They sure do gots some good beer out here in the PNW.
Breweries visited:
Portland:Hair of the Dog:
Great atmosphere, tasty food, always solid high abv beers. But they don't seem to come up with much new stuff.
Favorite beer(s) tried: Adam
Cascade:
I was there four years ago and hated sours. I love sours now, but Cascade still really doesn't do it for me. Oh well, our server was very nice.
Favorite beer(s) tried: Cascade Rouge
Upright:
Love this place. Hard to find, in the basement of an office building. We ran into the one guy running the tasting room as he was in the hallway of the office bulding running errands. We asked for directions, he said "just follow the music." Not only was he pouring beer and selling bottles (all cash only), but he as also spinning the vinyl (old school reggae, some old N'awlins stuff, all excellent).
Favorite beer(s) tried: Upright #7, also their first attempt at an American Barleywine
Hopworks Urban Brewpub:
Surprisingly excellent food for a brewpub.
Favorite beer(s) tried: the standard IPA
Hood River:Double Mountain:
Great pizza and very good beer. What not to love about that.
Favorite beer(s) tried: Devil's Kriek
Pfriem:
Everything was solid. Nice location down by the river.
Favorite beer(s) tried: the Belgian pale
Seattle:Holy Mountain:
Most eclectic and interesting brewery in Seattle. Too bad it was 21+. At least I got to go.
Favorite beer(s) tried:Kiln and Cone Pale Ale. Ok, so there were some more
interesting beers I tried at HM (the foudre aged Belgian pale comes to mind), but this one was one of the best pale ales I've ever had.
Reubens Brews:
I didn't make it here, but my wife did, and she didn't sound too impressed. Oh well.
Fremont Brewing:
Best beer spot to hand out in Seattle. Beers all good, though they had nothing special on draft.
Favorite beer(s) tried:Interurban IPA
Other:Belmont Station (Portland) Best bottle shop, and maybe best draft list in Portland. So awesome that this place was literally around the corner from our airbnb.
Chuck's Hop Shop (Seattle, Cap Hill): Great bottle shop in Seattle
The Wurst Place (Seattle): Sausage place with vegan options, great draft list, slightly punk rock vibe.