SD -> Portland Trip, Advice?

Hey:
Nice job doing some homework and listing out the places you've found and want to go - that helps a lot...

Breweries: all look good, but Rogue will probably get the most debate. If you are a big fan of theirs, then by all means go... just know they don't brew beer in Portland, but do have a distillery on-site and have something like 35-40 taps of their own stuff. To the list I'd add: The Commons, Breakside, Laurelwood and/or Hopworks (HUB).

Bottleshops: Belmont Station does have the best selection and a fine taproom in the adjacent space. I highly recommend going, even if you don't do all your shopping there. But The BeerMongers is a nice (and less expensive) alternative - it is also close to The Commons and a great beer bar, APEX. Also, Saraveza, The Hop & Vine and Bridgetown Beerhouse are good places to shop/drink a beer in N Portland.

Other: Stumptown is fine, although I'm a bigger fan a couple neighborhood places like Ristretto and Extracto, or Public Domain in downtown. And, when in PDX, guess you gotta go to Voodoo... hope the line isn't too long! What else do you like to do? There are plenty of places to bike or run, Saturday Market, Powell's Books, food carts, etc...

Other (beer-related): I think a stop at Horse Brass is a must (especially if you'll be at Belmont Station, which is just a couple blocks away); also, add Bailey's Taproom when in downtown.

Bottles: Add Logsdon (esp. Seizoen & Seizoen Bretta). You may stumble on Block 15 bottles, buy them. Also, look for The Commons (mentioned above), beers such as Flemish Kiss. I'm sure there'll be plenty more suggestions, but that's a start. For whiskey: if you like a peaty/Islay-styled version look for McCarthy's Single Malt, by Clear Creek. May be hard to find on shelves, but it's worth the effort. House Spirits and Big Bottom also make pretty good whiskey, but I'll admit to it being a while since I've tried either.

Cheers,
Brian

PS: When in December is your trip? Holiday Ale Fest is on Nov 28- Dec 2 this year...

 

I'm not a local, but keep an eye out for Boneyard beers on tap.

 

Yeah definitely drink as much Boneyard as you can while you're in Portland. When you go to Hair of the Dog make sure you don't overlook the bottle list. Other breweries I might add to your itinerary are HUB, and Laurelwood. A place that you ABSOLUTELY must eat at while you're there is Pine State Biscuits, order the reggie, then let me know what you think....thank me later

 

I'll add Water Avenue to the list of coffee roasters Brian recommended. Only a block away from HotD too so you can walk over there and sober up a little if you need after pounding bottles of rare double digit ABV beers. While you're in the neighborhood check out Boke Bowl next door to Water Avenue for the best ramen I've ever had in America. Everything is house made (noodles too) and the quality is excellent. They're typically only open for lunch so keep that in mind. For whiskey and other spirits do a little research on Clear Creek Distillery (HotD Matt is partly aged in their apple brandy barrels) and Big Bottom Whiskey for some small batch one-off bottles sold only on-site. Both have tasting rooms but have limited hours so plan ahead.

 

The guys above me pretty much covered everything, and I agree with virtually all of their recommendations. All the breweries recommended are worth visits, with the exception of Rogue, IMO. I'd personally skip that place, unless you really love their beers.

+1,000,000 on Boneyard. Hop Venom & RPM are easiest to come by (APEX always has Hop Venom), but be on the lookout for others by them as well.

If you really want to hit Voodoo, you might want to consider Voodoo Doughnut Too (1501 NE Davis). The lines are shorter, and if you do have to wait, it'll be inside. You'll have to wait outside at the original downtown location, which is not always desirable in December.

Lastly, one of the great things about Portland is that pretty much ANY place you go to that sells beer will have something good on tap. So don't be afraid to try places that aren't frequently mentioned in these "visiting Portland" threads. There's good beer everywhere.

 

Make sure you pay attention to hours when planning your schedule. Upright, for example, is only open for a few hours on weekends and on game nights when the TrailBlazers are at home. HotD is closed on Mondays.

 

According to Oregon Liquor Search, the McCarthy's is available at 5 spots in the metro area.