Ready for a cold one? You’re in the right place. Since the first craft breweries and brewpubs in the city opened a mere 25 years ago, Portland has been, hands-down, the nation’s best city for beer. And with plenty of ales and lagers fermenting in other towns across the state, Oregon may be home to a few runners-up, too. To help you pick your pints, we’ve put together an essential guide: the Portland area’s top brewpubs and bottle shops, the brewers to keep an eye on, and, of course, two 12-packs that showcase the state’s most delicious beers. We even included pithy advice on everything from beer tastings to which suds to take to a cookout. Here’s to you, Portland! May your hops ever wave.
Published: July 2010
@Michael: I did indeed try a Barley Brown while at Belmont Station. It was ok, but I thought it was a little skimpy on taste and body.
Being a Oregon resident for many years now. I have fully come to appreciate (and become spoiled by) great Oregon beer from all over the state. But I was completely disappointed that you totally missed a shining gem on the other side of the state in your latest issue, ‘Welcome to Beervania’.
Baker City’s own Barley Brown’s has to be one of THE BEST brewery’s i’ve ever had the chance to experience. Im my humble opinion, thier nationaly reconized beer (most recently by Maxim’s Magazine 25 Best New Beers in America issue, http://www.maxim.com/stuff/beer/86092/top-25-best-beers-in-america.html?p=3) rivals even the established giants as Rouge and Deschutes. Not to mention their “Cheers-ish” atsmosphere makes them a must stop place for residents and visitors alike.
I have recently moved away from Baker and have come to truely miss the great times and brews out in Eastern Oregon, and believes that Barley Browns deserves the attention of a great Oregon Beer!!