Visiting Portland (Spring 2015 update)

Nobody here seems to care what brand name is on the growlers, however most places are set up (price-wise) for 32 and/or 64oz growlers. I'm sure many places would be happy to work with you on figuring out a fair price for a 40oz, but if you have a couple 32oz containers kicking around it might be simpler for everyone involved if you brought them.

You didn't specify how old your daughter is, but as a word of warning de Garde doesn't allow minors. Depending on the age there are a handful of things to do in Tillamook: the beach, the cheese factory tour, and the air museum (conveniently located next to de Garde) could all be viable options if someone wants to skip de Garde and entertain her off site. If nothing else, there's a big grassy field outside the brewery, so you could take turns going in for a drink while someone hangs outside to play with her.

Nothing beer-related that I know of, but all you have to do is say "bottle share?" and you can probably drag a few of us out of the woodwork for a beer or three. As for non-beer stuff, there's the Rose Festival, fireworks, and a bunch of other stuff going on.

 

Daughter is 2yo but not going on Friday to De Garde, just me and a buddy

 

Yep no minors allowed at de Garde.

And if you want to visit Hair of the Dog, go over the weekend. They're closed on Mondays.

 

Looks like I'll be at de Garde on Saturday, not Thursday @markgugs (unfortunate), Anyone know if it gets pretty crazy on weekends/ optimal time to visit? I only ask as there are a few Minneapolis taprooms, which start getting a pretty darn busy mid afternoons and often have a wait list to get in

 

I'm sure there will be a line waiting to get in at opening, but you should be fine. They're very efficient at moving people through the bottle and draft ordering line.

 

Given that its a holiday weekend, we may be busier than normal. We don't do a wait list. If there's a seat, you're good. It may take a couple extra minutes to grab a beer on occasion if it gets crazy, but we arent in an urban market, so typically much more relaxed.

 

Thanks for the heads up ! Ill be wearing a nice Green Bay Packer Shirt (Yes, Im not ashamed) , if you're around, be sure to say Hi!

 

Just stopping in to say that I'm never leaving Portland and you can't make me.

 

This is super informative, thanks to those who put this together. One quick question for you all. Planning a bachelor party of 8-10 guys, mostly 30-34 years old. I'd say 3-4 guys are big into beer including myself, while others probably won't know the difference between Caskade or Deschuttes prior to walking in. Going to try to do 3 of the stops on the walk it off tour. With Friday Night through Sunday being our schedule and sat afternoon being the time allocated to breweries, where would be a good place to grab a block of hotel rooms for us? Obviously something clean and spacious is preferred but we don't need anything fancy. To start/end the tour on foot from the hotels would be great and also to have access to nightlife would preferred too. The only personal recommendation I have heard is the Pearl District but that doesn't seem to be to popular on this thread.

Forgot to add - 7/10 - 7/12 in case something specific will change the availability in certain areas. Right now its between Jupiter and Courtyard by Marriot. Different areas, it seems more of a cluster of hotels west of the river, not sure if that means more bars too.

 

Downtown, by the Marriott is more of the business district of town. For the most part, more than a couple blocks south of West Burnside is pretty quiet on the weekends. That said, you're still in easy walking distance to the Pearl and plenty of bars and restaurants. (FWIW, the Pearl is the stereotypically yuppie part of town. Dense with condos and businesses, but expensive. Some people like that, some people don't. I assume you know for yourself if you do or not.)

East Burnside by the Jupiter is also pretty dense with bars, but north and south you'll generally have a few blocks of residential / light industrial until you hit the next business corridor. Stuff will be more low-key than in the Pearl. It might be easier for 8-10 people to find room in a bar.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

Thanks it does. Unfortunately the Jupiter only has single bed rooms at the moment, looks like everything is fairly walkable though.

 

Just throwing it out there: do we consider dropping HoTD off the "almost universally" list anytime soon if nothing changes with them?

 

Remember Uber is here now and with that many people, it will hopefully be cheap and easy to get around. I think you'll be happy staying downtown. Fat Heads, Deschutes, 10 Barrel, Henrys, Lardo, plus food carts and good restaurants like Tasty and Alder. Don't forget about Bailey's and The Upper Lip (above Baileys - spacious). Oh and Marys as well if nakedness is on the agenda.

 

FWIW, while Uber is certainly easy, I'm not sure I'd say it's cheap (or any cheaper than a cab).

 

I would say no, because going to the taproom is still a must visit in my mind. Yes, bottles can be hit and miss, but the from the wood taps are reason alone to go to the taproom, plus the bottle list, and the food is pretty decent.

 

Considerably cheaper than cabs in most places, but not sure if that rings true in portland. I shall know better after the weekend

 

I guess I should have said, based on a month or so of using it, I'm not convinced it's significantly cheaper than a cab (and Portland cabs are already pricier than most towns).

Looking things up, the regulated taxi rates in town are:

$2.50 minimum flag drop
$2.60 per mile
$0.50 per min waiting time

On Uber rides, flag drop is also $2.50, mileage looks to be about $2.50 per mile, and time is about $0.30 per minute (but you pay for time all the time, not just when waiting or stuck in traffic). Seems like a toss-up to me, although the tip (or lack thereof) might push it slightly in favor of Uber.

 

I cited Uber for the easy part, and cheap because it will be split 4 ways.

 

Ive used Uber 4 times since Ive been here, not much longer than a 5 minute wait, a ride from ecliptic to fatheads was roughly $6.