Take flight with brewery flights

Brewing beer is the general process of soaking, boiling, cooling and fermenting ingredients. After the boiling process, brewers have a product called wort, or sugar water, which must be cooled down as quickly as possible then put into a fermenter. After adding water, the wort is aerated and yeast is thrown in. Once all the ingredients are all set and ready to go, it’s time to seal the fermenter and store it in a cool, dark place. The general rule of thumb among experts is 68 degrees for ales.

While this sounds like a lot of work, it is. Well, at least for those who are looking for a quick fix after a long day. To experience some of the best brews, people go to Portland, Oregon — which many agree could well be the brewery capital of the world. Just like any other hot spot, there are a lot of choices to decide from, so Dining Out picked a few exciting businesses to start your brew-ventures.

1. Vagabond Brewing Portland
2715 SE 8th Ave., Ste. 175
(503) 946-8090
vagabondportland.com

Boasting an aviation theme — as hinted in its name — Vagabond Brewing Portland has on display a 1958 Cessna 310B. The crashed plane was picked up by the brewery’s crew, which they found in a field in British Columbia, and reassembled it for “decoration” in the establishment. In addition to a fun theme, crowds love frequenting the seven-barrel brewhouse because of its global variety in Vagabond’s cocktail program. The bar manager and assistant general manager rounded up a team and “created a specialty cocktail lineup that’s based on travel destinations the owners and managers love,” according to the folks at Vagabond. “Each drink represents a different area of the world, made with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.”

PHOTO COURTESY VAGABOND BREWING PORTLAND

2. Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House
210 NW 11th Ave., Portland
(503) 296-4906

Deschutes is a well-known brewer, with brews seen in bars across Hawaii as well. However, there’s no beating the real deal at its Portland location where pub-goers can enjoy more than 20 taps of the company’s mainstays, with the additional excitement of sipping on seasonal and experimental beers that were developed and brewed onsite. The Brewery is family and employee owned since 1988 and is hailed as one of the quintessential beers of the Pacific Northwest. If that’s not something to drink to, then what is? Popular selections include Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Fresh Squeezed IPA.

PHOTO COURTESY DESCHUTES BREWERY PORTLAND PUBLIC HOUSE

3. Von Ebert Brewing
131 NW 13th Ave., Portland
(also at Glendoveer Golf Course)
(503) 820-7721
pearl.vonebertbrewing.com

Located in the heart of the lively Pearl District, Von Ebert Brewing in Pearl provides customers with high volume beer such as IPA, Hazy IPA and Pilsner. Its second location at Glendoveer Golf Course, on the other hand focuses on mixed culture beer. “The fact that we have two breweries with two different focuses allows us to be a very well rounded brewery,” says founder Tom S Cook. Additionally, Von Ebert is favored for its food selection with a talented chef who recently won Food Network’s Iron Chef in Portland.

PHOTO COURTESY VON EBERT BREWING