Visiting Portland (2023)

Reel M Inn had great beer options when I was in a month or so ago. I only remember getting cans before but they had a handful of taps cracking: Breakside, Living Haus, etc. It all got a lil fuzzy when those jojos kicked in.

 

I realize Reel M Inn isn’t a craft beer destination but I had read about it and was walking by. I am originally from Wisconsin and bartended/bar managed a handful of places over the years. The Reel was literally all of those places! Haha. I did not get a PBR because I got a Miller High Life and a shot.. which was around $6 if my memory serves! They did have some local craft on tap I just chose to be in Rome and whatnot. Also I was still full from Fire on the Mountain otherwise I would have definitely gotten their chicken and JoJos. They looked and smelled fantastic I just couldn’t do it.

I meant to add in my original post that I was very pleasantly surprised by the prices in PDX. Most places I visited had 10-16 oz pours for $5-7. I live close to Sacramento where those pours are $7-9. Sure it might only be $1-2 but that’ll add up when you have “a couple”! Roscoe’s was the one place that I was most disappointed that I didn’t squeeze in. I’m glad they came through for your third or fourth round of PtY tho!?!

Thanks bud. I definitely tried to give it my all! Haha

 

A few buds and I have tickets for the Celtics vs Blazers game coming up. I believe Upright is near the Moda Center? I am guessing it is packed on game nights? Anything else nearby for pregame? Also, once inside the game, how is the selection? Seems like @vurt has something tasty at Timber matches. Hoping for something tasty at the game. Thanks.

 

Going back through the previous posts, looks like @BarrelAgedG (even though he is a Buck’s fan ) might have some info for me?

 

There is. And here's where you can see the taplist:

https://www.cartsidepdx.com/tap-list/

 

Nice one. I will be there as well. I grew up on the South Shoaaaah, still a Masshole at heart. It will be nice that the Celtics are here on a weekend night. Coincidentally, it will also be St Patrick's Day

I'm not sure where I'll be beforehand but Upright is usually in the cards. Cartside is a solid option. Some decent food there as well. Moda has some great beers too, sadly mostly in cans.

 

That is pretty OK for that sort of set up. They have even oldies like Pilot Rock Porter and one i had never hear of "Here Today".

 

In my early childhood I lived in New Hampshire. Larry Bird and the Celtics was the first basketball game I saw on tv. Been a fan of basketball and the Celtics ever since.

Will be a great weekend in Portland (minus the rain; it’s early, that forecast may change)…March Madness, St Pat’s, the Celtics and plenty of good beers will be had.

I’ll be the Celtics fan in a back brace. Shouldn’t be too hard to spot

 

Haha.. yeah we all have our downfalls! My rec depends on a couple things. How much time you have beforehand? And How much traveling you are willing/want to do? I will also add that my recollection of which places have TVs is a little “fuzzy”. So if watching NCAA tourney games is a priority(which I get bc it would be for me) I can’t verify that all these places have that capability.

Upright is great and is right by Moda but they don’t open til 3. I was there on a Monday so it’s probably skewed but there were less than 20 people an hour or so before the game. Spirit of 77 is a sports bar so you’ll absolutely be able to watch games there. I didn’t go in but I walked by and it looked like a solid spot.

Can’t go wrong with @guajolote rec to head up Williams and hit AleFire and/or Grains of Wrath. I would also say that if you go up that way Bridgetown Beerhouse is a handful of blocks west. I thought they had the best tap list in that area(also had a great to-go selection if that matters). Obviously that’s subjective and maybe I just got lucky the day I was there! They all have their lists online if that is something that matters to you. I also had intentions of hitting Cartside but ran out of time. I would advise eating somewhere before you go into Moda. There’s just too much great food around to eat at an arena. Even though the game nachos I had were fine I regret that I wasn’t able to hit another food cart pod.

Lastly for what it’s worth the 2 best tap lists I saw were at Apex and Belmont Station. Apex had the better list but was more expensive(quality costs) and had a lesser “vibe”(you’ll be with friends so who cares) in my opinion. Belmonts list was very good and their bottle shop is absurd. Apex is accessible by trolley AND light rail. Both have a stop within a couple blocks and run back to Upright/Moda(the Ross stop on the trolley is basically across the street from Upright). There are a ton of other places(Beermongers) including a couple of actual breweries(Chuckanut & Baerlic) in that area as well if you prefer that to beer bars. Belmont Station in my opinion is more of a driving/Uber/Lyft situation but it’s not terribly far. It’s just in a spot that is a hike from the light rail. Don’t let that dissuade you though.. that bottle shop alone is worth the trip!

No matter what you do I am sure you will find great beer and food.. I am envious! Have a great time and let’s go BLAZERS! Haha. Cheers!

 

Nice info. You find any good beer in the Moda?

My buddy and host for the TC crew coming down lives in St John’s. I believe the initial plan - we will hit up storm breaker and Occidental (both walking distance from his pad), Uber to Prost, walk over to Miss Delta for food, maybe upright, the game, and the loyal legion for a night cap. Who knows what shenanigans we’ll get into on Saturday?

 

Agreed, that's a fine taplist.

 

My bad I should have figured you weren’t a complete newb like me! Haha

I didn’t really look that hard. I walked in pretty much when the game was tipping off so I went straight to my seat and got my nachos and a Great Notion Ripe at half time. Truth be told I needed the break so I was purposely taking it easy at the game. If I remember correctly there were at least some from Ruse, Wayfinder, and Deschutes? From the limited area I saw I thought it was a decent stadium selection if not above average.

 

Nah. I am noob in Portland. So many breweries (and food spots) on my list to hit up. Whenever I am in Portland/Beaverton I am either with my family or passing through. Which usually leads me to popping into Belmont Station to grab some brews. Love that shop.

The group I am traveling with all put in one request for a stop. I am under the impression that there is no bad beer in Portland, so I requested Pine St. I have never been. But that Reggie deluxe has been calling my name for years.

Needless to say, I am pretty pumped for the trip.

 

Just for clarity, all of Cnuts brewing is done at their facility in Burlington WA.

 

Chuckanut is 2 blocks from Pine State (if you go to Division) and you could swing by for a couple of six-packs. The pils is much tastier at $14/6pack than $5/500ml bottle.

 

Most excellent intel.

 

Here Today is a new brewery from Seattle down along the waterfront and the Olympic Sculpture Garden.