Any good beer bar suggestions around Hillsboro, OR? I've been to a bunch of places in Portland, but wondering if there's anything outside the City in the Hillsboro area. I'm going to be stuck in that area on this trip. Only decent place I know is the McMinamins (sp?) Roadhouse. Thanks!
A new brewery just opened up called Ambacht. Had a couple of their beers and really enjoyed the Ginger Farmhouse. The brewers are also bee keepers and use the honey they harvest to carbonate their beer. Neat stuff going on over there.
Yeah, Ambacht opened in 2010... I poured for them at NAOBF that summer and their beer was very popular... I recall brewer Tom saying that fest was their 'biggest order yet' and he was thrilled they'd sold something like 6 or 7 kegs ! (and it was all gone before the 3rd day of the fest) Anyhow, back to the OP... what part of Hillsboro are you staying near? It's a fairly large suburban area... Vertigo Brewing has a small tasting room with Wed-Sat hours For bottle shopping, check out either the New Seasons at Orenco Station or Whole Foods at Tanasbourne.
To piggyback on Brian's suggestion, depending upon where you are in Hillsboro, it might be worthwhile to take a look at some of the places listed on BA over in Beaverton as well. Cascade's Raccoon Lodge is right on the border of PDX and Beaverton, and depending upon where you are in Hillsboro, it might be just a short drive or cab ride to get over there.
Mainbrew is a homebrew store with one of the best beer selections on the west side. They do growler fills from their 5? taps (maybe 6) and have an awesome staff there too. Uptown market is down in Beaverton, but from mcmenamins, just hop on the 26 to the 217 and you'll be there in 15 minutes. Uptown has a great beer selection and beer on tap. I'd say those are two places that are must-visits if you're staying out of pdx.
I'm staying around Cornell/Cornelius Pass. I've heard of Ambacht and have been wanting to try some of their stuff. By the way, are you a Mississippi St fan? I grew up down there!
I re-read your post and see "I'm going to be stuck in that area on this trip." Does that mean no car? If car-less: from Cornell/Cornelius Pass, you can walk about a mile west to that New Seasons mentioned above... those stores (a local grocery chain) typically have excellent beer selections. The Orenco Station development (where NS is) used to have a couple small bars and restaurants, but it's been a couple years since I've been out there - can't confirm what's there now and what kinds of taplists they may have. Another thought, if without a car: walk to Orenco/NW 231st MAX stop and ride about 1/2 hour into downtown Portland. Cheers, Brian Yep! Mississippi State Fan & Alum (class of '95)! Lived in Beaverton/Hillsboro (near where you're staying actually) from 1999-2002 and in NE Portland since 2003.
Depending on when you will be in town, Mcmenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse does a limited beer release/tasting on the last Wednesdays of every month. This month is a Roadhouse Stout Fest - http://www.mcmenamins.com/events/111218-Roadhouse-Stout-Fest I second the vote for Ambacht and Vertigo as really the only other beer options in that area. Call ahead to Ambacht and they are usually pretty generous. Mainbrew is great - go there and do some shopping and they will let you sample whatever you would like on tap. A little down the way via Max would be the Golden Valley Restaurant and Brewery (1520 NW Bethany Blvd Beaverton, OR 97006(503) 972-1599) - not the best beers, food is decent. BJs also opened up their Hillsboro location recently and has "craft beer" brewed exclusively for the company (think Rock Bottom but more corporate). Lastly, the Dugout Gourmet Deli and Beer Bar has an above average beer selection (Great for Hillsboro!) and should be pretty close to where you will be based on your description.
