Well, with COVID and other constraints, my Beerchasing efforts have been curtailed for many months – I’ve covered other issues in the blog. But two weeks ago, we took a small step to get back on the trail with our first inside visit since 2020 – a lunchtime trip to the Breakside Brewery’s Taproom in Lake Oswego – a suburb of Portland, Oregon – the newest of five locations of Breakside Brewery’s offerings.

“Breakside Brewery opened in 2010 in Northeast Portland as a restaurant and pub brewery and has grown to be a highly regarded regional brewery producing 30,000 barrels annually. The brewery is known for its broad portfolio of award-winning, innovative beers.  In 2019, Breakside became one of only a handful of employee-owned breweries in the country.

In addition to winning many national, international, and regional awards for its beers, Breakside was named Brewery of the Year in 2017 and 2019 at the Oregon Beer Awards and the 2018 Best of Craft Beer Awards.”  (Breakside Website)

The taproom is in the midst of a renewed downtown Lake Oswego that is thriving with new businesses, restaurants and living accommodations.   It’s not fancy, but has room for fifty people at the expansive bar and a few tables inside in addition to a nice outdoor drink rail on the street.

The décor is dark wood with attractive art and posters – a very nice ambiance.  There’s plenty of drink options with 16 beer taps, plus wine, cider and cocktails. The menu is very limited – as one might expect with just a few appetizers, salads and sandwiches.

Andrew, the bartender and cook was an affable guy and made a great sandwich. 

We had the “Up in the Club” – “roasted turkey, smoked sweetheart ham, hickory smoked bacon, white cheddar & pepper jack cheese, pickled onions, mixed greens, dijonaise, on toasted ciabatta, served with kettle chips.”

It was outstanding although at $16, demonstrates the impact of inflation on restaurant prices.

Oregonians can be proud of Breakside’s contribution to the Oregon economy, and craft beer scene.  It has enlightened management and a progressive mission.  As reported by Oregon Live’s excellent editor and beer writer, Andre Meunier, in an April 7th article:

“Perennial awards powerhouse Breakside Brewery dominated the 2022 Oregon Beer Awards on Wednesday night, taking home 11 medals and the title of Large Brewery of the Year. 

More than 1,200 beers were submitted by 123 entrants for the competition that determines the best of Oregon beer in 2021. The competition was judged by 72 beer-industry professionals, who tasted without knowing the brewery or beer name of each sample.”

Willamette Week reinforces the positive vibe by the following description in a 2017 article:

“Breakside is the rare brewery that will please all palates, from casual patio sippers to obsessive beer geeks. That’s born of brewmaster Ben Edmunds’ nonstop experimentation: Every year since 2013, Breakside has brewed 100 different beers.

Want an easy-drinking, perfectly crisp Pilsner? “Liquid Sunshine” is just the vitamin D replacement you need. You could also get a delightful punch in the mouth with the Passionfruit Sour Ale, or just call it a night with the chocolate- and chile-infused, bourbon-barrel-aged Aztec weighing in at 12 percent ABV.”

Check out the Lake Oswego Taproom or one of Breakside’s other locations.   You will enjoy the experience and the beer.

Cheers!