The craft beer scene in Portland has faced a tumultuous five years, marked by the impact of COVID-19 and changing economic conditions.
With the pandemic forcing taprooms to close, breweries quickly adapted, offering delivery, drive-through services, and makeshift outdoor spaces.
However, as consumer habits shifted, many individuals found themselves cutting back on alcohol after the initial lockdown overindulgence.
Now, these breweries are facing the ongoing uncertainty brought about by potential tax hikes and fluctuating tariffs that threaten the prices of essential ingredients like aluminum and malt.
This has resulted in a challenging climate for many Portland breweries that have long been celebrated for their quality and innovation.
Ben Edmunds, the brewmaster at Breakside and a board member of the Oregon Brewers Guild, aptly states,
“There’s a lot of uncertainty about what the beer landscape, what the entrepreneurial landscape, is going to look like for us over the next three or four years.”
He highlights the difficulties in strategizing when costs are unpredictable and regulations may change at any moment.
Despite these hurdles, Portland’s top-tier breweries continue to showcase their capacity for innovation, whether introducing new takes on classic styles or shifting their business models in response to changing circumstances.
Portland remains home to some of the nation’s finest producers, crafting a wide array of beers from effervescent lagers to bold hazy IPAs and complex sours.
Selecting the top breweries from the plethora of options available is no small feat, but we’ve identified the top 12 breweries currently making waves in the city.
**Baerlic Brewing**
Located in the Hosford-Abernethy, Concordia, and Rose City Park neighborhoods, Baerlic Brewing has seen significant growth since its inception.
In late 2020, they expanded into a spacious, warehouse-like building next door to their original taproom.
The new location transformed what was once a sports bar into a vibrant indoor beer garden, complete with warm lighting and a wood-burning fireplace.
The brewery also operates a pub in the Alberta Arts District and a food cart pod in Northeast Portland.
Founders Ben Parsons and Richard Hall began their craft brewing journey in their home basement, earning accolades in amateur competitions before going professional in 2014.
Their lineup includes established favorites and experimental one-offs, making them a staple of the Portland beer community.
Their most notable creation, the Dad Beer, is a flaked corn pre-Prohibition-style lager,
And their Eastside Oatmeal Pilsner showcases a delightful creaminess owed to the addition of Bob’s Red Mill rolled oats.
Don’t miss sampling from their barrel-aged WoodWorker series, with offerings like the Invisible Ghost Stout that combines flavors reminiscent of a chilled Mexican hot chocolate topped with a toasted marshmallow.
**Breakside Brewery**
Breakside Brewery operates multiple locations across Portland and beyond, including Milwaukie, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, and even as far as Astoria and Vancouver, Washington.
Despite a national downturn in beer sales, Breakside Brewery has thrived, continually expanding its presence with multiple taprooms and production facilities.
Their rise can be attributed to their impressive collection of award-winning beers that boast a range of styles.
From complex lagers to inventive barrel-aged stouts and vibrant IPAs, Breakside’s portfolio caters to a wide audience.
Their flagship IPA, celebrated for its clean yet intricate taste, won gold at the Great American Beer Festival in 2014,
And their innovative collaborations, like the Turbomachinery IPA, keep the lineup fresh and exciting.
With ambitions of further expansion into wine country and plans for a new location in Washington state, Breakside’s growth momentum is unwavering.
**Brujos Brewing**
Set in the Northwest District, Brujos Brewing, which means
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