..Not sure if he lived in Portland back when the brewery was operating, but I'm sure
@pdxleaf knows Powell's.
Unfortunately, we lost several breweries due to Covid. But we still have some good spots.
Near me is a pub named Belmont Station. It isn't big or fancy but supposedly it is one of the top beer spots in the US due to its large variety of draft beers.
For atmosphere, the Mcmenamins pubs/breweries are a favorite. They were started by a couple brothers who bought abandoned commercial properties and turned them into hotels with pubs. Think old schools, an old folks home, former Elks club. Besides brewing beer, they make whiskey, wine and coffee. They are only in Oregon and Washington.
Every town has its tourist attractions and Powells is one of ours. But it is also well visited by locals. It's a great spot on a long, rainy Winter day and deserving of their notoriety. There is a smaller store nearer to me on the SE that I visit and is also worthwhile. Our county (Multnomah) recently opened a store front ro sell off their old stock. That's a great spot for deals, as books are about five bucks.
Some renowned tourist attractions aren't as worthwhile. Voodoo donuts is very popular but they are terrible. They are interesting shapes but sugar bombs. The best donuts are a place called Doe donuts, which are actually vegan. They have amazing flavors and rich creme fillings. Lest anyone think anything with vegan must be bad, we also have vegan chocolate truffles at a place named Missionary chocolates. I guarantee they are the best you will have ever had. The whiskey flavor is a favorite.
Last comment about drinking young. I was an Army brat who grew up in Germany in the sixties. For a sixth grade field trip we went to a brewery. At the end of the tour we sat in a circle of tables and passed around a glass boot filled with beer. The person who drank the last gulp got to keep the boot. As it made it's way around to me I could see I it was getting low. When I got it I drank and drank but couldn't quite finish it. The kid next to me did and got to keep the boot. Looking back, I probably only needed to drink 8 ounces. We also had beer at the end of baseball games, which was supposed to be for the parents but there was always some for the players, as well as their little brothers. It was a great place to be a kid.
Portland's a great place to be a big kid too. But so are lots of places. Anyone visiting the area might want to visit Walla Walla ( so nice I said it twice). They are one of if not the top wine regions in the country. Lots of great vineyards and wine tasting spots, with a cute downtown. You could probably read up about it at Powell's.
😁
😁
