carts, and biscuit place next door are also additional upsides to this location.
Thanks for the liquid lunch!
Food sounded/looked great, simply wanted beer this time around, yet I know we will be back again soon, surely to find a new batch of brews to taste! Patio seating, food carts, and biscuit place next door are also additional upsides to this location.
Thanks for the liquid lunch!
P.S. The REAL changing table in the restroom is awesome! So much better than those horrible pull down ones... Can't wait till my baby craps her pants while I'm having a pint there 😂
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Chehalem Valley Brewing Co.
2515 B Portland Rd, Newberg, OR 97132
(971) 832-8131
(971) 832-8131
Average tasting beers of standard variety (Amber, Brown, Porter, Stout, 3 IPAs, 2 Blondes, and a couple other run of the mill brews). Of all their beers, the Amber was the best, yet still pretty mediocre in body/flavor. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the creative innovations coming out of countless microbreweries across Portland, but I found all of their beers tasted exactly that way, average or to be expected without many unique qualities that stood out from the rest.
The food menu was not very appealing, both in price and culinary inventiveness, again, standard pub fare. The cheese curds were deliciously golden fries with a subtly spicy aioli like dipping sauce, unfortunately there were only about 14 curds (literally, I counted) which were consumed in under 3 mins by myself, not worth $7 for the underwhelming appetizer. The $15 burger would have left me slightly less hungry... perhaps.
The food menu was not very appealing, both in price and culinary inventiveness, again, standard pub fare. The cheese curds were deliciously golden fries with a subtly spicy aioli like dipping sauce, unfortunately there were only about 14 curds (literally, I counted) which were consumed in under 3 mins by myself, not worth $7 for the underwhelming appetizer. The $15 burger would have left me slightly less hungry... perhaps.
Our bartender was friendly and did her job very well. No customer service complaints whatsoever, that attribute goes a long way in my mind, retaining that 3rd star in the overall rating. Having driven past this place a dozen times, I'm still glad we stopped by to satisfying the cravings and curiosity in our adventures to find the best beers!
Tasting room is small-medium size, just off the main road behind a couple other buildings, nice patio space and casual interior digs.
I'd imagine this place does great with the locals and individuals who like their beer tasting just like beer did 25 yrs ago... To each unto their own... Thanks!
Best,
~S
Tasting room is small-medium size, just off the main road behind a couple other buildings, nice patio space and casual interior digs.
I'd imagine this place does great with the locals and individuals who like their beer tasting just like beer did 25 yrs ago... To each unto their own... Thanks!
Best,
~S
Alameda Brewhouse - CLOSED
4765 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213
(503) 460-9025
(503) 460-9025
Definitely a brewery worth visiting!! Everything from the bar/restaurant's aesthetic appeal to the beers brewed right in front of you, alongside the delicious food and friendly service was excellent! They open early (11am) - a big plus for us daytime indulgers and pour a variety of their craft beers of varying styles with a decent food menu as well, albeit on the more expensive side for what I consider elevated pub fare. Started with the Nitro Coffee Porter and didn't regret a single sip! Mmm! Then moved on to the Siskiyou Golden Ale, a much lighter and equally refreshing melody of lovely flavors. Other guys had multiple IPAs and their brown ale, ranting and raving about each in utter satisfaction. We ordered a couple French Dips, which come with a tasty rosemary balsamic au jus that is slightly distinctive in a unique flavor due to the balsamic, also their house baked chips that made the decision NOT to upgrade to fries a very welcome one. They are good chips is what I'm saying! We also ordered their chicken strips and sweet potato fries, the former a flaky, crispy beer batter that looked more like fish and chips than chicken tenders - heavy, but damned delicious, the latter also fried to perfection packing a not so subtle sweetness!
Our bartender Caleb also deserves a commendation of his own for being a great employee, serving up samples and small talk with a smile and adding a positive impression upon the entire experience. I look forward to his revision of the menu so that each dish comes with it's own side of au jus! 😆
Excellent idea to try this place out today, tomorrow, or anytime! I will be back soon with more friends and the wife/baby! Thank you.
Cheers!
Best,
~S
Excellent idea to try this place out today, tomorrow, or anytime! I will be back soon with more friends and the wife/baby! Thank you.
Cheers!
Best,
~S
Wurst House @ Occidental Brewing
6635 N Baltimore Ave #102, Portland, OR 97203
(503) 719-7102
(503) 719-7102
Attractive location on a second story with plenty of patio space and indoor seating, friendly service, but sadly not the best variety of beers and seriously underwhelming Frankfurters. The menu has quite a few other German options, from schnitzel to brats and more, unfortunately the spicy and regular Frankfurters we ordered were not very tasty at all... Quite bland to be honest, with oversalted kraut and watery cheese sauce. Perhaps a bad batch or maybe it's just me. Still a great spot to hang out if you like German beer.
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Second Profession Brewing Company
5846 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
(503) 288-5882
(503) 288-5882
Hip little spot on the corner serving up 7-10 beers and German style bar food. Had the Zest Friends Forever (Grapefruit IPA) and it was alright. Also had the lager and mocha porter and they were both pretty good, nothing to write home about, but enjoyable to say the least. We ordered the pretzel with cheese and mustard, damned delicious! Then proceeded to order the Mac n Cheese, somewhat of a standard mac, yet with tasty breadcrumbs and green onions. It was really good, especially after a few beers!
The service was excellent! Both gentlemen working today around 3pm were great employees and made the visit all the more fun! Thanks!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
I'd give more stars if I could! Seriously delicious craft beers of a very wide variety, excellent display board organization for their multitude of different brews, and an altogether inviting location with ample indoor and outdoor seating! They also served a savory menu of food options to go alongside your cold beer! The Sunny and Cher-ry Wheat was a fantastic hot day beer, light, refreshing, with a touch of fruitiness that made my mouth water just remembering now. Creamy and Dreamy coffee stout was so delightfully light on the pallette, thickened up only by being on nitro... one of my favorites I shall never forget. Also tried several IPAs, 8 bit Blonde, Blonde on Blonde, Plumbelievable, Pepper in the Rye and one of their Coming to Fruition line.. honestly, every single one was delicious!! They truly have a knack for innovatively crafted beer!!
Our bartender Aaron warrants a review in and of himself for his exceedingly STUPENDOUS service and awesome attitude! He happily poured me samples of beers I was pondering (since there are far too many to have pints of in one visit) and he did so while providing the same stellar level of customer service to us as everyone in the bar. Aaron made the visit extremely entertaining, engaging in good ol bar talk and telling us about the business he clearly stands behind ...Oregon City Brewing Co.!
Awesome visit, so happy we decided on this brewery over a few other options, and I can't wait to bring my wife n baby girl real soon!
Thanks!
Best,
~S
Thanks!
Best,
~S
Zoiglhaus Brewing Company
5716 SE 92nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
(971) 339-2374
(971) 339-2374
Not even a huge German beer fan, but these brews were some of the best! The 12 Decades of Wit was such a refreshingly light beverage with a hint of fruity sweetness. The IPA was reported as great as well, along with 7-8 others that sounded equally enjoyable. Happy Hour 3-5:30pm saves you a buck on pints, $10 growler fills, and a handful of savory dishes at decently discounted prices. The loaded fries were definitely slathered in no shortage of toppings! Those pickled onions are delicious! Oh not to mention the chunks of sausage and bacon too...
Our server/bartender Tyler was also awesome, tending to us quickly and making sure everything was better than alright. They have plenty of TV's, a pool table, foosball, and lounge seating with a rather large dining/bar area. Lotta windows make it fresh and airy feeling, neat decorations add to the ambiance. Looking forward to returning again soon!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Stickmen Brewing Company
40 N State St, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
(503) 344-4449
(503) 344-4449
Unbeatable view of lake Oswego, diverse tap list of uniquely delicious craft beers, a great menu of decently priced food ($12 beer n burger/fries for lunch!), and outstanding service! I love their experimental tap list section, which never fails to introduce a tasty new brew! First time to this location, long time fan of the Stickmen label, and boy oh boy did this place satisfy our cravings for a nice place for a beer n lunch. Our bartender Greg was friendly and very helpful in deciding upon just a couple of their many beers to choose from. He happily doled out samples to aide in my selection process. Ordered the $12 lunch special for a burger and beer, perfectly crisped bun, crunchy lettuce, juicy patty, mm mm mmm!
I personally do not care for over hopped IPAs but was persuaded to try and then ordered and thoroughly enjoyed both the Cloudy With a Chance of Mosaics (tapped out 😥) and Cloudy With a Chance of El Dorado (IIPA)... pretty damn good! I also had the Jackfruit Sour, which is in fact somewhat sour but not really too much if you're a fan of sours. Love all their beers I've ever had and look forward to returning to one of their locations again real soon! Thanks!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Stickmen Brewing - Beer Hall
19475 SW 118th Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062
(503) 486-7197
(503) 486-7197
Amazing selection of craft beers from IPAs to experimental concoctions... Excellent service and some top notch stone oven pizzas. Massive industrial style warehouse with 40ft ceilings make for an be incredibly airy, refreshing visit. Take a step out onto the patio alongside the somewhat quiet business access road. Great people, great beer, great place! Thanks! See you soon!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Loowit Brewing Company
507 Columbia St, Vancouver, WA 98660
(360) 566-2323
(360) 566-2323
Awesome experience for a first time visit! Great craft beer of decent variety (15-20 taps) AND some delicious food at moderate prices. Our bartender Aleda was very friendly and helpful in navigating us through their mouthwatering menu of brews and bites. Tried the Cassian Common (malty lager), Fall and Oates (nutty pale ale made with pecans...mmm!), Griselda Grissette (raspberry table beer... deliciously light and flavorful), Fragments of a Sunbeam (pineapple sour... Awesome as well), Crowley Black Eye PA (dark n creamy IPA on nitro... Excellent!), and my favorite the Durry Quill (an Irish cream ale also on nitro)!
Ordered the Mac salad and coleslaw despite seeing several savory sounding menu items, both sides prepared in house and with unique flavor, the coleslaw more so having a fresh vinegarette base. Can't wait to return! Thanks!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
***Plus an awesome selection of art work decorating their bottles, cans, and walls!
10 Barrel Brewing Portland
1411 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 224-1700
(503) 224-1700
Great beer varietals, awesome location near several other breweries, hip ambiance with rooftop seating, annnd okay food. Huge fan of the 10 Barrel Brewing label and was looking forward to checking this place out. Had the Nitro Cacao Cream Ale (delicious, light, slightly chocolatey...sooo good!), Guava Cream Ale (a favorite of mine, so smooth and refreshing), and Vero Mangose (interesting, light in flavor, not as spicy as I'd hoped, still good).
Also ordered the deviled eggs and fried garbanzo beans, both delicious! Had the special Pequeno burger with chorizo aioli and other savory sounding fixins, it was alright...very greasy, yet satisfied the craving. Wife had the vegan quinoa burger and said it was very plain, requesting BBQ sauce to flavor it up. Service was above average, everyone seemed happy and pleasantly did their jobs. They successfully dealt with our crazy seating request to accommodate our 7 month old 👍. All in all, enjoyable visit... Will return again and keep drinking the brand! Thanks!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Vertigo Brewing
21420 Northwest Nicholas Court, Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 645-6644
(503) 645-6644
Excellent crafts brewery in lo-key industrial settings with beer brewing right on site! The Lemongrass Wheat was simply delicious, Apricot Cream Ale pretty tasty, and the Habenero Hefeweizen AMAZING!! The Fresh Razz is another classic of the Vertigo label that I thoroughly enjoy and the Vanilla Porter to top it all off! Everything was great except for the no baby policy when no food truck is present. We should be able to wear our baby on us and drink wherever we want. Be back soon... But only when you're serving food rather than everyday!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Fire on the Mountain Buffalo Wings | Fremont
3443 NE 57th Ave, Portland, OR 97213
(503) 894-8973
(503) 894-8973
Nice spot with a varied tap list of in house, craft beers. Decent menu of food focusing on wings, burgers, apps, etc. The pretzel was a bit small, but came alongside a delicious cup of cheese dip! Happy Hour deals are on drinks only, worth the visit. The beers are not extremely, innovatively off the wall in creativity, yet they all had great flavor and body making them a sure bet for enjoyment. Will definitely return someday soon!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Hopworks Urban Brewery
2944 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 232-4677
(503) 232-4677
Gigantic Brewing Co
5224 SE 26th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 208-3416
(503) 208-3416
Love a good brewery located right across the street from work! Plus an 808 Grinds food truck in their parking lot... Really can't go wrong here! They pour a great Kolschtastic, hibiscus wit, dark saison and dry cider, albeit with a bit too many IPA's on the menu for my taste...everything has tasted incredible so far! Also a few bar snacks (craft corn nuts n mixes) and surprisingly enough, several champagne options (which I'll likely never purchase, but don't often see at brewery). Open tasting room and sizable patio space. Always a friendly team catering to the crowds. Thanks and see ya soon!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
The Garrison
8773 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203
(503) 780-6914
(503) 780-6914
Great little spot with a handful of craft beers on tap plus some interesting cocktails. Pints appropriately priced at $4 with a shared outdoor patio/firepit next to a meatball joint. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves on a sunny Saturday and look forward to returning someday soon!
Thanks!
Best,
~S
Thanks!
Best,
~S
Deschutes Brewery Public House
210 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 296-4906
(503) 296-4906
Always a great visit to this airy, high ceiling structure of woodwork and towering beams... Not to mention the decent tap list of homemade brews and bites. Usually a pretty busy location given it's modernity and proximity within downtown Portland. Beers are not a great deal, but the ambiance is worth it. The Vanilla Almond Sour was a nice summery brew, light on the pallette and not too sour at all. The Pina Cider guest tap was outstanding! Thanks!
Best,
~S
Best,
~S
Rogue Hall
The Vue Apartments, 1717 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR
(503) 219-8000
(503) 219-8000
Huge fan of many, many Rogue brews and this location, staff, and selection definitely will not disappoint! Minors gladly welcome, so bring the whole family for some refreshing pints and gourmet grub. The Kulture Klash hopped Kombucha was one of the best I've ever had, with fantastic flavor and a whopping ~6.5% ABV... Tasted amazing! The Marionberry Sour was also incredible, not very sour at all, but rather just mouth wateringly tasty and surprisingly thirst quenching. Oh my, can't forget the Cold Brew 2.0 Coffee Stout which was beyond words, served extra cold and ridiculously smooth! Awesome!
White Cheddar Fried Cheese Curds with three dipping sauces were divine, the fried cauliflower slightly less appealing with minimal seasoning. Our bartender was very friendly and efficient, making the experience all the more merrier! There is a decent amount of dining room and bar seating, plus a fair sized patio with ample space. Great visit with 3 and 6 month old babies! Convenient location near the PSU farmers market. Can't wait to return!
Thanks!
Best,
~S
Thanks!
Best,
~S
The Lodge At Cascade Brewing
7424 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, OR 97225
(503) 296-0110
(503) 296-0110
Glueh Kriek - served warm, spiced to perfection, absolutely astounding! Service from Shannon on my first visit and Scott the second time around was excellent! The tap list includes a lovely array of around 12-15 rotating in-house taps, including a unique coffee blonde, apricot sour (amongst several other tastily tart brews), lager, stout, aged Kriek and my favorite already mentioned, seasonally inspired Glueh Kriek. The prices of the beer can be steep, but the flavor experienced is well worth it! Food options are also above par, the menu offering some common classics alongside many unique dishes. Their burgers are top notch, bacon/chicken/broccoli mac n cheese delicious, my gf enjoyed the kale burger very much, and their salads are not only heftily portioned, but creatively crafted with a concert of flavor.
With a newly renovated dining area upstairs, the lofty, wood beamed ceiling afforded a warm ambiance in addition to the entire staff's friendliness. We will be back!
Thank you!
Best,
~S
Thank you!
Best,
~S
Denali Brewing Company
37083 Talkeetna Spur Rd, Talkeetna, AK 99676
(907) 733-2536
(907) 733-2536
Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery
30203 NE Benjamin Rd, Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 487-6873
(503) 487-6873
Arch Rock Brewing Company
28779 Hunter Creek Rd, Gold Beach, OR 97444
(541) 247-0555
Anderson Valley Brewing Co
17700 Boonville Rd, Boonville, CA 95415
(707) 895-2337
Chetco Brewing Company
830 Railroad St, Brookings, OR 97415
(541) 661-5347