Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room

Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting RoomHair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room
Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting RoomHair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

61 SE Yamhill St
Portland, Oregon, 97214
United States

// CLOSED //

HOURS:
11:30am - 8:00pm Tuesday - Thursday and Sunday
11:30am - 10:00pm Friday - Saturday
Closed Monday
BEER STATS
Average:
4.07
Beers:
52
Ratings:
12,873
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.31
Reviews:
92
Ratings:
306
pDev:
8.58%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by portlandjeff:
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Reviewed by portlandjeff from Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
When they were calling it the hair of the dog "tasting room", I had envisioned a little cramped corner of the new brewery with a couple seats and a few beers to try, but that turned out to be very wrong. The bar area is pretty large, with a long horseshoe shaped bar that accommodates about 20, along with a lot of table seating, and more bar type seating along the west wall. The place is an old converted industrial/warehouse type building about as close to the river as you can get on the east side. Located conveniently across from a bridge off-ramp, it has the advantage of no tall buildings across the street to block the view of the downtown skyline, which is a big plus; especially at night when you can see all the lights. While the bar is nicely done, and leaving a converted industrial place pretty intact often tends to work for some restaurants and bars, the rest of the interior seems a little unfinished. I hope that they'll spend a little time and money down the road to polish it up a bit. Still, it's a very comfortable place to hang out, and you're drinking HotD beers... what more do you need?

The quality is about as good as it gets. When you're in a bar where Adam and Fred on tap sound a little boring because of the other offerings, you know you're in a top notch place. The special stuff on tap I've tried since they've opened includes cherry adam, a few vintages of fred from the wood and doggie claws, 2009 jim, and little dog. Wow! The draft beers are definitely where the deals are. Even the best and rarest stuff is only $6.50 for a 12 ounce pour - about half the cost of buying it fresh in the bottle at a dock sale after waiting in line since 5 am... On top of the draft selection though, is the AMAZING collection of vintage bottles to try. 5 year verticals of doggie claws? Matt? 2005 rose cassis? michael? etc... yep!

Then there's the service. As far as I can tell, there only two employees working at Hair of the Dog besides Alan, and they're great. Wendy in particular is super friendly and helpful, and goes out of her way to make sure you're enjoying your visit. I'd give the place a 5+ on service if I was just rating their individual performance, but the truth is, when the place is full, two just isn't enough. I have to dock a point for not having enough staff for busy times. Even so, I've never really had terrible wait times or anything, it's just nice getting a little more attentiveness, which is especially lacking sometimes if there wasn't room for you at the bar.

The selection is great. Like I mentioned when I was talking about quality, there is a wide range of beers (and vintages of those beers) to try that just aren't available anywhere else.

The menu is always changing, but I'm liking the direction that it's been moving since its debut. I've only ever tried the adam braised smoked brisket, and I thought it was a great snack to pair with the bold hair of the dog beers, and a good value too at $6. When they first began serving food, a lot of the menu items were priced a bit higher than I would have liked for the venue (although they may have still been a great value for what you got), and I'm glad to see most everything now priced at under $10; with a good variety to boot. Besides, it leaves more drinking money, and that's the point, isn't it?

Value here is subjective. On tap, I feel like everything is a great deal, ESPECIALLY the rarer stuff. Like I said, I've waited in line for 5 hours to buy 12 oz bottles of some of this stuff at TWICE the price they're offering it on tap, and I guess that's the way it should be. The availability of some of the stuff they have only in bottles is fantastic, but here's where the value starts to seem questionable. On the same day, they let you choose between 12 ounces of cherry adam on tap for $6.50, or 12 ounces of the same vintage in a bottle for $12. Or how about $6.50 for 2007 doggie claws on tap, but $15 for a bottle? Then there's Matt, a FANTASTIC beer no doubt, but $25 for 12 ounces? There's how much you need to sell a beer for to make all the time and effort to make it worth while, and then there's how much you think you might be able to get someone to pay once in a while. I think a fair price is somewhere between the two, and some of these seem to be priced closer to the latter.

Atmosphere and some of the bottle prices aside; this is a great place, and it would certainly be in my top 5 recommendations for anyone coming to Portland for beer. Visitors from other big cities might even find the prices really appealing. I've lived and traveled all over and know what things cost other places, and HotD isn't out of line when you take that into account. It's just a little high for Portland. Still, these aren't just any beers, this isn't some big corporation, and you don't get to really experience this kind of pride, hands-on attitude, and impeccable quality just anywhere, and that's worth a lot.
Oct 20, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.46 by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

Apr 24, 2022
 
Rated: 4.57 by REVZEB from Illinois

Sep 30, 2021
 
Rated: 4.48 by jheimbigner from Washington

Nov 10, 2020
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Rated by ScottMcCall01

4.66/5  rDev +8.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
A real nice place to stop if you are riding bikes anywhere near this Brewery.
Apr 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4.07 by cryptichead from Illinois

Jan 02, 2020
Photo of cjgiant
Reviewed by cjgiant from District of Columbia

4.03/5  rDev -6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
Corner location with shared parking in back. Once inside, there’s a peninsula bar that seats about 20-ish people. There is also a handful to two of various table seating.

The brewery has about 10-12 taps but has a fair selection given that limitation. The prices for draft fall into what I generally expect, which is only noteworthy because of the prices they command for their bottled beers. There is a selection of these bottles for on site consumption, but they are generally pricey.

Throwing out the debate of “worth the price,” the beers are generally of high quality. There higher proof offerings can be somewhat polarizing, but some of that may have the pricing aspect embedded. The lighter draft offerings I’ve had have all been enjoyable, including a couple oddballs.

Service is generally good, they check the boxes and don’t do anything annoying, but we haven’t had an occasion of great service. Only having been there twice, there isn’t a lot to go on to sway my thoughts to either side.
Dec 24, 2019
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Reviewed by Phyl21ca from Canada (QC)

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Large pub located right beside the bridge in downtown Portland. Good selection of draft offering and bottles to go. Staff is very knowledgeable and prices are fair for location and quality of offering. Definitely worth a stop for the high quality beer offering.
Nov 10, 2019
 
Rated: 3.95 by jophish17 from Georgia

Sep 26, 2019
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Rated by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.96/5  rDev -8.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
vintages of bottles available for consumption there and hit or miss. taps ok and worth the trip. always convention of beer nerds from far and wide.
Aug 21, 2019
 
Rated: 4.29 by wisrarebeer from Wisconsin

Jun 17, 2019
 
Rated: 4.41 by Montanabeerz from Montana

Jun 03, 2019
 
Rated: 3.46 by rab53 from Washington

Jun 02, 2019
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Reviewed by RyanK252 from California

4.15/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
This was sort of a bucket list stop for me while we were in Portland. The feel is unique, one part warehouse, one part dive bar, but all the while super cozy and welcoming. We stopped in on a Thursday evening, so it was kind quiet. Our bartender was awesome, we talked beer and hockey as we savored our drinks. You sort of have to know what you're getting yourself into when you come here, because the selection is a little bit hoppy, and a lot of big complex beers. Their focus on certain styles is part of what makes them special. I could probably have hung out here all night, slowly sipping a little bit of everything.
May 21, 2019
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Reviewed by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington

3.98/5  rDev -7.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
I love HOTD beer and the on tap selection when I've been here was okay, not as good a the take-home cellared bottles they offer. The room is beautiful and it just looks like the perfect place to enjoy a beer IMO, But the servers were the most dry and pretentious people I have ever encountered in a brewery, as if I wasn't good enough for their beer.
Give me a break and get over yourselves.
Apr 08, 2019
 
Rated: 3.89 by denver10 from New Mexico

Feb 23, 2019
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Reviewed by fmccormi from California

4.14/5  rDev -3.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Hair of the Dog is a neat place. The main room consists of a big, open air bar area with plenty of seating, plus lots of tables around for additional seating. I didn't get anything to eat there, but their menu looks thoughtful and rich, pulling on English heritage while utilizing the ingredients and character of the Northwest. Meanwhile, the beer is outstanding, if you're looking for English, Belgian, and American strong ales, essentially. They always have an interesting variety of beer on tap consisting of a few core beers, a few rotationals, and a couple very limited beers—one fermented in wood, and one fermented in their concrete egg. The prices are a little high for the beer, but then again we may also be talking about a 12% ABV strong ale fermented in a goddamned concrete egg on fruit or some shit (I say this very lovingly). You can get taller pours if you like, but I personally really enjoyed the 3oz wineglass-shaped, stemmed tasters to get a feel for more of their beer. And, with strong ales, it's not a bad way (and definitely a good idea) to proceed cautiously.

Definitely would recommend this place. It's got a unique character that you won't find at the other breweries in Portland, and it's totally worth it.
Feb 20, 2019
 
Rated: 4.14 by JOSEPHthayer from Colorado

Nov 21, 2018
 
Rated: 4.09 by grapeshops from California

Sep 27, 2018
 
Rated: 4.14 by smela3 from Texas

Aug 16, 2018
 
Rated: 3.93 by wisegreensoul from Idaho

Jul 13, 2018
 
Rated: 3.73 by psoriasaurus from Thailand

Apr 27, 2018
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Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

4.68/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5
One of Portland’s best. Small, well curated selection, constantly rotating. Nothing bad here. Nice low key vibe.. A lot less crowded than I would expect on a Thursday.
Feb 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4.43 by kjkinsey from Texas

Feb 11, 2018
 
Rated: 3.84 by chrisjws from California

Jan 28, 2018
Photo of Lingenbrau
Reviewed by Lingenbrau from Oregon

4.61/5  rDev +7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5 | food: 4
To me, Hair of the Dog is kind if a religious retreat. It's a destination for true fans of their beers, and not on the radar for anyone who is not. HotD is not just another checked box on a list.

A steady and relaxed flow of people come and go. They are there to enjoy and savor the beers they know and love. It is calm, and wonderful. Simple art in many forms adorn the teal painted walls of a background. Beautiful exposed wood beams and a large wooden bar make for a warm and inviting room.

The beers, if you are a fan, are truly second to none. Their staples, Adam and Fred, need no introduction, nor do their variants, and every other dog on the menu are extraordinarily impressive. The access to Vintage on premise bottles is enough to drain your wallet and yet plaster an endless grin on your face.

The staff knows where they are, and who they are attending. True fans treating you like real family. Never hurried, never pressured.

And the food ain't so bad either. Grab a bowl of chili or some mac and cheese on your way out, but don't let their deliciousness spoil the brew before hand.

Cheers!
Dec 31, 2017
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Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -12.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4
What in the world? I thought this was going to be a tiny, shabby little hole in a wall. As I'm walking down the street, what do I see but a massive wall with clean, artistic signage on an aesthetically pleasing pale black background. It's not quite as big on the inside as it looks from the outside, but this is just the customer area and it is quite sizeable, with a huge, square-U bar and plenty of satellite seats surrounding.

The taplist is shockingly sparse, but has almost as many guest listings as HotD. They had a couple of "from the Wood" and "from the Stone" drafts, including a special treatment with peach, which was nice to try since this is how I heard of them and I didn't really know what else to think. Their other beers are also decidedly old world and take you back to a grittier time, in spite of being poured into the cutest little glasses while sitting at a very modern bar with a far off view of a kitchen preparing a massive wedge of Parmesan for future use.

Speaking of which, the food here is also ultra modern and very nice, again surprising me, especially since the physical menu itself looks like a ratty old Applebee's menu from the 90s. This place is all kinds of confusing, but lots of fun. You know what they say about Portland. The only problem is there really isn't that much to offer for people that don't appreciate a very specific style of beer. I can't believe they can maintain such a massive complex in such a location...maybe it's the under the bridge and near the train tracks deal.
Oct 19, 2017
 
Rated: 3.54 by eawolff99 from Minnesota

Sep 02, 2017
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Reviewed by wordemupg from Canada (AB)

4.23/5  rDev -1.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
18/8/17 with the wife while eclipse chasing. Industrial part of town but no issues finding it. Had a flight and although all were decent I was only really impressed by a couple of the beers I tried much to my surprise. The food and service were excellent, best BLT I can remember and my wife's fish was fresh as can be. I'd go back in a flash but might dig into the vintage list as that's where the real gems were hiding.......still don't think I'd drop 1500$ for a bottle of Dave, by far the most expensive thing I've seen on a beer list....
Aug 20, 2017
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Reviewed by Radcpa from Washington

4.19/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 4.25
Excellent service and good selection of music. Food is very good. Selection is limited to whatever they offer at the time you are visiting. Need to offer full line of products
Jul 12, 2017
 
Rated: 3.72 by oriolesfan4 from Maryland

Jul 12, 2017
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Reviewed by HipCzech from California

4.16/5  rDev -3.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25
Airy bar with garage doors and a relaxed, neighborhood vibe amongst warehouses and railroad tracks on the east side of the Willamette. Smaller but solid selection of well made beers, available be glass and sample, as well as vintage bottles and a limited bottled offering to go. Good spot to linger over HOTD's big, malty brews amidst all the hoppy IPAs in town.
Jul 08, 2017
 
Rated: 4.5 by abagri from Massachusetts

Jul 03, 2017
 
Rated: 4.33 by CPAles from Illinois

Jun 19, 2017
 
Rated: 4.31 by bdajedi from Bermuda

Apr 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4.5 by the_encinitan from California

Mar 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4.5 by mattmarka1 from Minnesota

Mar 14, 2017
 
Rated: 3.4 by KalbHOMEBREWS from Colorado

Feb 02, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by Spaceman_Jer from Colorado

Jan 31, 2017
 
Rated: 4.16 by Timtac from New Jersey

Jan 03, 2017
Hair Of The Dog Brewing Company / Brewery And Tasting Room in Portland, OR
Brewery rating: 4.07 out of 5 with 12873 ratings