Oregonian Beer writer Andre Meunier

Since I started this blog in 2011, I never get tired of hearing the amazing stories of the smaller independent breweries that have employed creativity, skill at the craft, grit during economic challenges and wisdom when opportunity knocks to become successful businesses.

I felt a big sheepish that I hadn’t been to Little Beast Brewing (hereafter LB) until this July and based on my experience will definitely return.

My ten-member Beerchasing group loved it and the story is interesting and portends a bright future for co-founders and owners Charles Porter and Brenda Crow. (External photo attribution at the end of the post – #1 – #2)

When I was researching a new brewery to visit, the descriptions of LB beckoned – those on the site itself – and the favorable reviews of beer and food on print and social media as well as the interesting history – founded in 2017.

I was therefore delighted to discover an oasis of sorts – described perfectly by the Portland Mercury

“Its spacious outdoor area is simply one of the most gratuitously pleasant places in the city to sit and sip a beer.“

Oregonian beer writer Andre Meunier reported in a 2019 article entitled “Little Beast Goes Wild in Beervana“:

“The vibe is easy – regulars line the bar trying the latest intriguing tap offering, friends catch up at sun-drenched picnic tables, kids and dog dogs frolic while their people stretch out on the front lawn.”

Photo Jul 29 2024, 6 08 31 PM

The structures in which a number of taprooms are housed have fascinating histories. I have seen former auto shops, gas stations, laundromats, whore houses, groceries and taxidermy studios (Montana not Oregon….) which were converted into great brewpubs.

Little Beast is no exception and was:

“…previously a residence that would become home to a fortuneteller – Porter and Crow remade the cramped interior by ripping out booths and building a taproom featuring a walnut-topped bar and a new draft system.

The beer garden outside also features a covered back porch that’s heated and enclosed in winter.”

Photo Jul 29 2024, 3 58 13 PM

I could go on, but finally, one from 2021 by Dana Crozier in a Serious.eats.com article entitled: “The Best Breweries in Portland, Oregon” – Little Beast was one of only eleven chosen:

“If ‘Loveliest Brewery in Portland’ were an award category, Little Beast Brewing would win Gold. This spot has big charm and rich history: Brewmaster and cofounder Charles Porter is a craft-beer rock star, with over two decades of experience at spots like Deschutes Brewery and Full Sail Brewing; he was also the cofounder and head brewer of Logsdon Farmhouse Ales…”

And the space is intriguing with both the beer garden and the interior, having little alcoves and partitioned spaces that allow some privacy although most want to inhale the positive vibe from the energetic crowds that we witnessed.

Rumor has it that they will even provide a blanket for a picnic.

Complementary Backgrounds

While some would assert that husband-wife business partnerships are a terrible idea (based on a lot of evidence) it has worked well for Porter and Crow.

He has thirty years of brewing experience (after receiving his degree in biology) starting in Indiana and from there a resume in Oregon that few can match:

“His love for craft beer (and interest in fermentation science *) brought him to Bend, Oregon, where he brewed at Deschutes Brewery and later, at Full Sail Brewing Co.

He went on to found Logsdon Farmhouse Ales and was the architect of many of their celebrated beers.” (Little Beast website)

* “The name – Little Beast – is ‘an ode to the little critters that ferment beer,’ Porter says. ‘The yeast and bacteria’ in the brewery’s mixed-culture beers.” Meunier 6/20/19 (#3)

While Little Beast has won awards for its innovative beers, it also gets outstanding reviews for its food. This is where Brenda Crow’s culinary background made the food offerings at the Brewery a hit when it first started. She graduated from the University of Colorado.

“Brenda is a Portland native, culinary arts graduate and expert in the business of specialty food. Working alongside and promoting farmers, fishermen, and makers, she has passionately followed her belief that great food is the essence of a good life.“

Our Server

You can either order at the bar or through a scanned QR code at each table and your order will be delivered. We were greeted and served well by a great guy named Preston.

He’s worked at LB for three years and was extremely helpful and friendly. He is a great asset to the brewery. And the social media reviews often mention the helpful and friendly staff.

Preston captured the spirit

The Beer

Virtually every review, whether by a beer technocrat or a general reporter, emphasizes the variety of beer at LB and they are overwhelmingly positive. And my one regret is that our group, didn’t take the opportunity to sample a robust tap list.

These include not only their own beers, but some excellent guest taps such as DeGarde’s (Tillamook, OR) “The Nelson” (Dry-hopped Wild Ale) or Dwinell Country Ale’s (Goldendale, WA) “Guesswork” (Blended Spontaneous Ale with Peaches).

For example, take a look at these descriptions of Porter’s beers:

“He began Little Beast brewing classic Belgian and European style beers, including saisons and pilsners, and the taplist is rounded out by IPAs, hazies, sours and stouts — a wide array of beers to pair with your barbecue of choice.” Oregon Live 10/29/21

“Its mixed-culture-fermentation beers…, ales aged in oak and foeders (large wooden barrels), dark and dry hopped sours, …and hoppy saisons, and Belgian triples and quads embody a variety of flavors and moods—some are bright and crisp, some punchy and jammy, some brooding and earthy. All are complex and delicious.” (Seriouseaters.com 5/24/21) (#4)

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The Pinetop IPA was a hit

In retrospect, we should have gotten a few samplers or at least been more adventurous, but all but one of us had the Pinetop IPA (6.4 ABV) – “citrus, tropical, balanced” – a very good beer, but not very daring considering what was available.

Dave Bartz, our former Managing Partner and now Chair Emeritus at the Schwabe Williamson law firm, who was joined by his wife, Susan, had a dark sour and took home a bottle of cherry sour – one of LB’s “rare beers.”

Stay tuned for Part II where I let you know about the great food and also some information about my interesting Beerchasing companions. There’s a lot more to this story!