Portland's Best Craft Beer: Where To Buy

Portland, Oregon, is a haven for craft beer enthusiasts, boasting a dynamic brewery scene with a vast array of options to explore. From innovative brews to traditional favourites, Portland's breweries, beer bars, and festivals offer something for every palate. Whether you're a connoisseur seeking the latest hazy IPA or a casual sipper enjoying a pint with your pup, Portland's craft beer culture invites you to embark on a delightful journey of discovery and indulgence. With over 80 breweries, numerous beer-centric events, and a vibrant food cart scene, Portland promises an unforgettable experience for beer lovers from near and far.

Where to buy craft beer in Portland

Best breweries in Portland

With over 80 breweries, Portland is a craft beer lover's paradise. The city boasts a wide range of innovative and award-winning breweries, family-friendly breweries, gluten-free breweries, and nanobreweries. Whether you're looking for unique locations, outdoor seating, food options, or a particular type of beer, Portland has something for everyone.

One of the most well-known breweries in Portland is Great Notion Brewing, which has developed a cult-like following for its hazy IPAs, kettle sours, and stouts. With three taprooms in the area, each offering a slightly different experience, Great Notion is a must-visit destination for beer enthusiasts.

If you're looking for a classic pint, Wayfinder Beer is the place to go. They specialize in crisp lagers and cold IPAs, and offer a massive patio and a full food menu to enjoy alongside their delicious beers.

For those who enjoy a good stout, Ruse Brewing in Southeast Portland is the perfect spot. They offer a rotating selection of new and inventive dry-hopped pales and IPAs, making them a popular choice for beer lovers.

Upright Brewing is another excellent option, known for their passion and unique brewing techniques. Their shared space with PBS Cafe allows visitors to enjoy delicious food alongside their carefully crafted beers.

When it comes to food options, StormBreaker Brewing takes the cake. With two locations in Portland, this brewery offers a wide range of crowd-pleasing beers, including West Coast IPAs and hazies, along with a full food menu and a great outdoor space.

Whether you're a fan of IPAs, stouts, sours, or lagers, Portland's diverse brewery scene has something for every taste. Be sure to check out the city's many beer festivals, tours, and tasting events to fully experience the best breweries Portland has to offer!

Craft beer bars

Portland is a craft beer lover's paradise, with over 80 breweries and many craft beer bars to choose from. The city's beer scene began in 1984 when the BridgePort Brewing Company (now closed) and Widmer Brothers opened facilities in the Pearl District. While these breweries have since closed their taprooms, there are still plenty of options for craft beer enthusiasts in Portland.

Great Notion Brewing

Great Notion Brewing is a must-visit for any craft beer enthusiast in Portland. With three taprooms in the city, each offering a slightly different tap list, Great Notion is known for its hazy IPAs, kettle sours, and stouts. The original location on NE Alberta has a nice outdoor space and a small sandwich menu, while the NW Brewpub has more restaurant-style vibes and features fantastic murals and a large bar.

Ruse Brewing

Located in Southeast Portland, Ruse Brewing is another excellent option for craft beer lovers. Ruse offers a chill environment and a variety of delicious beers, including IPAs.

Upright Brewing

Upright Brewing is known for its passionate team and unique beers. They have a shared space with PBS Cafe, so food is also available onsite.

Belmont Station

Belmont Station is a great bottle shop and beer bar in Portland. They offer a wide variety of beers, including IPAs, sours, and more.

Breakside Brewing

With two locations in Portland (Dekum and NW Slabtown), Breakside Brewing offers a full food and large beer menu. They are known for their hazy IPAs and have five locations in and around Portland.

In addition to these craft beer bars, Portland also hosts various beer festivals, tours, and tasting events throughout the year, such as the Portland Craft Beer Festival, making it an ideal destination for craft beer enthusiasts.

Beer festivals and events

Portland has a thriving craft beer scene, with over 80 breweries and a variety of beer festivals and events to choose from.

One of the most well-known beer festivals in Portland is the Portland Craft Beer Festival (PCBF), which showcases craft beers, ciders, and more from local breweries. This festival is a great opportunity to sample a wide range of beers and discover new favourites. Another popular festival is the Portland Fresh Hops Fest, which celebrates the city's proximity to hop fields and features bright, earthy, and pleasantly bitter brews. The Hood River Hops Fest is the biggest event of its kind in the state, if not the world, and features more than 60 fresh hop beers, as well as live music, wine, and arts and crafts.

For those who want to explore the city's breweries, the Oregon Brewers Guild hosts Zwickelmania, a statewide tasting event with more than 40 breweries in the Portland metropolitan area offering free tastings and food pairings. Brewer-led discussions and tours give visitors a unique behind-the-scenes look at some of the world's best craft breweries. The SheBrew Brewfest, hosted by Stormbreaker Brewing, is another annual celebration that brings together local breweries and distilleries for unique pairings and showcases the talents of female craft beer, cider, and mead makers.

In addition to these larger festivals, Portland also offers more intimate beer-centric events. The Sip of Spring, held at the picturesque Rossi Farms in Northeast Portland, celebrates spring beers and ciders from more than a dozen local brewers. Portland Beer Week is an 11-day celebration packed with tastings, festivals, parties, and educational events all over town, including SNACKDOWN!, a fun food and beer event where Portland's best chefs and brewers team up to create the ultimate snack and beer combinations.

Beer and food pairings

Portland, Oregon is a craft beer lover's paradise, with over 80 breweries, award-winning beers, and beer festivals, tours, and tasting events. Some of the top spots to buy craft beer in Portland include:

• Great Notion Brewing: With three taprooms in the area, each with a unique tap list, Great Notion is considered one of the best breweries in the country. The original location in the Alberta Arts District features a large outdoor beer garden and an expansive taproom.
• Breakside Brewing: With two locations in Portland, Dekum and NW Slabtown, Breakside offers a full food and large beer menu. They are known for their hazy IPAs and experimental batches.
• Von Ebert Brewing: Beervana's 2023 Portland Brewery of the Year, located in Northeast Portland, offers a range of beers, including the Volatile Substance Northwest IPA.
• Migration Brewing: Located on North Williams Avenue, Migration Brewing features the hoppy, juicy Straight Outta Portland IPA and the slightly sweet Proper Pilsner.
• Ruse Brewing: This Southeast Portland brewery has eight taps focusing on seasonal beers, rare one-offs, and small local breweries. They also have a specialty beer store with hundreds of bottles from around the world.
• Deschutes Brewery: Located in the Pearl District, Deschutes Brewery offers craft beers like the legendary Black Butte Porter and The Abyss.

Now, let's talk about enhancing your craft beer experience with food pairings. There are a few methods to pair beer with food, and understanding these methods will help you make informed choices to elevate your dining experience. Here are some guidelines for beer and food pairings:

The 3 C's: Cut, Complement, and Contrast

• Cut: This method involves using beer to cleanse the palate and reduce the intensity of certain flavors. For example, a crisp, carbonated beer can cut through the fattiness of a rich dish, such as pairing a light lager with a greasy burger. A citrus-infused wheat beer can also cut through the richness of a fatty pork dish.
• Complement: This method focuses on matching similar flavors in the beer and food. For instance, a caramel-flavored amber ale pairs beautifully with a caramelized onion tart, enhancing each other's flavors. You can also match rich foods with rich, heavy beers like stouts or porters. A classic example is pairing a chocolate stout with a chocolate dessert.
• Contrast: This method involves pairing beers and foods with opposing flavors to create a balanced and interesting combination. For instance, a bitter IPA can contrast the richness of a creamy pasta dish. Spicy chicken wings can be paired with a hoppy IPA, and oysters with a stout.

Matching Intensity

When pairing beer with food, it's crucial to match the intensity of the beer to the food. A bold, flavorful beer can overpower a delicate dish, while a light beer may be overshadowed by a rich, flavorful meal. For example, a light, crisp Pilsner pairs well with delicate seafood, while a robust stout complements rich, hearty foods like roasted meats.

Personal Preferences

While there are general guidelines for beer and food pairings, personal preferences play a significant role. Experiment with different combinations and discover the pairings that you enjoy the most.

Beer and travel in Portland

Portland, Oregon, is a haven for craft beer enthusiasts, boasting over 80 breweries and a vibrant culture centred around this beloved beverage. Whether you're a casual drinker or a connoisseur, Portland offers a diverse range of beer experiences that will tantalize your taste buds and immerse you in the local culture. So, get ready to explore the city's top breweries, beer bars, and festivals as we uncover the best spots for beer and travel in Portland.

Breweries

Portland is renowned for its innovative and award-winning breweries, offering a wide variety of unique craft beers. Here are some top breweries to visit:

• Great Notion Brewing: With its cult-like following, Great Notion is known for its hazy IPAs, kettle sours, and stouts. They have three taprooms in Portland, each with a distinct tap list and atmosphere.
• Ruse Brewing: Located in Southeast Portland, Ruse Brewing offers a chill environment and a diverse range of delicious beers.
• Breakside Brewing: With five locations in and around Portland, Breakside is a popular choice known for its hazy IPAs and diverse beer selection.
• Upright Brewing: Upright Brewing is loved for its passion and unique beers. They have a shared space with PBS Cafe, offering a convenient dining option.
• Level Brewing: Level Beer has transformed a former farm into a vibrant destination, offering video game-themed beers, from hazy IPAs to stouts and saisons. They also host multiple food trucks and have a family-friendly greenhouse structure with a children's play area.
• Steeplejack: This unique brewery is housed in a 111-year-old church, offering a pub-style experience. Their mild-dark English-style beer, Alewife, won gold at the Oregon Beer Awards.
• Deschutes Brewery: A well-known Portland brewery with a range of legendary dark beers like the Black Butte Porter and The Abyss.
• Zoiglhaus: This brewery showcases deep European influences in its beers.

Beer Bars and Bottle Shops

In addition to breweries, Portland is home to an array of beer bars and bottle shops, each offering a unique selection:

• Beermongers: Located near Apex, Beermongers offers Russian River beers at reasonable prices and a great bottle selection.
• Apex: Features a wide range of beers on tap, including Russian River options, and a large bottle selection.
• Belmont Station: A fantastic bottle shop and beer bar, offering a diverse range of beverages.
• Von Ebert Brewing: Named Beervana's 2023 Portland Brewery of the Year, Von Ebert Brewing is located in Northeast Portland and offers seasonal beers, rare one-offs, and local brews.
• Loyal Legion: With 99 Oregon beers on tap, Loyal Legion maintains exceptional quality through meticulous beer line cleaning and maintenance.

Beer Festivals and Events

Portland's beer culture extends beyond breweries and bars, with a variety of festivals and events celebrating this beloved beverage:

• Portland Craft Beer Festival (PCBF): This annual festival showcases craft beers, ciders, and more from Portland and Oregon breweries.
• Oregon Beer Awards: Nicknamed the "Academy Awards of Beer," this iconic event brings together brewers and beer enthusiasts for a raucous celebration.
• Bridge to Brews: Taking place at Waterfront Park, this iconic race has been a Portland tradition for over 20 years.
• Beer-centric Events: Keep an eye out for various beer-centric events throughout the year, including tasting rooms, tours, and festivals.

Travel Tips

When exploring Portland's beer scene, consider the following tips:

• Portland is a walkable city, and many breweries and beer bars are easily accessible by foot within specific neighbourhoods.
• The weather in Portland can be unpredictable, so always bring layers, including a raincoat.
• Oregon has strict rules regarding gas pumping, and you won't be able to pump your own gas.
• Portland offers a wide variety of food carts and trucks, providing a unique dining experience to accompany your beer explorations.

Frequently asked questions