Visiting Portland - Fall/Winter 2016-17 update

Got pretty covered but, some people get caught up negatively/positively in it's "hipsterness," can be loud, and can be expensive for what you get/when you book. But it is a great/fun location and can be pretty fairly priced.

 

I can vouch for the Northrup Station Inn.

Its a short walking distance from Lompoc, a McMenamins bottle shop, and soon the Breakside NW location (opening this Spring).

It's an easy street car ride (or longer walk) to downtown (10 Barrel, Fat Heads, Bailey's Tap Room, etc.)

You can also take the street car across the river to Upright, Hair of the Dog, Commons, etc. or to connect to the Max (to get to/from the airport).

Although its not directly beer related, you're in walking distance of Portland staples such as Blue Star Donuts, Salt & Straw, and Barista. There's also tons of boutique shops in case you're with a "non-beer" person who likes "shopping."

I don't know if they still do this, but they use to give out free passes for the street car when you stay at the Inn so you don't even need to buy a ticket (not that the street car is expensive).

 

@cortomaltese , this unscientific poll from a few months ago may help guide you in your choices: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/poll-best-northwest-brewery.462432/

 

I guess I've taken this post for granted in the past. I occasionally will chime in if I think I've got something to add... But I'm in the process of planning a trip to Chicago - and there is nothing like this in the forums. Nada. And asking around in the Great Lakes forum hasn't excatly been very all that fruitful. So, I just wanted to say thanks to guajolote for keeping this thing going and to all of you who keep contributing.

 

Always surprises me when other regions don't have that.

Maybe check that site that has words that start with an R and a B. I've had good luck there in the past for other cities.

 

For tourists like me coming through. The places like Rouge etc. How much of a pass is this for the locals? Will it be a let down? Is it worth a stop in their public house while strolling downtown?

** and also Widmer brothers?

 

I am not a local, but I visit Portland two to three times a year. There are so many great breweries in Portland, the only reason to stop in to the two you mentioned is if you have nothing better to do and just happen to be walking by. I wouldn't make them a destination. Not trying to belittle the two (hey, I cut my craft teeth on dead guy, have spent plenty of time at rouge's Newport locations, and I really enjoy steel bridge porter, as well), there is just much better options... Besides, you can get pretty much any of their beers off the shelf.

 

@rrock44 can agree to disagree with my assessment, but I would stop by Widmer if you happen to be in the neighborhood. The food is solid, and there's usually at least 8-10 beers on the menu that aren't available anywhere else, many of which are damn good. When I was there last week they had a fantastic unfiltered kellerbier, a dark rye lager, and unfiltered wheat IPA, and several others that I didn't have a chance to try.

 

IMHO, if you were driving along the coast, I'd say what the hell, and stop at the Rogue brewery. But, in PDX? Screw it. So many places you won't be able to get to anyway. And, while I haven't been, I've heard great things about the beer at Widmer, so, while I might not go too far out of my way to stop there, I wouldn't actively avoid it either. Shrug. YMMV.

 

i'd 1000000000% say skip Rogue (unless it's maybe the newly revamped Green Dragon (RIP))

But I completely agree with @maltmaster420 - If you're in the neighborhood, Widmer is totally worth a stop. I've had some completely amazing beers in there, and it's kind of a cool spot.

 

Widmer is definitely a chill spot.

 

I am glad the locals spoke up, thanks. And @Dil_thebeerdrinking_do, the @maltmaster420 knows his stuff, so take his advice. I wasn't trying to bad mouth either brewery, it is just when I am visiting Portland, so many breweries, so little time. With that said, sounds like widmer is worth a visit when I drop by in early April.

PS, I went back and read my post and it does sound a little like I was bad mouthing those two breweries. It was early in the morning, my bad.

 

hey. Im visiting Portland in May, and I'm thinking of shipping a box home.(or bring it back as a checked bag) Any recommendations of a place to buy a 12 shipper box (preferably) ? I'll bring tape, lol.

 

In the first post towards the bottom has a few recommendations on where to buy shippers iirc.

 

If you happen to be flying alaska, you can check a case of "wine" for free out of Portland. Buy a box here from one of the locations in the first post.

 

Thanks, and I'm sorry I didn't look at the first page closely.

I'll be more deligent with my next question!

Booked with Southwest , and they offer 2 free checked bags.

 

Ending up going to Bend for two nights so I can ski Bachelor. Hoping for good weather!

 

You probably already know, but there's this: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-bend-sunriver-spring-2016-update.406590/