Tugboat Brewing Company

Tugboat Brewing CompanyTugboat Brewing Company
Tugboat Brewing CompanyTugboat Brewing Company
Brewery, Bar, Eatery

711 SW Ankeny St
Portland, Oregon, 97205
United States

// CLOSED //

Operation Hours:
Mon: 5-10pm
Tue-Thu: 4pm-12 midnight
Fri - Sat: 4pm-1am
Sun: closed
BEER STATS
Average:
3.62
Beers:
7
Ratings:
39
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.3
Reviews:
37
Ratings:
60
pDev:
19.39%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by akahn:
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Reviewed by akahn from Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +20.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
A hole in the wall with good food and good beer. The ambiance is just right, dark and cozy, with a lamp at my booth to read a book. The cheese ravioli in marinara sauce was perfect comfort food, and the coffee brown ale was on point--modest, drinkable, tasty--and I don't even like brown ales generally.

I'm not sure what other reviewers are expecting, but a hole in the wall with house-brewed beer is great in my book, there are enough overpriced fancy beer places that take themselves too seriously back home.
Sep 18, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of puck1225
Reviewed by puck1225 from Texas

4.06/5  rDev +23%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.75
I loved this place. Pleasantly dark and cozy, with a huge selection of good book lining the wall near the bar. The selection is limited but good quality. The afternoon I was there, there were only two Tugboat brews on offer, but the IPA I had was great. Food was good and the service was comfortably grumpy but efficient. Recommended!
Jul 20, 2016
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Reviewed by StJamesGate from New York

1.93/5  rDev -41.5%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 1.25 | service: 1.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 2.25
I haven't written a review in a while but I feel the need to warn people:
This place is a pit.

I was originally attracted by the idea of an English ale specialist in a city of hop bombs.
And there is some charm in the scruffy interior, a sort of "Old Portland" unreconstructed dive bar, even if it looks nothing like an actual English pub.

But first looks is as good as it gets.
Their own beers are not just uninspired but actually flawed: papery staleness, mineral tang that suggests bad water chemistry, and phenolic notes that can come from high ferment temps. (Check the listings: only one that's rated >3.7 out of about a dozen beers.)
Food is perfunctory. Pot-stickers were OK but likely packaged, nachos were only a notch above what you'd get at a Blazers game.
And service is somewhere between gruff and alienating. Don't try asking about hop varieties. They can't do itemized receipts because their cash register is too old, but I got grief from the bartender for asking!?

I'd be fine with all this from a neigbhorhood spot in, say, Buffalo.
But smack in the center of Portland, with so many amazing options for beer, food, and service, there's just no excuse.
Avoid.
May 31, 2016
 
Rated: 3.79 by Chris-1911 from Illinois

Mar 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3.31 by tim007007 from Illinois

Mar 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3.36 by brbrocc from New York

Aug 29, 2015
 
Rated: 3.65 by Geoffq from California

Jun 21, 2015
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Reviewed by brewtalthrone from Ohio

4.64/5  rDev +40.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.5
Step into this place across the street from Bailey's and it seems as if time has stopped. The first thing you're gonna notice is the books on the shelves, lots of books; and plenty of board games (it's a Portland thing, evidently). This is a place that certain of us beer geeks revel in - a dark'n'dank type of atmosphere, the kind of place where you feel like you are stepping away from reality (ironically, the world-famous Horse Brass pub has that same vibe). Service was friendly, I was there alone, but didn't feel "alone". I had some food, though I don't remember what; nevertheless it was delivered quick & was very good I do remember. The crown jewel was the IPA, one of the best (if not THE best) IPA in Portland. Off the beaten path, though yet still in downtown, this would definitely be considered a hidden gem in Portland. Beercationers in Portland would be well-advised to drop by.
May 17, 2015
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Rated by Germanstylefan7896 from Colorado

3.99/5  rDev +20.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.75 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.25
Very fun small place with great beer.
May 07, 2015
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Reviewed by Mebuzzard from Colorado

3.9/5  rDev +18.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.25
I have a feeling this little brewing isn't getting caught up in the craft beer "revolution", and it seems just fine. A small place, not blinding lights, cozy, book shelves, nice old-style pub going on. Only 5 house beers on tap, but several guests and ciders. The atmosphere itself would make me a regular....if'n I didn't live in Denver.
Great music. I mean Music, none of that new-age crud. Music that was played and recorded by musicians. Nice little place off the radar it seems
Apr 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.38 by kamikazeokami from Oregon

Feb 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.2 by sjrodriguez from California

Jan 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.34 by italianstallion from Wisconsin

Dec 21, 2014
 
Rated: 1.5 by HopHead84 from California

Nov 26, 2014
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Rated by JC271 from Washington

2.3/5  rDev -30.3%
Feels like a dive bar that decided to make beer. Beer tastes like it is brewed in the back of a dive bar.
Oct 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by anteater from Oregon

Oct 14, 2014
 
Rated: 2 by South2NW from Oregon

Jul 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by dunix from Vermont

Jul 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by atpca from California

Jul 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by SickBrew from Washington

Jun 17, 2014
Photo of Quentin33
Reviewed by Quentin33 from California

4.68/5  rDev +41.8%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
I usually agree with the Beer Advocate reviewers (indeed, I depend on their reviews and often base my visits on them), but I totally disagree here - the Tugboat is one of the most attractive bars I've been in: inviting, warm, comfortable, and with tons of board games available, too. It also has an extremely savvy selection of Oregon craft brews. Yes, it's quiet (no TV, some nice soft music, bluegrass-southern rock when I was there), yes I suppose you could call it somewhat a coffee house atmosphere, but I and everyone I brought there (I was in Portland for a Bar Mitzvah) loved it. I've gone to 15-20 Portland places over the years, and most are great, but this would probably be the first I'd re-visit.
Jun 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by slavall from Wisconsin

May 15, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by jtosch from Oregon

Mar 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Gig2828 from Georgia

Mar 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Hobbit from Oregon

Mar 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by jaydoc from Kansas

Jan 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Pearlstreetbrewingco from Florida

Jan 04, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Sicem99 from North Carolina

Dec 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by fitius5150 from Oregon

Dec 02, 2013
Photo of DavidB123
Reviewed by DavidB123 from New Jersey

2.93/5  rDev -11.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 2.5 | service: 4 | selection: 2
First place me and my buddies stopped at while in Portland looking for something that was the "IT" place . Atmosphere is cool, dim lighting and books line the walls.. looks more like a cafe though. The bartender was the also the owner/brewer and she was friendly. Other than service and atmosphere the beers are average, there beers on tap along with a few other micro brews.
Feb 13, 2013
Photo of KDawg
Reviewed by KDawg from Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -16.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 3
I dropped in here on a saturday night while bouncing around Portland. It had a pretty laid back vibe, but there was barely anyone there. I don't mind a laid back vibe, but it felt more like a coffee house than even a brewpub. Not a full negative for me, but I did notice it.

There weren't that many beers on tap. I think there were like 6 on the night. What they had was pretty decent, but there wasn't that much available.

The service was on the surly side. There weren't that many people and it would take a bit to get a beer. The food was solid. Nothing spectacular, but being hungry and having drank a bunch of beer, it more than did the trick.

Tugboat is 'aight. It's proximity (ie being right next to) to bailey's will mean that I come back and re-evaluate at a point in the future.
Jul 10, 2012
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Reviewed by GreenCard from Maryland

3.38/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 2.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5
This one had been on my to-try list for a LONG time and I finally made it happen not too long ago when a friend from high school was in town for a conference. We decided to meet up there because it was near one of the conference venues. Haven't seen this guy in over twelve years and it turned out to be the perfect place to spend a couple of hours catching up because the decor was a lot like the coffee-houses we used to hang out at back in high school. The low-key lighting, lots of dark wood surfaces, books and board games, etc. Though it was a Friday evening, it was relatively quiet, so there wasn't a long wait to order at the bar and we didn't have to shout to be heard. Not sure if the place ever gets to that level of noise, but since it's so small, I imagine it could.

The nachos were pretty good. The beer was decent (I only tried their house beers), though I did NOT like the strong stout. I know it was supposed to have a bit of a tang to it, but it just tasted wrong and smelled like the rubber floor mats behind the bar. Having said that, I would like to go back there again solely for the ambiance and vibe.
Dec 29, 2011
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Reviewed by miserableassin from Oregon

1.83/5  rDev -44.5%
vibe: 2 | quality: 1 | service: 2 | selection: 2.5 | food: 2
I think this is the worst brewpub I've been to in the U.S. I've visited three times, hoping my previous experiences were one-offs. Their beer is consistently off: sour, bitter in all the wrong ways, and with a terrible aftertaste. Worst of all, they consistently refuse to exchange or even taste it. The food is mediocre at best, all microwaved, and the atmosphere, which has potential given the decor, is impaired by the asinine comments of the bar staff when you try to complain about the beer.

If you have to go here, try a guest beer, then head over the road to Bailey's Tap Room, who acknowledge the benefit of picking up pissed-off Tugboat customers. I have no idea how they made it into Willamette Weekly's bar of the year list in 2010, but they are an embarrassment to the city.
Oct 02, 2011
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Reviewed by barleywinefiend from Washington

3.5/5  rDev +6.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
A: Different. Walked in and it was pretty busy. We found a small table upfront by the bar. So much talking we could not hardly hear ourselves talk. Pretty "radiant". Almost looked like an old bookstore.

Q: I ad the Chernobyl Stout and I thought it was better than the ratings reflected

S: Not bad. I walked up got a beer, not slow, no attitude so I was happy

S: Could not recall how many beers but i thought maybe 8 to 10?? A range of Stouts, IPas and usual suspects. nothing to mindblowing

F: No try
May 17, 2011
Photo of DigitalEye
Reviewed by DigitalEye from California

3.6/5  rDev +9.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3
Tugboat brewing doesn't really fit the brew-pub mold. In fact, the best way I can think to describe it would be "brew-dive", a cross between a brew-pub and a dive-bar. But at the same time, that's what gives it much of its charm. It's a hole in the wall with no big flashy sign and no glass-walled brew rooms, it's a dark and cozy library with a small bar that smells like beer and a bit like cigarettes. I love the walls of books and the "stuff" everywhere and I especially like the sparse lighting fixtures with bulbs hanging at the end of long swirling stalks of conduit.

This place isn't trying to impress anybody its simply a low-key place to disappear into and have some decent well-made beers. They specialize in English style ales and the ESB I had was quite nice. Their motto says it all Tugboat: Small, Strong and Hard-Working (or something like that).
Jul 21, 2010
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Reviewed by plaid75 from New York

3.7/5  rDev +12.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
Located directly across the street from Bailey's.

Upon entering, it is clear that this is a unique place. The decor is an eclectic combination of antiques and garage sale salvages with the random bookshelf and beat up piano.

The bar itself was very small, with a half dozen or so seats.

The beer list was limited, and there were only two house beers pouring at a time. I get the impression that the brewer brews as his schedule permits.

The bartender was very nice and talkative and there was free popcorn at the bar!
Jul 12, 2010
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Reviewed by shivtim from Georgia

3.84/5  rDev +16.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
This laid back little place is right across the street from Bailey's Taproom.
It's like a small old library in an old woman's estate. Wood shingles, bookshelves, small lamps on the tables. Cozy. The bar is tiny - seating for only 4 or 5 people. They had 6 on tap brewed by them, plus 13 others, mostly from Oregon. Decent selection.
The bartender was friendly and sometimes talkative, but seemed somewhat disinterested. He didn't really know too much about the beers they had available.
Very cheap happy hour beer - $3 pints of anything.
Nice stop, especially when combined with Bailey's.
Jul 03, 2010
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Reviewed by gxm99 from Oregon

2.8/5  rDev -15.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 2 | service: 2 | selection: 4
With Bailey's right across the street, why would I ever go here again?

I went in the afternoon with some friends. 3 of their 6 house taps were offline, so I tried their "Trip Bock", and so did my friend. I would have rejected the beer the server handed my friend, it was so murky. A "Bock", even when brewed as an ale, should be clear. I was happy that mine was just cloudy, and cheap at $3.
I was told this was a 12% beer by the somewhat annoying server. Bullshit. I know what a 12% beer is, and there is no way this was a 12% all malt beer. It *might* have been 8-9%. I also know this beer wasn't tasty. It needed to age at least another month, both to clear up, and to remove the young off-flavors.

We tried all 3 house beers, and all agreed that none were worth the $3 price. I did order a thoroughly tasty Warsteiner Dunkel. An excellent beer, well worth the $1 premium over the house swill.
Mar 08, 2010
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Reviewed by egospoon from Oregon

3.88/5  rDev +17.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
I really like this little place. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, an old library with good beer, or a casual, co-ed, slightly funky/shabby version of how you'd picture a gentlemen's club on Pall Mall in the 1890's. The Anti-Bailey's. Selection was half their brews, half guests, maybe a dozen in total. I really liked their own Flower Power Pale. It reminded me of ruby port, which insight rather surprised the proprietor. Maybe it's just me. A jazz trio was playing for tips in the corner, and there were a great many old books and board games and quiet conversations in a youngish crowd. I asked the barman to fetch me a few pepperoncini from a big jar I spotted high on a shelf, to have with my popcorn (free and fresh), and he very pleasantly obliged. He was very good alike with irritable beer snobs and novices who would probably would have asked for a Bud Light in other circumstances. Really a nice experience.
Jan 14, 2010
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Reviewed by morebeergood from Massachusetts

3.41/5  rDev +3.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Day 2 & Stop 2 of the Portland Pub Crawl. With the door shut, the place looks like a back alley movie theater. When you walk in, it looks like grandma's house. Old, dusty, and lots of worn books. But...that's the charm of the place. It's a dive brewpub that works. Greeted when we walked in by a nice bartender and a local. I went with the Chernoybl Stout in a 8 oz glass, and both commended my choice. My wife had the porter. Pretty good selection of beers, and quite a lot of guest beers available also. There were a few items on the food menu. Grabbed a booth seat, and noticed all the board gamed. Ended up playing "Operation" for half an hour. It was quiet, the beers were cheap, we had a good time in this darkly lit place. I applaud this place for being different and downtown.
Jul 18, 2009
Tugboat Brewing Company in Portland, OR
Brewery rating: 3.62 out of 5 with 39 ratings