Planning an Oregon Beer-Cation. Thoughts?

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by reefer_bob, Jun 3, 2014.

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  1. reefer_bob

    reefer_bob Savant (1,010) May 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    I'll be driving up I-5 leaving Nor-Cal 6/6. Headed as far north as Vancouver, WA, but spending a day or two in Portland. On the way home I'll be going East to Hood River then South to Bend (Day or two there). This will end up being a 5 or 6 day trip.

    My list of breweries so far is:
    Caldera
    Deschutes
    Riverbend
    Boneyard
    Ninkasi
    Double Mountain
    Full Sail
    Rogue
    Hair of the dog
    Goodlife
    Crux
    10 Barrel
    De Garde (rather out of the way)

    Any thoughts on my choices? Any must adds? Should subtracts?

    I'm also looking for a couple good bottle shops in the Portland/Vancouver/Bend areas.

    Thanks for any feedback!
     
  2. John_M

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

    http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-portland-spring-2014-update.165640/

    I'm assuming you already have seen this, but just in case. It does a pretty good job answering most of your questions I think.

    Also, nothing against Ninkasi, but for my money, if I could only hit one place in town, it would be the Eugene Hop Valley location (not the Springfield one), or Agrarian, if it happens to be open when you stop by. Also, I would consider making a stop at Block 15 as well. It's no more than a 15 or 20 minute detour from I-5, and the beers there are truly outstanding (especially the limited release stuff).
     
    #2 John_M, Jun 3, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2014
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  3. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Places to get bottles in Bend: Broken Top Bottle Shop, The Brew Shop, Whole Foods, Newport Market. Honorable mention to Crow's Feet Commons for a small selection that includes hard to find goodies. Keep in mind that PDX shops likely get everything Bend does and more regarding stuff distributed to OR.

    If you have a specific reason for wanting to hit Riverbend, don't let me stop you; they are a decent brewpub, but I wouldn't call them a highlight yet. I'd suggest Worthy instead of Riverbend, but with a day-plus you'll have time for all the Bend breweries on your list and more if you choose.
     
    #3 sharpski, Jun 3, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2014
  4. TheeWalrusHunter

    TheeWalrusHunter Initiate (0) Aug 23, 2013 Oregon

    It seems like you dont have a ton of style variety in your trip (which is fine, if you like sticking to classic english and american styles) - but you are missing out on some of the best Saisons, Sours, a German Beers in the world.

    I made some changes to your list above and also pasted below - based on what I would do if I were you.

    South of Portland
    Caldera
    Block 15
    De Garde
    Heater Allen

    Portland
    Cascade
    Commons
    Hair of the Dog
    Upright
    Laurelwood
    Occidental

    Hood River
    Double Mountain (Im on the fence here, would probably put Pfriem here instead.)
    Full Sail (for free pint glasses only)
    Logsdon

    Bend
    Boneyard
    10 Barrel
    Crux
    Goodlife


    Bottleshops along the way:

    Beermongers
    Belmont Station
    Crowsfeet Commons
    Bier Stein

    I would fill a a few growlers at Boneyard and also fill capped pint bottles at Imperial in Portland (depending on selection)


    Also check online Portland tap lists at:

    Imperial
    Apex
    Beermongers
    Belmont Station


    And all that would be my Dream beer-cation, if my life wasn't already one big beer-cation. Have Fun!!
     
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  5. reefer_bob

    reefer_bob Savant (1,010) May 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    I came to the right place to ask!

    Thank you very much, I'll investigate and report back! :slight_smile:
     
  6. maltmaster420

    maltmaster420 Initiate (0) Aug 17, 2005 Oregon

    This is true, but we also get a lot more traffic, which means the sought after things disappear in a flash here while lingering on the shelves in Bend (and Eugene, assuming the Double Barrel Jesus thread is any indication). Just off the top of my head, I'd would be very surprised if there was any Ale Apothecary bottles sitting around in Portland, but I would bet good money that you could find them in at least 1 or 2 places in Bend.
     
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  7. reefer_bob

    reefer_bob Savant (1,010) May 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    I was JUST reading that DBJ thread, and will be stopping by bottle shops in all 3 cities. :slight_smile:
     
  8. kscaldef

    kscaldef Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2010 Oregon

    Unless things have changed since the last time I was there, you should know that there's not much in the way of anything to "visit" at Boneyard. It's pretty much a "fill up your growler and leave" sort of affair. I don't think there was even an option to get anything other than tasters to consume there.

    I love de Garde, but it is way out of the way of the rest of your trip (and pretty limited hours). Maybe a game-time decision based on whether there's something really interesting available that day would be appropriate.

    I'd skip Rogue.

    I'd consider adding Commons, Cascade, and Breakside. And, since you're passing through Hood River, Logsdon.
     
  9. maltmaster420

    maltmaster420 Initiate (0) Aug 17, 2005 Oregon

    Solid suggestions. OP, I'd suggest following De Garde on FB if possible, because they're pretty good about snapping pictures of the draft/bottle list every couple days so you can see in advance whether it's worth the trip (which it generally is).

    Also, keep in mind that De Garde, Commons, Upright, and Logsdon's all have limited hours for their tasting rooms, so you might have to prioritze or skip things that don't line up with your schedule.

    De Garde: Thurs/Fri 4-8, Sat 12-8
    Commons: Thur/Fri 5-9, Sat 2-9, Sun 2-6
    Upright: Thur/Fri 5-9, Sat 1-8, Sun 1-6
    Logsdon's: Thurs-Sat: Noon-4

    Last but not least, if you have the option I would suggest visting the Breakside production facility in Milwaukie rather than the pub in NE Portland (unless you're hungry). The pub only has 8-10 taps, while the tasting room has 20+ different offerings.
     
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  10. MattyPrize

    MattyPrize Initiate (0) Jul 7, 2011 Oregon

    Has anyone had any good beer from Riverbend lately? Just sayin...
     
  11. dphi

    dphi Zealot (534) Apr 14, 2013 Oregon

    I like Oakshire as well, they usually have some good draft-only stuff on and it's a nice enough place. Agrarian is a cool spot, especially at night.
     
  12. John_M

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

    Completely agree. Not sure why they (Oakshire) slipped my mind, but yes, I would highly recommend them as well (the new pub facility over on Madison is a nice place as well).
     
  13. CentralOregonBeerhound

    CentralOregonBeerhound Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2014 Oregon

    If you're in Bend, hit me up!
    Good Life, Bend Brewing (very very very good that only bottles locally), 10 Barrel, Crux, Boneyard, Silver Moon, Worthy, Cascade Lakes, Deschutes (naturally), Hopworks, etc etc.
     
  14. reefer_bob

    reefer_bob Savant (1,010) May 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    Follow up question... As I'll also be in Vancouver, WA, any good bottle shops that I should up up there? Will Vancouver get different stuff from Portland?

    Thanks for all the thoughts and info!
     
  15. msubulldog25

    msubulldog25 Initiate (0) Aug 3, 2005 Oregon

    By the Bottle, definitely. Yes, Washington does get some things that Oregon doesn't, but it's been a while since I've gone shopping there. Others can help...
     
  16. reefer_bob

    reefer_bob Savant (1,010) May 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    Another item, I almost forgot about... being that i live in the puritan state of Cali... I read that WA will fill any container (with no label) with beer. Is Oregon the same way? I can't bring back multiple 64oz growlers. But I can bring back several 32oz. Down side is I don't have 32oz containers other than say my Nalgene bottles. Will they fill those?
     
  17. distantmantra

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

    Vancouver gets Fremont Brewing, I think? We also get Almanac which Oregon doesn't.

    WA and OR have the same laws regarding growlers, it doesn't have to be the brewery's own growler. I don't know about plastic nalgene containers, never heard of anyone filling those.
     
  18. Phobicsquirrel

    Phobicsquirrel Initiate (0) Oct 1, 2013 Oregon

    If your dead set on rogue (the one in newport) then if your looking for a place to stay I recommend the halmark inn. Great place and georgies is really good and has great clam chowder. If you were talking about the portland rogue place then dis-regard all I just said :confused:
     
  19. reefer_bob

    reefer_bob Savant (1,010) May 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    I'm not dead set on anything. I'd like to go to Rogue just to say I've been there. If I go, I'll go to the place in Portland. If I go out to the coast, I'l go to De Garde, not Rogue. :slight_smile:
     
  20. reefer_bob

    reefer_bob Savant (1,010) May 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    There was another thread which said people use anything, they'd fill a coke bottle if you took the label off of it. :slight_smile:
     
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