Freebridge Brewing

Last stop before the long drive to Boise. I love that you have to walk through the brew house to get to the Taproom. The bar has an English pub vibe going on, and it was fairly busy on the Sunday afternoon. The food really hit the spot too, and they had super friendly service. Not too far off the highway and definitely worth the stop.

Was at this place about 4 or 5 years ago when we were passing through The Dalles. Talked to the owner at a Brewfest and they are still the only brewery in The Dalles. When we stopped there the food was good but nothing special and the only had about 8 taps. Friendly people, looks like a place that is just trying to keep going. Located in an industrial part of town with a small location.

Covid restrictions mandating outdoor only seating were in place when I visited. Still had to go indoor to order, a bit cumbersome. Rustic taproom had the feel of a hunting lodge, outdoor area was makeshift by the loading dock. 10 beers on tap, the 3 I had were solid. Place was understaffed with one guy pouring beer and delivering food to tables outside.

i didnt really care a whole lot for either of the beers i had in here, a rugged raw wheat with a cool malt profile but a messy ferment, and a really lackluster kellerbier with a similarly whack yeasty thing, both seemed very amateur to me, but also a little different, somewhat creative, and full of potential, especially the wheat. these guys have a pretty solid reputation it seems, so maybe i just ordered poorly when i was in briefly, but it wasnt happening for me on the beers. a shame, because their space is cool, right on the main drag in town there and quite spacious, with a little outside space up front, and a unique layout inside with the brew house up front, and a little walkway up to the bar that weaves in behind it, kind of neat to walk right through the production area on your way to the taproom. its slightly elevated, open, a nicely repurposed old building it seems, with a modest selection on tap. i may have ordered poorly, but i was underwhelmed, and the service was friendly enough, but kind of sloppy with stuff too, like pouring a foamy beer into a pitcher, waiting for it to settle, and then serving it to me minutes later. i get sometimes kegs are foamy, but i was pretty much the only dude at the bar and watching every move, seems like a lousy way to get a beer, like she didnt care as much about it as she maybe should have, or was improperly trained or whatever, but it was an unflattering experience, even though she was nice and all, just a little clueless on the beer etiquette and such. good vibes in here though, nice and mellow, and the food liked solid, but i didnt eat. a neat building and cool spot overall, but the beers really were quite lackluster. i will check back in next time in town and see how things have progressed...