Oregon Brewpubs: The Gathering Place

The now-famous microbrew revolution of the Pacific Northwest.got started when Oregon opened its first microbrewery, the Cartwright Brewery (1979-82), which was once an old Barley Mill. Soon after its opening, Oregon law changed to allow breweries to sell beer on the same property as it was brewed-giving birth to the brewpub. In fact, the first brewpub to open its doors in Oregon was McMenamins' Hillsdale Brewery & Public House in southwest Portland in February 1984. Later they began acquiring broken down taverns, such as Cornelius Pass Roadhouse and Rock Creek Tavern, refurbishing them but keeping the original rustic flavor.

Rock Creek Tavern

Rock Creek Tavern has changed quite a bit since the first time I tiptoed in there with a girlfriend on a Friday night, accosted by real-looking biker types, dodging them around winding roads to make our escape home. Or at least that's how I remember it. Today it's much more family-friendly, although most of the time it's a great gathering place for adults to get together over a beer and a burger. On our last outing we ordered the following:

Cheeseburger: 1/3-pound country natural beef patty served with lettuce, tomato, pickle, red onion, and secret sauce on a traditional bun. Fresh-cut fries.

India Pale Ale (IPA): Copper-colored, full bodied, and considerably hoppy.

Notes: This old time tavern is an Oregon tradition. Unfortunately, it burned to the ground in 2002. The good news is they rebuilt the tavern to match its original glory, and maybe even a little better. We love the ambiance here with the rustic comfort and eclectic music. And the food is pretty good too. Of course, our favorite part is the microbrew beer. This time we had the India Pale Ale. Delicious but perhaps a little bland compared to the other McMenamin's microbrews.

Imbrie Hall

Cornelius Pass Roadhouse is a favorite of ours also, along with Imbrie Hall and the Little White Shed on the same grounds. It truly is a wonderful gathering place for locals, especially high-tech engineers working in nearby Silicon Forest. On a recent stop, we ordered the following:

McMenamins American Dip: Tender roast beef on a toasted French roll with horseradish and garlic jus on the side.

Wheat Ale: A crisp and refreshing medium bodied golden colored ale.

House Special Cheesesteak Sandwich: Thinly sliced rib eye, Tillamook cheddar, grilled onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers with secret sauce on a sourdough roll.

Wheat Ale: A crisp and refreshing medium bodied golden colored ale.

Notes: The wheat ale is light and refreshing with a lovely hint of citrus. This is our favorite wheat beer. The food, as always, was delicious and a nice complement to the beer.

The Little White Shed

Another time we stopped in at Imbrie Hall for a couple of appetizers and beer. The fries are extremely spicy and definitely require a couple of beers. The robust Hammerhead stood up well to the fries. The pork with mustard and plum sauce cooled off our flaming mouths. Then we wandered through the peaceful grounds to the Little White Shed where I savored the Edgefield Pinot Noir and my companion enjoyed a Romeo y Julieta Corona. The outdoor picnic table setting with fire pit made the experience all that more delightful.

So whether you're hanging out as a local or visiting for business or pleasure, don't overlook McMenamins. From their web site you can see that there's bound to be one located near you. Bikers and techno-geeks equally welcome.