Coin Toss

By Rebecca Jacobson

14214 Fir St., Suite H, Oregon City, 971-224-9487, cointossbrewing.com. 3 pm-8pm Thursday-Friday, noon-8-pm Saturday, noon-6pm Sunday

Coin Toss might be Oregon City's newest brewery, but it's got an eye toward the past. The name is a nod to the coin toss that gave Portland its name—a momentous event that actually took place in Oregon City. Founder Tim Hohl, a longtime homebrewer who co-hosts a morning show on KPAM radio, has further historical aspirations with the Heritage Series, inspired by recipes of yore. The first entry is George's Honest Ale, modeled on a beer brewed by Washington himself. Made with sweet molasses, it's mild and cider-esque—a good fit, West Linn resident Hohl notes, for "blue-collar, yellow beer-drinking Oregon City." Other offerings from the 10-barrel brewery include a roasty, malt-forward CDA and the well-balanced Nine Eyes IPA. The modest tasting room, tucked in an industrial park next to a U-Haul dealer and a vacuum seller, opened in early January, but you can also look for Coin Toss at Roscoe's, Belmont Station and Green Dragon.

Drink This: Historic novelty aside, George's Honest Ale is eminently drinkable.

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