Between the independent coffee shops, craft breweries, micro-distilleries, and sophisticated cocktail bars, a fine beverage is never far from reach in Portland. Here's my list.
Jim Kelso, head of Stumptown Quality Control Department, sniffing coffee at a cupping.
Photo by Benji Wagner
coffee it up
Portland's king of coffee is Stumptown Coffee Roasters, with five locations, including the Annex, where you can "cup" (taste, in coffee lingo) for free from noon to 2:00 p.m. stumptowncoffee.com
Jeffrey Morgenthaler's Negroni at Clyde Common
Photo by David Lanthan Reamer
mix a lot
Clyde Common's trend-setting bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler serves barrel-aged cocktails, including improved versions of the Negroni and El Presidente. 1014 SW Stark Street; 503-228- 3333; clydecommon.com
The alambic and column stills at House Spirits Distillery
Photo by Jeffrey Thomas
get spiritual
At House Spirits Distillery's Tasting Room, you can sample the company's burgeoning selection of whiskeys as well as Krogstad Aquavit and its flagship Aviation Gin. 2025 SE Seventh Avenue; 503-235-3174; housespirits.com
you win som
According to Andy Ricker, chef and owner of Pok Pok and Whiskey Soda Lounge, drinking vinegars are big in Japan. And now that he's started serving Som, his tart but weirdly refreshing mixers, in cocktails or topped with seltzer, they're getting big in Portland, too. pokpoksom.com
Photo by David Lantham Reamer
Photo by Polara Studio
tea time
At Steven Smith Teamaker on the outer edge of the Pearl District, you can sample one-of-a-kind stuff like tea aged in whiskey barrels and bottled teas that use local Oregon fruits. smithtea.com