Pnw Beer: Where To Buy The Best Brews

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is a beer-lover's paradise, with a thriving craft beer scene and a rich history of brewing that dates back to the early days of statehood. The region is known for its high-quality, locally brewed beers, with a focus on unique styles, innovative ingredients, and the perfect balance of flavours. Whether you're a fan of IPAs, sours, stouts, or something in between, the PNW has something to offer.

When it comes to finding the best PNW beers, there are a few notable breweries that stand out. pFriem Family Brewers in Hood River, Oregon, has gained recognition for its Belgian-style beers and PNW-focused IPAs. Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery in Newberg, Oregon, crafts its beers in an actual farmhouse, utilising local ingredients to create barrel-aged, wild, and farmhouse-style beers. Crux Fermentation Project in Bend, Oregon, focuses on the art of brewing, with a range of perfectly polished beers that are both delicious and user-friendly. Great Notion Brewing in Portland, Oregon, has made waves with its hazy New England-style IPAs and unique sour beers. Ecliptic Brewing, also in Portland, is led by Oregon beer-brewing icon John Harris, offering richly nuanced beers in a variety of styles.

In Washington, Fremont Brewing in Seattle has been creating clean, quality beers since 2009, with a focus on local and organic ingredients. Holy Mountain Brewing, also in Seattle, has made a name for itself by quenching the city's thirst for Belgian-style, barrel-aged, and sour beers, all while avoiding the ubiquitous IPA. Propolis Brewing in Port Townsend creates small-batch herbal ales with locally sourced, organic ingredients. Island Hoppin' Brewery on Orcas Island, one of the San Juan Islands, offers a range of tasty brews that make the ferry ride worth it.

The PNW is also home to well-known breweries like Deschutes, Red Hook, and Grand Teton Brewing Company. However, there are always new breweries to discover, such as Selkirk Abbey Brewing in Post Falls, Idaho, which crafts excellent Belgian-style beers, and Payette Brewing Company in Boise, Idaho, the first brewery in the region to offer its beers in cans.

Whether you're a local or a visitor, the PNW beer scene has something for everyone, from traditional styles to innovative new creations. So, get out there and explore the diverse and delicious world of PNW beers!

PNW beer in speciality stores

PNW beer is available at specialty stores, and there are several options to choose from. For instance, Tacoma Boys, a specialty beer store in Washington, offers a wide range of dark beers, including stouts and porters, as well as other unique options like Baltic Porters and Imperial Stouts. They also provide expert advice to help you navigate the vast selection of beers.

In addition to stores like Tacoma Boys, there are numerous breweries in the Pacific Northwest that offer their beers for sale directly to consumers. For example, the Widmer brothers and the McMenamin brothers successfully lobbied for the ability to sell beer directly to consumers in Oregon. As a result, you can visit breweries like Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery in Newberg, which focuses on farmhouse ales, or pFriem Family Brewers in Hood River, known for their Belgian styles and PNW-focused IPAs.

If you're looking for a one-stop shop with a wide variety, specialty beer stores are a great option. But if you want to explore and discover new breweries, the Pacific Northwest has plenty to offer in terms of unique destinations and experiences.

PNW beer in pubs

When it comes to PNW beer in pubs, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here is a list of some of the best places to enjoy a PNW beer:

PFriem Family Brewers, Hood River

This brewery has experienced a meteoric rise since its inception in 2012, focusing on Belgian styles with a few PNW-inspired IPAs. Their scenic location at Columbia River's WaterFront Park is definitely worth a visit to see what they're brewing. Keep an eye out for their barrel-aged sours, which are sure to impress.

Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery, Newberg

Wolves & People takes the farmhouse ale to the next level by brewing theirs in an actual farmhouse! Using local ingredients, they create barrel-aged, wild, and farmhouse beers that are sure to delight. Sample their Instinctive Travels Saison, aged in gin barrels, and enjoy the bucolic setting.

Crux Fermentation Project, Bend

Don't be alarmed by the absence of "beer" or "brewing" in their name. This destination in Bend focuses on the process of decoction mashing, open fermentation, and barrel aging to create perfectly polished beers. Enjoy a delicious brew while taking in the stunning view of the sunset over the Cascade Mountains.

Great Notion Brewing, Portland

Great Notion Brewing has not only impressed the discerning beer drinkers of Portland but has also made national waves. They offer a variety of hazy New England-style IPAs and unique sours like the Blueberry Muffin Sour. With their recent expansion into a new taproom and restaurant, Great Notion is a must-visit destination.

Ecliptic Brewing, Portland

Led by Oregon beer-brewing icon John Harris, Ecliptic Brewing produces richly nuanced beers in a variety of styles, from dry Irish stouts to single-hopped red ales and award-winning brews like the Capella Porter. Their beers are remarkably drinkable, even with high IBUs, making them a must-visit destination in "Beervana."

Fremont Brewing, Seattle

Conveniently located near the Fremont Troll, Fremont Brewing has been crafting clean, quality beers since 2009, with a focus on local and organic ingredients. Try their Lush IPA or one of their other popular offerings, now available in southern California as well.

In addition to these breweries, there are numerous pubs and taprooms throughout the Pacific Northwest that serve a variety of PNW beers. Whether you're in Oregon, Washington, or Idaho, you're sure to find a pub nearby that showcases the region's exceptional craft beers. So, get out there and start exploring the PNW beer scene!

PNW beer in breweries

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is a beer-lover's paradise, with a dedication to the craft that has been years in the making. The region, including Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, has experienced a craft beer renaissance, with breweries like Seattle's Redhook Brewery and Yakima Brewing leading the way. Today, Oregon boasts an impressive 230 brewing companies operating 261 brewing facilities in 73 cities, while Washington is close behind with 353.

When it comes to PNW beer in breweries, here are some top destinations to consider:

PFriem Family Brewers, Hood River, Oregon

PFriem Family Brewers stands out even in a location bursting with breweries. Since its inception in 2012, it has experienced a meteoric rise, focusing on Belgian styles with a few PNW-inspired IPAs. Their scenic location at Columbia River's WaterFront Park is definitely worth a visit to see what's brewing. Keep an eye out for their barrel-aged sours, which are sure to impress.

Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery, Newberg, Oregon

Wolves & People takes the farmhouse ale to the next level by brewing theirs in an actual farmhouse. Using local ingredients, they create barrel-aged, wild, and farmhouse beers that are truly unique. Try their Instinctive Travels Saison, aged in gin barrels, and enjoy the bucolic setting while you sip on finely crafted beer.

Crux Fermentation Project, Bend, Oregon

Don't be fooled by the absence of "beer" or "brewing" in its name – Crux Fermentation Project is all about the art of brewing. Located in Bend, this brewery focuses on the process of decoction mashing, open fermentation, and barrel aging. The result? Perfectly polished, delicious, and user-friendly beers that will satisfy any palate. And don't forget to stick around for sunset over the Cascade Mountains – it's the perfect way to cap off your visit.

Great Notion Brewing, Portland, Oregon

Impressing beer drinkers in a town like Portland is no easy feat, but Great Notion Brewing has firmly secured its place in the hearts of PDX drinkers and has even made national waves. They've successfully introduced hazy New England-style IPAs to the PNW, and their Blueberry Muffin Sour is a must-try. With a new taproom and restaurant in the works, Great Notion is definitely one to watch.

Ecliptic Brewing, Portland, Oregon

Led by Oregon beer-brewing icon John Harris, Ecliptic Brewing produces richly nuanced beers in a variety of styles. From dry Irish Stouts to single-hopped Red Ales and award-winning brews like the Capella Porter, Ecliptic Brewing has something for every taste. Even their beers with hefty IBUs are remarkably drinkable, making them a must-visit destination in "Beervana."

Fremont Brewing, Seattle, Washington

Conveniently located near the Fremont Troll, Fremont Brewing has been crafting clean, quality beers since 2009. With a focus on local and organic ingredients, they've created beers like the Lush IPA that have gained a loyal following. As the third-largest independently owned craft brewery in the state, Fremont Brewing is making waves not just in Washington but also in other states like southern California.

Holy Mountain Brewing, Seattle, Washington

Holy Mountain Brewing has quickly made a name for itself in Seattle, quenching the city's thirst for Belgian-style, barrel-aged, and sour beers. While they initially gained recognition for these styles, it's the consistent excellence of their offerings that keeps people coming back for more. And in a refreshing twist, you won't find an IPA on their menu – a unique approach that sets them apart.

These breweries are just a glimpse into the vibrant PNW beer scene, where the dedication to craft, local ingredients, and a passion for unique flavours come together to create an unforgettable beer experience. So, whether you're a local or a visitor, be sure to explore the diverse and delightful world of PNW beer in breweries.

PNW beer at festivals

Beer festivals are a great way to sample a variety of PNW beers in one place. Many festivals are held annually, though some are held bi-annually or every few years. They are typically held outdoors, though some are held in large indoor spaces like stadiums or convention centres. Some festivals are free to enter, while others charge an admission fee that may or may not include a tasting glass and tokens for samples. Many festivals feature live music, games, and food, and some have specific themes, like a particular style of beer or beers from a particular region.

• Portland Beer Festivals: Portland is home to many annual beer festivals, with at least one almost every month. Some notable festivals include the Oregon Brewers Festival, the Portland International Beer Festival, and the Portland Holiday Ale Fest.
• SheBrew Festival: This festival in Portland focuses on women in the craft beer, cider, and mead industries, with a nationwide brewers competition.
• Salmon-Safe IPA Festival: Hosted by Hopworks, this Earth Day festival in Portland features over 20 breweries serving beers brewed with salmon-safe hops.
• Hood River Hops Fest: This annual festival in Hood River, Oregon, celebrates fresh hops with beers from breweries all over.
• The Great Pumpkin Festival: Hosted by Elysian, this legendary festival in Seattle has been running for 20 years. Expect pumpkin beer, of course, as well as a giant pumpkin tapped for pours, a pumpkin pie-eating contest, carnival games, pumpkin carving, fortune teller readings, and free Elysian tattoos.
• The Dark Embrace Invitational: Three breweries—Angry Chair, Cycle, and Ology—team up to host this exclusive, collaborative festival in Tampa, Florida, during Tampa Bay Beer Week in early March.
• Collaboration Fest: Held in Westminster, Colorado, this festival features over 165 of the state's best breweries teaming up to brew unique collabs just for the festival.
• 4th Annual Tacoma Craft Beer Festival: Held in Tacoma, Washington, this festival features games, live music, and over 50 brewers.

PNW beer online

If you're looking to buy PNW beer online, there are a few options to choose from.

Firstly, you can try the Northwest Beer Guide, which offers a selection of craft beers from the region. They feature breweries from British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and provide a winter beer guide with almost 250 unique beers to choose from.

Another option is Premium Northwest Beer, which is the only locally brewed and locally owned everyday beer in the Northwest. They offer a Premium Northwest Lager, which is a cheap and easy-drinking option that competes with big beer brands.

Additionally, there are several online retailers that sell PNW beers, such as The Full Pint, which offers a variety of craft beers from the region, and Threes Brewing, which sells a Pacific Northwest Lager in collaboration with Wayfinder Beer.

Finally, you can also try PNW Beer Chick, a blog that provides reviews and recommendations for PNW beers. They offer insight into the latest releases and where to find them.

So, whether you're looking for a locally-owned option, a craft beer experience, or just a cheap and easy-drinking tallboy, there are plenty of options available online to buy PNW beer.

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