NASCAR returns to Portland for a second consecutive year with races on Friday and Saturday, June 2-3, at Portland International Raceway.
If it’s not raining, there’s a good chance it’s going to get hot for those sitting in the stands. So at the end of the day, race attendees might be looking for a beer — and likely many will want something other than Bud Light.
In that case, here are five great taproom options near the racetrack where you can find a variety of craft beer styles to suit your palate:
MAYFLY TAPROOM AND BOTTLE SHOP
Mayfly isn’t first on the list simply because it’s the closest to the raceway, it’s also at the top of the list because it’s one of the best taprooms around and has an impeccable taplist. Owner Ryan Born has created a fun and festive atmosphere in the Kenton neighborhood, just a block from gigantic Paul Bunyon, and here you’re likely to stumble upon one event or another, whether it’s Trivia Night, game night or some sort of beer festival. The place lives up to its motto of “Be good. Have fun,” so be prepared to talk to the easygoing stranger next to you — it’s not beer snobby, it’s just that kind of friendly. 8350 N. Fenwick Ave.; 503-206-8034; mayflypdx.com
TINY BUBBLE ROOM
Just a bit south of Mayfly and also in the Kenton neighborhood is the Tiny Bubble Room, a vintage, roomy space with big, red leather booths and a champagne-lounge hip vibe. And yes, you can get Champagne there, right along with other wines and a full cocktail menu, too (the list of bourbon offerings is pages long). The motto here is “Great Beer. Chill Vibes,” which is all true, as the taplist always includes rare and hard-to-find beers. Even with all that, the best thing about the place might be the huge patio, which features big, secluded booths built out of shipping containers in addition to open-air tables. It’s also a great place to nosh, with an extensive menu of pub fare, including a late night menu. 2025 N. Lombard St.; 503-208-2660; tinybubbleroom.com
LOMBARD HOUSE
Head west on Lombard Street a few miles and you’ll come across one of the coziest, most intimate beer bars you will find anywhere, period. Publican Brian Koch has created not only a neighborhood treasure vital to local residents (the walls are decorated with contributions from many of them), but Lombard House is also a destination for craft beer lovers who know the taplist will always hold gems worthy of the trip. Work it right and get a coveted spot at the small bar, or belly up to one of the tables in the taproom or the patio out back. Part of the charm of the St. Johns neighborhood spot is Koch himself, an everyman who connects with and has a smile for all his customers, whether it’s their first time or old-timers who have been coming in for years. 7337 N. Lombard St.; 503-539-5889; instagram.com/lombardhousebeer
SARAVEZA
Speaking of cozy spots, though with a tad more room than Lombard House, Saraveza has been one of Portland’s favorite beer bars since 2008. The place consistently offers rare beers and coveted releases as part of its accept-no-duds taplist, served up by a knowledgeable and witty beertender staff. Saraveza, which is conveniently close to Interstate 5 in the Humboldt neighborhood and has the same owners as nearby Tiny Bubble Room, also offers rib-sticking food touted as “Midwest favorites, Portland style,” with pasties, fried cheese curds and smoked sausages on the menu along with classics like fried chicken and burgers. The coolers shine with an excellent and sizable curation of bottles and cans to go, and a parklet of outdoor booths offer an open-air view of vibrant North Portland. 1004 N. Killingsworth St.; 503-206-4252; saraveza.com
CRUST COLLECTIVE BY RUSE BREWING
You can see this place from Portland, so it qualifies for this list. Be warned, you will have to cross the Columbia River into Washington state, and that might involve some traffic getting over the Interstate Bridge. Trust me, the payoff is worth it. Crust Collective serves up some incredible Detroit-style pizza alongside Ruse Brewing’s hugely popular beers at the beautiful new Vancouver Waterfront development. The satellite location for the Southeast Portland brewery has a bar plus indoor and outdoor tables, where you can watch the boats go by while you sip Ruse’s impeccable hazy and clear IPAs, lagers, tart ales and collection of dark beers. 650 Waterfront Way, Vancouver; 360-953-8394; crustcollective.com
— Andre Meunier; sign up for my weekly newsletter Oregon Brews and News, and follow me on Instagram, where I’m @oregonianbeerguy.
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