Alchemy Cider opens gothic new Portland taproom

Aug 26

Oregon’s cider market, already arguably the best in the nation, just got another boost with the opening of Alchemy Cider in southeast Portland. As first reported by the New School in April 2025, Alchemy is a game changing new small craft cidery with a gothic-metal bent that conjures up a darker aesthetic and approachable cider flavors with balance.

Alchemy Cider owner Kirk Evans previously worked in the beer world with Belgian imports and local craft beers before he turned to cider for his own personal health reasons. The Belgian and metal influence felt so heavily in the cultish U.S. craft beer market is apparent in Alchemy Cider’s brand, from the Trappist accented typography to the flat black backdrop and colorful gold and fruit accents that make the imagery distinct from most other cideries. Evans is a veteran designer and longtime fan of dark metal music and art, he isn’t just adopting the style but has been living it for years.

Currently there are only 3 cideries with Portland proper taprooms (Bauman’s Cider, La Familia Cider, and Schilling Cider) and a few more in the greater metro area supplemented by connoisseur driven bottleshops and taprooms. Alchemy Cider’s introduction into the Oregon market it notable not just as a new player with an instantly recognizeable brand, but also as a destination experience with an on-site taproom to deliver their authentic magical experience unlike any other.

Alchemy Cider soft opened to the public last weekend, and after a brief break to regroup will open for regular hours on Wednesday, August 27th. The taproom inside a boxy industrial warehouse on SE 8th and Ankeny just one block south of E. Burnside is behind the Jupiter Hotel and Doug Fir Lounge in the former location of Brewery 26. Alchemy hopes to make their taproom a hangout for not only worshippers of the almighty apple, but appeal to the late night district’s thirsty crowd who may be interested in something a bit different.

Though primarily a cidery production space, Evans has carved out drop down ceilings and a partial wall with moody illustrations and lighting fit for a seance. Drenched in black, gold, and emerald, there is a dark mystical vibe, with reupholstered antique church pews, gold sconces over each table, and wallpaper and wainscoting around the bar.

The Alchemy Cider taproom goes beyond their six flagship housemade ciders and offers 30 taps featuring small-batch local craft beers and wine, and guest ciders from producers they admire. Wine and cider based cocktails are already on tap, and Alchemy potentially will add a full liquor license in the future if the neighborhood desires it.

Alchemy’s flagship ciders are now available in illustrated 16oz cans. Their flavor profiles designed to appeal to non-cider drinkers and the devoted following alike with balanced and semi-dry flavors of simplicity and complexity: Eternal Apple, their flagship semi-dry tavern cider, Forbidden Fields with Oregon strawberries and yuzu zest, Blackberry Magic with blackberries and lemon verbena, and Leviathan Bite, featuring flavors of pineapple, passion fruit, and key lime. Coming down the pipeline you can expect more experimental ciders with botanicals and barrel-aging.