| Park
your bike outside the tasting room at Hair of the
Dog Brewing Co. in Portland, Oregon. |
 |
PORTLAND,
Ore. — This is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities
in the world. It also boasts a legendary beer scene. With
care, the two can be enjoyed together in moderation.
Ordering taster samples and sharing with companions is a
good way to educate yourself about Portland’s brews
while maintaining enough wit to keep your bicycle upright.
Start
at Upright Brewing’s tasting room (240 N. Broadway,
503-735-5337, uprightbrewing.com). Enter the building that
houses the brewery, go to the basement level and feel free
to take your bike with you. If you go on a Sunday, you’ll
be greeted with the sounds of live Mississippi delta blues
that somehow evoke nostalgia for a time you probably never
knew. You’ll soon realize that the tasting room is
within the fermentation room. Select a table among the
barrels and order a sampler of everything on tap ($1.50
per 3-ounce pour; cash or check only). Ignore the somewhat
surly service and enjoy the ambience instead.
Carb
up for the next round at Slow Bar (533 SE Grand Ave.,
503-230-7767, slowbar.net) with handcut fries with melted
stinky cheese and a Slowburger or portobello burger. The
cheese wasn’t as stinky as we would have liked, but the
service and food were spot on.
Head
south to the Eastbank Esplanade (be sure to stop along the
river for views of the city, bridges and the iconic
Portland sign), head southeast on Water Avenue off
Morrison Bridge and park your ride at Hair of the Dog
Brewing Co. (61 SE Yamhill St., 503232-6585,
hairofthedog.com). Cherry Adam From the Wood, a syrupy
version of their flagship beer, is made with local black
cherries and aged in bourbon and sherry casks. It is not
to be missed.
Continue
east on Yamhill Street to Cascade Brewing Barrel House
(939 SE Belmont St., 503-265-8603,
cascadebrewingbarrelhouse.com). Cascade specializes in
sour beers with wide-ranging flavors derived from fruits
plucked nearby. Honey Ginger Lime and Apricot are
standouts, but the brewery’s creative nonsour offerings
are worth a taste as well. The Oblique Coffee Blond was an
unexpected favorite.
And
speaking of coffee, that might be a nice way to end your
trip. You’ve gone a mere two miles from start to finish,
but your palate needs a rest.