Portland OR Golf Weekend

Golf Magazine, 11/07 & 6/01

T&L Golf, Sept/Oct 2004

Drinking Made Easy, 2011

11/07 Golf Magazine's Perfect Golf Day in Portland:

Begin with the Salmon Scramble at Mother's Bistro (www.mothersbistro.com) downtown, where they have great coffee, a Portland trademark. Then head to Pumpkin Ridge's Ghost Creek course (www.pumpkinridge.com). It's long and challenging, and I love the solitude and quiet. Take a minor detour as you head back into town to the Rock Creek Tavern (www.mcmenamins.com), where you can sample some of the McMenamin Brothers' great local microbrews. Near downtown, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. municipal course, The Great Blue at Heron Lakes (www.heronlakesgolf.com) is as good as a muni gets-and it starts at $25 for 18 holes. Veritable Quandary (www.veritablequandary.com) downtown is great for post-golf food and drinks.

Sept/Oct '04 T&L Golf article:

Orientation

This beloved and livable city sits between the Cascade and Coast Range mountains 75 miles from the ocean. The home of Nike, it's a 3-hour drive down I-5 from Seattle or a short flight from San Fran and served by all major airlines. An artsy, walkable downtown unfurls beside the Willamette River and gives way to leafy neighborhoods full of Craftsman and Victorian homes and sprawling parks.

Golf

Pumpkin Ridge GC, Ghost Creek

13920 Old Pumpkin Ridge Rd, N. Plains OR; 888-594-4653, www.pumpkinridge.com  Yardage: 6,839. Par: 71. Slope: 145. Architect: Bob Cupp, 1992. Greens Fees: $45–$120. T+L GOLF Rating: **** 1/2

Host to the '93 & '94 Nike Tour Championships, the great Pumpkin was Oregon's 1st ultra-upscale public/private golf complex. And while the private Witch Hollow course may be slightly more refined, Bob Cupp's public-access Ghost Creek has become a local favorite. A clean-cut track whose conditions and service are without parallel in the region, it ambles through forests of fir, maple, ash and oak, darts across open meadows and encompasses two lakes. The spooky creek that lends the course its name appears and disappears half a dozen times throughout the day. Cupp employed classical bunkering with edges that hang over lips like grassy eyebrows, creating shadowy lairs where danger lurks. Several elevated greens set at the ends of corridors of tall trees make certain holes seem infinitely long. Built to host championships, the Pumpkin often leaves golfers feeling hollowed and carved.

The Reserve Vineyards & GC, South

4805 SW 229th Ave, Aloha OR; 503-649-8191, www.reservegolf.com . Yardage: 7,172. Par: 72. Slope: 133. Architect: John Fought, 1997. Greens Fees: $40–$95. T+L GOLF Rating: ****

Portland's other top tournament venue hosts the Champions Tour's Tradition tournament. It's another public-private golf complex, but unlike Pumpkin Ridge, the Reserve rotates its tracks so that each is private half the time. The North is a fun links-style layout, is shorter and shapelier than the South, with visually challenging design elements to delight students of course architecture, but Fought's South is the better of the 2.

More than 100 bunkers on the South—alternately strategic, directional, penal or just plain aesthetically pleasing—are an ode to Tillinghast at Winged Foot. A forebunker creates a false front on the 205-yard 2nd . On the 3rd, a bunker cluster reveals the best line off the tee. The 11th features a bunker that actually divides the green. If it's any consolation, the 8th only contains 2 bunkers—but the par-4 plays 487 yards and concludes on a tiered green. A bottle of wine at the 19th might be needed to soften the blow.

Also Play: The Oregon Golf Association Golf Course (Woodburn OR; $48, 503-981-6105) features immaculate bent grass that carpets the greens of this impeccable muni, creating some of the most delectable putting surfaces in the area. Close to the Portland airport, Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s Heron Lakes Great Blue course (Portland; $21–$40, 503-289-1818) is a Scottish-style, largely open, treeless layout emphasizing the "risk" in risk-reward.

Accommodations

Heathman Hotel

1001 SW Broadway, Portland; 800-551-0011, www.heathmanhotel.com. Rooms: $139–$209. Suites: $179–$775

This elegant hostelry in the heart of downtown features original artwork by regional painters, the French-accented Heathman Restaurant & Bar and a historic tea court. Modern amenities in its 150 rooms include complimentary high-speed Internet access and free use of a library of more than 400 films.

Dining

Higgins Restaurant & Bar (Eclectic) 1239 SW Broadway, Portland, OR; 503-222-9070. $$$. One of the pioneers of sustainable dining using the best local, often-organic, in-season ingredients, such as wild salmon, huckleberries, and mushrooms. Locals dig the bistro-inspired menu at the lively bar.

Fat Guy Research:  Playboy named Ken's Artisan Pizza (304 SE 28th Ave) as one of the Top 10 pizzerias in the country.  "For nearly a decade, Ken Forkish of Ken’s Artisan Bakery has been the undisputed champ of Portland’s bread scene. Apparently the greedy bastard just couldn’t be the best at one thing, so he had to go and open a pizzeria in 2006 to swipe the title of Portland’s best pizza as well. Being a baker, Ken knows ovens, and he and partner Alan Maniscalao settled on a massive wood-fired hearth that blisters up a thin crust in two minutes flat. The peaks and valleys of the bubbling beauties hide just the right amount of bright tomato sauce and seasonal toppings like green garlic in spring and roasted squash in winter. Our favorite of the lot combines juicy fennel sausage with caramelly onions, torn basil and fresh mozzarella, and best of all it’s available year-round."

Golf Digest likes the Montage, located under the Morrison Bridge, for Spam Spicy Mac--a concoction of macaroni, Cajun gravy, jalapenos, tomatoes, heavy cream and the famed mystery meat. Cool the three-alarm fire in your mouth with a Ranier beer and marvel at the massive Last Supper mural--complete with illustrated beer bottles where DaVinci intended wine glasses to be.

For wings, try Fire On The Mountain (www.portlandwings.com), with two Portland locations.  In addition to 5 varieties of Buffalo hotness, they also have sauce derivations like Spicy Peanut, and feature a rotating Sauce Of The Month.

Booze

Fat Guy Research:  Portland is a great spot for tiki bars. Critiki.com recommends the Trilogy Of Tiki in Portland: Try the newest of the breed, Thatch in northeast Portland, the #3 rated tiki bar in the country. Thatch features a sunken bar, booths rescued from a nearby diner, and lots of bamboo and thatch. Or Playboy recommends Alibi Tiki Bar as one that belonged in Swingers. Order a Scorpion (OJ & rum concoction) or a Singapore Sling. Stay at the tiki-fied Palms Motor Hotel across the street. Or finally The Monkey Hut In Exile has seagrass-lined walls and classic Polynesian pop artwork illuminated by a collection of beachcomber lamps, and the owners are passionate about historic and historically-inspired tiki cocktails with fresh ingredients. 

Maxim says Portland's best dive bar is Pirate's Cove (7417 NE Sandy Blvd). Chances are you were already careening toward the parking lot after seeing this moonshine-jug-shaped building. Good work. You're rapidly approaching Portland's finest dive bar/strip club. For the requisite high-alcohol-content Pacific Northwest microbrews, Golf Digest digs the Horse Brass Pub.

Portland, Oregon Golf Courses

By JEFF WALLACH, Contributing Writer, GOLF MAGAZINE
Published: June 01, 2001

In the early part of the 20th century, Portland boasted more golf holes per capita than any other city in the nation. (A caffeine capital, it currently boasts the most double lattes.) In recent decades, population has outstripped course development as folks have been drawn to the laid-back lifestyle, multitude of outdoor sports, and high livability of what is variously known as the Rose City, River City, and Puddletown. But golf around Portland is still accessible and excellent, especially since a construction boom during the 1990s brought a handful of great courses on line. Orgiasts can mix a cocktail of old classic designs with sparkling new venues, easily play 36 holes a day in the late light of summer, and then relax in -- or outside of -- a lovely, quirky city bustling with microbreweries, coffee houses, tasty ethnic dining, homegrown music, and the world's largest bookstore (Powell's). Portland's golf courses are always lush and green from the ample rainfall, but summer weather is reliably sunny and warm. Autumn delivers crisp days, changing leaves, and often plenty of sunshine through October. In winter and early spring, locals slog around the fairways in knee-high clamming boots fit with golf spikes. Bring plenty of Gore-Tex outerwear if you visit between November and May. Better still, go in summer.

WHERE TO PLAY
THE MUSTS

Pumpkin Ridge (Ghost Creek) (888-594-4653). A world-class layout even before Tiger won his third Amateur title here, Ghost Creek harkened the start of upscale public golf in Northwest. On numerous holes, a mysterious stream gobbles golf balls like Halloween candy. But Bob Cupp's well-groomed treat is still worth the scary price.

Heron Lakes (503-289-1818). Facility's Great Blue Course is Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s unflappably challenging links-style course laid out in riverside lowlands with views of Mt. Hood. The three watery finishing holes alone would be worth the $35 green fee. Recently hosted the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

Langdon Farms (503-678-4653). John Fought and Bob Cupp partnered on this farm-themed layout 15 miles south of city. Langdon plows through a pastoral Willamette Valley setting with recessed fairways that run like canyons between high grassy mounds.

Oregon Golf Association Members Course at Tukwila (503-981-6105). This Bill Robinson design -- opened in 1996 -- boasts a great variety of holes, a couple of reachable par fives, a huge double green, and some of the finest putting surfaces in the region.

The Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club (503-649-2345). Two distinctive designs at a club with a wine-maker theme: longer, tougher Fought Course (7,196 yards, 134 slope) is the bold Cabernet with more than 100 bunkers; Cupp Course -- like a crisp Chardonnay -- is open and linksy, but sly.

Persimmon Country Club (503-661-1800). Formerly private club 25 miles east of Portland attracts players with its fast greens, rugged terrain, and stellar mountain views.

THE SECOND TIER

Eastmoreland (503-775-2900). Classic 1921 Chandler Egan layout is entwined with Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens. Walter Hagen said par-five 13th, with a ravine and huge green-fronting swale, was one of the best holes he ever played.

Heron Lakes (503-289-1818). The 6,608-yard Greenback Course is a typical early Trent Jones Jr. design with elevated, bunker-framed greens, a handful of forced carries, and an easygoing demeanor. Forest Hills (503-357-3347). Built in 1927/1950, the two nines duck between giant firs and play beside fruit and nut orchards. Many holes end at steeply elevated greens; all carry Scottish names.

Quail Valley (503-324-4444). Designed by John Zoller, this short, wind-blown layout in the shadow of the Oregon Coast Range places a premium on accuracy.

BEST OF THE REST

Glendoveer (503-253-7507). East and West courses, built in 1920s, are short and easy, but lined by hugely impressive trees. Small greens.

Red Tail (503-646-5166). Formerly Progress Downs and one of the nation's busiest munis, Red Tail reopened last summer after a total redesign.

Rose City (503-253-4744) Local octogenarians' favorite, built on former Rose City Speedway in 1921; just don't expect a speedy round on this muni. Broadmoor (503-281-1337). Several big elevation changes on wetlands course close to airport and industrial zone. Beware the "Lake of Despond" on ninth hole.

WHERE TO EAT

Upscale restaurants such as Wildwood and Lucy's Table attract diners to the trendy Northwest district. Typhoon serves up the most varied and creative Thai menu this side of Bangkok. Pazzo in the Governor Hotel and Assagio in Westmoreland pile perfect pasta in warm, festive surroundings. Jake's Crawfish House has been purveying fresh fish and exemplary service for 100 years. Hot Lips Pizza proffers highly original pies made with local, organic ingredients. Clay's Smokehouse turns out the best ribs in town.

NIGHTLIFE

The McMenamin brothers are famous for their string of microbreweries in combination with vintage movie theaters (Mission Theater, Bagdad Theater), concert venues (Crystal Ballroom), and unique hotels. (The Kennedy School is actually in a converted grade school; check out the "Detention Room" cigar bar.) Their Edgefield complex even has a short "pub course" where you can stop at cozy bars between golf holes. Open-air concerts occur in Tom McCall Waterfront Park and at Oregon Zoo. ComedySportz pitches fast improv comedy on weekends.

GUILT GIFTS

Made In Oregon shops (there's one located at the airport for emergency purchases) sell smoked salmon, Pendleton blankets and woolen products, other local specialties. Downtown Portland houses Columbia Sportswear's flagship store. Shop for antiques in the quaint Sellwood district, pick up a bottle of pear brandy from Clear Creek Distillery, or peruse 250 booths for original crafts at Portland Saturday Market.

BURNED OUT

Motor through Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area to Multnomah Falls, 35 miles west. Hoof it to top of falls and then recover your strength with huckleberry pie in the lodge. Portland's Washington Park is abloom with roses in summer, has a tranquil Japanese Garden, and owns the best views over downtown with Mt. Hood in distance. Mount Tabor Park is an old volcano cone grown over with huge, lovely firs. Rent a bike at Fat Tire Farm and cruise Forest Park's trails.

THE DEAL

The Heathman (800-551-0011). Elegant old Portland favorite features original artwork by regional painters, French-accented Heathman Restaurant, tea court. Evening jazz in lobby lounge. Call for current rates. Paramount Hotel (800-426-0670). New European-style hostelry in heart of downtown offers summer specials. Call for current rates. Silver Cloud Inn (800-205-6939). Nice budget hotel in Northwest district with easy freeway access. Call for current rates.

Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy Guide To Portland (2011):

Located in the heart of the picturesque Pacific Northwest, is Portland: the largest and most populous city in Oregon. Nicknamed “The City of Roses” due to its ideal climate to grow roses, as well as its numerous rose gardens, it’s also referred to by locals as “PDX”, after the Portland International Airport’s initials. Its notoriety in the US craft brewery scene has earned it monikers like “Beervana”, “Brewtopia”, “Beer Town” and “City of Beer”. Portland’s scenic beauty is unmatched: a blend of historic and modern architecture, nestled within nature, as it straddles the Willamette River and offers breathtaking views of nearby Mount Hood. PDX and its residents thrive on environmentally friendly practices and they boast a DIY (do-it-yourself) subculture. Over the years Portland has retained the relaxed air of a smaller town while still growing rapidly. It’s continually evolving beer industry, contributions to the national cocktail culture and burgeoning spirit distillation scene, make Portland one easy place for drinking.

BEERVANA

The phrase “Beervana” was coined in Oregon in the 1980's to describe the burgeoning craft beer movement that had taken hold. It’s an apt description, as those who are actively involved in the beer community think of it a near-religious experience to make and enjoy well-made brew.

Boasting several beer-y nicknames, like “Brewtopia” and “Beer Town”, Portland is home to more than 30 microbreweries; more (per capita) than any other city in the US, greater than one-third of the state total and more than any city in the world. On the last weekend in July of every year, the Waterfront Park in Portland plays host to the Oregon Brewers Festival, one of the nation’s longest running craft beer festivals. More than 80 craft breweries from across the US offer handcrafted brews to tens of thousands of beer lovers over the four-day festival. The 24th Annual Oregon Brewers Festival will take place from July 28 – 31, 2011.

It’s only fitting that in a town known for beer, Portland is home to the 6th largest brewery in the United States: Widmer Brothers Brewing Company. Founded in 1984 by brothers Kurt and Rob Widmer, they produce about 15 different brews annually and are most known for their flagship ale, the Widmer Hefeweizen. Translating to “yeasty wheat beer”, (“hefe” meaning yeast and “weizen” meaning wheat) the Widmer Hefeweizen was introduced in 1986, has won numerous awards, and is the beer by which all other Hefeweizens are judged. In November 2007, Widmer merged with Redhook Ale Brewery and created the Craft Brewers Alliance, which is headquartered in Portland. Today, Goose Island Beer Company and Kona Brewing Company also fall under the CBA banner.

Widmer Brothers Brewing Company |
929 N Russell,
 Portland, OR 97227
| (503) 281-2437

One of the newer additions to the local beer scene is Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB). Founded in 2008 by Christian Ettinger, the self-titled “Eco-Brewpub” emphasizes sustainable practices like using 100% renewable power. All of their beers are organic and use fresh, local ingredients. Their award-winning ales include the Organic HUB Lager, Hopworks IPA and Velvet ESB. They produce 6,000 barrels a year, providing the restaurant with ten different HUB beers and two cask ales on tap at all times. Their beers are also available in bottles and on draft in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

Hopworks Urban Brewery | 2944 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97202 | (503) 232-4677

Other popular Portland brews come from Hair of the Dog Brewing Company. This microbrewery, founded in 1993, has achieved notoriety for its high-alcohol content beers, like “Dave” which came in at an astonishing 29% ABV. (It’s no longer produced) Their popular ale, “Adam” is a recreation of a German beer style, originally made in Dortmund, Germany that had fallen to extinction. It has 10% ABV and 50 IBU’s and pairs nicely with chocolate and desserts. Other brews include “Fred”, an American Barley Wine named after beer writer and historian Fred Eckhardt, which spawned several limited variations and “Ruth”, an American Pale Ale.

Another of Portland’s smaller, yet notable breweries is Upright Brewing. Specializing in Belgian and French farmhouse inspired beers that use Saison yeast and are made with local ingredients, Upright’s artisanal brews are packaged in 750 ml bottles or available in 50-liter kegs. Distribution is limited to the Northwest, but their beers can be found at most Portland-area specialty beer stores and bars. You can also pop into their tasting room and try some of their four year-round brews, or eight seasonal brews.

It would be almost impossible to visit Portland without stopping into one of the several McMenamin Brewpubs throughout the city. Its original location, The Barley Mill Pub opened in Portland in 1983, by brothers Brian and Mike McMenamin. Today there are more than 50 locations in Oregon and Washington, 30 of which are in the greater Portland area. Each venue is different, many having once been a historically significant building, like cinemas, theaters, funeral parlors, churches and schools. One of the 50 largest craft breweries in the US, McMenamin’s are not only producers of craft beer, but also of wines and spirits as well.

Both the winery and distillery are located on the Edgefield Estate in Troutdale, about 16 miles outside of Portland. The winery, which opened in 1990, produces more than 25,000 cases of wine annually including a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot, among others. The wines are served at McMenamin pubs, hotels and breweries and can be purchased online for residents of Oregon, Washington and California. McMenamin spirits, which can be enjoyed at all of their pubs and hotels or purchased from the distillery, include Whiskey, Brandy, Gin, Herbal Liqueur and Coffee Liqueur.

McMenamin’s Kennedy Elementary School is housed in a building that has been a fixture of Northeast Portland since 1915. Boasting a restaurant, multiple bars, a movie theater, pool and 35 guestrooms, this hotel is also a brewery. Founded in 1997, the Concordia Brewery (named for the neighborhood in which its located) produces about 430,000 pints of beer a year. They also serve cocktails using traditional spirits as well as those produced at the Edgefield Distillery.

Sauvie’s Island Iced Tea
Gin
Whiskey
Brandy
Coffee Liqueur
Cola
Lemon Juice

Elementary School Drop Out
¼ glass of Hard Cider (Alcoholic Apple cider)
¼ glass of Ruby (Raspberry beer)
Shot of Pear Brandy
Pour shot into glass and pound

McMenamin’s Kennedy School | 5736 Northeast 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211 | (503) 249-3983

Portland is also home to local brewpubs for Deschutes Brewery (based in Bend), Full Sail Brewing Co. (out of Hood River) and Rogue Ales (from Newport). While there are far too many to list, other notable Portland microbreweries include Bridgeport Brewing Co, which has two locations in PDX: their Ale House in the historic Hawthorne Shopping District and their brewpub in the heart of Portland’s Pearl District. There’s also the Lucky Labrador Brewing Company which has three locations around Portland, each boasting three to five Lucky Lab ales on tap, plus a cask pump, a nitro tap, and a guest tap, and MacTarnahan’s Brewing Company which is known for their Oregon Honey Beer.

CITY COCKTAILS

While Portland is widely known for its beer culture, it’s also a large metropolitan city, with a cocktail scene that rivals other major US cities. One bar, worth a visit, not only for its cocktails but also for its history is Huber’s Café. As the oldest bar in Portland, Huber’s was established in 1879. Though it was originally called The Bureau Saloon, the name was changed to Huber’s when Frank Huber purchased it in 1891. Known at the time for its turkey meal, where when a patron purchased a drink, they would get a free turkey sandwich and some coleslaw, they remained open during Prohibition, by serving their traditional turkey dinner, which had become the house specialty. Today, it’s also known for its signature drink, the Spanish Coffee. The flaming drink is made tableside.

Spanish Coffee
Rim glass with lime and dip it in sugar
¾ oz Bacardi 151
Light on fire to heat the glass and caramelize the sugar
Add Triple Sec, Kahlua and Coffee
Float the Whipped Cream on top
Sprinkle with Nutmeg

Huber’s Café | 411 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204 | (503) 228-5686

Another popular cocktail lounge is Mint/820, which is located in Portland’s Eliot Neighborhood. Mint, the restaurant, is a Pan American Bistro with influences from the Pacific Northwest, the Mediterranean and Latin America, and 820, the bar portion, is renowned for its unique and inventive cocktails that use fresh ingredients. Owner Lucy Brennan is consistently noted as one of the nation’s top mixologists. Brennan and her staff of cocktail-crafting geniuses concoct mixed drinks that have put 820 on the map.

The Avocado Daiquiri
Fresh Avocado
Light Rum (4 count)
Dark Rum (4 count)
Splash of fresh Lemon Lime Juice
Simple Syrup (8 count)
Splash of Cream
Blend and garnish with pomegranate concentrate

The Ad-Lib
Fill ¼ of a glass with ice
Add Fresh Cilantro and muddle
Fill the rest of the glass with ice
Add 2 oz Crater Lake Vodka (or Crater Lake Mazama Infused Pepper Vodka)
2 count of Lemon Lime juice
Splash of Simple Syrup
Shake and strain into a martini glass

Mint/820 | 816 North Russell, Portland, OR 97227 | (503) 284-5518

Named after the tunnels and passages that blanket Old Town Portland, linking basements of bars and hotels to the Willamette River waterfront, is the Shanghai Tunnel. Legend has it that their underground basement bar was a tunnel where 19th century Portlanders were “shanghaied”, an illegal maritime practice where able-bodied men were kidnapped and sold to sea captains who forced them to work aboard ships for no pay. Portland was unique because trap doors, known as “deadfalls” were used to drop the unsuspecting victims into the “Portland Underground”. Today, the Shanghai Tunnel Bar features fresh-squeezed, reasonably priced cocktails, a daily happy hour and a menu boasting Asian-inspired dishes.

Holy Basil
Muddled fresh basil w ice
Sugar and limes
Add Yazi Ginger Vodka
Triple Sec
Add ice and shake
Pour into a glass and top with soda water

Zane’s Shanghai Surprise
A shot of ½ Gin and ½ Rum
Drop into a ¼ pint of Pinot Grigio and chug

Shanghai Tunnel | 211 SW Ankeny, Portland, OR 97204 | (503) 220.4001

SAKE AND SPIRITS

The Portland suburbs are home to the only American operated saké (kura) brewery in the world, SakéOne. The leading producer of “Ginjo” or “premium” saké in the US, they bottle sake under different labels, like their Momokawa brand, which is the heart and soul of the company. It’s named in honor of Momokawa, Japan and offers four distinct sakés: Silver, Diamond, Ruby and Pearl. Their Moonstone line, launched in 1999, is a unique infusion of saké with flavors like Asian Pear, Raspberry, Coconut Lemongrass and Plum. Another special product is their G Saké; an undiluted, unadulterated style of saké that is best served at room temperature or slightly chilled. Get some of Portland’s best Saketini recipes from mixologist Lucy Brennan of Mint/820.

SakeOne | 820 Elm Street, Forest Grove, OR 97116 | (503) 357-7056

Portland has recently entered a craft distillation revolution. The heart of this movement lies in a neighborhood of small warehouses and light industrial buildings in Southeast Portland, which has become known as Distillery Row. Five different companies produce more than twenty unique liquors, everything from rums and whiskeys, vodkas and gins to more specialized spirits like absinthe, aquavit and flavored liqueurs.

One of the first of these distilleries, incorporating in 2004, is House Spirits Distillery. Makers of Krogstad Aquavit, Aviation Gin and a line of limited release spirits that vary by batch, the most recent, their 24th batch of limited release booze is their House Spirit White Dog Whiskey of which 600 bottles were released on January 29, 2011.

New Deal Distillery was also founded in 2004 and offers a full line of artisan vodkas, which are made locally in small batches with Bull Run water and natural and organic ingredients. Their flagship spirit, New Deal Vodka is touted as ”sipping vodka” and delivers subtle botanical hints and a smooth finish. Other vodkas include the Portland 88, the award-winning Hot Monkey Pepper-Flavored Vodka and and Basil Vodka.

Many of Portland’s local spirits come from Integrity Spirits, makers of Lovejoy Vodkas which feature flavors like Hazelnut (which is grown extensively in Oregon), 12 Bridges Gin and Trillium Absinthe Superieure. Deco Distilling started in 2008 and makes fine and flavored rums, like Ginger Rum and Silver Rum and Stone Barn. BrandyWorks produces craft distilled, regional fruit brandies and spirits as well as grappa, ouzo and an unoaked rye whiskey.