Monday, May 11th, 2026
Goodbye, Denny Way, the C Line took us to King Street Station in plenty of time for the Amtrak – 517 Cascades – at 12.10 to Portland OR.
One shop in the cavernous waiting room, the solitary coffee stall sold little other than, coffee. So much for a sandwich etc. for the train.
Boarding a train on the West Coast is pretty much the same as being at an airport. A line is formed, tickets are checked in advance, those who paid for premium seats get to board first. Only one step provided for the carriage to which those boarding – coach – in Seattle WA were allocated.
Meanwhile, those who had travelled south from Vancouver (Canada) had to wait a ridiculously long time for the process to be completed. Note, the penultimate stop, Vancouver WA, and yes, a return is planned.
A three and a half hour journey, it took an hour to clear Tacoma, so slow. As for the scenery, the Hector didn’t see much, too busy composing this stuff.
Due to low cloud, still no sign of Mt. Rainier, thereafter the vegetation in this part of USA is the same as the UK. And with the recent rain, all remains green.
Passing though Vancouver WA, I did see the planned day trip here in better perspective. Train not an option then.
The Columbia River separates Washington from Oregon, Vancouver WA being the southernmost settlement in Washington, Portland OR, being the northernmost in Oregon.
A ten minute walk from Portland Hbf to SW Oak Street and our accommodation.
High and quiet – was my request, floor fifteen took me by surprise I hadn’t looked up before checking in.
Not much of a view, not much to see in this part of the city, actually not much to see at all. We did the touristy bits back in 2018, they will not be covered again. A quick change, it’s finally warm enough for shorts & sandals.
We did need a travel card, a quick visit to TriMet Customer Support Center on Pioneer Courthouse Square. The courthouse remains the oldest brick building west of the Mississippi. The reader must be made aware of this if only such that I get to type Mississippi, once again. The TriMet – Hop fastpass – honored citizen, pennies for four days travel, and as far as Vancouver WA.
Nearby, a Columbia store, they are based in Portland OR. As in 2018, this store disappointed. There is a larger outlet on the southern extremities of the city, a bit of a hike, and if the Hector is to go alone, an early rise.
Slabtown to the west of Old Town / Downtown, was the focal point of our split stays in Portland OR in 2018, a cluster of breweries as with Seattle’s Ballard. Rogue Brewery has gone, just like that. Of the fourteen breweries and taprooms featured in Bier-Traveller from 2018, eight have gone.
Bus 15 took us from Downtown to within a block of Breakside Brewery – Slabtown.
The entrance was not clear, then having found the door, we had to be allocated a seat. Yes we would eat. Getting a Bier was most frustrating. Too many wee girls doing hee-haw, whilst the older chap appeared to be the only person who could pour a drink.
Ten minutes to get served, and only three in line before me. To make matters worse, no Hazy.
Mukbang, a 6.5% NZIPA was the agreed choice. Yellow, a slight haze, if one can imagine a West Coast Lager, then this was it. The classic – cold, yellow & fizzy.
We only came here once back in 2018,
Thirst Trap was outstanding.
One of the wee girlies brought the food, more Buffalo Wings. Still no Pizza or Burger for the Hector.
There was no point hanging about, the 21.00 brewery taproom curfew meant maybe two more Biere before drastic measures could come into play.
Back on Bus 15 to within five blocks of 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
10 Barrel was visited three nights out of five in 2018, we came to be recognised, Apocalypse, a West Coast IPA at 6.8% was the grandest in the style. Despite our taste-buds having moved to New England, I was very much up for this. Prior research had also revealed a Hazy which may or may not have existed back in 2018.
10 Barrel was quite busy, we secured – our spot – at a high table opposite the bar. A quiz was underway, always amusing. What the Americans know which we don’t and vice versa. Sports? – nae chance.
Apocalypse was first on the tap list, followed by Cloud Mentality, an 8.0% lactose Hazy IPA. That should do the trick. Dr. Stan went up to the bar. Both Biere – aff!
FFS! This is the actual brewery, how can the first two on their list not be available? Calm, Hector.
All Ways Down, an aptly named DIPA at 9% it would have to be. A bit early, but still.
Dark gold with a dry, syrupy aftertaste, a decent body, and brewed in the West Coast style. It was OK, but not why I came.
No more buses, we were on the western extremity of the Old Town. Four blocks from 10 Barrel, we popped in to Backwoods Brewing Company, a new venue to us. 
The serving Doris greeted warmly, a Bier was on offer, but with the 20.30 closing looming, we crossed the street to Deschutes Brewery.
My memory of Deschutes was it being busy, as much a restaurant as a taproom, and not particularly enjoying the Bier. Apart from being less busy as closing approached, the restaurant atmosphere maintained. 
Tonight, I played safe and had Fresh Haze a 6.5% Hazy IPA, first had at American Taproom (Singapore).
This time, more detail: Callista, Bravo, Mandarina, Bavaria, Amarillo, and Cashmere were the hops. The body impressed, fruity, rather than hoppy despite the lengthy hop list.
You must be from Alabama – declared a chap sitting at the bar to Dr. Stan’s right.
Glasgow, Alabama – was my reply.
A good chat ensued. The demise of venues in Portland OR was in part due to Covid. It is a surprise that venues like this did survive, sheds in industrial estates have lower overheads.
21.00, three Biere consumed, the Hector had a fallback. Beer O’clock, four blocks away, open until 22.00. The second act of Henry V, or the last act of a Desperate Man.
What a venue this turned out to be. Tommy, Mein Host, was most engaging. In time we were in conversation with his lady, waiting for us to leave after 22.00 was stretched. She loves Haggis, and why not?
Haggis is banned in USA, bleached chicken in a CAN, is not.
The recommended Bier: a collaboration with Great Notion (Portland OR) and Cellarmaker (San Francisco CA). A Hazy IPA – NEDIPA, this had the full on milkshake haze, and body to match its precise 8.25% abv. Whilst the Mosaic, Motueka, Strata, Nelson Sauvin , Riwaka, and Sabro hops might not have achieved the – magic blend – this was still a party in a glass.
What were the chances that the Hector might have brought up in conversation, a certain visit to Nelson, Motueka and Riwaka?
Vier Biere reichen nicht für einen Tag
Tommy was on board and quickly suggested we try Quality Bar which just happened to be on SW Oak Street, near home.
Open until midnight, and there may have been flexibility here, Quality Bar lived up to its name. Quiet on a Monday night, no nutters, a relaxing venue with acceptable music. In other words, I knew some and therefore liked it.
Tommy sent us.
The serving Doris was also welcoming to two mature chaps out looking for more Bier at this time of night.
Flower In The Kettle (Wayfinder Beer, Portland OR), a 6.5% Hazy IPA – NEIPA was found to be suitably robust in body and flavour. Whilst the hop blend was worthy of note, it was just short of that Glen Miller moment. Hops: Mosaic, Amarillo, and Simcoe.
A short mosey back to the hotel, oh, look how high it is.
The breweries and bars visited today:
Breakside Brewery – NW Slabtown – 1570 NW 22nd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
10 Barrel Brewing Portland – 1411 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR 97209
Deschutes Brewery – Portland Public House, 210 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Beer O’Clock – 1205 SW Washington Street, Portland OR 97205
Quality Bar – 931 SW Oak St, Portland, OR 97205