Everything at pFriem’s Bright, Waterfront Pub in Seems Perfect, Including the Patrons

You’ll understand immediately why so many claim this is the finest brewpub anywhere.

(pFriem Family Brewers, Michelle Humphrey)
By Parker Hall

707 Portway Ave. #101, Hood River, 541-321-0490, pfriembeer.com. 11:30 am-9 pm daily.

From the moment you walk through the front door, everything at pFriem Family Brewers' bright, waterfront pub in Hood River seems perfect—including the patrons. Whether you're coated in dirt from a nearby trailhead or cozied up around the outdoor fire pit in your crisp Patagonia best, the big, concrete-lined outpost with modern woodsy furniture and round decorative light fixtures has an uncanny ability to make everyone in and around it seem like an extra in a Zooey Deschanel movie. Owner-brewer Josh Pfriem and his team pore over each of the 20 taps, with always-impressive options that range from the cleanest, brightest Pilsner in the Northwest to a dark and complex Belgian Strong Dark, which was our 2014 Beer of the Year. Pair a pint with a rotating seasonal food menu that also ranks among the most delicious of any brewing establishment—seriously, where else can you find delicate saffron cream mussels and fries at a brewery?—and you'll understand why so many claim this is the finest brewpub anywhere.

(pFriem Family Brewers, Cameron Browne)

Nearby: The riverfront park across from pFriem is one of the best places to take advantage of Hood River's notable lack of open-container laws while you watch some of the world's top windsurfers in action.

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