There are a few members of my group that appreciate cold beer, and we try to hit a local microbrewery when we visit a new city. We were staying at the Downtown Marriott on Naito Pkwy, near the Willamette River. The closest microbrewery was
BridgePort Brewpub located nearby, in Portland’s historic Pearl District.
BridgePort Brewing Company is Oregon’s oldest craft brewery. The magnificent, three-story building is more than a century old. The walls are covered with trimmed vines and the outdoor patio area is surrounded by trees, making this a great spot to sit, drink a few cold beers, and catch up on old times.
As the late afternoon turned to evening, it got a little too chilly to stay on the patio, so we made the move inside. I had noticed the pub’s wonderful atmosphere when we arrived, but when we sat down it really hit me. This place was great. The old wooden tables sitting next to the old red-brick walls made the place feel very warm and inviting. I had the feeling that I was sitting in an old pub somewhere in England. Through the large windows behind the bar, you can see the brewery operations. Brewery tours are available, but we did not take one.
BridgePort’s flagship beer is their India Pale Ale (IPA). IPA received a Gold Medal at the 2000 Brewing Industry International Awards in London, England. It is a creamy, rich, full-flavored beer. The robust hoppy taste is just right, without being "skunky". If you like a darker ale, then I recommend BridgePort Porter. This Silver Medal winner at the World Beer Championships in Chicago has a rich and roasty, full-bodied flavor. BridgePort Brewery has several seasonal beers. For winter, they offer their Ebenezer Ale. Its rich, mahogony color and creamy head were quite appealing, but it was a bit too thick for my taste.
BridgePort Pizza is the perfect companion to their brew. Made with unfermented beer wort, taken directly from the brew kettle, the crisp sourdough crust has a tangy, sweet, nutty taste. With all of the required toppings, BridgePort Pizza and BridgePort IPA were wonderful.
When I return to Portland, I will definitely visit BridgePort Brewpub again.