City skyline at dusk with illuminated buildings and a lit bridge reflecting on the river under a cloudy sky.

Portland Local’s 16 Favorite Breweries

You can really taste the difference in a craft-brewed beer– ice cold, refreshing bubbles, and dynamic flavors. Mass-produced beers just don’t quite hit the spot in the same way. Portland is one of the first few cities that was an early pioneer in the microbrewing scene, so this Pacific Northwest metropolis is a beer connoisseur’s paradise.

Each neighborhood here serves up its own spectacular brews, whether you’re in the mood for a chill night with friends and a seasonal pumpkin ale or a fancy rooftop bar with a million-dollar view and a beer list as extensive as a wine cellar. Don’t miss these Portland breweries that are a hit with the locals.

Upright Brewing

Upright is the king of farmhouse ales in Portland, known for funky, fruity, and sour flavors. They blend Belgian and French techniques with a Northwest twist for a one-of-a-kind brew. The cool thing about Upright is that it’s full of locals. Follow the playful signs to the Leftbank Building basement to get there. Expect a friendly crowd and Blazers fans on game days!

Great Notion Brewing

Ever heard of a brewery that lives by the motto “Keep Beer Fun”? That’s Great Notion Brewing, founded by three friends and now a Portland favorite! Known for hazy, fruit-forward IPAs and culinary-inspired sours and stouts, they’ve won top awards, including the #1 IPA in America by Paste Magazine. Great Notion isn’t just a Portland thing—they have outposts scattered throughout the Pacific Northwest and even in California, making it easier than ever to snag a can (or two)! 

StormBreaker Brewing

logo of StormBreaker Brewing portland oregon
Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Did you know Mt. Hood, the snow-capped mountain overlooking Portland, has a secret name? Stormbreaker! As the volcanic peak’s namesake, this brewery serves up powerful beers, offering a rotating selection from classic IPAs like the Cloud Ripper to fruitier options like When I Froot. And while Portland evenings can get chilly, Stormbreaker boasts the best fire pit patio this side of Mt. Hood. Grab a pint and some delicious food (check out their menu!), and cozy up under the stars with friends.

Level Beer

Level Beer isn’t your basic brewery. It’s a place where balance is the name of the game, from their delicious brews to the awesome atmosphere with an epic 80s video game theme filled with classic characters and references on their cans. They offer refreshing, lower-alcohol beers with English styles, farmhouses, sours, and IPAs.  If you’re hungry, Level Beer has a killer food cart pod serving up everything from Latin American eats to juicy burgers and fresh seafood.

Wayfinder Beer

Forget everything you thought you knew about lagers! Wayfinder Beer in Portland, Oregon, is on a mission to rewrite the lager rulebook, and they’re doing it one delicious sip at a time. They use fancy (and frankly, awesome-sounding) techniques like decoction mashing to create super flavorful, crisp, and refreshing beers. From the Pacific Pilsner to the roast and rich Funeral Bock, Wayfinder has a lager for every palate. 

Von Ebert’s Brewing

Vvon ebert's brewing Portland,_Oregon
Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Founded by a father-son duo, Von Ebert Brewing serves award-winning craft beer and delicious German-inspired cuisine. Renowned for their exceptional IPAs and lagers, their Volatile Substance Northwest IPA is a fan favorite with smashed berry, pine resin, and citrus notes, available all year round.

If you’re looking for something unique, check out their Fresh Hop beers made with seasonal hops or their Mixed Culture beers that use wild yeast and bacteria for a tart and funky flavor. Find them in the Pearl District and on the outskirts of Portland at a golf course—whichever works for you! 

Ruse Brewing

Forget mass-produced pints. Ruse handcrafts small batches with unique flavor profiles, ensuring a taste you won’t find anywhere else, from hoppy IPAs to sharp sours and smooth lagers. Renowned for their hazy IPAs and innovative takes on classic styles, they’re celebrated for beers like the award-winning Papyrus Iris, a mosaic-hopped hazy IPA.

Visit their taproom in SE Portland’s Brooklyn neighborhood, nestled in the Iron Fireman Collective building, for a warm, inviting space with live music and pop-up food vendors!

Steeplejack Brewing

At Steeplejack, great beer meets great people in a beautifully restored early 1900s church. They’ve won accolades for unique brews like bitters, Irish stouts, and cask ales, and their scratch kitchen serves up tasty pub fare. It’s a family-friendly spot with a welcoming vibe for everyone!

Away Days Brewing

Escape to Europe without leaving Portland at Away Days Brewing. They brew signature beer styles from England and beyond, so you can enjoy the best of the continent without a long flight. With ten rotating taps, you’ll always find a fresh brew to try, from a malty Nitro ESB to a hoppy Euro Trippin’ Cold IPA.

Enjoy some eats from nearby food vendors in their cozy indoor or outdoor seating. Minors are welcome, and they have non-alcoholic options like Roaming Nobles craft sodas and CBD sparkling water.

Baerlic Brewing 

What the heck is a Baerlic? Nobody knows for sure, but at Baerlic Brewing, it means seriously good beer. Founded by two homebrewers in 2014, Baerlic has been crafting award-winning brews ever since. With spots across Portland, from classic tap rooms to beer gardens, Baerlic has it all.

Join them for Denim Vest Friday and rock your favorite denim vest while sipping on their celebrated brews like Stay Fresh IPA and Night Howler Imperial Stout!

Culmination Brewing

Bartender pouring wheat beer with three other varieties of beer on tap in foreground at traditional bar. Serving craft cold beer. Concept of alcohol drinks, nightlife, party, festivals, Oktoberfest.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Culmination Brewing creates award-winning microbrews with a twist. From Northwestern ales to tart fruit brews and Belgian classics, they satisfy both thirst and hunger. Grab a pint and pair it with delicious eats from FOMO Kitchen, available Tuesday through Sunday. Don’t miss their mix of Old World brews and bold new creations, showcasing their dedication to making unconventional, modern, and traditional beers! 

Living Haus

Two passionate brewers, Conrad and Mat, use their over 20 years of experience to create balanced, nuanced beers that are anything but boring. From their award-winning Munich Helles to a festive Mexican Lager with a hint of lime, they’ve got a lager for every taste. But don’t worry if you’re a hophead! They also brew potent IPAs, fruited sours, and other styles to keep things interesting. Fun fact: Each beer is named after a beloved family member of the owners.

Little Beast Brewing

Little Beast is your go-to for mixed-culture and wood-aged beers, offering flavors influenced by time, wood barrels, and a touch of wild yeast. From tart sours to captivating farmhouse ales, they serve special brews you won’t find elsewhere. But if wild isn’t your style, don’t panic—they also brew classic lagers, pilsners, and IPAs with their own twist for a consistently delicious experience.

Located in a charming Craftsman home in southeast Portland, Little Beast provides a cozy atmosphere with a front porch, heated back patio, and indoor seating—perfect for catching up with friends or unwinding after a long day.

Breakside Brewery

Breakside Brewery isn’t just a place to grab a beer—it’s a Portland legend with a hoppy history and a taste for adventure. Since 2010, Breakside has been pushing the boundaries of beer, winning awards for its IPAs and experimental barrel-aged stouts.

Known for their innovative spirit, they started in Northeast Portland and now have five locations across the city, plus a taproom on the Oregon Coast in Astoria. Try out their award-winning Bayside IPA, a tropical delight bursting with peach, pineapple, berry, and papaya flavors that exemplify Breakside Brewery’s original edge.

Hopworks Brewery

Hopworks Brewery is a family-owned business dedicated to sustainably making flavorful beers and food. With a strong focus on organic ingredients and eco-friendly brewing practices, it’s perfect for those who care about what they consume and the environment. From year-round brews to seasonal and limited releases, their vast selection includes award-winners like Organic ESB and Abominable Winter Ale.

Zoiglhaus Brewing

You won’t find many places in the US that are brewing this unique style. Zoiglhaus is famous for its authentic German brews, and its beers have won trophies at the Oregon Beer Awards. Their Zoigl is a light, copper-colored lager perfect for a refreshing summer sip.

They also have a rotating selection of seasonal and specialty beers, so there’s always something new to discover. Plus, Zoiglhaus is now part of a bigger project called The Zed, featuring a food hall with Sherpa Kitchen and a fancy cocktail bar called Zephyr Lounge!

Author: Hannah Healy

Title: Writer

Expertise: Travel, Food, Wellness

Hannah is the published author of The Ultimate Paleo Cookbook and an avid writer in the health, entertainment, travel, and personal finance spheres. She is also the owner and founder of Healy Eats Real, a health and wellness website providing recipes and wellness information for over ten years. Her work has been featured on Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Redbook, Fitness, and MSN.

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