Visiting Portland (Winter 2015 update)

Beer-wise, inner SE is probably better, but NW 23rd does put you in a generally dense area of restaurants, bars, and shopping. And pretty solid public transit, although you should probably know that most locals avoid the streetcar when they can. You can frequently walk faster than it moves you along.

 

Thanks so much for the reply! Would you say that Kerns in the SE would be a preferable area? Should I expect decetn access to public transport / things in walking distance?

Thanks again!

 

NW 23 will have more options to walk other than beer (and personally I think would be more enjoyable for someone visiting the city). Kerns is nice though for beer destinations and getting to other places on the east side.

 

I booked a condo thru AirBnB in the Pearl District, I think around NW Marshall/NW 12th, it seemed like a good spot, the neighborhood looks gorgeous, and we will have a car (spending 8 days out there).

I had a specific question re: De Garde. If there's such a thing as a "normal" Thursday at opening, do I need to be there right at 3pm? Is it better to wait a bit? The wife is only going to have so much patience for me lol

 

Yeah, you'll be easy walking distance to lots of stuff (including Deschutes, 10 Barrel, Fat Heads, Baileys) and just off the end of the Broadway Bridge to pop over to Upright and the rest of the east side action. Does your condo include a parking spot? That would be my only concern.

On a non-release Thursday, I imagine things are pretty quiet at opening.

 

that's a great question, I just pinged the condo owner and am waiting to hear back. I'm not averse to just paying for a garage if I have to (it's our Anniversary so, whatever)

I imagine that part is pretty important, eh? lol

 

Hey @markgugs this is right next to my building, and even if you don't get parking space, there's a garage you can park your car @ 720 NW Lovejoy Ct for only $8.00 per day.

I would also suggest hoppy hour @ bridgeport brewery $3.75 for Imperial red or IPA is not bad and food is decent.

In Eliot neighborhood there is nice non profit Ex Novo brewery, I would say ales are standard and food is decent, try brisket if you fancy meet. Upright just released barrel-aged wild Anniversary Saison, not sure if they still have it but all stuff is great.
Also if you guys fancy cider, I would say that Reverend Nat's is quite tasty and not far away from Pine state Biscuits for some good eating.

Sorry for long post from non native English speaker.

Cheers & all the best and if you fancy we can always join you for a pint or 10

 

that's great info, thank you!

I think I can spring for $8/day for 6 days. I already pegged Bridgeport as a place to hang out while my wife goes to the spa or whatever :-)

 

With deschuttes, 10 barrel, fatheads, baileys and tons of amazing food places in the area you recommend Bridgeport?

 

@digita7693 you're right, Deschutes and Baileys are awesome places and have great beer, and as much as it pains me I do have to admit that 10 barrells has nice Berliner weisse. I guess only reason I did suggest Bridgeport is that's right there in front of you.

Sorry i didn't mean to mislead anyone who is visiting our town.

 

I lived 2 blocks from there for 13 months and went once. The space is nice enough, the food isn't bad, but there are myriad places I'd rather go in that area. Hell you could walk 2 blocks further to street car tap room, far from my favorite place, but a much better beer selection.

Cheers

 

I like the Tillamook area, so I wouldn't have a problem spending the day in the area waiting for DeGarde to open. Take a tour at the cheese factory, if you're into aviation, there's a neat air museum in town, there's the coast, you could drive out in the morning and spend the day driving along there. I don't have local info, but it seems like there should be some decent hiking in the Coast Range, if you're into that. Pelican has an outpost in Tillamook now as well.

 

I didn't even think about the possibility of a release/crowds next Thursday. I'll be in Tillamook that day to finally check out the brewery. Staying in Pacific City the night before and then slowly make our way into Tillamook.

 

oh yeah, we're doing ALL of that, just wasn't sure if I'd have to drag my wife out of whatever we're doing to rush over to DG by 3pm (or earlier)

she's beyond excited to see the coastline. anyone recommend a killer breakfast or lunch spot up thataway?

 

Look up Pelicans.

I have no clue but I am visiting Portland next week and have been looking at that place because I am visiting Tillamook as well.

 

RE: Pelican - If you can swing it, I highly recommend the original place in Pacific City rather than the one in Tillamook. The food and beer are pretty much the same at either location, but only in Pacific City do you get a view like this:



edit: also, don't buy bottles at the brewery unless they somehow have bottles of Mother of All Storms. Everything else they produce can be found in Portland for less money.

 

Thanks again to all that provided feedback to my earlier questions. After three days at Bandon early last week, I was able to spend a full day in Portland exploring the city. I eased into it with a bike tour Wednesday afternoon, and then hit the new 10 Barrel (place was mobbed), Hair of the Dog, Cascade, Belmont Station (just missed Parabola and De Garde on tap), and APEX. Was a little disappointed APEX was so empty, but it was a Wed. night afterall. Hair of the Dog was the highlight for my tastes, and though I'm not a sour drinker typically I was pleasantly surprised by Cascade (particularly their '13 stout which the bartender was nice enough to let me taste).

 

This might be a silly question, is there any Thrift stores in Portland near down town that if I wanted to say buy a cheap suitcase when I got out there to check a bag, it could be reasonably done?

 

yeah, downtown has a Goodwill, TJ Maxx, and Nordstrom Rack

 

Nice. So I should definitely be able to find a cheap suitcase if need be