Girls Pint Out has chapters throughout the United States. Each chapter is as diverse as the ladies that run it. To celebrate our exceptional chapters and their diversity, Girls Pint Out is posting a series of blog posts that highlight each state’s unique craft beer culture. Oregon is the fifth in this series.
Cheers, from the ever so lovely, green state of Oregon!
Oregon is one of a kind.
Keep Portland Weird.
No problem!
We have quite the awesome spread of breweries amidst our lively state.
From the strictly Gluten-Free, Groundbreaker Brewing, to the original pioneers of the industry, Widmer Brewing, never to forget the trailblazing, one of a kind, Organic brewery Hopworks Urban Brewery.
Many fantastic breweries have taken hold, and steered this vivacious Oregon Craft Beer scene. To create an all-encompassing guide would carry a closer similarity to a long-winded novel, not an efficient blog post.
Here, I will focus on a few of my favorite Oregon breweries.
My palette for beer perfection dances far and wide, from the Pacific Ocean, to the bustling, busy town of Portland, to the hills of the Willamette Valleys, to the edges of Monkey Face (a great rock climbing attraction found in the beautiful Bend). With that, below please find my list of 15 Hop-epic, Oregon born and raised craft breweries.
Please note, I only covered the greater Portland area and the coast.
Another goody to know is, that we have an excellent brew touring company, by the name of Brewvana, based out of Portland. Brewvana in a nutshell; pick your breweries, pick your tour, hop on the bus and leave the driving to a fun and knowledgeable tour guide. Not only will you spend your day imbibing and full of beer joy, but you’ll gain an educational experience too. Win-win! You’ll get to see behind the scenes, try amazing beer samples, and have zero worry about an itinerary. If you mention the discount code patti_r4, when booking you can save 10% on your tour!
Now to the list!
I’ll attempt to streamline, based on region. Please note I had to stop with these 15, but I could go on and on. Possibly creating an Oregon, beer based novel. PROST!
Region: Portland Metro
- Hopworks Urban Brewery– ORGANIC, did I say
Organic? Delicious, local food, great vegetarian options, kid friendly, super cool atmosphere, aesthetically pleasing, bike friendly. - Migration Brewing– A beautiful upcycle of an old service station! Outside seating, great nightly festivities… Did I mention they’re huge Portland Trailblazer fans?
- Basecamp– The most artistic, groovy atmosphere. Photo op CENTRAL! Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder!
- Alameda Brewing Company– Coveting the beauty of fantastic beer and North Portland, 1996 was a great year to be brewing.
- Widmer Brewing– 1984. Enough said. Two super cool guys who created their dream, and said NO to the man. Did I mention they are still actively involved in the homebrew scene? That’s right they represent and are active players in the Oregon Brew Crew.
- Lompoc Brewing– Creativity and a love for beer. Great atmosphere, roomy booths, outside seating, barrel aged fantasticness and yes, multiple locations. Another 1996 WIN!
- Ex Novo Brewing– A non-profit brewery, from start to finish. Living, brewing beer, and giving back to the community.
- Upright Brewing– OPEN FERMENTATION. This goody is off the beaten path, but does not disappoint. Reminiscent of Fight Club atmosphere (holding down in the basement, of an upcycled, reinvented building), but far more friendly, and oh so Portland. Upright is just the perfect niche of small scale brewing with delicious taste.
Region: SW Portland
- Sasquatch Brewing– Hairy Knuckle Stout, enough said. Their food options will delight your palate.
- Old Market Pub– This pub dates back to a simpler time. Great beer, open seating, booths galore, a Southwest Portland GEM!
- Lucky Lab– Community seating, amazing pizza, and even better beer. Yes, please bring your pooch. Yet again, another upcycled reconstruction.
Coastal Region A: Astoria
- Fort George– This brewery alone has transformed the sleepy, historical town of Astoria. The building was beyond transformed, gutted, refurbished. Creativity, is an understatement. Gasping Columbia river views, beautiful chalkboard art, craft welding touches throughout. Astoria, Never Say DIE!
- Buoy Beer– Literally on the Columbia river… situated on old river pilings. Glass floors that capture the sea lions napping on the rocks below. Buoy is the newest kid on the Oregon Coast brew block, but they’re more than catching on. Great outside seating too!
Coastal Region B: Newport
- Rogue Brewery– Well-known throughout the country. Jack Joyce. A true OBG. (OriginalBrewGangsta’)
Coastal Region C: Cape Kiwanda
The view from Pelican Brewery
Pelican Brewing– JUST GO THERE! You’ll never want to leave. Epic views, the beach, the capes, the sand, the salt air. The best.
To conclude this list, I can’t forget the ever important Goddess herself: Ninkasi, ahh lovely Ninkasi. The ancient Sumerian tutelary goddess of beer.
“A hymn to Ninkasi”: The poem is actually a true, sacred recipe for brewing beer, passed down. This reference is of absolute importance, the link between feminine know-how and amazing beer. The goddess herself was far beyond her time. Stand proud ladies!
Ninkasi Brewing, is rooted from Eugene, Oregon. Established in 2006. Eugene is also the home of The University of Oregon. Go Ducks! Ninkasi’s Total Domination is an absolute go to. Hop smooth is an understatement, as well as their suitably named seasonal, Sleigh’r. Their attention to detail is quite relevant in all of their endeavors. From naming, to label creation, and beyond.
Ninkasi has a soft spot in my heart for a number of legit reasons. First off, their brew is amazing, the know-how and freshness that is packed into each batch is delicious.
Drum roll please… THEY ARE 1 of only a few nationwide vegan beers. Meaning they don’t utilize fish bladders, or any harvested animal component in the process of creating their delectable craft brews. Cheers to compassion!
Thanks for reading! Now get out there and imbibe OREGON!
To reach Portland Girls Pint Out, find them on Facebook or reach them by email at portland@girlspintout.org.
