Hi All, So a buddy of mine is traveling to Portland this weekend. He is staying in downtown Portland (at the Marriott City Center to be exact). I am from Long Island and haven't had much of the beers out in Oregon so I'm sending him on a quest to bring back a variety of beers from different breweries. Can anyone suggest breweries, bottle shops, brewpubs, he can go to as well as recommendation brews that are canned or bottled that he can find (maybe at a local grocery store or bottle shop) stuff in his suitcase? Thanks in advance, Cheers
Have him go to the stores recommended in the OP of this thread: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-portland-fall-winter-2016-17-update.457121/ . Honestly though, he could walk into any mini-mart or grocery store and find more good beer that you've never heard of, than he could fit into a half-dozen suitcases.
I'll be in town but no way will I stand in line at a dock sale for four hours again like I did last time Matt was released. Might swing by for a bottle at the bar though.
Hell, I almost think your best bet might be to have him swing by Growler Guys and explain the situation. They're usually happy to give suggestions and can fill some crowlers with stuff that's local and great. Takes the guesswork out of it, so he won't bring you any disappointments.
Agreed, some of the best WA/OR breweries are draft only (esp. hop-focused ones like Boneyard, Barley Browns, and Georgetown), crowlers travel well, and Growler Guys have some of the best service and selection of our many growler fill stations. There's also lots of great bottles/cans readily available on the shelves too. Any specific styles you wish to include or avoid would help us make more specific recommendations.
as a public service announcement. Ive been told this year is flat and not nearly the masterpiece that 2013 was
Bummer. I wish they could manage a little more consistency. When they're good, they're one of the best in the NW.
It's in the visitor's guide, but just to point it out Bailey's Taproom is like a minute walk from the hotel. They sell bottles to go both at the main bar and at their store Brewed Oregon across the street. I've seen brewery releases like Sticky Hands, Upright Anniversary Saison, etc. there so I definitely recommend checking it out (plus its so obviously convenient).
Just had a bottle of the 2013 at the tasting room last weekend. It seems to me that the carbonation is always pretty light in bottles of Matt, so I'm not sure if a complete lack of carbonation will affect the flavor profile all that much. Only one way to find out I guess. The 2013 bottle I had was terrific as always, and there still seems to be plenty of that in the tasting room.
Yeah I get it. Some BA's especially are very passionate about that but it doesn't bother me. HotD isn't the only brewery that produces big beers that are flat or nearly flat. Cheers @derftron and celebrate the differences
