Visiting Portland - Fall/Winter 2016-17 update

Yes, but (if I'm interpreting this correctly) that CO2 is still released at a later date when the beer is consumed. Using the original logic an argument could be made by a teetotaler that making alcohol is an unnecessary CO2 release.

 

The CO2 is a by-product of a process. Burning propane just to pump heat into the air is more akin to cranking your furnace on, and opening your doors and windows. It's just a silly little pet peeve, not a serious treatise on global warming.

 

Agree to disagree. We as humans do a lot of things for aesthetic reasons that others might find unnecessary. (Such as turn sugar in to alcohol and shaving various body parts.) Just because I don't enjoy something though doesn't make it wasteful.

 

I'll be in town the 10-18th, hoping to find some awesome people to hang with and show me around.

 

Great weekend in PDX. Absolutely loved it! I think we did well. Made it to...

Great Notion
Breakside
Baerlic
Cascade
Commons
Hair of the Dog
Upright
Ex Novo
Laurelwood (airport)

Apex
Beermongers
Doug Fir
Whiskey Soda Lounge
Imperial Taproom
Baileys Taproom


Hat Yai
Lardo
Apizza Scholls
Cafe Broder

Nike employee store!

Can't wait to come again.

 

That looks like a FINE beerful weekend. Good choice of restaurants too.

 

Hi folks,

Looking forward to my upcoming trip. I want to watch the Trailblazers play--among the recommended breweries (and bars) which one(s) are my best bets for catching a Monday night game? Looking for great beer (not too difficult) and a fun crowd (without being too "sports' bar"-ish. Thanks!

 

Is it s home game? Upright is right by the arena and has special pregame hours.

 

Havent seen much about the new Breakside location but here are my takeaways....

-Typical opening pains. Outside seating not approved for drinking by OLCC yet.
lots of tables but not much room inside to stand around, and the bar area isnt that big. felt like we were cramped everywhere we stood. Even the upstairs "lounge" area has a bunch of tables up there. I would probably say there is less than 800 sq ft of space to stand/move around.

Also, bar tabs dont transfer between upstairs and downstairs. meaning, if you started upstairs and then want to close out downstairs on your way out, you will have to walk upstairs again. this is really dumb, and the explanation of "a guy working downstairs should not get the tip if you bought all of your drinks upstairs" doesnt make sense. There is probably a 15yo programmer somewhere in Portland that could have system that flags where drinks/food were ordered and then disperses the tip appropriately.

also, its a new trendy spot in NW portland so the vibe is........yeah. Horse Brass this is not.

once things calm down, im sure it will get better.

all the negatives aside, the beer was great. Also once the deck opens up and the rooftop is opened up, it will be an awesome spot for good weather days.

 

do folks in PDX not get too excited about Upright releases? I was there on Saturday and picked up a bottle of the sole composition nectarine donuts. Had it on draft first and thought it was great. Only 64 bottles total released, and it had been released two days prior, was surprised to still see a couple of cases available.

 

They were all in the 5 hour line at Holy Mountain.

 

Upright is awesome but doesn't play the hype game. No announcement on Sole Comp bottles and they aren't usually on draft. Love that spot though.

 

I'm a big fan of Upright and their small batch, diy attitude. Glad they aren't hyped too much, but they do deserve it.

 

Not really, which is funny because they are one of my favorite breweries that consistently makes some of the best saisons/sours in the NW, as well as some good one-off IPAs and stouts.

I think John is right that they dont even attempt to play the hype game and rarely announce any releases on social media and the brewery is in a truly......"unique" location with odd hours (although if you ever go see a Blazer game live, this is the best place to get drinks beforehand) .
they also almost never do any "tap takeovers" or any other type of events around the city. they dont have a sales team either as far as I know.

but this is a classic example of a NW brewery that gets basically zero hype and produces world class beer. Fantasia is always great. Special Herbs is one of my yearly favorites. hearts beat and shades are phenomenal, and the Oregon Native is one of the best beers I have had in the past year. Engelberg pils is also a must order anytime I see it on draft.

Oh, and their draft prices in the taproom are an absolute steal (cash or check only)

 

Fantasia was actually still available, and I grabbed a bottle of that as well.

Yeah, that location is nuts. I felt like an f'n idiot trying to find it. Already being a few beers deep probably didn't help. Lyft driver circled the building multiple times (no sign at all above street level), finally we just said let us out, we'll figure this out. Then my wife and I walked around the building another time before seeing the sign at ground level...walked inside, still totally confused. Felt like I was on a scavenger hunt! Went down several wrong hallways, staircases, and finally made our way. Not exactly the best signage! We loved it though. Was even pleasantly surprised with their IPA and oyster stout.

 

Usually, the Fantasia release will have a line that doubles back down in the basement... But this year's release was during the snowstorm, so hardly anyone showed up. I am surprised that there are still bottles available.