Visiting Portland (Winter 2016 update)

IMHO, Hood River would be worth it. Don't know if there's any public trans out there and back, but a 1 day car rental would be worth it. Take off in the morning, stop and see some sights and maybe a short hike, then hit HR in the early afternoon. Check out Pfriem, Logsdon, and grab a pizza at Double Mountain. You could get the rent-a-racer back by 5, and have all evening in PDX ahead of you.

 

Oh sure, all the usual caveats. I don't know if it exists in PDX (although, it seems like the kinda of place where the idea would work), but I've heard of places that do partial day rentals. Not really hourly, but if you only need a car for a few hours kinda dealio. That's what I had in mind as a suggestion.

 

The key issue is I can't drive

 

Then stay in Portland and have a good time. The logistics of trying to get out to HR or Tillamook wouldn't be worth it.

 

When you get closer to your trip you should post a thread and see if anyone is planning on heading out on any day trips and offer to pitch in gas money and buy a couple pints if they let you tag along. I don't know about HR, but I can pretty much guarantee that someone reading this forum will be heading out to Tillamook on any given weekend.

Hell, if you sweetened the deal by smuggling a bottle or two of Cantillon across the border you'd probably have people fighting over who gets to drive you around.

 

I like the way you think!

 

This is a helpful thread. I'll be staying at cascade station with the family. Any super close decent bottle shops within a mile or two? I know about BBW and the Parkstone for decent draft options, but need a quick stop and pop place to grab some beer for the room. Last year I hit Target, the selection, as expected not great. I can usually convince the wife to let me hit the Belmont station on the way out of town, but need some quicker/closer for getting into town.

 

Maybe Beaumont Market? Probably 4-5mi vs 1 or 2, but still closer than Belmont.

 

New Seasons Concordia and Beaumont market would be the two closest places with any sort of selection, but even those are ~15 minutes away from Cascade Station. Where are you coming from, and are you flying or driving?

If you're flying in and not arriving too late you can get growlers at Laurelwood and bottles at the Made in Oregon store. It won't be as big a selection as a normal bottle shop, but if you're just looking for some tasty stuff to drink in the hotel room it should do the trick.

 

There is nothing. I work by Cascade and even though Parkstone and BWW have a large number of taps, you're honestly going to have better luck going to Sidelines (be aware, super dive) or Bistro 23. They have a smaller number of taps but IMO better rotation unless you're looking to drink a lot of different beers. No bottles at any of the four spots though and I've never seen a growler filled at any. I'd echo what others have said that you'll have to travel away from there to find a decent bottle selection.

 

Should have mentioned that. Driving in from the east from the Tri-cities, WA. I love it that the legendary @maltmaster420 (on this thread and others, you make quality posts) gives great suggestions, but feel free to pimp your place. For the record, I make the Belmont Station a must stop every time I come to Portland (probably will be the end of the stay due to wife not liking me dragging the little ones around on my beer escapades). I was just curious if something not super well known, but better than target was nearby.

 

Thanks on the tip about sidelines and bistro 23.

 

By the way, I was just at a spot that is still selling BCBBW if you want to roll the dice. They want $18 a bottle and were aware of the recall, but not the deadline. PM if you want the location.

 

Volcanic Bottle Shop is 2 minutes off 84 in Hood River. Maybe you can convince your wife to stop there for a minute. Maybe sweeten the deal with some Double Mountain pizza.

 

And, if the kids are getting antsy in the car, why not get 'em some exercise in the park? The one right by Pfriem. Huh, coincidence?

 

I like your thinking. Forgot about the volcanic shop. First time I experienced the glorious alesmith. I tell her they got a cheap gas station nearby Plus, pizza and exercise is always good!

 

If you want cheap gas you should drive 15 minutes south of HR on 35. There are podunk stations near Odell and Parkdale that serve the area farmers. Solera is only a couple minutes away.

Huh, coincidence?

 

If hitting up Beaumont Market, probably worth a stop at Bottles as well? It's on the way back to Cascade Station....

 

Of the new kids on the block, any in particular that are truly worth hitting during a three day trip?