First look at ‘Bauman’s Cider on Oak’ Portland cidery and restaurant opening
Bauman’s Cider, an Oregon favorite of cider connoisseurs, is opening their new Portland tasting room, restaurant, and production facility - Bauman’s on Oak - this Saturday, April 6th, 2024. Much more than a new home for cider making or simply a place to taste their ciders, Bauman’s on Oak has brought in some real culinary talent in front of and behind the house.
Bauman’s Farm in Gervais, Oregon is an institution, operating a year-round farmers market style general store, garden nursery, with sprawling fields, farm animals, and the current cider production headed up by Christine Bauman Walter launched in 2016. The cidery has outgrown the rural location near Woodburn and Salem, and relocated the majority of their production of to Portland’s former Ecliptic Brewing Moon Room location at 930 SE Oak Street Portland, OR 97214. Small batch ciders like award-winning Mountain Rose Single Varietal and R & D are continuing at the farm where an upgrade to the facilities will take more than a year before major cider making will be back on-site, if all goes to plan the Bauman’s Cider had tons of room for growth at both locations.
Bauman’s Cider is introducing their first real taproom at Bauman’s on Oak (in Gervais there is a deli counter you can order cups of cider from), with 30 draft lines to showcase their own works and those ciders and beers they admire. Bauman’s makes a great variety of farmhouse, fruited, and semi-dry ciders that emphasize the apple varieties, yeast, fermentations, Bauman’s farm grown fruit, and new school and European cider styles, rather than sweeter flavored ciders of the mainstream that are less of an expression of the terroir and primary ingredients. The taplist will be filled with 12-15 Bauman’s flavors, supplemented by 5 guest ciders, 3-4 craft beers from friends and supporters like Wayfinder Beer and Gigantic Brewing, and 3 wines and a selection of 3-4 non-alcoholic options.
Bauman’s on Oak has done more than just redressing the former Ecliptic Moon Room, other than the basic layout and location of the main bar and the outdoor patio everything has changed. Starting with the color scheme, the taproom is now warm off-white and accented by the chlorophyll green of plant life, that also tastefully decorates the space from raised shelves near skylights.
With an open and elevated taproom with large bar and windows that capture sunsets to the west, Bauman’s on Oak opens to a lower gravel patio walled in by bamboo that will be familiar to those who visited Ecliptic Moon Room. The total taproom space including the outdoor area reaches 230 capacity making it a great environment for summer events.
Bauman’s on Oak will also have a top notch food program, ditching the food trucks that previously served in the space when it was Ecliptic Moon Room and Base Camp Brewing before that. The new Bauman’s Kitchen specializes in cider friendly and fresh dishes, appetizers, mains and even a dessert all from chef Daniel Green, previously of Cafe Olli, and sous chef Yakira Batres of Hiyu Wine Farm, with bar manager Chris Leimana, formerly of Canard, Langbaan, Ava Genes and Higgins. Bauman’s is shooting for an elevated cider and food experience unmatched in Portland that will also have Sunday guest chef pop-ups like wood-fired pizza on the patio.
Bauman’s Cider on Oak grand opening celebration is Friday, April 19th through Sunday, April 22nd. The Bauman’s team will be holding raffles for special prizes all weekend, along with tours, pie specials, and more surprises.
Bauman's on Oak Opening Menu Sample
Brined and Roasted Hazelnuts 5
Sourdough Bread w/Caramelized Onion Butter 7
Add Cured Trout Roe +7
Pickles, Spring Crudite, Dip 12
Cured Sardines, Radish, Herbs 14
Stracciatella, Olive, Radish, Seeded Cracker 13
Smoked Salmon, Créme Fraîche, Rye Bread 15
Crab Roll, Miso Mayonnaise, Potato Bread 16
Roasted Beets, Ricotta, Nettle Salsa, Dukkah 17
Asparagus, Potato, Raab, Green Garlic Hollandaise, Bacon 18
Brown Rice, Mushroom Confit, Mustard Greens 17
Braised Pork, Mayacoba Beans, Creamed Leeks 24
Chocolate Basque Cake 8
Buttermilk Panna Cotta, Rhubarb, Apple Syrup 8
Bauman’s on Oak is located at 930 SE Oak Street Portland, OR 97214 and soft opens Saturday and Sunday, April 6th and 7th from 2-8pm before feeling out what their regular ongoing hours will be ahead of their official grand opening celebration the weekend of April 19-21st.
