playing-outside-in-portland

We had the pleasure of visiting our northern neighbor and beer mecca of Portland, OR in May to jumpstart our own celebration of American Craft Beer Week. We tried new brews, visited some of the nation’s top beer bars and indulged in delicious coffee and baked goods while pedaling around the lush city full of bearded and beanied hip kids.  There’s just too much to do in one weekend, so we broke it down for you in the DrinkEatTravel weekender guide for Portland, OR, the city where every bar has good beer.

Day 1

Grab breakfast at Broder

The Swedish restaurant has unique and delicious Frukost (that’s Swedish for breakfast!) dishes ranging from simple eggs to Aebleskivers with housemade applesauce and lemon curd, Vegetarian Pytt Panna (Swedish hash), and Lefsa of the Day! What’s a Lefsa? We still don’t really know, but the ridiculously nice service at Broder could definitely tell you all about it. The place is small, so be ready to wait if you have a larger group and bring cash as they will only accept two cards max to split the bill. You must not leave Portland without getting an aquavit Bloody Mary at Broder. It’s the best one we’ve put our pretty little lips on so far, and it’s garnished with beets, onion, housemade pickle chips, and a baby tomato.

2508 SE Clinton St. 97202

Get some air at the International Rose Test Garden

If you’re lucky and the weather’s behaving hop across the river and through downtown to see some nature. There’s plenty of turf for walking off your Aebelskivers, an amphitheater, soccer field, tennis courts, picnic tables in pine groves and a tremendous view of Mt. Hood looming over the city. The gardens are right across from the Portland Japanese Garden and near the Hoyt Arboretum, Pittock Acres Park, Washington Park and Hillside Center Park, making it easy to spend the rest of the day outside.

850 SW Rose Garden Way 97205

Grab a beer at Apex

After working off your breakfast it’s certainly time for a beer or 12. This year, Apex was named one of the top beer bars in the nation by Draft magazine. It’s no wonder, with the large live beer draught menu and variety of brews and bottles from all over the place. We satisfied our beer cravings with some Russian River Consecration and Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, not to mention a significant number of IPA’s. They share a parking lot with a taqueria in case you get hungry. The bar is cash only, so come prepared with some Benjamin’s and a D.D. if you don’t have a bike.

1216 SE Division St. 97202

Go to a local brewery, Amnesia

Husband and wife team Kevin and Kristina King opened Amnesia after a career at Rogue Brewing in Newport, OR. The aptly-named beer bar has fresh-brewed beer, guest taps, food and from what we can recall … whiskey, all of which can be enjoyed on their outdoor patio while you inhale their meaty outdoor barbecue aroma. Bonus points for being within walking distance of the Wonder Ballroom (this means you have a little time to sober up).

832 N Beech St. 97227

Get some eats at Toro Bravo

We love tapas way too much. Foodies and newbies alike will appreciate the award-winning restaurant’s seasonal menu of small bites, including grilled flat bread with black truffle cheese & arugula, house bacon & Manchego burger with romesco & pickled vegetables and Olive Oil Cake with rhubarb caramel. If you’re overwhelmed by all the goodness, opt for the Chefs Choice for the Table for $25 per person. You can have wine by the bottle, glass or enjoy your own for a $10 corkage fee. Reservations are only accepted for groups of 7 or more on Sundays through Thursdays, otherwise it’s all walk-ins.

120 NE Russell St. 97212

Hear tunes at the Wonder Ballroom

It’s next door to Toro Bravo and it’s above the Under Wonder bar. The Wonder Ballroom has previously hosted bands like Eagle of Death Metal and Pinback with reasonable ticket prices. James Blake, Reverend Horton Heat, KMFDM and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion are some of the upcoming acts at this venue. Under Wonder has food (all under $5!) and solid mixed drinks, like the Evening Sweet Tea made with house-infused earl grey vodka, lemon and BarenJaeger. It’s a great terrible idea to share a shot of whiskey before your show. We didn’t know what a Beer Back was until that night, but you get to chase your shot with some free beer if you say yes, so just do it.

128 NE Russell St. 97212

Day 2

Get bread at Little T American Baker

Feed your hangover at this carbohydrate mecca. In the minimalist, concrete-and-wood bakery lives the most amazing flakey-chewy-soft-crunchy-buttery-puffy croissant of all time. Little T Baker is Tim Healea of the famed Pearl Bakery in downtown Portland. We’re not sure if the best part was the big crunchy chocolate chip cookie, the giant latte made with Stumptown coffe, the fresh quiche, or the bacon and egg whole wheat croissant breakfast sandwich. We do know we wish we had purchased a grab-bag full of items to consume on the plane and back at home. Order everything behind the counter then sit at the high-chairs in front of the giant windows and watch the rain.

2600 SE Division St. 97202

Get booze via bicycle

You can spend the day pedaling from pub to pub but also from distillery to distillery, thanks to Distillery Row. Start off with some sours at the Cascade Brewing Barrel House, where friendly bartender Biscuit (that’s really his name) can tell you about their tart treats. Pop across the street  to the legendary square block that is the Green Dragon where the beer list is overwhelming and unusual but certainly not unmanageable with tasters and the help of their generous staff (especially the ones at the back bar).

Integrity Spirits operates out of the Green Dragon’s backside and is the northernmost stop on Distillery Row. Head south to visit New Deal, Deco, House Spirits and Stone Barn Brandyworks. Also nearby this route: Lucky Laborador Brew Pub, Burnside Brewing Co., Hair of the Dog Brewing Co. and a relaxing pitstop and snack at the cash-only Roadside Attraction‘s patio, a real Portland original. Be sure to double-check the hours and tasting schedules at the distilleries before you visit!

Cascade Barrel House: 939 SE Belmont St. 97214 — Roadside Attraction: 1000 SE 12th Ave. 97214

Get dinner at Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB)

It’s Portland’s first “Eco-Brewpub,” boasting enough parking for 60 bikes, a menu full of local and organic goodness, fresh-brewed organic beer on 10 taps plus two casks and about 100 bazillion other great green efforts Owner and Brewmaster Christian Ettinger has conscientiously executed. Hopworks recently opened BikeBar, another new Portland location at 3947 N. Williams.

2944 SE Powell Blvd. 97202

Unwind with wine & music at Vino Vixens

If you’ve had your fill of beers and bros head across the street Vino Vixens for wine, pool, snacks and on most nights, live music. The store has a three-room tasting lounge and over 500 kinds of wine (and beer) for sale. It’s laid back with lots of sofas so you can feel like you’re sipping Syrahs on your own couch. Make sure you’ve had plenty of cheese and food before hopping back on the bike.

2929 SE Powell Blvd. 97202

Travel tips:

  • Carry cash. Lots of places in Portland are cash-only.
  • Carry a REAL map. Plot your trek on a paper map like an old prospector, or pick up one of the little blue beer maps (available at most beer bars). Writing bike directions on the back of our hand worked great for getting around without having to stop to check a route every five minutes on a phone in the rain.
  • Sleep well. The Ace Hotel, Portland is all around awesome with a Stumptown downstairs, eco-conscious interiors and helpful mustachioed bell boys. They have an adorable breakfast cafe & full restaurant and are based in downtown Portland.
  • Enjoy fresh roasts. Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Tiny’s Coffee and The Fresh Pot all have multiple locations so you’ll never be without a quality caffeine buzz.
  • Experience Beervana. There’s too much good beer to have in this city so if you have more time/liver consider this, this or this.
  • Embrace the animals. Portland is a vegan mecca, so try some new dishes and some of these delicious places.
  • Find a festival. Read up on current events at Brewpublic, a great resource for all things Beer in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Follow some of our Portland faves on our Portland Twitter list.

Props to pals Sean Inman, Randy Clemens, Dave D., QuarryGirl and Con Bigotes for some great recs.