206 SW Morrison St., rockbottom.com, 503-796-2739, 11 am-midnight Sunday-Thursday, 11 am-1:30 am Friday-Saturday.

Viewed from another angle, Rock Bottom is actually the tip of the iceberg. Part of a national chain owned by a Chattanooga, Tenn.-based private-equity-owned firm, it's not unlike a Ruby Tuesday with brew kettles in the back. The Pioneer Place branch is a spot where people get their introduction to craft beer, and also where suburbanites waiting for the Blue Line rest up after work or a big day of downtown shopping because it has big, comfy booths and isn't too crowded. Sadly, the beer quality has slipped since the departure of Van Havig, who left to found his own place, Gigantic. If you're here, you want the nachos, which come stacked up on a huge cafeteria tray. Stick to the light beers, like the Kölsch or Dim Wit witbier, which doesn't not taste like Blue Moon.

Drink this: If you're looking for something a little darker, the Lumberjack Red ale kind of tastes like a light schwarzbier.

Welcome to the 2017 Portland Beer Guide

This Year's Guide Is Dedicated to Dean Pottle

Our Top Ten Beers of the Year

Brewery Directory 

Day Sips: Get Out of Town

An Oral History of the Horse Brass

The Best Portland Bars for Hardcore Bar Geeks | Portland's Best Cider Bars | These Are the Bars in Portland Where We Get Our Beer to Go | Where to Get Crowlers in Portland | Big Beer Halls Where You Can Drink With Half of Portland | The Six Best Spots to Take Little Ones For a Little Nip | Warm & Cozy Beer Caves | Portland Spots Where Great Food and Beer Come Together | Tap a Belgian or German at These Portland Bars