Craft Pour House Adds to Beaverton's Beer Scene

Laurelwood's Rando IPA #12,
one of the grand opening beers
and Craft's 1st keg to kick.

Craft Pour House made their debut on the tap room scene in Beaverton last week, adding to the number of reasons to head out to the west metro. The nearly 2,000 square foot space sits on the end of a strip mall off of SW Walker and 158th Ave surrounded by abundant parking. With two of the four walls being nearly all windows the space inside is bright and filled with a combination of small and large tables to easily accommodate any size group in addition to my seating of choice, a bar facing the taps.


Justin demonstrates the face many die hard craft beer drinkers respond with when asked "what's your favorite beer?"

Those taps, 26 of them, are primarily filled with craft beer but also include two for wine, four for cider/mead and even one pouring cold coffee. Justin Craft, co-owner with wife Violet, knows his beer and the tap list reflects that. He also knows that many craft beer fans like to try multiple beers so there are 10 and 16oz sizes available (plus the requisite sampler tray). An added bonus is that the majority of the 10oz beers are $3.


Food and non-alcoholic beverages

To go along with the beer, and to allow minors to enter (currently until 5pm), there is a deli case of sandwiches, wraps and salads. As is the case with many tap rooms that don't have a kitchen, outside food is welcome. There are a variety of Asian-ish restaurants close by (Thai Cabin, Crazy Sushi Shoten, Wu's Kitchen and Best Teriyaki), a Fred Meyer across the street and what would be my eatery of choice when in the area: Popeye's. Or bring something from home...maybe a picnic to be enjoyed on one of the outside tables with your furry friend.

Whether you live/work in Beaverton or are just looking for a new place to hit some weekend (traffic can be messy during the week if you're coming from the east side as I am), Craft Pour House is definitely worth checking out.

16055 SW Regatta Lane, Beaverton
Open 11am - 11pm daily

Fruit Beer Festival Turns Six & Uproots from the East Side

The Portland Fruit Beer Festival, now in it's sixth year, is putting on its big boy pants and moving from the east side into downtown. Taking place Friday, June 10th through Sunday, June 12th it's festival that has gained in popularity to the degree that a move was necessary. The original space, in the parking lot of Burnside Brewing, worked at first but over the last couple of years, even with the expansion across the street, it was easy to see that the festival had outgrown it's space. Kudos to the organizers for making the much needed move.

Disclaimer: not a representation of this year's glass

The North Park Blocks (bordered by NW Park, 8th, Davis and Everett) will be "30% larger with grass, trees, park benches and more shade." For anyone that's attended the festival those will be welcome changes to the baking parking lot surface as the festival has generally lucked out with beautiful summer weather. A couple other changes are worth noting as well - a change to the tasting glass and an expansion of hours.

It should come as no surprise to Portland festival goers that the city doesn't allow glass vessels at festivals. When the event was at Burnside they were able to use them but this year it'll be a "branded Govino cup," which according to their website "is made from a crystal-clear, ultra-thin, BPA-free polymer, which accentuates the flavor, color, and aromatics of all types of beers. It is shatterproof, reusable, recyclable and proudly made in the USA."

As for the expanded hours, that's reflected in the festival opening at 11:30am on Friday, June 10th, making for a full day instead of the partial day it has been. For those able to get to the festival before 2pm Friday, you'll be rewarded with four extra drink tickets*

Getting to pricing, walk-up general admission is $25 and includes Govino cup and 12 drink tickets while advanced general admission packages online will get you three more drink tickets (15 total) however as with most online purchases there are service fees ($2.40 in this case). $27.40 for 15 tickets in advance or $25 for 12 tickets at the door is pretty much a wash as additional drink tickets are only $1.

One final note before I leave you to prepare for the festival later this week - 4oz pours will cost 1-3 tickets depending on the beer or cider ordered. Since the festival has started the number of samples that have cost more than one ticket has increased. While it's understandable that certain beers are more expensive to make it would be nice to see in advance how much each sample will cost. Maybe that's just me but if I go to the festival thinking I'm going to spend $25-$30 and end up spending perhaps another $20 in order to try the beers I want to I'll likely be less happy than if I knew up front that the beers I really wanted were primarily going to cost more than one ticket.

Enough of my commentary, get to drinking!

Portland Fruit Beer Festival
North Park Blocks, downtown
Friday, June 10th 11:30am - 9pm
Saturday, June 11th 11am - 9pm
Sunday, June 12th 11am - 6pm
Tickets: buy in advance or at the door (cash only but there is an ATM onsite)

Untappd users: save yourself some onsite hassle and create a wish list for easier check-ins while you're there.

Another Festival Debuts: Pints in the Pearl

Every year, and especially during the summer, there seems to be at least one new beer festival popping up on the Portland beer scene. Landing on the weekend between Memorial Day and the start of PDX Beer Week is a festival put on by the Pearl District Business Association. Pints in the Pearl is a one-day block party that will feature four breweries, all located in the Pearl - 10 Barrel Brewing, BridgePort Brewing, Deschutes Brewery and Fat Head's Brewery.

Admission to the festival, which will take over the street (and be closed to vehicles) at NW 13th and Everett, is free. For those that want to enjoy the beers and/or food each of the breweries will be bringing, $20 will provide a souvenir stainless steel pint and three tokens. The tokens are good for either a 16 oz pour of beer or a food item, including Fat Head's chicken wings. They've made plans to have a six-foot grill on site to finish their rubbed and smoked Smokehouse Wings and I suspect this will be one of the most popular food items. Other food available includes grilled chicken, corndogs and pretzels,which should pair well with the beers that range from lager to IPA to Belgian styles.

A couple of notes for those thinking about attending - it is a family friendly-festival (a bonus or a detraction depending on your own child-friendliness) and only credit/debit cards will be accepted for payment (generally not an issue unless you're a cash-only kind of person).

Pints in the Pearl
Saturday, June 4th 12-9pm
NW 13th and Everett