Attempting to taste the best of Portland, Oregon’s hoppy beers in one trip is a feat in itself. Here’s a local-insider’s guide on how to navigate 116 world class, IPA-focused breweries in one day.

Start with the St Johns neighborhood — beer tourist guides won’t be sending you here. They either won’t mention it, or say it’s “out of the way.” It’s not, it’s a short 5-minute drive over a bridge from City Center.

Once you reach St Johns, taste the quirky pop culture-inspired hazies at StormBreaker. The brewery’s must-try beer of the season is Nobody Puts Hazy In A Corner IPA. It exemplifies StormBreaker’s signature fruit-by-the-foot juicy style with massive tropical fruit aromas, a thick, hazy mouthfeel, and a refreshing orange-mango juice-like finish.

After the deliciously hazy storm in your glass has passed, it’s time to head east. Maybe you’ve heard of Breakside’s dank and refreshing hopbombs, but let me tell you, there’s nothing like getting them ultra fresh from the taproom. Expect quite the boost in intensity from the easy-drinking Nobody Puts Hazy you just had at StormBreaker.

Stay on the Eastside: when it comes to cool art and great beer it’s all about the ‘hoods in the Northeast. Swing by Great Notion to satisfy your sweet tooth — they make some really creative hoppy dessert beers. It’s a different world than the pound-by-the-pintful style hazies at StormBreaker. I’d recommend a flight; their brews are so rich you’ll want to try everything in a taster-size pour.

Where to possibly go next? You’ve tried three of the most distinct hoppy beer makers in Portland, but you’re probably still thinking about that first beer of the day at StormBreaker — lucky for you they’ve been so popular, they had to open a 2nd location in the Mississippi District!

Don’t mess around with tasters, you’ve saved the best for last. Finish your crawl with a full pint of your favorite of the day: a 2nd round of Nobody Puts Hazy In A Corner. Bursting with ripe mango and pineapple flavors from Azacca and Motueka Hops, it finishes smooth with grassy papaya nuances.

Under-the-radar brewing gems like StormBreaker are what Portland’s beer nerds take the most pride in. Hit both locations in one trip, and you’ll support what the locals mean by “keep Portland beer’d.”

Packaged On November 6th, 2018