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By Root 1186 0

from the river nearly to the West Hills and Forest Park (a must for city dwellers in need of a quick urban escape). Located within walking distance to the iconic Powell’s Books and several of Portland’s better boutique hotels, Bailey’s Taproom has high glass windows and a streamlined, almost minimalist interior, keeping the focus on craft beer. There are twenty taps and ninety-nine bottled selections (bringing a certain song to mind), all specializing in Oregon’s diverse craft beers, with occasional forays outside the borders into California and Washington, and cask tappings on Mondays.

During the week and on sunny afternoons there’s a constant crowd of beer lovers, but it’s seldom slammed to the point of “no-thanks . . . let’s bail.” With lots of small festivals throughout the year, it’s one of downtown’s best beer bar, if a little noisy (thanks to all that glass).

PHILOSOPHY

Efficient. While there’s no food, the owner of Bailey’s ingeniously struck a deal with Santeria, the excellent Mexican joint across the street adjoining the venerated Mary’s Club (Portland’s oldest strip joint). Simply call up to order (menus are kept behind the bar), and Santeria will deliver the goods directly to your table (try the tinga with anything).

KEY BEER

Silver Moon Bridge Creek Pilsner, from Bend (4.7% ABV) would make the ideal companion to some spicy Mexican food.

BRIDGEPORT BREWING CO.

1313 NW Marshall • Portland, OR 97209 • (503) 241-3612 bridgeportbrew.com • Established: 1984

SCENE & STORY

Richard and Nancy Ponzi, a local winemaking family, and Karl Ockert, a UC Davis-trained brewmaster, joined forces on the 600-barrel Columbia River Brewery, built in a three-story, century-old former rope factory in what would become a part of Portland’s chic Pearl District. Renamed Bridge-Port Brewing Company in 1986, it was among Oregon’s very first craft breweries and is now distributed in eighteen states. Now part of the Gambrinus family (the Texas-based importers of Corona and owners of Trumer, Spoetzl, and Shiner Bock), the beer is still good with strong one-offs and seasonals, and the old brewpub pizzeria got a multimillion dollar makeover in 2006, complete with its own bakery.

PHILOSOPHY

British-style beers with Northwest attitude and hoppy character.

KEY BEER

Introduced in 1996, BridgePort IPA (5.5% ABV) was a game-changer in Portland, with a jaw-tingling array of five different hops. Look for that and the old classic, the softly malty Blue Heron Pale Ale (4.9% ABV), first brewed in 1987 for the Audubon Society and named for Portland’s official bird.

HENRY’S 12th STREET TAVERN

10 NW 12th Ave. • Portland, OR 97209 • (503) 227-5320 henrystavern.com • Established: 2004

SCENE & STORY

The bar area of Henry’s is built in the former powerhouse section of the historic Blitz-Weinhard Brewery, which stopped making beer in 1999 after the brand was sold off to Miller. The beers are still brewed under Miller’s watch in various locations, including by Full Sail Brewing in Hood River, and the renovated building has been transformed into stunning, environmentally-friendly mixed retail and office spaces. As for the bar, Henry’s has a multilevel, flat-screen-equipped 100-tap bar, upstairs lounge (former hops storage), and fine dining area (once the brewhouse section), all tastefully appointed in comfortable banquettes, sleek metal stairs, and artful lighting.

PHILOSOPHY

It’s too slick and sceney for many Portlanders’ tastes—less fleece, more Diesel—but where else are you going to keep your beer cold on an iced rail embedded in the bar, take in the game on a massive overhead screen, and nibble on insanely decadent Gorgonzola fries?

KEY BEER

Oakshire Amber (5.4% ABV) is nutty and slightly sweet, with only the faintest note of citrusy hops.

HIGGINS RESTAURANT & BAR

1239 SW Broadway • Portland, OR 97205 • (503) 222-9070 higginsportland.com • Established: 1994

SCENE & STORY

Located just off the leafy park blocks in downtown Portland, Higgins is a restaurant in two parts; one, a white tablecloth dining room with an open kitchen;