NW Oregon Trip – Who’s In?

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by psweendogg, Jun 29, 2017.

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  1. Strangestbrewer

    Strangestbrewer Crusader (477) Oct 17, 2014 Oregon

    Unsure if it's on your radar at all but if you're in that area I'd absolutely recommend Solera brewery as a stop, great beer and possibly the best view from a brewery in the US.
     
    #61 Strangestbrewer, Jul 7, 2017
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  2. psweendogg

    psweendogg Maven (1,411) Jun 30, 2005 Connecticut
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    I definitely wanted to stop at Solera but unfortunately they're closed on Wednesdays. Maybe I'll stop and take a picture! That view does look amazing... sadly Mt. Hood Winery looks like our backup plan.
     
    #62 psweendogg, Jul 7, 2017
  3. Strangestbrewer

    Strangestbrewer Crusader (477) Oct 17, 2014 Oregon

    Huh, totally thought they were 7 days during the summer. Thats a bummer.
     
    #63 Strangestbrewer, Jul 7, 2017
  4. John_M

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

    Well, if you need a back up plan, perhaps this will do:

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4983/

    It's a pretty short drive from Hood River, and at least in the past, Walking Man was always worth a visit.
     
    #64 John_M, Jul 8, 2017
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  5. psweendogg

    psweendogg Maven (1,411) Jun 30, 2005 Connecticut
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    @John_M (or anyone else in the know)...

    Does anyone from pFriem check in on this forum? Wondering if there are any details regarding the 2017 Interurban Last Sunday Beer & BBQ Series. I was looking ahead on my trip and came across this link mentioning the July 30th Crawfish Boil with pFriem Family Brewers:

    http://brewpublic.com/beer-and-food/interurban-returns-with-its-last-sunday-beer-bbq-series/

    It used to be on the OCB website:

    http://oregoncraftbeer.org/brewery-event/pfriem-crawfish-boil/

    But it looks like it’s been removed:

    http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...riem-crawfish-boil/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

    Just wondering if it’s been cancelled or if they’re just working out the details... sounds like it would be a fun thing to add to the agenda! Thanks in advance to anyone with any info.
     
    #65 psweendogg, Jul 9, 2017
  6. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    IMHO, Walking Man has fallen pretty far. I haven't had anything of theirs in a couple years, but, unless they've made great strides, they're not a thing I would go out of my way for. YMMV.
     
    #66 BBThunderbolt, Jul 10, 2017
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  7. John_M

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

    Agree with you, but of late it appears they've been trying to up their game again. I've started seeing things like my Homo Erectus, my Old Kentucky Homo, My Big Phatt Homo and a new IPA on tap. What I've had recently has been promising.

    I'm not exactly sure what happened to them over the past few years. The Horse Brass has continued to carry their cherry stout, but that's the only beer of theirs I would see on a regular basis in PDX. That being said, I've always enjoyed my visits to the brewpub, though admittedly it's been some years since I was last there.

    Still, given a choice between Walking Man, Mt. Hood winery and Big Horse, I'd give Walking Man a try.
     
    #67 John_M, Jul 10, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2017
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  8. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I used to LOOOOOVE that Black Cherry Stout! Last time I had it (at Collins, about 3-4 years ago) it was a shadow of its former self. Good to hear they're back on the upswing.
     
    #68 BBThunderbolt, Jul 10, 2017
  9. psweendogg

    psweendogg Maven (1,411) Jun 30, 2005 Connecticut
    Trader

    @John_M @beertunes Thanks again for the insight on Walking Man... I'll let you know what I think if we have a chance to stop by. I think we're going to add Everybody's Brewing on Weds so maybe we can add WM on Thursday.

    To anyone else who is following along and wants to provide some feedback, here's what we've put together for options on our next leg of the trip.

    Thursday, 7/27 Hood River > Columbia River Gorge > Mississippi / Williams (PDX) > Alberta (PDX)
    Morning Coffee    : Ground >
    Late Morning (9-12): Hood River Waterfront > Rowland Lake > Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area > Dog Mountain > Backwoods Brewing >
    Early Afternoon (12-3): Thunder Island (Lunch) > Multnomah Falls > Latourell Falls >
    Late Afternoon (3-6): Vista House > Jonsrud View Point > Rose City Food Park (Snack) >
    *Sunset Beer (6-8) / Pub Crawl (8-10): *Wayfinder > Upright > StormBreaker (Dinner) > Last Thursday on Alberta > Great Notion >
    Final Stop: AirBNB in Alberta Arts

    Recap: In the morning, we’ll likely check out the scenery near Hood River... maybe jump off a cliff or something at Rowland Lake or do an easy hike on Dog Mountain. If we don’t hit Everybody’s Brewing or Walking Man on Weds, we might be able to check out one or both places after they open. Backwoods Brewing and Thunder Island look like some other decent options. Then, we’ll check out some of the local waterfalls and views on our way into Portland. Eventually, we’ll arrive in Portland to seek out a decent spot for a sunset beer (Wayfinder looks nice). We will probably check out Last Thursday on Alberta before ending the night at Great Notion.

    Please be patient with me as I’m trying to familiarize myself with the local neighborhoods in Portland. With that said, we will probably remain in the Northeast Quadrant on Thursday evening. Friday will be a full day in Portland so we will be saving everything on the West side of town for then. Anything we miss, we’ll hit on Saturday before / after making a quick trip out to Wine Country.

    Note: I have read the past few Visiting Portland Threads and they have been incredibly helpful. I’ll continue to refer to them so I can save my stupid questions for the Northeast forum.
     
    #69 psweendogg, Jul 10, 2017
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  10. dphi

    dphi Zealot (534) Apr 14, 2013 Oregon

    Wafinder has a nice patio area and good food (haven't had their beers yet other than some one-off collabs). However, for sunset beers, Altabira is hard to beat. The draft list isn't anything too special by Portland standards but the views are outstanding.
     
    #70 dphi, Jul 10, 2017
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  11. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I like pFriem's food way better than the pizza at Double Mountain.
     
    #71 distantmantra, Jul 10, 2017
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  12. psweendogg

    psweendogg Maven (1,411) Jun 30, 2005 Connecticut
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    Altabira looks awesome... I'll definitely keep it in mind!

    Just checked out the menu at pFriem... looks amazing. I love the fact that Double Mountain makes New Haven style pizza and I wouldn't mind judging for myself. Guess we might have to do both! Thanks for the suggestion.
     
    #72 psweendogg, Jul 11, 2017
  13. ExVashonGujy

    ExVashonGujy Pooh-Bah (2,114) Mar 7, 2013 Washington
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Uh, with all due respect, Dog Mountain is only an easy hike if you're really buff. It's very cool, with a fine view of the Gorge, and excellent wildflowers (although you're probably a bit late for the best show). But easy? Not with 2800 feet of elevation gain.
     
    #73 ExVashonGujy, Jul 11, 2017
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  14. psweendogg

    psweendogg Maven (1,411) Jun 30, 2005 Connecticut
    Trader

    Thanks for the feedback... I should've looked into that. Since I've never really been hiking, I guess I'll just stick to drinking beer!
     
    #74 psweendogg, Jul 11, 2017
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  15. John_M

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

    Just a couple of tips about visiting GN and Wayfinder (if you still decide to visit Wayfinder).

    Parking around Wayfinder is very tough to come by (there's only street parking, with no nearby lots). What the wife and I tend to do, is either park on SE Water (prior to it turning into SE Stark) and walk up, or park around SE Washington and SE 2d, pop in for a lovely glass of bubbly and truffle popcorn at Ambonnay, and then walk over to Wayfinder.

    Expect a similar problem visiting GN on Last Thursday. Once again, there's really only street parking in that area of Portland, and it's usually pretty hard to come by (even if you're not there on Last Thursday). So you'll likely need to park in the neighborhoods just south of Alberta, or just north. Usually that's not too daunting a task, but on Last Thursday, you might want to give yourself some extra time to locate a spot (and walk over).

    Otherwise, sounds like a very fun day. Good luck!
     
    #75 John_M, Jul 11, 2017
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  16. ctt8410

    ctt8410 Initiate (0) May 30, 2008 Oregon

    Since this is my neighborhood, I'll chime in real quick. If you're set on eating at a brewery near Upright, the food at Ecliptic or Ex Novo is significantly better than Stormbreaker imo. SB is a great spot for people watching on Mississippi Ave, but their kitchen is a complete afterthought.
     
    #76 ctt8410, Jul 11, 2017
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  17. psweendogg

    psweendogg Maven (1,411) Jun 30, 2005 Connecticut
    Trader

    Excellent tips!!! Fortunately, our AirBNB is only a few blocks south from GN so we can walk there. As far as Wayfinder goes, I will definitely run the Ambonnay idea by the boss.

    @ctt8410 We’re not set on eating at a brewery but we figured it would be easiest / cheapest to grab cheap bar food while we were grabbing a beer. We’re thinking about hitting Ex Novo for breakfast / brunch (maybe Saturday) so maybe we’ll check out Ecliptic while we’re in that area on Thursday. I’m assuming the beer at all of these places is solid so it’s great to have another option.
     
    #77 psweendogg, Jul 12, 2017
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  18. psweendogg

    psweendogg Maven (1,411) Jun 30, 2005 Connecticut
    Trader

    I was almost ready to let this thread die a natural death but I can’t get enough of this Northwest Forum!!! We are more excited than ever to go visit @deGardebrewing after reading all of the latest updates. You guys can fight over the Keepers Membership… we’re just going to enjoy whatever they have available next Sunday.

    If anyone is still following along, here’s what we have in store for our first full day in Portland. Honestly, the Visiting Portland thread has more than enough information so we’re just keeping our eyes on any special events that get posted to coincide with the Oregon Brewer’s Fest…

    Friday, 7/28 Alberta > Old Town / Chinatown > Downtown > Central Eastside > Pearl District > Alberta
    Morning Coffee    : Pine State Biscuits >
    Late Morning (9-12): White Stag > Voodoo > Pioneer Court Square > PDX Art Museum > Higgins (Lunch)
    Early Afternoon (12-3): S. Park Blocks > Keller Fountain > Mill Ends > Brewfest (Waterfront) > Kidd’s >
    Late Afternoon (3-6): Stumptown > HOTD (Snack) > Commons > Cascade > Roadside Attraction >
    *Sunset Beer (6-8) / Pub Crawl (8-10): *Portland City Grill > Bailey’s > Alder St. Food Cart / Lardo (Dinner) > Fat Head’s > 10 Barrel > Rogue
    Final Stop: AirBNB in Alberta Arts

    Recap: Pretty sure we’re gonna use Uber / Lyft / Public Transportation to drop us off in the touristy areas so we can check out the mandatory destinations. Maybe hit Higgins for a quick PBR before passing through the Brewfest; making our way to the other side of the river for Hair of the Dog, Commons, and Cascade. Probably head back to the apartment for a bit before Round 2. So excited that we could very well be walking into Cascade Brewing Barrel House in exactly two weeks from now!

    I’ve heard plenty of good things about Bailey’s Taproom so we will probably check out the 10th Anniversary Block Party at some point. Have any of you been to previous Anniversary Parties? Any suggestions on when we should stop by? Early? Late? Sounds pretty awesome.
     
    #78 psweendogg, Jul 15, 2017
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  19. vurt

    vurt Grand Pooh-Bah (4,504) Apr 11, 2004 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Higgins has PBR? That...doesn't sound right.
     
    #79 vurt, Jul 15, 2017
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  20. psweendogg

    psweendogg Maven (1,411) Jun 30, 2005 Connecticut
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    I was pretty surprised myself:

    "Pabst Blue Ribbon, Milwaukie WI, 24 oz can ..............................................4.75"

    I think I might be able to find some better options!
     
    #80 psweendogg, Jul 15, 2017
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