Don's Top Picks

Don lives in Portland and write extensively about beer in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. You can follow him on twitter as @pdxbeerguide or read his twitter feed below

Note that we regularly update what constitutes a top pick so places can be relegated from the list if their beer range dips or there are other significant changes.

Belmont Station 4500 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215-1649 Originally a small beer specialty shop located on SE Belmont St very near the Horse Brass, Belmont Station moved and expanded to the current SE Stark location several years ago, increasing the selection and adding a beer café. Widely considered to be one of the best of its kind in Portland.

Horse Brass Pub 4534 SE Belmont, Portland, OR 97215-1636 This is the OG pub of the Portland beer scene, a British-style pub that transcends mere imitation with a wider selection on tap than you'll find in any pub in the UK, and a huge proportion of what's on tap is Oregon brewed. The Horse Brass is an institution, and a mandatory stop on any Portland beer itinerary.

The Beer Mongers 2415 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214-5307 Pub and bottle shop, well-stocked selection and well-chosen drafts. COVID-19 restrictions are no longer in effect. BeerMongers has moved a block west from its original location, to a new, brighter space on SE 11th Avenue. Drop in and give the BeerMongers crew some support. They've earned it.

Wayfinder Beer 304 SE 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97214-1008 COVID-19 Update: limited opening days and hours, and outdoor operation only on deck and streetside "parklet." Reduced menu, but plenty of good beer. The buzz building up in anticipation of Wayfinder's opening built up to a roar in Portland, right up to its opening day on October 1, 2016. The buzz hasn't subsided. The brewery is focused on lagers, with equipment available to do decoction mashing. The menu is all about good pub food. The expansive outdoor deck is a must on a fine day. Put this one on your short list of must-visit Portland brewpubs. 2017 Update: in June 2017, Wayfinder's house brewed beers made their debut. Brewer Kevin Davey is turning out the kinds of beers that will quickly develop an avid following.

Honorable Mention

Grand Fir Brewing 1403 SE Stark St., Portland 97214-1440 Opened on November 18, 2022. Powerhouse brewer Whitney Burnside and renowned chef (and hustband) Doug Adams have taken over former West Coast Grocery space and made it their own: quality craft beers and elevated pub food.

Little Beast Brewing Beer Garden 3412 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97202-1542 Former location of Lompoc Brewing's Hedge House, now pouring some of the region's best farmhouse-style and mixed-fermentation beers. Do not miss this one. 2021 saw the opening of a Kansas City-style barbecue kitchen. It's good too. Be prepared to show proof of covid-19 vaccination if seated at the bar.

Threshold Brewing & Blending Taproom 403 Southeast 79th Avenue, 97215, Portland, US, Portland, OR 97215 Montavilla brewery opened in January 2019, the second brewery in this neighborhood, with Montavilla Brewing just around the corner. Threshold features a roomy, open taproom space, including seats at the bar. Good range of beers on tap: a grisette, various takes on hazy IPA, gose, and lightly smoky grodziskie. Bring your own food or order a zapiekanka. This part of Montavilla now has four decent beer venues, making for a good pub crawl.

Tulip Shop Tavern 825 N Killingsworth St., Portland, OR 97217 Revamped former dive bar, now with a modest but very good tap selection, canned beers, classic cocktails, and good pub food.

Don's Twitter Feed

Tweets by pdxbeerguide