Blind Ox Taphouse opening in former Alameda Brewhouse with Boozy Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream

Alameda Brewhouse and upcoming Blind Ox Taphouse

Alameda Brewing has sat vacant on northeast Fremont in Portland's Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood since 2018 when they officially shut down. This September the Blind Ox Taphouse will attempt to fill the void that Alameda left behind with a curated rotating taplist, and boozy spirit infused ice creams.

Blind Ox Taphouse is a new project from Genevieve and Eric West of Mix 'N' Match Creamery and business partner Maxwell McInroy. Mix 'N' Match statedly brought made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream to Portland, and will now make it alcoholic for the Blind Ox.

“You get to choose from any number of flavors and mix ins,” says Mix ‘n’ Match Creamery founder Eric West, “You blast it with liquid nitrogen, and that instantly freezes it, creating a rich, smooth, creamy ice cream that’s totally customizable! It’s really visual, it gives a great opportunity to display a little science in a way that people can really connect with. A really tangible way to experience science.”

The taphouse will feature a rotating tap list of 20 craft beers, growler and crowler fills, plus specialty bottles and cans, and cider and wine from local makers. A full liquor menu will feature boozy artisan desserts and classic cocktails made using spirits from local distilleries. There are currently no plans to use the old 5 bbl Alameda brewhouse but it is still available for lease to a separate business interested in operating within Blind Ox.

Blind Ox Taphouse

Blind Ox Taphouse will boast a curated rotating tap list of 20 craft beers to enjoy on site, or to take some home in a growler or crowler. Select specialty bottles and cans, as well as ciders and wines from local wine makers, will also be available. Boozy artisan desserts and classic cocktails will be crafted using spirits from local distilleries. 

“We want to be part of the neighborhood,” Says Genevieve West, “So If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just let us know and we’ll contact you when your favorite boozy beverage arrives! I want to carry products that I know our people will love.” 

Blind Ox Taphouse comes to you from the folks who brought made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream to Portland with Mix ‘n’ Match Creamery, and will now be offering Alcohol-Infused Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream inside their new business venture. 

Blind Ox will have a short food menu made up mostly of items from local artisans. The kitchen area is available in a separate lease arrangement similar to the on-site brewhouse, the West's hope to see small pop-ups from local chefs and restaurants and eventually take over the lease to become a fully operational restaurant. Not having a full kitchen with hot items to start with will mean Blind Ox opens without hard liquor but still have ice cream, beer, cider and wines.

Eventually the taphouse would like to host regular live music and have an adults-only evening bar crowd with a busy schedule of jazz, swing and blues musicians coming through.

“I really want to be a venue that musicians love to play at,” Says West, “It’s been a tough few months for artists, and I hope to be a place of support for the community. I’m also a swing dancer, so once COVID is over and we can start dancing again, I want Blind Ox to be the place where folks know there will always be live music to lindy hop to, while enjoying great beer.”

West’s vision extends to visual art displays where the community can come to see regular art openings and works displayed.

Blind Ox Taphouse will start serving non-alcoholic liquid nitrogen ice cream in mid-September at 4765 NE Fremont St., Portland, OR 97213, next to Pip’s Original Doughnuts. Tentative hours will be 3-7pm, seven days a week. Extended hours and a Grand Opening event will be scheduled once the OLCC permit comes through.