Yesterday Coalition Brewing released their newest beer, Simple ISA (India Session Ale). While clocking in at a mere 4% ABV it, like their Wheat the People (4.4%), doesn't skimp on flavor. There is enough hop presence to appease hop lovers while finishing clean, staying drinkable and refreshing. If you have enjoyed Wheat the People or are just looking for a sessionable summer beer, go grab a pint (or four) for yourself.
I've driven by 39th Mini Mart, located just south of Belmont on SE 39th (aka SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd), countless times and I've heard from numerous people that they have a pretty good beer selection. Yet yesterday was the first time I'd taken time to go in and see things for myself.
From the outside a quick look gives you the impression that it's like most other convenience stores. A slightly closer look at their signs, however, and one begins to wonder if they really do have the goods. Those signs speak the truth - there's plenty of specialty beer to be found within, including growlers just waiting to be filled from one of their 12 taps.
Their beer selection, all stored in coolers no less, isn't the biggest in town, but it's good sized. Focused on Oregon and U.S. beers primarily, there is one cooler section of imports and another dedicated to ciders. There's something for just about everyone here, including a couple from Hair of the Dog, newer-to-our-market brews from Ballast Point and yes, there are even a couple of coolers in addition to the ones pictured where you can pick up macros.
The growler fill station on the end is comprised of primarily Oregon beers, with Washington's Georgetown Brewing, California's Ballast Point and Massachusetts' Angry Orchard Cidery rounding out the nice selection. The pricing is simple - $9.99 for any growler fill or $5.99 for any grumbler/growlette fill. Sure, there are a few places around town where on certain days you can beat those prices but their tap list is solid and these prices are good all day, every day. Oh, and if you have misplaced your growler or grumbler/growlette, those are for sale as well.
I spoke with the gentleman working, the owner I believe, and he said that soon they'd also be serving up pizzas and fresh subs, making them a one-stop shop for kicking back at home or heading to a friend's house. In addition, he's open to customer suggestions to improve the selection so while 39th Mini Mart might be quietly going about their business, they're quite serious about doing it well. So the next time you drive by, or the next time you are in need of a growler fill, check 'em out.
Uptown Market, the nearly two year old specialty brew store that offers beer on draft, bottles to drink there or to go and homebrew supplies, is getting ready to add one more facet to their business - commercially licensed brewery. Located west of Portland in Beaverton (a bit of a craft beer desert) their tap selection includes beers brewed on their small homebrew set up, a stepping stone to the increased production in their future.
The ownership trio of brothers AJ and Chris Shepard and Stuart Faris are in the process of making the necessary modifications to their space to turn a back area into a brewery. One of the two on demand water heaters that will supply the brew kettle has been installed while the 7-barrel system purchased from Two Kilts patiently waits for installation.
I had visited Uptown Market a couple of times previously for a pint and bottles to go but this was the first time I had tried any of their brews. Of the three, ISA (India Session Ale), IPA and Imperial Oatmeal Red, the red turned out to be my favorite. I'm excited to see their house brewed beer selection expand once the brewery is up and running. In the meantime, stop in for a pint, grab some bottles to go or perhaps pick up some supplies to brew up your own.
