With more than 60 breweries in Portland, it can be overwhelming to choose where to stop in for a pint—especially if you’re just in town for a visit. As a Portland native and beer connoisseur I have sampled my way around town, and these are my favorites:
- Best IPAs
Ruse Brewing: I can’t say that I have ever had a bad beer at Ruse. Everything they do, they do really well. From sours, wild ales, and smoothie beers to decadent stouts, their brews do not disappoint. But their IPAs are on a different level. Hazy, juicy, and absolutely delicious when I am craving something fresh, this is the spot.
2. Best Sours
Cascade Brewing: This might be the Mecca for sour beer lovers (outside of Belgium). If you consider yourself a sour aficionado and you haven’t been here you should probably stop everything you’re doing and go now, immediately. Cascade boasts 20 taps, most of which are barrel-aged sours ranging in flavors from things like berries, citrus, herbs, vanilla, dates, and more!
3. Best Vibe
Gigantic Brewing has not one but two large outdoor patios, plus an oversized taproom, this space has it all. A trip to Gigantic would not be complete without stopping at the on-site Hawaiian food truck 808 Grinds for some spam musubi! Also check out their satellite locations on Hawthorne and in Montavilla!
4. Most Creative
Great Notion brings the phrase “taste the rainbow” to a whole new level, and that level is your beer. Constantly pushing the envelope of what beer can be, this is the place to go if you want to experience some truly mind-blowing beers. Pro-tip: Order a cuvée of the Blueberry Muffin sour and the Double Stack if they’re both on draft. It tastes like the best blueberry pancake you’ve ever had.
5. Best Selection
Culmination: Are there breweries and bars with more taps? Sure. But the Culmination tap list has some of the best balance of any spot in town. From lagers, IPAs and pale ales to sours and barrel-aged stouts, their range of delicious beers is worth the stop.
6. Best Renovated Space
Steeplejack: For obvious reasons we LOVE a beautiful renovation, and the one at Steeplejack’s NE location is definitely worth writing home about. What used to be a 1900’s church is now the location of a lively brewery. With amazing stained glass windows and beautifully restored hardwood details, this space feels new and fresh while still feeling historic and totally unique.
7. Best Mission
Ex Novo: “Drink Beer Do Good” is the mission statement for this brewery. They donate 100% of their net profits to organizations around the world, and they brew some pretty spectacular beers, too. Every year on the winter solstice, Ex Novo releases their special imperial stout, which is aptly named “Kill the Sun.” Each year has delicious new variations, definitely check them out!
8. Best Wild/Oak Aged
Upright: If funky is your jam, then this is the spot. Upright’s menu is full of classics that make this an easy stop for most beer drinkers. But the real standouts on their draft list are their wild ales and foeder beers, which are delightfully funky and always interesting. This beautiful space is located right across from the Moda Center, so it’s the perfect place to stop in for a pint before a game or show.
9. Best German/Lagers
Wayfinder: Wayfinder is one of the most beautiful brewery spaces in town, and it’s a hidden gem. It’s out of sight from the street, but once you take the stairs leading up to the entrance, you set foot into a different world. At the top of the stairs you’re introduced to a raised patio with plenty of spread out seating options as well as luscious greenery. Once you’re inside, you’re surrounded by restored brick covering every single wall, floor to ceiling, giving the perfect ambiance for beer drinking. Their draft list boasts a full selection of German classics brewed to perfection.
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