BYOB: Where to get your favorite local brews to go!

By Shanon Emerson

If you’ve ever had a powerful thirst for a cold beer after a long, hard day of, say, browsing the web while pretending to work, then imagine how you’d feel after completing a 2000-mile trek along the Oregon Trail by wagon train only to discover that there’s no beer at the finish line. That's exactly what happened to Henry Saxer in 1852. But Saxer didn’t mope around wondering why life was so unfair. He was a true pioneer, as well as an entrepreneur who could recognize a good thing when he saw it—in this case, prime land and water for brewing. So instead of complaining, he opened Liberty Brewery, Oregon’s first commercial brewery and only the second brewery on the Pacific Coast. Saxer successfully made beer for 10 years before selling Liberty to Oregon's better-known beer-brewing Henry—Henry Weinhard, that is.

In the early 1900s, Oregon wasn't exactly the beer-friendly state that it is today. The (silly, silly) temperance movement had taken root, and in 1914, five years before national prohibition was established, the voters of Oregon approved a state-wide ban on the manufacture, sale or advertisement of intoxicating liquor. Weinhard managed to survive the dry spell of state and national prohibition by serving up sodas and other non-alcoholic drinks at the City Brewery in what is now the Pearl District. In 1933, Oregon and the nation ratified the 21st Amendment and—finally—the beer began to flow again.

Fast forward a few decades to the start of an enlightened age of beer laws. In 1979, Jimmy Carter—older brother of William "Billy Beer" Carter—signed into law the so-called Cranston Bill, which made home brewing legal (up to 100 gallons per person per year). In 1985, the Oregon Legislature legalized brewpubs. This permitted breweries to sell directly to the public, fanning the flames of Oregon’s nascent brew culture. Today the Portland metro area hosts 38 breweries, more than any other metro area in the United States.

These days, many of Portland’s best brewpubs do more than just sell bottles, pints and pitchers to the beer-loving public. A few offer to-go beers in quart jars and 64 oz. growlers. Mason jars make an ideal “single” serving for those nights when you’re enjoying a few beers at the bar but you have to nip out for your late-night Magnum PI fix. (Yes, you should buy pizza rolls on the way home, too.) A growler, on the other hand, is a great way to pull off the hobo-hipster look as you saunter into a party with a jug of your favorite beer dangling from each index finger. Both options offer the ultimate in shopping local and buying bulk, thus reconciling your desire to take home your favorite microbrews with your personal pledge to do your part for the greater good.

Below are a few brewpubs that can set you up with some bulk beer. Each brewery has slightly different rules and prices, but they’re all more than happy to pour that ice-cold beer you’re looking for into a convenient carryout container.

Hopworks Urban Brewery (2944 SE Powell Blvd, 232-4677)
Hopworks, one of Portland’s newest brewpubs, is impressively run on 100 percent renewable energy. The entire operation is the height of sustainability, including a waste recycling program with a goal of zero waste. And, yes, the beer is organic (and award-winning).
Growler Glass: $5
Growler Refill: $10
Quart Jar: Not for sale
Quart Jar Refill: No
BYO Growler: Yes

Laurelwood Public House & Brewery (5115 NE Sandy Blvd, 282-0622)
Laurelwood has also taken on the organic-beer challenge with their aptly named Free Range Red and Tree Hugger Porter. While big on hops, the Free Range Red is said to be “balanced and drinkable.” The Tree Hugger Porter works the chocolaty and malty side of beer like a good porter should.
Growler Glass: $4
Growler Refill: $10
Quart Jar: $2.50
Quart Jar Refill: $5.50
BYO Growler/Quart: Yes

New Old Lompoc (1616 NW 23rd Ave, 225-1855)
If you ever find yourself walking down NW 23rd with an ever-growing desire for something authentic, keep going through the alphabet until you get to the New Old Lompoc Pub just past Raleigh St. If they didn’t have you at New Old, they’ll get you with their Proletariat Red, which, as their website states, “reminds us that work is the curse of the drinking class.” New Old Lompoc brews are available at all four of their pub locations.
Growler Glass: No
Growler Refill: No
Quart Jar: $2.50
Quart Jar Refill: $6
BYO Quart: Yes

Roots Organic Brewing Company (235-7668, 1520 SE 7th Ave)
Roots was the first Oregon brewery to focus solely on organic beer. Five years later, they’re still at it with a handful of regular beers that are always on tap and a few seasonal brews that show up when the time is right. This time of year brings Gruit Kolsch or, as it should rightly be called, summer in a bottle.
Growler Glass: $5
Growler Refill: $10, $12
Quart Jar: Not for sale
Quart Jar Refill: $7
BYO Growler/Quart: Yes

Widmer Brothers Gasthaus Pub (281-2437, 929 N Russell St)
The Widmer brothers—alternately known as Kurt and Rob or Rob and Kurt—started brewing beer as a hobby in the early ’80s. By 1984 they’d turned their hobby into a business, one that would be hugely successful. They first brewed the famous Widmer Hefeweizen, “American’s First Hefeweizen,” in 1986, when the microbrew culture in the Northwest was in its infancy.
Growler Glass: $30 (fancy), $7.50 (regular)
Growler Refill: $8
Quart Jar: Not for sale
Quart Jar Refill: $8 for two quarts (must have two)
BYO Growler/Quart: Yes

Rogue Distillery & Public House (222-5910, 1339 NW Flanders)
If you’re lucky and the rogues at Rogue are feeling generous, they might fill up a BridgePort growler even though BridgePort won’t return the favor. And by might they mean probably won’t. Welcome to Rogue Nation.
Growler Glass: $3
Growler Refill: $15–$19
Quart Jar: Not for sale
Quart Jar Refill: $7.50–$10
BYO Growler/Quart: Yes

Amnesia Brewing (281-7708, 832 N Beech St)
There’s something satisfying about saying the names of the beers at Amnesia: Dusty Trail Pale, Slow Train Porter, Desolation IPA. What’s even more satisfying is the little-bit-country-little-bit-rock-‘n’-roll attitude they have there. Located in an area of town where skinny jeans walk the streets on both women and men, it’s good to have a dash of country thrown in. And while they do fill growlers and quarts, their main requirement for a to-go beer receptacle is that it has a lid. If the law says they can fill it with beer, the folks at Amnesia will do it with a smile.
Growler Glass: Not for sale
Growler Refill: $13
Quart Jar: $1
Quart Jar Refill: $7
BYO Growler/Quart: Yes

Your Month in Beer

By Shanon Emerson

Oregon Craft Beer month is happening now, and July 4th is the only day this month that there isn’t at least one beer-related event planned. Below are a few highlights that you won’t want to miss. For a full calendar of all the brew-inspired revelry that July has to offer, visit oregonbeer.org/oregon-craft-beer-month-events.

Rogue’s Bloody Mary Pajama Brunch: July 13, 10am
Rogue’s Portland Distillery and Public House (1339 NW Flanders St, 222-5910, rogue.com)
Sleep in until 10am, roll out of bed, leave your pj’s on (or put them on depending on your rogue status) get yourself to Rogue’s Portland distillery. Now officially start your day by building your own Bloody Mary and ordering the Chocolate Stout pancakes.

Portland International Beerfest (PIB): July 17–19
North Park Blocks (NW 8th & NW Davis, portland-beerfest.com)
There’s no better place to taste the world’s beers than at PIB. This three-day festival features
over 150 beers from more than 15 countries. Pay $20 for 10 beer tickets and an official PIB glass. Each additional ticket is $1. Each beer will cost one to four tickets depending on the beer’s “swank factor.”

Hopworks Urban Brewery’s Homebrew Demo: July 20, 2–6pm
Hopworks Urban Brewery (2944 SE Powell Blvd, 232-4677, hopworksbeer.com)
For those of you who want to do more than just drink great beer, Hopworks is offering a homebrew demonstration in their parking lot. Who knows, maybe this will be the beginning of your career as a brewmaster. Or, better yet, it could be the beginning of your career as everyone’s new best friend at your next BBQ.

New Old Lompoc’s Festivus in July: July 22, 5–6pm
New Old Lompoc (1616 NW 23rd Ave, 225-1855, newoldlompoc.com)
This month New Old Lompoc takes the absurdity of Christmas in July to an entirely new level with Festivus in July. Festivus went mainstream when it was written into an episode of “Seinfeld” by a writer whose father had invented the holiday in the ’60s. Now Portlanders can sip traditional Christmas Ales while they experience the “traditional” airing of the grievances and the feats of strength.

Oregon Brewers Guild Brewers Dinner: July 22, 6–8:30
Tom McCall Waterfront Park (288-2739, oregonbeer.org/brewers-dinner)
This informal-style BBQ is held on the eve of the Oregon Brewers Festival as a fund-raiser for the Oregon Brewers Guild. The money they raise will help them continue to spread the word about Oregon’s native beers. It will feature beers that are not available at the festival. For $50 you’ll get dinner, a souvenir pint glass, and your choice of six half-pints of Oregon beer.

Oregon Brewers Festival, July 23–26, oregonbrewfest.com
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, downtown Portland
The Oregon Brewers Festival started in 1988 as a way to support and promote microbrews. Twenty-one years later the festival will feature craft beers from 80 different breweries from across the country. Packages range from $10–$50 and include a 2009 souvenir mug, which is required hardware for your beer-drinking pleasure. Admission is free if you’re more interested in the food and live music than the beer.

Exploring Alberta Street

(Photo by Hilary Pfeifer)

Alberta Street—A World Away from Downtown
By Brooke Preston

In a city’s arts district, places like galleries, performance spaces, artesian bistros and independent boutiques abound. By this definition, most of Portland should be considered the arts district. Thus, calling the revitalized, gentrified cluster of businesses along Northeast Alberta Street the “Alberta Arts District” can initially be a bit of a head scratcher. After all, there are noticeably less of what might be called traditional galleries than in other local neighborhoods. However, by actually roaming this street of eclectic shops, one yields a bit of insight: nearly every restaurant and establishment is a gallery of sorts, showcasing a rotating collection on their walls and hosting openings. Most stay open late once a month to host events for the Last Thursday art walk, which provides a smaller but spirited counterpoint to the Pearl District’s First Thursdays.

Alberta is a fine place to bring visitors, but many Portlanders have yet to explore this somewhat out-of-the-way corner of their own community. It’s easy to fill an entire day ambling and noshing among the tattooed and shabby chic masses, but first, you’ll need a game plan. The district rambles all the way from NE MLK Jr. Blvd to NE Killingsworth, but most of the neighborhood’s highlights are conveniently located on NE Alberta Street between 11th and 31st Avenues. Ample street parking means you can get right down to enjoying the neighborhood on foot or bike without circling endlessly to jockey for a space.

You’ll need plenty of energy for a full day of intrepid exploring, so start with a hearty breakfast. No problem there—several of Portland’s most beloved breakfast and brunch havens are located in the heart of the district. I started my day at Helser’s, or more specifically, outside the classic café/diner at one of several (dog-friendly!) sidewalk tables. There, the hubby, the lab and I enjoyed a veritable feast of well-made a.m. comfort food served by friendly and efficient servers, including scrumptious potato pancakes. Just down the street, the Tin Shed and Garden Café is a local staple, serving up fresh local ingredients, and a large, covered outdoor seating area, which means less wait time during these summer months. Vegetarians and omnivores alike flock to the Vita Café, now settled in its new home directly across Alberta from its previous location. Its menu heavily leans on veggie and vegan offerings, but offers some responsibly raised meat options, meaning we can finally all eat at the same table without warily perusing the menu for something tasty. The Fuel Café is rich in both ‘nutritious’ and ‘delicious’, with an entirely organic coffee selection, cozy atmosphere and WiFi to boot.

Once you’ve fueled up, enjoy a peaceful morning filled with culture and creation. The Guardino Gallery offers appealing and ever-changing selections from contemporary Northwest artists. Fellow gallery Ampersand offers a fascinating, offbeat collection of new and vintage paper ephemera (and beyond) as well as a bookstore and gift shop largely specializing in photography and design offerings. Feeling inspired after taking it all in? Children of all ages can paint a variety of pottery items to call their very own at Mimosa Studios.

All that creating can work up an appetite, and lunch options are plentiful. Stop by Francis for a rare and perfect blend of high-brow luxuries (oh, those famously comfy chairs!) at surprisingly affordable prices. Stylish décor, unique and scrumptious food and drink and an accomplished, unpretentious staff make this a perfect place to languish and make lunch an event. If you’re in a hurry, or want to continue exploring while you eat, consider the Grilled Cheese Grill, a food cart that serves the childhood favorite in surprisingly interesting and gratifying ways.

After eating your greens, it’s time to drop some green on the street’s many locally-owned boutiques and shops. No need to feel guilty about your retail therapy—chains are all but nonexistent on Alberta and its surrounding streets, so the money you spend goes straight back into the neighborhood economy, helping small business owners thrive. Plus, we’re not talking mass-produced mall trinkets. Ella’s saves 30 to 50-somethings from choosing between the junior’s section and Chico’s, providing a stylish array of fitness, casual and even formal pieces. Donna and Toots and Garnish are two Alberta boutiques that offer only handmade clothes, sewn by their owners. Local fashionistas also rave about Garnish’s willingness to change or embellish a style or custom tailor any piece to look great on the buyer’s body. If that’s not enough to perk up your day, include a visit Mabel and Zora, a store inspired by the sunny spirit of Doris Day. If you’re shopping for smaller fry, don’t miss Grasshopper. The brightly colored store is packed with finds—but is refreshingly free of the over-marketed brands and toys of other stores.

However, there’s much more to browse than dresses and scarves. For example, one must-stop Alberta attraction is Office PDX, one of the most talked-about stores in Portland. Even if you’re not in the market for their collection of vintage office furniture, retro whatnots and design-centric modern notions (including a killer selection of laptop bags), you’ll be glad you stopped in—after all, what better place to re-enact scenes from Mad Men?

Don’t leave out Fido and Fluffy—Healthy Pets Northwest’s largest location (they have three) is located in Alberta. Bring in your pet, and the welcoming staff will probably offer your pet a treat or two from the massive additive-free treat bar. (My pooch literally leapt for the chicken variety).

Nearby, one of five area women-owned Real Deals on Home Decor location keeps prices ridiculously low for their large selection of home décor by staying open only a couple days a week (currently Thursday and Saturday). In fact, gifts and goods for just about everyone are all within a stone’s throw, from home and garden goods at Digs, new and used musical instruments and more at Trade Up Music, or gently used cycles for a good cause at the Community Cycling Center.

Celebrate your newfound bargains at Every Day Wine, where the laid-back atmosphere allows for sampling of any of the 400 options, most of which are under $15 dollars. Follow this with dinner at swanky (but not too swanky) Ciao Vito, serving Italian influenced dishes under glittering chandeliers.

After dinner, (or for another great happy hour/dinner option) keep the party going by visiting Zaytoon, a neighborhood bar with a decidedly big city feel. The spacious bi-level lounge is a must-stop, offering sophistication sans snobbery. This is fantastic news for those that want to class up their night without fighting the weekend Pearl throngs. In fact, once you spend some time in Alberta, this neighborhood is virtually destined to quickly become a regular part of the social repertoire.

2008 Northwest Food and Wine Festival

Memorial Coliseum
November 15

Fall is a time for harvest celebrations, and what better way to celebrate the earth’s gifts than with gourmet food and wine. The third annual Northwest Food and Wine Festival will give you a chance to see, smell and savor the bounty of the Northwest. The main floor of the exhibit hall will feature over 600 wines to taste and gourmet food samples from 50 restaurants, including a raw oyster and seafood bar, a chocolate fountain and offerings from locally-recognized chefs. In the exhibit hall, wineries and restaurants will be intermingled to provide you with the chance to try a wide array of gourmet pairings. Music on several stages will add to the epicurean atmosphere, and throughout the evening, sommeliers and chefs will be available to answer questions.

If you’re looking for a great wine buy, you’ll be able to take advantage of the bottle and case discount and free shipping offered by many of the wineries. This should be a rich and rewarding experience for wine lovers and food enthusiasts alike. Tickets, which include all wine and food samples, are $75 for admission from 5–9pm, or you can start at 4pm and get an extra hour of eating and drinking with the $95 “preferred” ticket. (nwfoodandwinefestival.com)

Raising the Home Bar

With holiday parties rapidly approaching, a bit of panic can set in for those of us hosting. But if you can lock down a few key elements, others will tend to fall nicely into place. On the subject of elements, and considering the nip in the air, a warm and cozy party will fit the bill to a T. And what welcomes people in from the cold better than a well stocked bar? read full article

Port in a Storm

By Hollyanna McCollom

Picture this: You’ve just finished a nice meal; maybe you even had a Manhattan or a glass of wine. As you soak in the ambiance of the candlelit dining room, the server comes around with the dessert menu and asks, “Can I bring you something to drink with that?” If you’re the sort of person who always orders coffee in this situation, it’s time you explored the world of port.

Steeped in history and tradition, the process of creating port dates back to the 17th century when wine supplies to Britain were cut off by frequent wars in France. During that time, the British took a liking to the full-bodied wines produced in the Douro valley of Portugal, which, unfortunately, did not often make the trip without beginning to turn. To combat the problem, they began “fortifying” the wine with brandy, which stopped the fermentation process and allowed for safer (i.e. more lengthy) travel. To the delight of the winemakers, the resulting wine was surprisingly rich and more complex.

The different varieties of port are dependant upon many things, not the least of which include the harvest and the fermentation process. The youngest of these is a ruby port, which is readily available and reasonably priced in both stores and restaurants. As El Gaucho (319 SW Broadway, 227-8794, elgaucho.com) Wine and Cigar Captain Leann Loveland says, “It’s the white zinfandel of the port world in my opinion. It’s a good place to start.” A ruby will age in wood barrels for approximately two to three years before being bottled, resulting in a bright red or garnet blend that is vibrant and fruity. A good one to try is Warre’s Ruby Porto Warrior (about $15).

One of the most popular types of port is a tawny, which derives its name from the golden brown color it develops while aging in wood barrels. As a tawny ages it is exposed to more oxygen than its ruby counterpart and the gradual oxidation and evaporation result in a blend that is often described as having nutty, earthy or caramel-like overtones. A 10-year tawny is a fine choice and will only cost you about $10 to $20 a bottle. But like humans, the longer a port has to mature, the more complex and layered it becomes. A 30 or 40-year tawny will be deeper in color and will often pick up other flavors like dried fruit, toasted almonds and toffee. It’s well worth the extra bucks you’ll shell out for a glass as you smoke a cigar or nibble on a good blue cheese. A good low-priced version to try is Warre’s Otima (about $20 per bottle); or, if you want to splurge a little, try Graham’s 40 Year (about $150).

The most sought after is the vintage port, which must have the seal of approval from The Port Wine Institute (IVP) in Portugal before it can be declared. When wine producers feel that they have a particularly good port, they will send samples of it to IVP. If they agree, then IVP awards it with the honor of a “declared vintage.” It’s a coveted distinction since there are only about three declared vintages every 10 years. In fact, since 1901, there have been only 29–some of the most recognized are from 1927, 1934 and 1945. Vintage ports, like rubies, are aged in their bottles and develop a signature claret color. Unlike the younger wines, a vintage port will not be as bright, having had years to mellow, soften and mature.

In years past, children were often given a “pipe” of port (about 61 cases) the year they were born, with the intention that by the time the child was old enough to drink, the wine would have properly matured. Still today, a popular gift for landmark birthdays is a bottle from the year of the recipient’s birth. Pazzo Ristorante (627 SW Washington St, 228-1515, pazzo.com) Wine Director Lemmy Cooper suggests pairing such a wine (like their 2003 Taylor Fladgate Vintage, $20 per glass) with a flourless chocolate cake and raspberry sauce to complement the fruit-forward flavor.
Similar to a tawny, a colheita (pronounced, “col-yate-ah”) is a port from a single harvest (i.e. one year, one region), the date of which is printed on the label. Unlike a vintage port, colheitas are aged in barrels, thus developing a tawny color and characteristic. Less than 1% of all port production results in colheitas, so it’s a rare treat that retails for around $20 to $80 a glass (or $50 to several thousand dollars per bottle). El Gaucho even carries a Porto Kopke 1937 colheita for $185 a glass. Like the vintage port, it is often presented as a gift to someone to commemorate an anniversary year or birthdate.

A Late-Bottled Vintage (LBV), on the other hand, is similar in character and flavor to a vintage port. Indeed, an LBV is also derived from grapes produced in a single harvest. However, an LBV will spend four to six years in wood barrels before it sees the bottle. The resulting wine is full-bodied and rich, a marriage between vintage and tawny. Says Cooper, “I think if someone was getting into port or didn’t know much about it, for an extra five bucks a bottle [as compared to a standard ruby or tawny] it’s a good choice. I’d rather drink these [LBVs].”

Besides being a fine accompaniment to dessert, Port is often paired with cheese, fruit, Fois Gras, paté or even cigars. Says Loveland, “Ports go hand-in-hand with cigars. We see a lot of younger clientele in the cigar room having one with their gin and tonic and maybe they don’t realize how much more they could enjoy their cigar if they paired it with a cognac, a scotch or a port.”
Finding the right style of port for you is not hard if you go to the right place. Most restaurants are happy to offer suggestions based on your preferences and sommeliers are often excited to share their advice. In fact, as Loveland suggests, it’s wise to ask if you can sample a bit before ordering to see what sort of port you prefer. “Most bartenders are happy to pour you a taste to see if it’s what you really want,” she says. You can also call ahead to many oenophile restaurants (i.e. wine heavy) and schedule a tasting or a private session with their sommelier or wine director, like Cooper or Loveland, who are not only fountains of knowledge, but a lot of fun to boot.

So, put down the coffee (it will probably just keep you up late anyway) and check out the “other side of the dessert menu.” Because whether you prefer to finish your meal with a Crème Brule or a fine cigar, there is sure to be a port that will enhance your experience.

Dazed & Infused by the heat wave?

Then get out to the local watering holes we’ve featured this month who serve up Portland’s most unique and tasty house infusions! These jalapeno-infused tequilas, pineapple rums, and pepper, vanilla, and watermelon vodkas will have your mouth watering and your belly asking for more. Even better, the August issue features two recipes for you to try infusing at home!