Another question about beer in Portland.
June 4, 2010 4:19 PM Subscribe
Looking for recommendations for smaller brewpubs around downtown Portland, OR. I've tried the rest, and want to try the best.
I'm taking a trip to downtown Portland next weekend (June 11th-13th). I've already been to the bigger brewers; Rogue, Deschutes, Widmer, McMenamins. Plus a few on the east side (Green Dragon, Lucky Lab, Hair of the Dog). This time I'll be out on West Burnside near 405 without a car, so I'm looking for a few beer spots within walking distance. Local brew is best, but a great beer bar will do. I'm not looking for a bar with 30 taps, all of them IPA. Belgian, amber, white, stout... if anyone stocks a mild, that would be killer.
If there's anything else going on in the neighborhood that I shouldn't miss, I could go without beer for an hour or two. If I have to. I guess.
I'm taking a trip to downtown Portland next weekend (June 11th-13th). I've already been to the bigger brewers; Rogue, Deschutes, Widmer, McMenamins. Plus a few on the east side (Green Dragon, Lucky Lab, Hair of the Dog). This time I'll be out on West Burnside near 405 without a car, so I'm looking for a few beer spots within walking distance. Local brew is best, but a great beer bar will do. I'm not looking for a bar with 30 taps, all of them IPA. Belgian, amber, white, stout... if anyone stocks a mild, that would be killer.
If there's anything else going on in the neighborhood that I shouldn't miss, I could go without beer for an hour or two. If I have to. I guess.
Best answer: Apex Bar, it's founded by one of the guys who used to work at the Toronado in San Fran. Cash only, their tap list is real time. Just beer, they are next door to a mexican place that is also cash only, but also delicious, and you can bring their food in. So check their menu to see what they got before you head over, if you want to save time.
Deschutes is having a barrel aged beer tasting next friday.
If you can, stop by Integrity Spirits, they are a local distillery, and are open 2-6 on saturdays for tastings. They are in the same building as Green Dragon, so if you can't find the entrance, the bartender there can point you to it.
(Sorry these are mostly east side, I just moved in over here and have been exploring). Bus Number 4 should get you close to both Green Dragon and Apex, if you do want to go.
I'm also around next week, so hit me up over memail if you want a lift to various brewpubs. My housemate and I have been meaning to take a trip out to Double Mountain for a while.
posted by mrzarquon at 7:31 PM on June 4, 2010
Deschutes is having a barrel aged beer tasting next friday.
If you can, stop by Integrity Spirits, they are a local distillery, and are open 2-6 on saturdays for tastings. They are in the same building as Green Dragon, so if you can't find the entrance, the bartender there can point you to it.
(Sorry these are mostly east side, I just moved in over here and have been exploring). Bus Number 4 should get you close to both Green Dragon and Apex, if you do want to go.
I'm also around next week, so hit me up over memail if you want a lift to various brewpubs. My housemate and I have been meaning to take a trip out to Double Mountain for a while.
posted by mrzarquon at 7:31 PM on June 4, 2010
Also, the New Old Lompoc on NW 23rd is pretty damn tasty, a brewpub with their own selection, but also five guest taps. Good food as well.
posted by mrzarquon at 7:33 PM on June 4, 2010
posted by mrzarquon at 7:33 PM on June 4, 2010
Best answer: Don't miss Bailey's Taproom, just south of Burnside on Broadway. Rotating taps with an emphasis on Oregon breweries.
posted by fundamillinery at 8:05 PM on June 4, 2010
posted by fundamillinery at 8:05 PM on June 4, 2010
There is a west-side Lucky Lab location (19th and Quimby or thereabouts?)
Also, did you neglect to list Bridgeport when you listed the "bigger brewers"? They're a gimme if that was a beer-based oversight rather than a typing-based oversight.
posted by misterbrandt at 8:05 PM on June 4, 2010
Also, did you neglect to list Bridgeport when you listed the "bigger brewers"? They're a gimme if that was a beer-based oversight rather than a typing-based oversight.
posted by misterbrandt at 8:05 PM on June 4, 2010
Best answer: I love the Tug Boat.
Not all their beers are top drawer, but they have several and host excellent guest taps. And the atmosphere is the best in the city.
It's right downtown, next to Mary's Club (ahem).
posted by Joseph Gurl at 8:43 PM on June 4, 2010
Not all their beers are top drawer, but they have several and host excellent guest taps. And the atmosphere is the best in the city.
It's right downtown, next to Mary's Club (ahem).
posted by Joseph Gurl at 8:43 PM on June 4, 2010
Response by poster: Many of these seem pretty far away (unless I'm misinterpreting the scale of the map). Bailey's and Tug Boat look perfect. And I'll definitely try to hit the Deschute's barrel-aged tasting.
I hadn't actually heard of Bridgeport (and their website wants to kill my browser). It looks kind of out-of-the-way. Is it worth the walk?
Thanks for the offer, mrzarquon! I'll memail you shortly!
posted by team lowkey at 11:54 AM on June 5, 2010
I hadn't actually heard of Bridgeport (and their website wants to kill my browser). It looks kind of out-of-the-way. Is it worth the walk?
Thanks for the offer, mrzarquon! I'll memail you shortly!
posted by team lowkey at 11:54 AM on June 5, 2010
Response by poster: Whoops. I didn't realize the Deschute's event is down in Bend. Probably can't do that, then.
posted by team lowkey at 12:15 PM on June 5, 2010
posted by team lowkey at 12:15 PM on June 5, 2010
Bridgeport's beers are superb. Among the best in the state, IMO, esp. the hoppy ales.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 7:01 PM on June 5, 2010
posted by Joseph Gurl at 7:01 PM on June 5, 2010
Best answer: Bridgeport has a killer Happy Hour too, with some of the best burgers in the city.
I also highly recommend Henry's Tavern. It's not a brewery, but they have a local tap list a mile long, and tasty food!
posted by thatbrunette at 9:09 PM on June 5, 2010
I also highly recommend Henry's Tavern. It's not a brewery, but they have a local tap list a mile long, and tasty food!
posted by thatbrunette at 9:09 PM on June 5, 2010
Response by poster: Sold! I'll make the trip up to Bridgeport, and Henry's looks rad.
posted by team lowkey at 10:51 PM on June 5, 2010
posted by team lowkey at 10:51 PM on June 5, 2010
Best answer: I'm late to the party, but skip Henry's. It is overpriced, I think the food is meh and their beer knowledge and service is terrible. It somehow manages to capture all the charm of an Applebee's into an upscale space.
Definitely hit Bailey's: unique (literally) beer selection and unparalleled knowledge near where you'll be. Get a sampler or 2 to taste everything on tap.
Do go to Apex (and the Beermongers across the street) if you can make it there.
posted by turbodog at 10:02 AM on June 8, 2010
Definitely hit Bailey's: unique (literally) beer selection and unparalleled knowledge near where you'll be. Get a sampler or 2 to taste everything on tap.
Do go to Apex (and the Beermongers across the street) if you can make it there.
posted by turbodog at 10:02 AM on June 8, 2010
Best answer: Nthing Bailey's and Tug Boat Brewing. Bailey's is awesome and you can get Mexican food delivered there while you drink. Tug Boat is literally across the street and is this dark little hideaway microbrewery (but food isn't great). A visit to these places is a more unique experience than Henry's or Bridgeport.
Henry's has a large selection but the beer prices are high, the food isn't great (though very cheap at HH) and there's definitely a bro/meat-market vibe to the place. Bridgeport is still worth a trip, but food prices are highish and it feels pretty fancy in there now.
(I know you didn't ask about food but you'll need something to soak up all that beer...).
posted by janerica at 12:25 AM on June 10, 2010
Henry's has a large selection but the beer prices are high, the food isn't great (though very cheap at HH) and there's definitely a bro/meat-market vibe to the place. Bridgeport is still worth a trip, but food prices are highish and it feels pretty fancy in there now.
(I know you didn't ask about food but you'll need something to soak up all that beer...).
posted by janerica at 12:25 AM on June 10, 2010
Response by poster: I managed to go to Bailey's and Tug Boat, and they were both fantastic. Tug Boat specifically; we hit them at opening, and the bartender gave us a bunch of free tastes, and chatted beer for a long while. Good times. Bailey's had a great Gose.
Henry's was just down the street from the hotel, so we checked it out. Huge beer list, but 90% was stuff we could get in CA. It was worth it for the grilled cheese, cheese soup, and the pickles. The pickles were awesome.
Family drove us out to the east side on Monday, and Apex was fucking awesome. I LOVED Hale's Pale Ale on nitro, the Truffle Shuffle Stout, and a beer call "Seven"... I don't remember which brewery it came from.
We also made it up to Bridgeport, but didn't find anything we loved. Not bad... just didn't impress (as I said, not into the hoppier ales). C'est la vie.
posted by team lowkey at 12:50 AM on June 16, 2010
Henry's was just down the street from the hotel, so we checked it out. Huge beer list, but 90% was stuff we could get in CA. It was worth it for the grilled cheese, cheese soup, and the pickles. The pickles were awesome.
Family drove us out to the east side on Monday, and Apex was fucking awesome. I LOVED Hale's Pale Ale on nitro, the Truffle Shuffle Stout, and a beer call "Seven"... I don't remember which brewery it came from.
We also made it up to Bridgeport, but didn't find anything we loved. Not bad... just didn't impress (as I said, not into the hoppier ales). C'est la vie.
posted by team lowkey at 12:50 AM on June 16, 2010
Response by poster: team lowkey: "(as I said, not into the hoppier ales)"
..or maybe didn't actually, totally say.
But no one chose to mention the Rose Festival? It did make a bit of a difference in our walking tour ;)
posted by team lowkey at 1:06 AM on June 16, 2010
..or maybe didn't actually, totally say.
But no one chose to mention the Rose Festival? It did make a bit of a difference in our walking tour ;)
posted by team lowkey at 1:06 AM on June 16, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Madamina at 4:52 PM on June 4, 2010