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IN HOUSE alameda brewhouse
With high ceilings, metallic table tops and a wood-dominated interior, the Alameda Brewhouse looks like the Northwest pub of the future. The most attractive element of this beer oasis, deep in Northeast Portland, is the menu of ales. Ten house-crafted brews and a well-chosen slate of guest taps add up to a selection comparable to the most earnest Irish or British taverns. Alameda's impressively flavorful bitter, respectable berry brew and sturdy summer ale are served in appropriately angular glassware and poured from taps just a few steps away from the brewing tanks. Inventive regional fare--salmon gyros, pasta-and-seafood combos, hearty sandwiches, and fish and chips--match the flavors of Northwest hops. Be forewarned when ordering: The beer comes in carefully poured pints or pitchers, but there's no measuring the gargantuan food portions. (RM) 4765 NE Fremont St., 460-9025. Open daily. 21 taps. columbia gorge brewing co.
Singlehandedly, this brand-new brewhouse and restaurant has created a reason to go to Gresham. Located on the one cute street in the much-maligned suburb, the Columbia Gorge Brewing Co. pushes away all thoughts of sprawl. As slickly designed as a SoHo gallery, the cavernous building feels both imposing and cozy. It's artfully divided into a dining area, a pool hall and a bar, which overlooks the copper brewing machinery. The food rises to a level far above the standard fries and nachos. Columbia Gorge does serve nachos, but instead of soggy chips buried under a chemical orange mass, theirs are a mix of red, blue and yellow corn chips carefully amassed over a spicy bean mash and topped with a light sprinkle of cheese, fresh olives, jalapeños and tomatoes. There are several nice salads and sandwiches, but the standout entree is cashew prawns. In this creative and delicious dish, sweet large shrimp are cooked and covered with a spicy, nutty cashew and chili pesto. The in-house beer is clearly designed to attracthe Mount Hood and Columbia Gorge crowd: Black Diamond Stout, Beacon IPA, High Wind Hefeweizen. (AVB) 333 N Main St., Gresham,
674-2537. Open daily. 5 taps. lucky labrador brewpub
The Lucky Lab's formula is straightforward: Make great beer and sell it in an inviting old industrial loft. Some of the best features of this lower Hawthorne hangout are the things you won't find--there's no television, no cutesy memorabilia and no smoking. The owners are rightfully proud of their Best Bitter and Black Lab Stout, and the other three or four house brews are excellent as well. One brew is always on the cask-conditioned tap, and outstanding beers from other makers take turns as the guest keg, although there's little reason to stray from the Lab's products. The place attracts a young crowd, especially on "Miser Monday," when the 20-ounce pints go for $2. The Lab offers a simple menu of bento, soup and sandwiches. Nothing costs more than five bucks and the bread comes from Grand Central--who could ask for more? (NJ) 915 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 236-3555. Open daily. 9 taps. the old lompoc
The Old Lompoc doesn't need to coax or coerce sud-suckers into its quaint establishment. Blues music, relaxed conversation, muted TVs, uneven floors and not a clock in sight provide the best advertising going. Comfortable old Portland timelessness mixes well with the young, attractive clientele. A simple, tasty menu consists mostly of sandwiches, soups and salads. Lompoc's in-house brewers hand-craft in small batches. McFecheter's Scottish Ale was recommended, and it deserves acclaim. The Taster Tray offers five 6-ounce samples of beer for $3.50. All this can be enjoyed at the bar or a table, on a cozy couch near the pool tables, or out back by the brewery in the breezy beer garden. (IR) 1616 NW 23rd Ave., 225-1855. Open daily. 14 taps. old market pub and brewery
Did you know Multnomah Village has a golden ale named after it? The Old Market Pub brews 14 original beers including Hop On!, Rat Dog, Hot Tamale, Mr. Slate's Gravelberry, Old Granny Smith and Honey Blossom, in addition to Multnomah Golden. A $4 taster tray lets you try 10, and it may be all the beer you need. Unlike some smaller breweries, Old Market tends to do better with darker beers, which taste lighter and crisper than the pales. The pub's huge wooden booths and outdoor picnic tables attract a big lunch crowd. Local villagers usually order the blue cheese burger, but the large menu covers most bases with Caesar salads, a Tuscan chicken sandwich, pizzas (including an excellent vegan version), chili dog calzones and Oktoberfest beer sausage over pasta. Burn off lunch in the back room, where there are full-size pool tables, pinball, darts and shuffleboard. (BD) 6959 SW Garden Home Road, 244-0450. Open daily.
20 taps. philadelphia's
A family-friendly contender in the increasingly chic Sellwood scene, Philadelphia's isn't really a bar. In actuality, it's a tasty steak sandwich and hoagie hangout that happens to house Oregon's smallest microbrewery--Moore Brewing, whose three-BBL-per-batch system allows it to do some fun experiments, some of which succeed (Blackberry Porter) and some which don't (the Ginger Ale). There is a theme at work here; everything about the place is reminiscent of the City of Brotherly Love: Eagle-green decor, Sixers on the tube, brews named after Philly people and places. The Betsy Ross Golden Ale goes well with a chicken cheesesteak, while the Ben Franklin Brown (let it warm up a bit for better flavor) is preferable for the beefsteak standard. Drop in after 9 pm, when you can catch the best deal in town--95-cent pints--then buy a to-go jar for later consumption. (JG) Philadelphia's, 6410 SE Milwaukie Ave., 239-8544. Open daily. 12 taps. rock bottom brewery
The bright and airy Rock Bottom has Northwest preppy down: lots of wood, artsy-craftsy lighting, adult-alternative tunes on the speakers and so on. Look past the businessmen, over the bar and through the picture window, however, and you'll see the real reason you're here: gleaming tanks of beer. The Big Horn Nut Brown Ale (actually more amber than brown) has a kick most NBA's lack, and the White Pelican Pale Ale has just enough hops to fly. Summer "Hoppy Hour" (weekdays from 4-6 pm) offers affordable food, provided you drink two $2.75 pints (which I'm sure you can and will). If you want to escape the bar area, head upstairs to the balcony billiard room, where eight pool tables encourage you to get elbow-to-elbow friendly with neighboring drinkers. (JG) 210 SW Morrison St., 796-2739. Open daily. 12 taps. tugboat brewing co.
Hundreds of books line the walls of this tiny place, soothing eyes accustomed to the typical droning TV. It is a peculiar collection, with such titles as How to Cook with Jello and TheGirl Scouts Handbook. The in-house brewing offers just as much variety, and the selections constantly change. Some beers appear more frequently, such as Tugboat's IPA, stout and ESB, all favorites during the $2-a-pint happy hour. The service is friendly; cashiers might promise customers, "We'll take your money before your wife does!" Tugboat has a little pinball alcove and occasional live music, but as the owner puts it, "People come here to talk shit--about politics, religion and whatever." Along with good beer, expect good conversation. (IR) 711 SW Ankeny St., 226-2508. Open daily. 9 taps. |
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