Spring is the time when we dare to dream of warmer days, teased by thin slices of sunshine but emboldened by vibrant flowers. In like a lion, out like a lamb — these Portland beers capture that essence in a glass, offering dynamic flavors without raining on your picnic (or whatever you have planned for the rest of the day).
Sour IPA | Mutantis Brewery & Bottle Shop
6719 NE 18th Ave.
A sour sans fruit is already special, but when it’s also gluten free, it’s like finding treasure at the end of a rainbow. At 3.5% ABV, it won’t weigh you down, making it an ideal brunch beer — in fact the citrusy smooth and spicy beverage brings to mind (and palate) a hop-flavored mimosa. Pro tip: The store sells (almost) every gluten-free beer made in Oregon.
Paloma Sour | Migration Brewing
2828 NE Glisan St. + 18188 NE Wilkes Rd. + 3947 N. Williams St.
Fittingly sweet + tart and dressed in a label reminiscent of the Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games, it’s no wonder this brew took home gold in the “Experimental and Historical Beers” category at this year’s Oregon Beer Awards. It’s aged in reposado tequila barrels and artfully balances grapefruit and lime with a pinch of salt. Pro tip: Find it exclusively at all three pubs in 500 ml bottles and on tap.
Bardic Inspiration | Sasquatch Brewing Co.
6440 SW Capitol Hwy. + 2531 NW 30th Ave.
Sometimes, spring means spending the day inside playing board games, courtesy of the rain (and very rarely snow). Spruce up the tabletop competition with a four-pack of this crisp pale ale. The orange blossom honey finish is truly something to sing about. Pro tip: These small-batch beers are available for pick up and home delivery.
La Rita Loca | Cascade Brewing
939 SE Belmont St.
Maybe the fact that this is our second cocktail-inspired brew on the list says more about us and less about spring, but we can’t be the only ones getting a little stir crazy from the weather. This mixture of sour blond and wheat ales is aged in tequila + oak wine barrels for up to a year, adding verdant infusions of lime zest, Oregon Coast sea salt + ground coriander.
The Pale | Hammer & Stitch Brewing Co.
2377 NW Wilson St.
Admittedly, this classically made beer is easy to drink year round, but pausing to smell the malted barley and classic PNW hop aromas is more satisfying at the moment. Enjoy it on draft or for takeaway in a 16 oz crowler.
Project Pilsner: Motueka | Gigantic Brewing Company
5224 SE 26th Ave. + 6935 NE Glisan St.
Brewers employed a rare hop from New Zealand to bring forward “citrusy lime zest and lemongrassy goodness” in this lager. You’ll find us sipping this on the patio as soon as we are able.
Dank U Wel | Culmination Brewing
2117 NE Oregon St.
Thank you very much indeed for this collaboration with Smith Teamaker. It’s a Belgian blonde ale with tantalizing notes of pear + golden raisin, uniquely elevated by a fragrant and herbal chamomile tea blend.
Megafauna Imperial IPA | Laurelwood Brewing Co.
5115 NE Sandy Blvd.
Where the previous beers were meant to be light, this mammoth packs a punch (9.5% ABV), but maintains a more gentle harmony between tropical and floral notes. Still, the resinous piny bitterness leaves no doubt about what reigns supreme in this double India pale ale recipe.
