There is a reason the unofficial nickname of Portland, OR is “Beervanna”. With over 54 breweries in the city alone, choosing just a couple of stand-out breweries is like choosing your favorite child. Portland is home to commercial breweries like Full Sail and Widmer but the true beer lovers seek out the smaller microbreweries and brewpubs. Here are some of the standouts amongst a sea of hops and grain.
Amnesia Brewing
832 N. Beech St. Portland, OR 97227
Open 4-11pm Mon, noon-midnight Tues-Sun
The beer is brewed on site in this converted warehouse and the pub offers an excellent selection of seasonal beers and local favorites. People come for the Copacetic IPA and stay for the sausages. The friendly environment keeps people coming back.
Hopworks Urban Brewery
www.hopworksbeer.com
2944 SE Powell Blvd Portland, OR 97202
Sunday – Thursday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 12:00 am
HUB not only brews and bottles great beer, it also promotes a biking and sustainable lifestyles. Everything about the beer and the buildings it’s brewed in is sustainable, green, and sourced from local products. HUB brews and bottles hand-crafted beer including the Velvet ESB, Crosstown Pale, and a few stouts you can stick a spoon in. Great deals can be found each Friday from to 6 p.m at the dock sales.
Coalition Brewing
www.coalitionbrewing.com
2724 SE Ankeny Portland, OR, 97214
Tues-Fri 3pm-12am
Sat-Sun 12pm-12am
In addition to the handcrafted house ales, Coalition Brewing features home-brewed beers from its Coalator Program. Home brewers are selected to brew their own creations and are featured on a specialty tap each month. Coalition Brewing is located near one of Portland’s many famous food cart pods and regulars can bring in delicious and addictive food from the nearby Grilled Cheese Grill.
New Old Lompoc
www.newoldlompoc.com
5 Locations in Portland/Metro Area
Much of New Old Lompoc’s hand-crafted beer is either sold on tap or in in 22-ounce bottles around town. Some of my favorites include the Proletariat Red, Lompoc Special Draft (LSD) and imperial ales. Seasonal specials are available in the bottle and at each brew pub.
This is just a sample of the best breweries found in Portland, OR. Seeking out and sampling interesting and beer is considered a pastime for some and a way of life for others.