Six New Oregon Brewery Taproom Openings You Should Know
The Oregon craft beer industry continues to grow, despite recent closures and sale signs there are expansions and new locations opening all the time that go mostly ignored by the mainstream media and negative social media reactions. The past few weeks have seen a series of notable openings from breweries from Eugene to the Oregon Coast and in Portland and the Willamette Valley. These are six new openings that you should know.
Riverfront views, beer garden, and live music on the Columbia River Gorge
When people talk abo beer ut the booming craft beer scene in the Hood River, Oregon area they often forget about the next big town over - The Dalles. FreeBridge Brewing has been a gorge staple since 2016 when they opened in the historic 1864 built U.S. Treasury MINT building. Known for their pizza and quaffable beer styles, Freebridge has recently been making moves. In August, Freebridge Brewing opened a new waterfront taproom at the former Tierra de Lobos winery building on the banks of the Columbia River in the Lone Pine development. With a big grassy long and beautiful gorge views, the new riverfront taproom has become a place for families, live music, and the outdoors with a great view of river boats with shady picnic tables, cornhole and river breeze. The taproom has 8 dedicated Freebridge Brewing taps pouring IPAs, Lagers, Pilsners, and other seasonal releases, plus a small liquor selection and cocktails. They have a small kitchen for scratch made personal pizza and sandwiches menu, and have a small liquor selection as well. Open Wednesday-Friday from 3-8pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12-8pm. 201 Osprey Lane W, The Dalles, OR 97058
American Lagers in the spotlight at new Oregon City taproom
The formerly nano-size Yovu Brewing from former chef and yeast lab technician Nate Yovu expanded from his N. Portland home to acquire Oregon City’s Coin Toss Brewing production space in 2024. For the first time since the beer brand launched in 2022 Yovu Brewing has just opened an on-site taproom from which to enjoy their American Lager focused beers. Usually the kind of beers Yovu specializes in are industrial lagers brewed on a mass scale, often with rice or corn to lighten the body. It is not the kind of beer that if often specializes in by small breweries of this scale, but it is the styles that Yovu is most passionate about. Not only delivery on full flavored lager, Yovu embraces the casual old school with frosty pints at the new taproom which is open Wednesday-Friday from 4-9pm, Saturday from 12-9, and Sunday from 12-8pm at 14214 Fir St. Ste H Oregon City
A new downtown Newberg, Oregon taproom doubles as a music venue and part-time BBQ joint.
Former food & drinks journalist Christian DeBenedetti opened Wolves & People as a true farmhouse brewery on his family’s hazelnut farm in Newberg in 2016. The rustic brewery and on-site taproom from a barn and beer garden has been a rural destination location that was easily found just up the road from Pacific Highway West. However, the recent closure of Benjamin road as a turnoff, and issues with the neighbors and access to the farm got DeBenedetti looking for a new taproom with new possibilities. In July, Wolves & People opened the new bar and music hall in the east end of downtown Newberg, near Lyrics Cafe, Steve’s Auto, Stoller Wine bar, and Bronco Kelly’s, etc. The new location is built out of a refurbished 1940s auto shop and has already become a popular rustic venue for folk, bluegrass, Americana, and jazz music with a full schedule of ticketed shows listed. The new W&P bar also has a full bar and cocktails and food from Briar Ridge Barbecue which currently pops-up during regular hours 4-10pm Thursday-Sunday pending a full kitchen build-out and future expanded days/hours. 107 N Meridian St Newberg, OR 97132
A new Latino taproom and micro food hall
Latino-oriented Cerveceria Norte launched as a collaborative project between brewer Nick Velasquez and Zoiglhaus Brewery in 2022 but has only released beer on draft and in cans with no physical space to enjoy their beers until now. As first reported by New School Beer in May, Norte Brewing has finally opened a taproom and their own micro food hall in a brand new mixed-use development in Wilsonville about ___ south of Portland. Norte is joined in the space by Nino’s Birrieria which has established food trucks, but this is their first brick-and-mortar. Nino’s opens early at 9amThursday-Sunday for brunch with Chilaquiles, Banana French toast, micheladas, and mimosas. Also sharing the food hall area is Pono Lei’s Hawaiian food, and Hamara Indian kitchen. The Norte Taproom and food pods are on the ground level of the 121-unit development Vuela conveniently located next to the Wilsonville transit center. They are open from 12-9pm every day at 9749 SW Barbur St., Wilsonville OR
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for new Neighborhood Pub in Yachats
Friday, September 25th is the official grand opening celebration for Pelican Brewing’s sixth location, the latest in their expansion plans that could see 10+ locations in the next few years. Conveniently located along U.S. Highway 101, Pelican’s newest neighborhood pub brings the brewery’s award-winning craft beer, food, and coastal hospitality to Yachats while honoring the history and character of the longtime local gathering spot previously known as The Whale’s Tale diner. The new restaurant opening comes as Pelican celebrates its 30th year of business. Founded in Pacific City in 1996, the Yachats location marks a new “neighborhood pub” concept – a smaller footprint and a bit more casual dining experience, designed for an easy, relaxed visit. Open from 11am–9pm, daily at 580 US-101, Yachats, OR 97498.
U of O Football themed brewery taproom opens at the Eugene 5th Street Market
Hop Valley Brewing is back with a new taproom that leans all the way into their home turf sports ball team the Oregon Ducks. After being acquired by Tilray in 2024 Hop Valley closed their production brewery and taproom in Eugene, but have found a new location at the 5th Street Market alley for a small space decked in televisions and UofO Ducks colors of yellow and Oregon Green. Inside there is sit down and bar seating, and 12 taps to choose from and a full bar with liquor plus a cooler with beer to-go, an additional 10 taps face directly into the alley where there is courtyard covered seating. And yes there is a full food menu of paninis, salads, sides, and shareables. Open daily from 12-9PM at 550 Pearl St Ste 150, Eugene, OR 97401