Take a few steps in any direction in Portland and you’re bound to run into some good beer. The Rose City has long been a shining beacon of the craft beer movement, home to some of the most breweries per capita on the planet. And it’s no wonder, what with fresh hops right within reach and a cast of talented producers eager to make everything from crisp lagers to hop-heavy IPAs.
That all begs the questions: Where is the beer lover to go? This writer was born and raised in the city and knows the beer terrain well. Presently, there’s a great mix of breweries worth exploring, both old guard favorites and new labels shaking things up.
If you like beer, you need to visit Portland. And if you go to Portland, put these stops on your list. As always, ask around and add to your itinerary. The brewing community is quite tight-knit and chances are the label you’re visiting has collaborated with another favorite that you can add to your list.
Read on for some of the best Portland breweries.
Breakside
Pioneers in the IPA category, Breakside also touts stellar barrel-aged options. The brewery garners major awards every year and for good reason, as everything it touches seems to turn to gold, from balanced and bracing lagers to wildly aromatic fresh-hop IPAs. There are now a slew of Breakside locations throughout the Portland metro area but there’s been no dip in beer quality whatsoever. In fact, the pubs are ideal third spaces, pillars of the community.
Wayfinder
Creators of the cold IPA style and masters of the lager as well, Wayfinder finds itself on many shortlists for the best breweries in the country these days. These beers stand out in the detail and nuance they afford. Like well-made wines, they offer layer upon layer on the palate and are a joy to drink. And that’s so easy feat in a city of some 100 breweries, give or take.
Little Beast
Little Beast is one of the many smaller outfits in the Portland beer scene, with funky beers and a great reputation among the brewing community. We love just about the entire lineup, from the palate-awakening sours to the Helles lagers and Japanese rice lagers. Be sure to drop by the beer garden in southeast Portland for a charming experience sure to include a couple of pints and pies from Pretty Boy Pizza.
Ruse
Standout hazy IPAs showcasing countless hop varieties is the mantra of Ruse Brewing. The label launched back in 2015 and has evolved from deft practitioners of farmhouse and wild ales to masters of cloudy IPAs. But don’t overlook the well-made pilsners and stouts. Go hungry, as the label specializes in Detroit-style pizza too. Beer and pizza, an age-old pairing.
Grand Fir
Grand Fir is a relatively new brewery in the overall scheme of things with excellent beers helmed by an all-star brewer in Whitney Burnside. You may recognize the name, as the esteemed producer used to brew at Laurelwood, Upright, Pelican, and more. This may be her best work yet, as evidenced by beautiful, highly-regional releases like Italian-style pilsners, east Texas-inspired lagers, PNW pale ales, New Zealand IPAs, and more.
Occidental
Occidental goes full Euro, a German-inspired brewery with excellent hefeweizen, kolsch, and more. This is a haven for the classics, the many beer styles from across the Atlantic that have informed the culture at large. Occidental started in 2011 and has been impressing northwest residents since. As many in the beer world say, there’s not a lot of hiding behind lighter beer styles and the label is happy to show off just just how skillfully it turns out these clean beers. Visiting the pub is a little like taking a trip over to Bavaria.
McMenamins
If there ever was a regional chain that didn’t feel like one at all, it’s McMenamins. The OG outfit is responsible for the first brewery and brewpub in the city, not to mention launching the careers of countless great brewers in the Pacific Northwest. Most locations feature a brewery in house and the aesthetic is something special — a mix of cool old light fixtures, reclaimed historic structures, Pink Floyd-like animation, and a solid line of beers. What the brand has done for northwest beer cannot be overstated and visiting the many brew pubs makes for a great summer journey (plus, no two are exactly alike, both in terms of building at hand and what’s being poured inside).
Brujos
The slogan at Brujos says it all: Crafting liquid spells. The newer brewery boasts a prominent goth theme and some towering, high-octane beers. Don your darkest outfit and get over there for some mind-blowing options. The NW Portland joint features beers at select retailers but your best bet is to go straight to the source. That’s where you’ll find excellent beers freshly poured and a cool collection of cult-ish and spiritual decor.
