Breakside Brewery

msubulldog25

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

The story goes that the owners/brewers at this fairly new NE pub (opened May 2010) grabbed a map when deciding on their upstart brewery's locale and pegged the spot furthest from the nearest neighborhood brewpub. I'm thankful that the spot they chose is a short drive (or 20-minute walk/10-minute run) from my house, anchoring an angled corner in the long-neglected Woodlawn neighborhood.

My wife and I fell in love with this place back in the spring for its outdoor picnic benches, roomy bar, welcoming garage doors (a semi-curse during recent fall/winter cold snaps)... and for their propensity to serve the likes of Ommegang Hennepin, Russian River Damnation and a whole bounty of quaffable West Coast brews. Although recently a vacant storefront one wouldn't glance twice at, Breakside's presence (along with a neighboring pizza joint and coffee shop and Firehouse across the street) has created a cool neighborhood hangout in mere months; heck, their first weekend (which, smartly, coincided with the rabidly popular Sunday Parkways cycling event, when bikes rule the streets over cars for one afternoon) established that immediately. Typically filled with daylight through those huge doors and overhead skylights, there's an interesting multi-leveled eclecticism at work here. Kids and dogs and all ages and types seem to fit in at once - so do families and work friends, first dates and sports buddies. Maybe even a beer geek or two.

Despite constant behind-the-scenes brewing, it wasn't until after Labor Day that house taps finally took over for some of the 12 constantly rotating guests. As much as I've loved the variety of guests, trips are now made better by the addition of house-brewed offerings, such as dry stout, witbier, and amber - plus creative offerings like pumpkin saison, Belgian chocolate stout, German gose or an upcoming intriguer, the Aztec Ale (a strong brewed with chocolate, honey and several varieties of pepper). Quality is always good, prices are reasonable - although right now only shaker pints (not cheaters) and small, stemmed tulips appear to be the only glassware.

UPDATE Jan '11: Check the website for constantly rotating new releases and for 'Experimental Wednesday' tappings.

Food portions are sizable and the menu has expanded to include more salads and sandwiches to go along apps that vary in scope from steamed clams to smoky blue cheese waffle fries to fried dill pickles to stuffed jalapeño halves. The stuffed burger is, quite simply, one of the best foods I've ever enjoyed at a pub - don't let the $14 price tag scare you off, because it's wholly worth every cent.

Service hasn't been the most 'beer-savvy' on every visit, though every single time we've stopped by (at least 10 times in 6 months to date) it has come with a friendly smile and a prompt attentiveness. Really, that's what is most important... And as far as prices go, it all seems really reasonable, considering quality/quantity (hint: show up before 6pm any day for $1 off all beers and food - or buy a shirt and wear it Wednesdays for discounts all day and night!)

Right away a winner and a pub we look forward to regularly visiting for years to come. Recommended.

12-12-2010 09:14:39 | More by msubulldog25

LittleA

Washington

5/5  rDev +14.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

My new fav Friday night dinner spot with the family. Great food, beer and service. Unfortunately, we got a rather large parking ticket for supposedly blocking a residential driveway (not!). However, after we fight that and win, we will be back to the Breakside! Food was excellent, staff was excellent, very nice space. Easy to get to for Clark County residents too. Another great brewpub deep in N/NE Portland. Not much else to say, just need to have enough characters to get this review posted!!!:)

11-10-2010 05:06:30 | More by LittleA

djbreezy

Washington

4.55/5  rDev +4.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

Finally made my way out to Breakside Brewery. Not the most convenient location as it's buried from just about everything else in town compared to where I live, that is. It's fairly close off the freeway, fortunately.

Either way, worth the visit. The interior is well put together, beautiful wood, great looking bar, cool large chalkboard for listing the brews.

Our server was incredibly friendly and kind. Very responsive. The food was incredible. The tap list was on point. Really had a great time. Would go back in a second. Glad to see this kind of quality.

06-24-2010 21:50:09 | More by djbreezy