We’ll be on a relaxing vacation at a VRBO between Portland and Mt. Hood next week and wanted to try out some beers we can’t get elsewhere. We aren’t looking for brewery tours or bars, but beers we can pick up at stores and enjoy back at the house that might not have national distribution. Ideally, I would be seeking IPA types, but that’s simply a guidance for preference. Probably not anything similar to porters for summer drinking.
While we’re at it, may as well ask about easy to obtain Oregon pinot and sauvignon blancs. We won’t be traveling with wine this trip. I’ve always favored Thomas’ pinots, but I’m sure those won’t be for sale.
There are a lot of place in east Portland where you can buy local-only types of products. Belmont Station (4500 SE Stark St) is the best known, but also John’s Market (3560 SE Powell) has a very good selection. Since you probably need a grocery store as well, New Seasons has a number of stores in east Portland. Probably the furthest east is the Happy Valley store (15861 SE Happy Valley Town Center Dr). Cheap Charlies in Gresham (79 NE Roberts) is a possibility, but the beer there can sometimes be stale - not what you’re looking for in an IPA.
As far as breweries/beers to look for, here is a list by a noted beer blogger Jeff Alworth that might be helpful. The only beer on his list that gets any kind of national distribution is Deschutes. i would particularly look for Breakside and Gigantic beers. If you like Hazies, I understand that Great Notion does a really good job (Personally, I can’t stand them). You should also be on the lookout for Gold Dot Staggers and Jags Cold IPA. This is our version of the style, made by the guy that invented the Cold IPA. And while you’re at it, you might want to look for our Heater Allen Pils - a World Beer Cup gold medalist, and the highest rated beverage in Oregon (100 pts from the Wine Enthusiast).
On the wine front, I’m not as well versed, but I’ve heard good things about Taborly Wines (4316 SE Hawthorne & close to a New Seasons), Woodstock Wine & Deli (4030 SE Woodstock & close to a New Seasons), and Portland Bottle Shop (7960 SE 13th & close to another New Seasons), but there are literally dozens in east Portland. Have fun!
Rick provided a good list of stores. I’ll add what I think are the best IPA/Pale Ale breweries in Oregon that you may find at those stores - Ruse, Breakside, Von Ebert, Boneyard, Grand Fir, Ferment, Kings & Daughters, Barley Brown’s, and Sunriver.
If you’re open to non-hoppy beers, you can’t go wrong with beers from Heater Allen/Gold Dot, Wayfinder, Upright, Pfriem, and Little Beast.
For Oregon wines, your best bet is Vinopolis. Big selection.
Gosh gents, that’s an incredible amount of great ideas! Far more than we can consume in our short time there, but I’m copying it all on a list for my phone and will hit on what we come across.
I’m plenty open to all non-IPA’s provided they aren’t full on the heavy, dark side. I get in the mood for those about once a year when it’s cold.
Just got here yesterday and thanks to you all, we’ve already tried Heater Allen Pils (love it, Rick!), Wayfinder, Breakside, and Sunriver. Haven’t found Gold Dot or Jags in stock yet, but will look again on an evening we run back into Portland for dinner. Great start!
Fort George is available in the Portland market and the 3 Way IPA should have been released within the last month or so. That’s usually a really good IPA. Hopefully I’ll find out in less than 2 weeks…