No other city in the United States is known for "keeping it weird," like Portland, Oregon. Quirky, eccentric and downright different is no exception in the Portland brewery world. Now, beer can't get that weird, but there is a way to twist things up or make one's brewery different than your traditional bar that serves local beer. Have you ever tried a beer flavored with Szechuan peppercorns or maybe Indian coriander? If not, you can try it in Portland.
Here is a list of some unique, but also essential breweries in Portland, Oregon.
Here is a list of some unique, but also essential breweries in Portland, Oregon.
Upright Brewing
Upright Brewing is known for specializing in small batches of beer that is made with character. They specialize in French and Belgian-style beers tainted with a Pacific Northwest twist. Their farmhouse-style ales include funky flavoring such as Szechuan peppercorns, orange peel and some annuals that include lemongrass. Some former annual beers were also aged in wine barrels to provide a different flavor. The slightly underground Rose District taproom is like an up-cycled hole-in-the-wall, but is loved by locals and travelers alike.
Upright Brewing is known for specializing in small batches of beer that is made with character. They specialize in French and Belgian-style beers tainted with a Pacific Northwest twist. Their farmhouse-style ales include funky flavoring such as Szechuan peppercorns, orange peel and some annuals that include lemongrass. Some former annual beers were also aged in wine barrels to provide a different flavor. The slightly underground Rose District taproom is like an up-cycled hole-in-the-wall, but is loved by locals and travelers alike.
Hair of the Dog Brewing Company
This family-owned brewing company is known for specializing in bottle-conditioned and barrel-aged beers. Their aging process varies with beers aging from a wide range of six month to eight years. Hair of the dog prides itself by using 99% of its ingredients obtained with a 350-mile radius of its brewing headquarters. They also offer the widest selection of vintage bottles available in the country. Some of their production includes aging beer in American oak barrels or an egg-shaped fermenter that is commonly used in wine production.
This family-owned brewing company is known for specializing in bottle-conditioned and barrel-aged beers. Their aging process varies with beers aging from a wide range of six month to eight years. Hair of the dog prides itself by using 99% of its ingredients obtained with a 350-mile radius of its brewing headquarters. They also offer the widest selection of vintage bottles available in the country. Some of their production includes aging beer in American oak barrels or an egg-shaped fermenter that is commonly used in wine production.
Cascade Brewing Barrel House
Cascade brewing is not only a local, Portland essential, but world-renowned for its sour beers. With 28 beers on tap, the "House of Sour," Blending Room features over 1,300 French oak, Kentucky Bourbon and Northwest wine barrels and nine foudres. They pride themselves on using local fruit and creating concoctions such as honey ginger lime beer, pineapple retreat and a watermelon strawberry vine sour slushy. Some purchases of specific beers also donate to local organizations.
Cascade brewing is not only a local, Portland essential, but world-renowned for its sour beers. With 28 beers on tap, the "House of Sour," Blending Room features over 1,300 French oak, Kentucky Bourbon and Northwest wine barrels and nine foudres. They pride themselves on using local fruit and creating concoctions such as honey ginger lime beer, pineapple retreat and a watermelon strawberry vine sour slushy. Some purchases of specific beers also donate to local organizations.
Little Beast Brewing Company
This brewpub was the genius idea of a husband and wife duo to fuel their passion into beer making. Set inside a traditional-looking Portland house, also features a backyard beer garden, which is also dog-friendly. Little Beast is known for its small-batch, barrel-aged sours and mixed-fermentation ale. Their menu features a myriad of canned, bottled, draft and seasonal beers and sours. Be sure to try the Mr. Nice passionfruit sour ale, or for something a little more Northwest, order the Tree Spirit, a foeder-aged ale with tart cherries.
This brewpub was the genius idea of a husband and wife duo to fuel their passion into beer making. Set inside a traditional-looking Portland house, also features a backyard beer garden, which is also dog-friendly. Little Beast is known for its small-batch, barrel-aged sours and mixed-fermentation ale. Their menu features a myriad of canned, bottled, draft and seasonal beers and sours. Be sure to try the Mr. Nice passionfruit sour ale, or for something a little more Northwest, order the Tree Spirit, a foeder-aged ale with tart cherries.
Zoiglhaus Brewing Company
​If you love all things German, be sure to check out Zoiglhaus, which specializes in German beer brewing. The brewmaster, Alan Taylor received his brewing education from Germany and has brought this knowledge to Southeast Portland. Along with German-based beer, this Bavarian style beer hall features an outdoor garden, traditional German and American food menu and plenty of games like billiards and shuffleboard.
​If you love all things German, be sure to check out Zoiglhaus, which specializes in German beer brewing. The brewmaster, Alan Taylor received his brewing education from Germany and has brought this knowledge to Southeast Portland. Along with German-based beer, this Bavarian style beer hall features an outdoor garden, traditional German and American food menu and plenty of games like billiards and shuffleboard.
Breakside Brewery
This award-winning brewery won by a landslide in the 2020 Oregon Beer Award competition. Coming home with 12 medals, with the most prestigious winning the "Large Brewery of the Year Award." It is known for its IPA and produces over 40,000 barrels of beer annually. They pride themselves on innovative concoctions just like their 2020 feature release sour, the Persephone. This beer was fermented in natural oak and flavored with spring flowers, sweet orange peel and Indian coriander, which was inspired by Southern France's bittersweet vermouth.
​What is your favorite brewery in Portland?
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This award-winning brewery won by a landslide in the 2020 Oregon Beer Award competition. Coming home with 12 medals, with the most prestigious winning the "Large Brewery of the Year Award." It is known for its IPA and produces over 40,000 barrels of beer annually. They pride themselves on innovative concoctions just like their 2020 feature release sour, the Persephone. This beer was fermented in natural oak and flavored with spring flowers, sweet orange peel and Indian coriander, which was inspired by Southern France's bittersweet vermouth.
​What is your favorite brewery in Portland?
Let's Connect!
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