Breweries/Beer Stores in Portland

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by syu3003, Jun 4, 2012.

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  1. syu3003

    syu3003 Initiate (0) May 4, 2011 Michigan

    Evening everyone!

    I'll be visiting a buddy in Portland on the 19th. We are planning on going on a eating and drinking spree for 3 straight days. I'm trying to map out some key spots to hit up, so I was hoping you guys could hit me up with some suggestions, especially breweries/beer stores to check out. I'll probably be bringing a bag just to check and bring back with me so I can stock up on stuff I can't get back home (in MI).

    I'll be for sure hitting up Deschutes and HotD. Dunno much about the rest of the places here: http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/city/16.

    Appreciate any suggestions! Thanks!

    Cheers!
     
    #1 syu3003, Jun 4, 2012
  2. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    Breweries? Beer stores? You're coming to the wrong place.
     
    #2 RedMedicine, Jun 4, 2012
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  3. syu3003

    syu3003 Initiate (0) May 4, 2011 Michigan

    Haha yea this will be my first time in Portland. Can't wait to get west coast brews as fresh as they come.

    This is also the first time I've posted in the NW board. Like an idiot, I didn't realize till after I put this thread up that there were many travelers to your esteemed city in search of similar information. sorry for the additional clutter...
     
    #3 syu3003, Jun 4, 2012
  4. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    It's all good. There should be a reasonable number of recent threads on this topic. Nonetheless, people (including myself) still seem to love to share their opinions on what is best at the moment, so you may get a few replies tomorrow. When it comes to breweries, you have so far managed to identify one essential in HoTD, and the other would be Cascade.
     
    #4 RedMedicine, Jun 4, 2012
  5. msubulldog25

    msubulldog25 Initiate (0) Aug 3, 2005 Oregon

    Several recent threads that will help:
    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/so-many-breweries-in-pdx-what-shouldnt-i-miss.20664/
    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/taking-a-trip-to-portland-or.15367/
    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/pdx-visit-questions.18342/
    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/check-my-work-portlanders.13192/
     
    #5 msubulldog25, Jun 4, 2012
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  6. syu3003

    syu3003 Initiate (0) May 4, 2011 Michigan

    Sweet thanks guys. Definitely gonna go all out and hit as many places as I can. Don't have too much vacation time these days.

    And looks like I'll be just missing PDX beer week. Too bad...

    Cheers
     
    #6 syu3003, Jun 4, 2012
  7. m4ttj0nes

    m4ttj0nes Zealot (611) Feb 21, 2012 Oregon
    Trader

    Apex/beermongers
    HotD
    Cascade
    Belmont Station
     
    #7 m4ttj0nes, Jun 6, 2012
  8. LoPo87

    LoPo87 Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2012 Oregon

    This ^ and Upright Brewing if you are there when the tasting room is open.
     
    #8 LoPo87, Jun 6, 2012
  9. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The attraction of the Upright Brewing tasting room is something I've never understood. While I like their beers just fine, except on those few occasions when they're doing a speciial release, I don't see the point of stoppnig by. The place is small and stark, and most (in fact last time I was there, all) of the beers on tap can be found around town without much of an effort (Apex often has an excellent selection of Upright beers, as does the Grain & Gristle). Prices are quite reasonable, I'll readily admit that, but parking can be difficult to find around there, their hours are pretty limited, and I believe it's still cash only there.

    Shrug.... there are so many other great places to go in PDX, I just can't imagine wasting my limited time with a trip out to the tasting room (unless the Blazers are playing at home).
     
    #9 John_M, Jun 6, 2012
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  10. LoPo87

    LoPo87 Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2012 Oregon

    See I actually appreciate the small factor of Upright. I think the fact that it is in the basement of a bank, you drink in the middle of their operation, and its $3 for a glass of good beer makes it quite a nice experience and a change of pace from the typical brewpubs around town. I do agree that it is much better when a Sole Comp is on tap or a beer is being released but that Engelberg Pils gets met every time. To each his own I guess.
     
    #10 LoPo87, Jun 6, 2012
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  11. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Last time I was there, the Pils was not part of the regular line-up. That beer is so good, that I agree it warrants a special trip out there (if you can't find it any place else). Still, for someone coming from out of town, unless they're a complete Upright groupie, I'd say look for Upright beers around town and don't waste your time at the tasting room. At least for me, the HOTD tasting room and Cascade barrel house are must stops, as both places pour a lot of beer that you can't find any place else (unlike the Upright tasting room).

    However, that's just my opinion, and I absolutely agree, each to their own.

    (the Engelberg pils is just crazy good, and may make me rethink my opinion...:-).
     
    #11 John_M, Jun 6, 2012
  12. boMD

    boMD Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2009 Oregon


    There's no bank there. The space just happens to be called 'The Leftbank Project'.
     
    #12 boMD, Jun 6, 2012
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  13. msubulldog25

    msubulldog25 Initiate (0) Aug 3, 2005 Oregon

    Well, they DID add an ATM on the first floor recently... so there's sort of a "bank" now! :wink:

    To derail this even further, has anyone else read the history of the building (Hazelwood)? It's pretty interesting and has some historic significance... http://leftbankproject.com/the-history/ The fact there was once a jazz club upstairs was (so I've heard) a key reason for the name 'Upright', a musical reference (that is represented in their logo, the Sole Composition series name & label and in several of their beer names ~ Monk & Mingus or Fantasia, for example)...
     
    #13 msubulldog25, Jun 6, 2012
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  14. syu3003

    syu3003 Initiate (0) May 4, 2011 Michigan

    Sweet thanks guys, gonna try to hit up all those spots. Gonna have nothing but free time so me and my buddy are trying to make a list of 30 restaurants/bars to eat and drink at on the 21st and 22. I think I'm gonna have to seek out this Engelberg Pils to session away between stops.
     
    #14 syu3003, Jun 7, 2012
  15. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    For some people the idea of actually drinking on the floor of the brewery is very cool and not many places (in the country) offer that, and certainly not breweries offering the caliber of beers Upright does. I don't go often now that live here for many of the reasons you mention, but for a visitor I can really see the appeal.
     
    #15 RedMedicine, Jun 7, 2012
  16. syu3003

    syu3003 Initiate (0) May 4, 2011 Michigan

    After all this chatter about Upright, I'm gonna have to go now! Especially $3/glass, its gonna be a good time. I'll ask em about the bank and jazz club too haha.
     
    #16 syu3003, Jun 7, 2012
  17. hopsbreath

    hopsbreath Savant (1,157) Aug 28, 2009 Florida

    You chose...wisely. I'm an Upright fanboy (that's me ordering a beer at the brewery in my avatar) and stop by about once a month on average. Great beers and pretty low key for the most part. Flights are $1 a (4oz) taster for all 8 or 9 beers on tap. One-offs are almost always pouring in a couple of those taps. Enjoy! You will likely not be disappointed.

    Edit: Just echoing what has been said about Engleberg Pils. It's crazy good!
     
    #17 hopsbreath, Jun 7, 2012
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  18. syu3003

    syu3003 Initiate (0) May 4, 2011 Michigan

    Cheers all! Thanks for the suggestions. As of tonight I'm on vacation now, and will be heading to Portland for some R&R in a few days. Can't wait to start drinking again...

    Just curious if there are any events at places or local pubs happening this week?
     
    #18 syu3003, Jun 19, 2012
  19. djbreezy

    djbreezy Maven (1,499) Dec 16, 2008 Washington

    The Commons is the new Upright...absolutely crushes.
     
    #19 djbreezy, Jun 19, 2012
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  20. digita7693

    digita7693 Initiate (0) Jan 19, 2010 Germany

    [quote=" the Engelberg pils is just crazy good, and may make me rethink my opinion...:slight_smile:.[/quote]

    Whenever this beer is mentioned I find it necessary to give my acquiescence; a remarkable beer worthy of seeking out. I personally love the atmosphere at Upright too, and, as has been mentioned, the prices are great.
     
    #20 digita7693, Jun 19, 2012
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