Friday 9th of December 2011 01:33:31 PM

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Wow, this was a good one. The sample tray included nine beers from their brand new porter to a basic cream ale which was still superior. I wasn't very hungry and split a sandwich with my wife, but even the food was excellent. Their french fries have a coating of beer batter. I guess my only point of criticism was the occasional waft of mustiness you sometimes get when a dining area is in the same spot as the brewing operation.

Saturday 6th of August 2011 03:27:24 PM

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Columbia River Brewing occupies quite a big space just north of a major thoroughfare (NE Sandy) in Portland. It looks like long ago it was two separate stores. There are full plate glass windows along the front. Inside, there are wooden booths along both side walls, a long wooden bar with tall wooden chairs along one side, and quite a few tables filling the rest of this large space. Walls are a painted pale yellow but the tall ceiling is simply the exposed joists and several massive wooden support beams. The floor is an eclectic old hardwood floor. There are five flat screen TVs (no sound) tuned to sports. Outside on the north side is a simple row of picnic tables off a parking lot, protected by two large awnings and provided with several heaters. Overall, the atmosphere is very comfortable and it has a neighborhood feeling.

The brewery is visible through large windows at the back. It’s at a lower level, so you have the unusual sensation of looking down on a brewery.

There were 11 house-made craft beers on our visit - the standard craft ale range but going beyond to a Black IPA and a Dubbel. The quality is top-notch. Both the IPA and the Imperial IPA we tasted were very good.

Food is fairly standard brewpub in terms of choices but the guacamole, chips, & salsa we tried was quite good.