The Growler Guys

Bar, Beer-to-go

816 SE 8th Ave
Ste 109
Portland, Oregon, 97214-2303
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.42
Reviews:
4
Ratings:
14
pDev:
8.82%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by John_M:
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Reviewed by John_M from Washington

4.38/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
There's a lot to like about this latest GG incarnation in PDX, but let's start with the staff. As is typical with all the GG's I've been to, the staff here are friendly and social, and are happy to pour you a sample of anything they currently have on tap. However, this GG is something of a family affair, with both the owner (Brendan), his wife and brother working behind the bar on most hours of the day. It adds a degree of warmth that you don't see too many other places in town or among GG establishments. Unlike the manager/owner of the GG where I live (Eugene), the owner here is passionate about good beer, is a huge fan, and so does everything he can to make sure he has an outstanding taplist. On a typical day, expect to see barrel aged impy stouts, strong ales, lambics, wild ales, DIPA's, saisons, Belgians and imports... maybe not always at the same time, but the selection here is truly diverse and generally outstanding. In the past, Brendan has hosted a BA bottle share event in his store (and provided snacks and a considerable amount of beer on his own dime), and the last time I was there they even had a firkin on the counter (have NEVER seen this at any other GG).

Number of tap handles is typical for the better GG's I've been to, with some 42 beers on tap and 6 ciders (what Brendan, no sangria, sake, wine or kombucha on tap?). Also, one of the things I've noticed about GG's in general, is that increasingly you see more and more attention to proper glassware. The PDX GG is no different, but this is the first place where I have ever seen a GG teku glass (Brendan indicated he had just gotten them in when I last stopped by). As for the atmosphere, again this is a fairly typical, stand alone GG operation. It's pretty much a no frills kind of place, though it's a bit larger than most GG's I've been to, and so has a larger area where one can hang out with a beer (and there are also a couple of TV's on the walls, typically turned to football, baseball, basketball or hockey. During football season, they have the NFL redzone on one of the TV's.).

Shrug. Great beer and great beer bars abound in PDX, but even for PDX, this place is a jewel among growler stations. Increasingly, this place is starting to become part of the regular rotation whenever I'm up in PDX (which typically, is at least several times a month). This place is highly recommended.

Edit from 10/15. GG PDX now has plenty of ciders and kombuchas on tap as well, if that floats your boat. Also, as I now live in PDX, I pretty much come here at least once a week. Cheers!
Jul 22, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.22 by BeerAndFilm from Oregon

Sep 24, 2018
Photo of elNopalero
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan

4.69/5  rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75
Killer tap list with great prices. Tasters are 4/$10, or roughly half the price per pint. But a good way to sample before you buy. My only complaint is there is no seating at the bar!
Oct 04, 2017
 
Rated: 3.66 by Atreyu from Oregon

Mar 27, 2017
Photo of Beersnake
Reviewed by Beersnake from California

4.43/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5
Stopped in after seeing some of the reviews. Great service, and nice selection of beers. They were definitely willing to offer samples, which is great. Definitely recommend this place!
Jan 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4.63 by Erik-P from Canada (BC)

Dec 11, 2015
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Reviewed by jrnyc from New York

4.79/5  rDev +8.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75
Visited this place while in Portland, loved it! Boneyard, Vietnamese Speedway Stout and so many great other selections. Staff was very knowledgeable and very friendly. Highly recommend this place.
Oct 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4.72 by South2NW from Oregon

Sep 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4.64 by SeeingMeansMore from Oregon

May 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4.34 by almostjay from Virginia

Feb 09, 2015
 
Rated: 4.87 by kamikazeokami from Oregon

Feb 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by Raimalise from Oregon

Oct 31, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by hawkbrew from Iowa

Jul 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by bumchilly25 from Canada (BC)

Jul 03, 2014
The Growler Guys in Portland, OR
Place rating: 4.42 out of 5 with 14 ratings