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PM tlong... I think he lives there, or nearby.
Hey, I'm going to be going to Portland late this month. I was just wondering if anyone's been there: what are the must-do's in the town? I'll only be there for 3-5 days, and while I enjoy nature and stuff I'd like to see some city hotspots. Especially if anyone has recommendations for a good hotel (I'm willing to spend the money, just not too much), a good restaurant, and some attractions. Thanks, much appreciated.
PM tlong... I think he lives there, or nearby.
tlong, is that his whole username? And thanks.
Yes, I live here. I recommend that you use Hotwire.com to get your hotel and select downtown Portland as the area. Be careful about this, because there is also an area called downtown Portland - Rose Garden which isn't where you want to be. It's the most expensive, but very affordable via hotwire and it's right next to all the action downtown. Let me know when you are going to be here and I'll tell you what's happening at that time. There is always something happening downtown during the summer in Portland. You should have a good time.
Thanks. I PM'ed you.
Well, I live in SE Portland.
Depends on what you want. You say you like nature. You may want to drive east on the Old Highway and visit the various waterfalls up to Multnomah Falls There are trails all around the area.
As for beer, we have more breweries than anywhere else in the world, per capita. I'll be going again this evening to the Deschutes Brewpub on NW 11th, downtown Portland. The 22 oz. bottles in my current sig are from there.
It's not a long drive to the Pacific Ocean if you like beaches.
If you really like nature, there are two nude beaches. One at Rooster Rock, and one at Sauvie Island. They are not well marked, so you'' have to ask directions likely. Other places.
There are many "Gentleman's Clubs" if you're into that. The better ones change from time to time. I will assume that Club 205, Cabaret II, Exotica, and The Acropolis are still the better ones, but I don't know. There are also more strip clubs in Portland per capita that anywhere else in the USA.
What are you looking for?
Echoing what WC said, Rogue is another incredible brewer in the area (Newport, OR). It's about a 140 mile drive or so from Portland though. Still, it may be worth it if you're a huge beer fan because their stouts are some of the best in the world; especially if you like stouts that aren't that bitter (as opposed to Sierra Nevada Stout or Guinness Extra Stout which are a bit). I highly recommend either of the following stouts to try whenever you hit the bars out there:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/132/1118
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/132/359
I don't drink their other ales though, so I can't offer an opinion there.
Here's a short lost I can think of off the top of my head:
Nightclub:
Harvey's Comedy Club
Good bars:
Dukes (don't forget to ride the mechanical bull)
Deschutes Brewpub
Pub 181 (most pool players use BCA rules)
Claudia's Sports Bar (nice 8 ft tables)
Great Dining:
Joe's Crab Shack (across the river in Vancouver)
SALTY'S on the COLUMBIA RIVER
Greek Cusina
Again, what are you looking for.
I'd pass on SALTY'S & Joe's Crab shack.
Salty's has decent food that is IMO overpriced for the ambiance.
If you have a chance, make the drive to Hood River, OR. Beautiful area on the Columbia in the shadow of Mt. Hood. Lots of excellent, but pricey, restaraunts. I live in central WA & have been making 2-3 trips a week down there the past few weeks for work.
One thing to take in mind while driving in rural areas of OR & if you make it into WA is the "radar by aircraft." Cops nail people by air all the time.
Well, dammit, I think I'm en led to be bitter.
I know they are various places, and like any franchised business, quality varies. The one in Vancouver is great. They also have an outdoor patio for tables overlooking the Columbia River.
You know what...
Obsidian Stout on nitro tap at the Deschutes Brew Pub is way better than Guinness!
Want a great bitter? Try the Inversion IPA, or the Red Chair IPA in my sig.
This thread has progressed nicely. If you care about beer, I think Hair of the Dog is the highlight if you can schedule a tour/tasting. In any event, you should seek out their beers somewhere, anywhere. All previously mentioned choices are great as well. Deschutes Black Butte Porter is the second best porter available in San Antonio.
How can there be a better Porter?
What is it?
There exists a Porter made right in San Antonio that is delish. Of course, it's all subjective opinion... but I looked up just for giggles on BeerAdvocate...
Black Butte Porter reader avg 4.08
The Porter of Which I Speak reader avg 4.12
win!
I agree it's subjective. The thing with this part of the North West is we have about the softest water in the world. Because of this, any style of beer can be made. We are not limited to the minerals in the water, all we have to do is add what is missing. Who cares what amateur reviewers think. Read a few of the reviews. One thought a porter should be thicker. Another reviewed the wrong beer. I noticed that those writing reviews for that site tend towards giving more potent beers more points. I also wonder how a Oregon beer tastes after being shipped for so many miles, under various temperature changes.
It's awesome local, on tap.
How does it compare to this:
Ratings, Awards & Notables
Best Porter
2007 Readers' Choice Awards, Northwest Brewing News
Gold Medal, Porter Category
2007 Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal, Porter Category
2006 Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal (88 - Highly Recommended)
2005 World Beer Championships
Gold Award, Porter
2005 European Beer Star
Bronze Medal, Brown Porter Category
2004 North American Beer Awards
Gold Medal, Porter Category
2004 Australian International Beer Awards
Gold Medal, Brown Porter Category
2003 North American Beer Awards
Silver Medal, American Dark Ales
2003 Real Ale Festival, Individual Category Awards
Best Porter, People's Choice Awards
2003, 20th Annual International Beer Festival, San Francisco, CA
Bronze Medal, Brown Porter Category
2002 Great American Beer Festival
Gold Medal, Brown Porter Category
2002 North American Beer Awards
Silver Medal, Dark Milds, Stouts & Porters Compe ion Class 3
2002 Brewing Industry International Awards (B.I.I.A.), London, England
Gold Medal, Bottled American Brown Ales & Porters Category
2001 Real Ale Festival
Gold Medal, Brown Porter Category
2000 North American Beer Awards
Gold Medal, Brown Porter Category
1999 North American Beer Awards
Bronze Medal, Brown Porter Category
1998 Great American Beer Festival
Silver Medal, Brown Porter Category
1998 World Beer Cup
Gold Medal, Brown Porter Category
1996 Great American Beer Festival
No name, no link...
I think it's in your head.
Wow...looks like a lot of good beer places!Thanks for all the info. I'm down for any type of cuisine (exluding Indian, not much of a fan of that), this Greek place; do they have some kickass gyros? I love me some good gyros.
Basically I want to plan this trip as much as I can, and leave little to having to stop at a McDonald's for lunch, which I can do anywhere...
I only have money for one fancy/over $80 spent restaurant. Ton of bars and clubs; and here I thought Portland was a goodie-goodie city!
If the Falls are worth my time I wouldn't mind taking a trip, the drive to Portland will be pretty long so I'd rather not have to drive to places 2 hours out once I get there, call me lazy haha.
In particular, I love Italian, Chinese, and good burger joints. Also like thrilling amusement parks and fun things like indoor skydiving. Thanks, guys.
LOL at you taking this even a fraction of how seriously you have. Relax, have a cold one. I have friends who actually work for Deschutes who take this conversation less seriously than you already have.
Cheers.
There are. The Deschutes Black Butte Porter is available in most places. In fact, most bars now have good microbrews.Wow...looks like a lot of good beer places!
There's another good Greek restaurant in downtown Portland I think it's called "Greek Cuisina." I don't know about Gyro's. Both The Acropolis and The Pallas (strip clubs) are Greek themes. I don't know how good the food is, but The Pallas I know used to serve Gyros. I go for stuff like the Calamari.I'm down for any type of cuisine (exluding Indian, not much of a fan of that), this Greek place; do they have some kickass gyros? I love me some good gyros.
McDonalds sucks.Basically I want to plan this trip as much as I can, and leave little to having to stop at a McDonald's for lunch, which I can do anywhere...
Wow... This is an expensive area. Not long ago I spent $120 at a Red Lobster with tip. $80 at Joe's Crab Shack. About that at The Outback as well. You'll have to shop a bit or stick with regular places.I only have money for one fancy/over $80 spent restaurant. Ton of bars and clubs; and here I thought Portland was a goodie-goodie city!
The bars generally have good food here. I like to eat at Pub 181 at times, or Puff's. Been a while since I went to Puff's but they have a large menu, and is good. Pool tables, dancing, outdoor patio. I'm sure there are other good places, but I in no way know them all.
Wichita's Puff's Pub
22200 SE Stark St
Gresham, OR 97030
(503) 665-1098
Pub 181
18415 SE Division St
Gresham, OR 97030
(503) 666-4457
I like the burgers at "Cheers to You" also.
Cheers to You
12131 SE Holgate Blvd
Portland, OR 97266
(503) 762-2857
So many places. Funny, I haven't eaten at Dukes or other places I mentioned except for "The Woodshed." I haven't been there since Jody sold it, so It may have changed.
Woodshed
16015 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97233
(503) 256-9022
He still own's "Jody's" and they still have good meals. I seldom go there with little money though. It's a strip club:
Jody's Restaurant & Lounge
12035 NE Glisan St
Portland, OR 97220
(503) 255-5039
If you know address grids, notice the Gresham addresses I listed are on the Portland grid. They are all not far from where I live.
I'm not going to look it up, but it's about 1/2 drive from Portland. Not too far out. Again, take the old highway rather than the Freeway. I-84 only has an exit for Multnomah Falls. The old highway has stops for about a half dozen falls on the way, and a historical site at Crown Point.
Map: Multnomah Falls
Plenty of these around. For Chinese, where they cart things around to the tables, maybe try:
Hung Far Low
2410 SE 82nd Ave
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 223-8686
I haven't been there in years. Really don't think it changed much.
There is always Oaks Park.Also like thrilling amusement parks and fun things like indoor skydiving. Thanks, guys.
Oaks Amusement Park: Roller Skating & Thrill Rides
7100 SE Oaks Park Way
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 236-5722
I would guess that for skydiving, you can find someone out of either the Hillsboro Airport or the Troutdale airport. I've seen billboard signs.
I just looked at 411 dot com. I found this place. Google paps does show the address as a small airfield:
Skydive Oregon Inc.. Not too far out of Portland. Probably as far away as Multnomah Falls.
Map: Portland Area; Skydive Oregon location
Well, is he a brewer? I am a former home brewer. I simply don't brew any more because I can as good of stuff than I make, about the same cost, without the time involved. I made some pretty good stuff. I think about making my "Cran Razz" again, or some mead. I'm happy buying from Deshutes though. I swear, they use my "Onyx Supreme" recipe for their Obsidian Stout. Tastes identical, but mine was 7.5%.
Well, "It's the Water, And allot more."
No place beats the Northwest for beer quality. I simply have a hard time with as hard as San Antonio water is, a good Porter can be made. I wanted to see you back it up.
From the USGS:
Note the 0-60 area. I've seen breakdowns of that. The area I live is so much softer than the other areas in the 0-60 range. We are near zero!
I was there for about a month. I remeber me and my friend going on some hiking trails with waterfalls and . That was pretty cool. Very long hike, and we only did a portion of it. Other than that, all I remember is rain. A lot of it. And one of the locals telling me they look for shrooms by flipping over dried cow . After hearing that, I was ready to go home to Vegas.
Last edited by IceColdBrewski; 07-12-2009 at 11:10 PM.
We don't tan in Oregon, we Rust!
San Antonio is definitely water disadvantaged for a lot of styles - but porters and stouts do really well to stand up against hard water - in fact a lot of times it's preferred. London and Dublin both have pretty hard water, though still not nearly as hard as San Antonio.Well, is he a brewer? I am a former home brewer. I simply don't brew any more because I can as good of stuff than I make, about the same cost, without the time involved. I made some pretty good stuff. I think about making my "Cran Razz" again, or some mead. I'm happy buying from Deshutes though. I swear, they use my "Onyx Supreme" recipe for their Obsidian Stout. Tastes identical, but mine was 7.5%.
Well, "It's the Water, And allot more."
No place beats the Northwest for beer quality. I simply have a hard time with as hard as San Antonio water is, a good Porter can be made. I wanted to see you back it up.
From the USGS:
Note the 0-60 area. I've seen breakdowns of that. The area I live is so much softer than the other areas in the 0-60 range. We are near zero!
In any event, water chemistry can and is adjusted to compensate for local difficiencies. At our brewery, we use any combination of hard, softened, RO, or charcol filtered water depending on what we're brewing. Heck, the blend for brewing water is just a big part of the recipe as the grain bill.
Either way, Deschutes is a great brewery and not because I have friends there. So the very fact that our porter gets the respect it does from their employees (which it does) is a big enough honor. Book a flight to Denver for GABF and come taste them both for yourself.Cheers.
PS: I work in a brewery, so the "2nd best" comment was in reference to my own being better. A little self-promotion humor.
San Antonio has water? I haven't seen rain in months. I mean rain, not a 10 second shower that pushed the aquifer a whole 0.01 inches.
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