Tuesday 15th of September 2009 09:55:49 PM

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This is one of the many McMenamins in the Portland area. This place overlooks the Columbia River and provides for some beautiful sites, especially around sunset. It doesn’t get much better than sipping on a beer while watching the Columbia flow to the ocean. We visited for dinner on September 8th, 2009. As usual, I started with a sampler which consisted of the Ruby Ale (raspberry ale), Hammerhead Pale Ale, Black Rabbit Porter, Terminator Stout, Sunflower IPA, and a Seasonal lager. I didn’t care for the Ruby Ale; which tasted a bit like a raspberry iced tea. This would probably be a nice light alternative for those that don’t really like the taste of beer. The IPA was my favorite. It's nice that you can get a glass or a pint of beer. Service was great. The food was pretty good with several seafood dishes as expected for a place on the river. The atmosphere was spectacular. There’s plenty of free parking in the area.

Wednesday 14th of May 2008 03:54:08 PM

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If you don't know about McMenamin's beer, hotels and clubs, you should.
They cover the Pacific NW from Seattle south to Roseburg in Southern Oregon with 55 brewpubs & hotels, 35 in the greater Portland area alone!
Not bad for a coupla of ex-hippie brothers who started with one pub in 1983. According to its own website, "older brother Mike, a recent Oregon State grad, recognized that Oregon's standing definition of a pub was stale. The local tavern scene -- dark, smoky, male-dominated and hard-drinking -- was a far cry from the all-age community pubs, cafes and piazzas that marked the landscape of Ireland, England, France and Italy. Over time, we've learned that what makes a good brewpub is the journey to get there."
And "fun" they said, was the key ingredient. After visiting all 88 brewpubs in Washington State (and getting ready to start in Oregon) I too have learned that the journey is fun...but the reward must also be a place of fun and, just as important, a feeling of community...and let me tell you, McMenamin's delivers.
I've tasted better beer in smaller pubs in even tinier towns...the axiom here being; the smaller the burg, the better the beer...but I've never discovered any place more infused with the spirit of family.
McMenamin's opens their arms and welcomes you as family for as long as you wish to hang around...and makes you sad to leave. The staff is trained well, the service impeccable, the history of the places fascinating.
This particular McM's must take 1st place - the Blue Ribbon - the Golden Ticket for Best View. Sunny day or typical cloudy Pacific NW afternoon, nothing can compare to sitting outside watching the Columbia River literally at your feet roll on out to the horizon and the Pacific Ocean. Wind surfers, sailboats, friendly folk at the next table smiling, just like you at the serenidity of it all and lifting a pint of Terminator Stout realizing how lucky we are to live so close to such a magnificent sight.
And the river is beautiful too!
If you've never experienced a McM's, do so next time you're in town -- and make this your first stop.