Hair of the Dog Brewing Company / Brewery and Tasting Room

portlandjeff

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$$

When they were calling it the hair of the dog "tasting room", I had envisioned a little cramped corner of the new brewery with a couple seats and a few beers to try, but that turned out to be very wrong. The bar area is pretty large, with a long horseshoe shaped bar that accommodates about 20, along with a lot of table seating, and more bar type seating along the west wall. The place is an old converted industrial/warehouse type building about as close to the river as you can get on the east side. Located conveniently across from a bridge off-ramp, it has the advantage of no tall buildings across the street to block the view of the downtown skyline, which is a big plus; especially at night when you can see all the lights. While the bar is nicely done, and leaving a converted industrial place pretty intact often tends to work for some restaurants and bars, the rest of the interior seems a little unfinished. I hope that they'll spend a little time and money down the road to polish it up a bit. Still, it's a very comfortable place to hang out, and you're drinking HotD beers... what more do you need?

The quality is about as good as it gets. When you're in a bar where Adam and Fred on tap sound a little boring because of the other offerings, you know you're in a top notch place. The special stuff on tap I've tried since they've opened includes cherry adam, a few vintages of fred from the wood and doggie claws, 2009 jim, and little dog. Wow! The draft beers are definitely where the deals are. Even the best and rarest stuff is only $6.50 for a 12 ounce pour - about half the cost of buying it fresh in the bottle at a dock sale after waiting in line since 5 am... On top of the draft selection though, is the AMAZING collection of vintage bottles to try. 5 year verticals of doggie claws? Matt? 2005 rose cassis? michael? etc... yep!

Then there's the service. As far as I can tell, there only two employees working at Hair of the Dog besides Alan, and they're great. Wendy in particular is super friendly and helpful, and goes out of her way to make sure you're enjoying your visit. I'd give the place a 5+ on service if I was just rating their individual performance, but the truth is, when the place is full, two just isn't enough. I have to dock a point for not having enough staff for busy times. Even so, I've never really had terrible wait times or anything, it's just nice getting a little more attentiveness, which is especially lacking sometimes if there wasn't room for you at the bar.

The selection is great. Like I mentioned when I was talking about quality, there is a wide range of beers (and vintages of those beers) to try that just aren't available anywhere else.

The menu is always changing, but I'm liking the direction that it's been moving since its debut. I've only ever tried the adam braised smoked brisket, and I thought it was a great snack to pair with the bold hair of the dog beers, and a good value too at $6. When they first began serving food, a lot of the menu items were priced a bit higher than I would have liked for the venue (although they may have still been a great value for what you got), and I'm glad to see most everything now priced at under $10; with a good variety to boot. Besides, it leaves more drinking money, and that's the point, isn't it?

Value here is subjective. On tap, I feel like everything is a great deal, ESPECIALLY the rarer stuff. Like I said, I've waited in line for 5 hours to buy 12 oz bottles of some of this stuff at TWICE the price they're offering it on tap, and I guess that's the way it should be. The availability of some of the stuff they have only in bottles is fantastic, but here's where the value starts to seem questionable. On the same day, they let you choose between 12 ounces of cherry adam on tap for $6.50, or 12 ounces of the same vintage in a bottle for $12. Or how about $6.50 for 2007 doggie claws on tap, but $15 for a bottle? Then there's Matt, a FANTASTIC beer no doubt, but $25 for 12 ounces? There's how much you need to sell a beer for to make all the time and effort to make it worth while, and then there's how much you think you might be able to get someone to pay once in a while. I think a fair price is somewhere between the two, and some of these seem to be priced closer to the latter.

Atmosphere and some of the bottle prices aside; this is a great place, and it would certainly be in my top 5 recommendations for anyone coming to Portland for beer. Visitors from other big cities might even find the prices really appealing. I've lived and traveled all over and know what things cost other places, and HotD isn't out of line when you take that into account. It's just a little high for Portland. Still, these aren't just any beers, this isn't some big corporation, and you don't get to really experience this kind of pride, hands-on attitude, and impeccable quality just anywhere, and that's worth a lot.

10-19-2010 23:10:43 | More by portlandjeff

Forrest222

California

3.34/5  rDev -23.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $$$

We stopped in here while on our via sit to Portland. It's a bit of a way from the downtown area, but easily walkable. The place itself is a nice little taproom with food and beer. The food looked good but we didn't try any. The beers on offer covered a reasonable selection (about 7 available) but unfortunately they aren't entirely to our taste. If you like hair of the dog it's worth visiting here, but otherwise there's nothing special to warrant a particular visit. Personally, I'm not so keen.

12-27-2012 00:28:47 | More by Forrest222

slander

New York

4.3/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Not the same place we saw 5 years back, that functional brewery on the back side of an industrial complex, taxied to by a wild driver, if I recall correctly, and I always do. No, this is a corner brewpub, although I haven’t yet seen the brewery. Is it here, attached and hiding, I wonder? We’ll see, I’m in no rush to walkabout without a beer in hand…

Vestibule entrance on the far corner on SE Yamhill, but we came in through the large open garage door entrance alongside. Industrial space, with upright pieced wood beam pillars, angled supports, & crossbeams. Interior walls painted bright turquoise & lime, offset by a gray exterior wall painted over brick face lowers, and some large panel windows grouped. Concrete floorings, and a light gray ceiling slightly arched to a high point with a small center skylight & ductwork. Drop 7-sided colored panel glass lamps around the bar and crown lamps dangling in rows on the ends.

‘U’ shaped bar messin’ with ma’ mind. Wood plank topped somewhat warped & distorted giving the appearance of off it being uneven, but the whole deal laminated over level. Wood plank base, wrap around piping foot rail, and seating for 18 on high teal leather chairs. Bar counter space for a half dozen+ on the wall behind me, and a single hightop in the corner. 10 fat wood block tables forward the bar and out across the room to the far wall, and another hightop, plus a few picnic tables curbside.

A symmetrical hexagon shaped stained glass piece mounted from a beam off the bar, with a colored pebbled exterior, and cool circles & lines wrapping and inlayed. Shirts & hoodies on the near wall displayed, a sprawling plant in an old wood barrel in the corner, some brewery prints, and a framed Michael Jackson ad piece.

A pair of handgrip looking stainless steel towers holding 4 taps each on our side of the bar with wood block logo handles. 8 beers on tap; 6 of them house offerings (Lila, 6%, Maibock, great maltiness, a bit spicy, excellent; Blue Dot, 7%, Double IPA, nice hoppy profile, not overly bitter, a real great IPA; Will, 8%, Scottish Ale done Willamette, a malty bomb, and a bit phenolic bandaidy; Fred, 10%, Golden Strong Ale, big big, Belgian candi sugar; Adam, 10%, Old Ale, chocolate, leather & smoke as described; Peach Fred, 10%, on bourbon with fresh peaches), and 2 guest taps (Sierra Nevada Summerfest & De Struise Tsjeeses), in the absence of the kicked Little Dog (English Mild) and Greg (beer with no hops using Kambocha squash instead). Did the sampler of what 6 house beers they did have on (served in cool little taster glasses that would never survive the flight back), and deemed the Lila, Blue Dot, & Fred to be the best of ‘em, although, really, Blue Dot is king.

House bottled beers and glassware lining the sill to the rear off the kitchen, and specialty bottles for sale, too. Things from the wood, bourboned, and/or cherried, various vintages, and things of collaboration & commemoration, but for consumption here only.

Kitchen to the rear somewhat concealed, with turquoise tilings behind it with a red & yellow trim. I would have liked the ‘Chuck Norris Duck Wings’, but it was not to be. And off in the rear corner, views of the brew room and goings on. Wow, a 4 barrel brew house doing just 600+ barrels a year. Expected much more somehow.

Janet & Ed showed up, and then the Geek & Tom. Seems a bunch of people we know opted to start their day of play here. Just the natural progression of OBF weekend, I suppose. It was dead when we got here but is now hopping & happening. Good house, mind you, I would have liked to have caught 8 house taps up. Well, next time around, I suppose. Sampled up, now it’s time to move on. Much to see before tomorrow’s out.

11-25-2012 05:19:39 | More by slander

AxesandAnchors

Oregon

4.55/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

The atmosphere isn't great, your basically sitting in a warehouse. That said, who cares their beer is amazing! Hair Of The Dog is easily one of the best breweries in the Nation, so if you wanna taste a member of the holy grail of beers then you sit in a warehouse dammit. Probably the greatest part of going to the tasting room is the opportunity to drink vintages of Adam & Fred (as well as variations, like "from the wood" and "cherry"). They also fill growlers for only $15.

Go and do a vertical, it will change your life!

11-22-2012 20:21:48 | More by AxesandAnchors

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.13/5  rDev -5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Visited Sunday afternoon 7/22/12 with my wife.

A: Cool place, modern looking upgrades combined with that a-typical refurbished warehouse beer place look. Warmer, breezy afternoon so the garage door was rolled up. Plenty of tables available plus some seating at a cozy bar.

Q: Beer and food seemed like good quality to me.

Service: Good service, but nothing out of this world. Our server was prompt and courteous but did make a comment about me being 'one of those' out-of-towners. Whatever. I'm sure they do get a lot of beer snobs swooping in to grab all of the FTW series stuff.

Selection: There is a good selection here, with all of their regulars on tap, as well as a FTW offering, plus a bottle list that includes an original Adam from the '90's. All of the bottles are spendy and must be consumed on site, but its really cool to have the option.

F: Semi-limited menu with good quality foods; salads, pasta, soup, cheese & meat plates, brisket and short ribs. We paired finger foods with the Maple Bourbon Fred FTW and everything tasted good. Love their bread.

07-26-2012 18:20:36 | More by Scotchboy

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.86/5  rDev -11.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

A must stop in Portland, although walking there is a bit of a stretch..but do-able.

On the corner, some tables out front. Nice sized place, while not big. Tight horseshoe bar, small kitchen. Not sure what they served, I was there for the beer.

Pretty solid list and while it's not a lengthy one, you'll find what you're looking for here. Bottles can be purchased, but some you have to drink there...like the barrel aged stuff.

Above average service, but it was a Friday and they looked tired. No worries.

Only gripe is the stickers...you have to pay for them. I understand paying for shirts, but stickers are advertisements. Hurrumphf

07-26-2012 06:41:43 | More by Mebuzzard

KDawg

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I really did dig it here. It's in an industrial area with not much else immediately around, but it has just the vibe that I like. The bar area is well spaced out with a good amount of seats that wrap around. There are also a good amount of tables to sit at and I'd have a hard time imagining this place getting extremely packed.

It's a really nice brew list that they have. They have a good amount of their brews on tap along with having aged bottles of theirs as well.

The food was also pretty good as well. I got a grilled cheese sandwich and really enjoyed it. The bartender was nice and it was never a problem getting a beer.

This shot right up onto my revisit list.

07-03-2012 00:51:41 | More by KDawg

Flightoficarus

Washington

4.19/5  rDev -4.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Another stop on my mini-brewery tour while in Portland, this one was definitely on the "must try" list.

A - Atmosphere was inviting, in an old, industrial downtown area kinda way. Inside is clean, but cozy. On the smaller side for a brewpub as well.

Q - Hair of the Dog beers are one of the many Portland breweries on the world class level IMO, and getting to drink them from the keg just makes it better. Tried barrel-aged Jim, which was a great, complex ale in line w/their other stronger offerings.

Aside from draft offerings you won't easily find outside their distribution network (or away from the tasting room, period), there are also vintage bottles offered as well. Any true beer enthusiast would not be doing themselves a favor by skipping this place.

S - Service was friendly, although a bit slow due to getting there around lunch rush time. That is forgivable though. The bartender was happy to explain and describe their special beer offerings.

S - Selection beer-wise is a 5, as I'm pretty confident that the tasting room is the only place you actually have all the HotD offerings in one setting. There is also a small, but varied for it's size food menu. I didn't have anything though, so I can't comment much further than that.

F - Didn't try the food, but it smelled/looked good :)

V - Great beers and pretty inexpensive eats. What's not to love? Well worth the visit if you're in the Portland area.

03-31-2012 22:39:37 | More by Flightoficarus

dirtylou

Washington

4.36/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

visited HOtD twice on a recent weekend trip to PDX

attractive new building, with lots of sunlight and open air for nice days. There's plenty of room at the bar with tables sprawling though the generously sized room.

Walls are full of gear for purchase and bright paint.

The tap selection was all the standards (fred, adam, ruth, doggie claws, blue dot) and a rotating barrel aged beer (bourbon fred from the wood on our visit). All of the taps are served in branded tulips, pints, or tasters as appropriate.

The bottle list was pricey but impressive : A number of from-the-wood vintages, doggie claws vintages, batch #1 beers, Matt, Michael, etc. Prices ranged from $10 to $20 with batch 1 beers being an outlier at $75.

We never ate anything, but the food coming out of the kitchen looked good - giant loaves of bread, meet and cheese plates, and other assorted moderately priced items.

Service was attentive and the experience was enjoyable both trips - i'll be back.

03-26-2012 21:52:46 | More by dirtylou

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -12.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

Ah, the prestigious Hair of the Dog, who makes beer that's so rare and desired (esp. on the East Coast), but that's nearly impossible to obtain. I visited during my Portland vaca with my wife, and I'm definitely glad I did. Atmosphere-wise, the tasting room is in a large area, industrial-type feel and decor, with a rather large bar and picnic tables. Big, bright, and not too intimate. Lots of good beer to choose from on tap, including many of the standard desirables: Fred, Adam, Doggie Claws, etc. Also was able to sample some neat parti-gyle versions of the more popular beers. Also available in bottles are some of the rarer HotD brews, such as Matt, and the "From the Wood" series. The catch is, you can ONLY drink them at the bar. No take out. The place obviously has a distribution license. There's no reason to bogart these bottles that are standing right in front of me, when I have cash in my hands. Sure, it's their brewery and they can do what they want, but this is an obvious case of gouging beer prices and keeping them "rare" just so that they acquire a reputation as "rare beers." Fortunately, I was able to catch a tip and find said beers elsewhere, and after getting serious attitude from the bartender, I was happy to take my business elsewhere. I take service points off not because I couldn't buy the beer--I understand if they want to keep it to themselves--it's the bartender's attitude that I have an issue with.

All that said, the beer here is great. lol Prices aren't too too bad, but if you're looking for the "rarer" stuff, you might just find yourself taking out a second mortgage to pay for it. Good luck.

12-30-2011 04:51:16 | More by Rifugium