Lucky Labrador Brewing Company

KDawg

Illinois

3.84/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $

I really dug the atmosphere here. It was a nice day and there was a decent crowd in the afternoon on the back patio. There were people inside as well, but sitting outside was the way to go.

I liked the beers, but nothing was too amazing either. It was all pretty consistent.

They had a decent range as well with offering up two different size pours. The bartenders were pretty friendly too and it wasn't too hard to get one of them. Granted, it was the middle of the afternoon, so that may have helped.

07-10-2012 04:15:02 | More by KDawg

greenmonstah

New Hampshire

4.06/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $

A - Cool atmosphere, we had a few rounds out in the patio area surrounded by dogs! I really liked the interior, it was very large, I couldn't even tell where the pub ended. Nice bar top and great well-worn picnic table outside.

Q - Both pints I had were very good, and my friends had no complaints. Consistent and tasty!

S - Not sure if there was service outside, we bypassed it and ordered inside and walked back out. Can't speak too much to this point, but I certainly wasn't neglected.

S - Big list of beers and foods to try, I switched from a doppelbock to a bitter and enjoyed each. Cider and craft sodas are available as well.

V - The tab for a round for three was ~$13 which is a fantastic value where I am from, and probably average or better for Portland.

05-08-2012 00:33:14 | More by greenmonstah

suncrust

Washington

1.98/5  rDev -49.4%
vibe: 1.5 | quality: 1.5 | service: 2 | selection: 2.5 | food: 2.5 | $$

A big giant, barnyard square room with ugly red walls coated with pictures of dogs. Pretty dilapidated space. Fairly large bar area with a few cash registers off to the left hand side. Freaking awesome metal tap handles. This was by far the coolest part of the Lucky Lab experience.

This spot felt and operated excatly like a fast food joint. There was a chalkboard behind the "servers" with brews and food. You waited in one of three cash register lines, ordered what you wanted, your cashier turned and grabbed it for you, you paid, and then found a place in the barnyard to sit. The employees also seemed really depressed. Monotone speech... no emotion, no passion for their beer. This did not feel like a brewery. Weird.

There was a very large, covered outdoor patio where a few dogs were out with their owners having some beer. Massive amounts of bike parking and a decent sized parking lot rested just past the patio. Other decor inside included an old, likely very out of tune piano and a worn down shelf stacked full of board games. Kids are allowed here, which was annoying. I dug the dogs... but the kids were loud. Might just be a personal preference on my end but I don't think kids belong in a brewery.

Random, rickety tables and chairs spread throughout the open barn space. Our taster trays and glasses teetered with every reach for a drink. Could have used a sugar packet or two!

Beer wise... very basic, straightforward brews. Minimally impressed with the maltier stuff like the scotch (a nice smokey character) and the brown ale. Mostly safe offerings. Many of the beers were chalk full of off flavors. Really discouraging and something I found to be a common element with some beer spots in Portland. Is unclean hip? Not with beer. Maybe they don't clean their tap lines or equipment well? Beers just lacked the craftsmanship at Lucky Lab.

Food was a bit below average. Menu seemed vaguely appealing at first, but it tasted like their beer... a touch off. There are multiple other Lucky Labrador locations in PDX so maybe your experience will be different at others. Do yourself a favor, skip this one and walk a few blocks to Hair of the Dog.

12-31-2011 05:09:31 | More by suncrust

MilwaukeeCrusher

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev -4.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$

This had the feeling of your neighborhood brewpub, photos of dogs in different places posted on the walls and the lighting and atmosphere you would have seen in a movie like the "Color of Money" or something to that effect. Did a flight and beers were solid, but their brown was probably my favorite out of the ones I tried in the whole Pacific Northwest. Service was good, but there probably was only a few people there that day. Selection leaned towards the safe side, and I'm unsure if they do any barrel aged stuff (might have missed it too) or something adventurous like a chile beer. I liked this place and would go here again once I got initial visits in the endless other brew pubs again. I would highly recommend a first visit as I don't think you'll be disappointed.

11-13-2011 08:30:30 | More by MilwaukeeCrusher

loren01

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +12%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This place is a true Portland brewpub...lately a lot of pubs around Portland have been trying to clean up their places and make them have like a modern squeaky clean/stuffy type of an atmosphere...thats cool but to me Portland is a very laid back almost grungy type of a town. This is as laid back and grungy as they come and I love it!! This brewpub is a very large place, lots of tables indoor and outside as well. Dogs are welcome and everytime ive been here there have been many dogs outside in the beer garden. Last time I was there the bartender looked like he was the guitar player for Slayer or Megadeth or something...I think thats a prerequesite for working here maybe. I've never eaten at this place, but their beers are top notch. For a true Portland experience go check out Lucky lab...unless you are somebody that likes to get all dressed up to go to a brewpub, then you may not like it.

11-14-2010 18:36:01 | More by loren01

squaremile

Oregon

3.69/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $

Lucky Lab is situated in inner SE, right across from a strip club and a few blocks down from cartopia, Portland's best food truck pod. The atmosphere is somewhat strange only because of the space. Inside is just one gigantic room with a huge ceiling, which can make for a noise time when it is crowded. Nice covered patio outside. The beers are all just OK for me with the exception of the Pavlov Imperial Stout, which I love, but unfortunately it is rarely brewed. The prices are VERY inexpensive and the bartender is always one of the best in town and very willing to pour samples and take time with the less beer-knowledgeable to make sure they get something they like.

05-18-2010 15:41:31 | More by squaremile

djbreezy

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

I've had a delicious curry bowl here a couple times. Definitely felt a little bit like dog food but that's not a bad thing...a very staple meal for such a diet.

The beer selections are usually on point, especially the seasonal beers. The staff is fine...consistent.

The organization of the tables and chairs can get a bit messy at times and this location tends to be a really crowded one at peak hours.

The outdoor section here is pretty big and under a covered patio, which is quite excellent.

I believe there are a couple dartboards in the front entrance area so that is good if you like to chuck metal spikes into cork for points.

03-11-2010 23:55:30 | More by djbreezy

madtappers

Washington

4.4/5  rDev +12.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$

One of the icons of the micro brew pubs in Portland, been around for a while now. The dining area is showing some wear but, it is waht you expect from a brewpub in the lower Hawthorne district of Portland.

All of their beers are good, don't know of one I wouldn't have again, especially like the Triple Threat IPA and Hawthorne Bitter.

Food is good if you like deli style sandwichs or bento, priced well and made to order.

Not much service other than taken orders and pouring perfect pints for their customers.

If you live in PDX or visit this is a must for all beer lovers...oh and in the summer the back deck is an awesome place to hang and have some pints with friends.

02-13-2010 23:53:13 | More by madtappers

snaotheus

Washington

3.86/5  rDev -1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

This was our second stop on a two day beer tour of Portland.

I had the Black Lab Stout on nitro and the Triple Threat IPA. My wife had the Stumptown Porter and their Winter Wonder Dog. All were good.

Service is walk-up and order, carry it back to your table. They have two separate registers, one for food and one for drinks. It seems like it's pretty well set up for crowds, but it wasn't crowded while we were there.

Lots of dog decorations, as you would expect, and the place is pretty beaten up but it has a "well worn" feel to it, rather than a "run down" feel.

Selection was pretty good -- they have a lot of taps, beers were reasonably priced. Enjoyable place.

02-02-2010 15:07:18 | More by snaotheus

JimmyK77

Delaware

4.35/5  rDev +11.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

The indoor space has a cool, converted industrial feel with high ceilings, brick, exposed utilities. They have an impresive selection of beers, including nitro and cask options (and hard cider). I was with a group who passed their selections around to taste and they were all high quality beers. Go out through the back doors to a large covered patio area where dogs are welcome to sit beside the tables with their owners. Outside seating (and inside I think) is mostly at picnic tables.

The food service is order at the bar - they give you a number and bring it out when ready. The food was good but not exciting.

10-14-2009 20:01:36 | More by JimmyK77