La petite bière in Oregon — La petite bière

Reflections on My Trip to Oregon
After spending my weekend at the indie music festival Pickathon, I headed to Portland! I loved the places I visited. On the first evening, we took a walk in the Pearl District and stopped by @10barrelpdx for drinks and food (I’ll tell you more about it below). Portland’s Pearl District is a vibrant and sophisticated neighborhood where modern urbanism meets industrial heritage. Once a warehouse district, it’s now an artistic hub and a must-visit culinary destination.

It was the perfect place to soak up Portland’s urban vibe: breweries, restaurants, shops, art galleries, and especially Powell’s City of Books, an incredible bookstore spanning several floors—a true paradise for book lovers and one of the largest bookstores in the world! All of this just steps away from Forest Park and its hiking trails! This forest is one of the largest urban forests in the United States. I love the perfect balance between city life and nature.

10 Barrel Brewing

@10barrelpdx in @travelportland , @traveloregon is a vibrant spot that combines the craft of brewing with a welcoming atmosphere. Located in the heart of the Pearl District, this microbrewery is known for its wide selection of craft beers brewed on-site, ranging from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts. The restaurant also offers a creative menu of comforting pub fare, such as wood-fired pizzas and gourmet burgers. With its rooftop providing stunning views of the city, 10 Barrel is the perfect place to unwind, enjoy a fresh beer, and soak in the Portland vibe.

I recommend trying one of their completely decadent wood-fired pizzas and sharing a tasting flight, as they have many types of beer on the menu, and the flight includes 10 samples, so it can be a lot for one person.

REEL of my visit the the brewery here.

10 Barrel Brewing. Photo: Carl Theriault

The view from the terrace at 10 Barrel Brewing. Photo: Carl Theriault

Pink Rabbit

Another spot I visited during the first part of my stay in Portland was @Pink Rabbit, a lively and trendy cocktail bar located in the Pearl District.

"Travel Kit" cocktail, made from Mezcal. Photo: Émilie Leclerc

@pinkrabbitbar is a lively and trendy cocktail bar located in Portland's Pearl District. With its bold atmosphere, vibrant bright-pink bathrooms, and a Gen Z touch, this spot is a local favorite, perfect for those seeking a fashionable Portland club experience.

🍹I absolutely loved the drinks!🍹

I tried the "Travel Kit," a mezcal-based cocktail, the slushy "Bunny Club," and I finished with a classic: the Paloma. For those who want something different, they also have a small but very cool selection of beers, seltzers, and wine.

In addition to the inventive cocktails, the food is delicious. I fell in love with the NACHOS ТОВІКО AHI: wontons, spicy aioli, green onions, sesame, and pickled edamame.

In my opinion, @Pink Rabbit is a must-visit spot for a memorable night out in the neighborhood.

CANNON BEACH

The next day, we were craving nature and the ocean, and we had seen Cannon Beach online. Named after a naval cannon that washed up after a shipwreck in the 1840’s, Cannon Beach, Oregon has a ton of character. Haystack Rock is a massive towering rock formation off the coast, with adjacent stone “needles”, vibrant tidepools, and flocks of seabirds adorning the landmark.

Nearby Ecola State Park is perched dramatically on the edge of a headland and offers panoramic coastal views, easy walking paths to scenic picnic areas, and extensive hiking trails. Known as one of the Northwest’s top art towns, Cannon Beach is replete with art galleries, specialty shops, cafes, and fine dining restaurants. They even organise a sand castle contest every year. (I’m melting) Many of you even recognized this famous beach from a cult movie from our childhood in my recent Reel on Instgram...😉

PUBLIC COAST BREWING

Oregon, with its more than 400 breweries, is a true paradise for beer lovers like me. Among these gems is @publiccoastbrewing, founded by Ryan Snyder and named in homage to Oregon's public coast, a 363-mile shoreline open to everyone.

It’s a 15-minute walk from Haystack Rock, a great place to enjoy a beer and some good food. You can eat and drink outside or inside. They have a wide variety of different beer styles. Many of the ingredients in their beers come from their farm (@publiccoastfarm!) and are organic."

Public Coast Brewing is brewing many types of beer on site. Photo: Émilie Leclerc

And the food! 🤤

I had a juicy grass-fed beef burger, a handmade pretzel with sea salt, served with blonde ale mustard and red ale cheese sauce. For dessert: an ice cream sandwich with two homemade cookies and ice cream from a local, family-owned, B-Corp certified farm.

Truly an amazing place!

My favorite. A Shandy brewed with blueberry from their farm. Photo: Émilie Leclerc

MCMINNVILLE

After the coast, it was time for the land! We headed to McMinnville, about an hour from Portland. It’s a small town known for its agricultural culture, primarily its wine production 🍇🍷, which was established in 1856, where you can taste some of the best Pinot Noirs in the world.

You’ll find plenty of farm-to-table restaurants, shops, wine tastings, and the locals are incredibly warm. I stopped by @heaterallenbeer, where I met Lisa Allen, the owner of the brewery, which specializes in German and Czech-style lagers. The brewery was initially founded by her father in 2007, and Lisa gradually took over in 2009, along with her husband, Kevin.

Heater Allen Brewery. Photo: Émilie Leclerc

Heater Allen has another brand at their brewery called Gold Dot, which brews styles different from those of Heater Allen, such as IPAs. In fact, it was Lisa's husband who created the first Cold IPA recipe. Their tasting room is open from Thursday to Monday, and they have a food truck on site.

A beer from the series "Gold Dot". Photo: Carl Theriault

A must-stop if you’re heading to McMinnville, not only for their lager but also to taste the original Cold IPA!

Lisa Allen, the owner, holding a lager beer. Photo: Carl Theriault

MCMENAMINS: HOTEL OREGON

After the tasting, I headed to the Hotel Oregon (AKA the McMenamins Hotel). Built in 1905, the hotel offers 38 charming, vintage-style rooms.

Extraordinary Manager Eric. Photo: Émilie Leclerc

The ground floor features a traditional pub and the Paragon Lounge 🍸, as well as a rooftop bar with a view of the mountains and the Cellar Bar in the basement, inspired by Prohibition-era speakeasies.

McMenamins, founded by brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin in 1983 with the Barley Mill Pub in Portland, Oregon, embodies a whimsical, community-focused pub culture. Their philosophy prioritizes simplicity, aiming to create welcoming spaces for everyone in the neighborhood, from cozy rustic settings to small bars in historic locations. The brothers believe that the essence of a good pub lies in its people and the sense of community it fosters. The Oregon brewpub revolution began in 1985, allowing breweries to sell their beer on site, which led McMenamins to celebrate its first brew at the Hillsdale Brewery & Public House. Since then, they have expanded their offerings to include movie theaters, wineries, and cozy bars, all while maintaining the spirit of a casual pub atmosphere. Despite their growth, they remain grounded in the idea that at its core, "it's just a pub. This hotel greatly contributed to my crush on the city of @visitmcminnville.

Because unlike other small towns where everything shuts down by 8 PM, McMinnville has a vibrant nightlife. 💃🏻🕺 We started our evening at the Rooftop Bar 🍸 at Hotel Oregon (@mcmenamins). We sipped one of their house brews while enjoying a view of the mountains... and an incredible sunset!

Roof top terrace, Hotel Oregon. Photo: Carl Theriault

As night fell, we went for a walk. The entire downtown has a Sci-Fi vibe because of a famous incident in 1950 involving two citizens and a UFO, and the town is known for this event.

We then stopped at Joysticks Arcade & Eatery, a bar-restaurant-arcade where you can play classic retro arcade games while enjoying good local beer and food. It was the perfect evening activity, and we had a great time!

Joysticks Arcade & Eatery. Photo: Carl Theriault

Joysticks Arcade & Eatery. Photo: Émilie Leclerc

MACK THEATER

After the arcade, we ended the evening by strolling in front of the Hotel Oregon, which is across from the MACK Theater. The building, constructed in 1886, was originally Cook's Hotel, offering 28 rooms, a billiard hall, and a large dining room where meals cost between 25 and 50 cents. Renamed "The Commercial House" in 1890, the cost of staying varied from $1 to $2 per day (about $27 to $53 today). This three-story Italian building later housed the Mack Theater, named after its original owners, the Mattecheck family. Part of the original building was converted to incorporate this theater in 1946. The theater is still a creative hub in the region today.

If you have the chance to stop by McMinnville, Oregon, I highly recommend it. It feels like a movie set, with great beer!

RE-PORTLAND

After the countryside, it was time to head back to the city before the big departure. I wanted to explore the brewing scene a bit and also try some ciders, as I know Oregon produces a lot of them. I had time for two quick visits, so I set my sights on SteepleJack Brewing and Bauman's on Oak Cider.

Steeplejack Brewery. Photo: Émilie Leclerc

STEEPLEJACK BREWING

@steeplejackbeer is located in a former church built in the early 1900s. It has now been tastefully restored and adapted to function as a brewery.

In addition to the beer brewed on-site, the brewery offers a nice selection of cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, gluten-free options, wine, and a food menu for all diets. I also got to spend some time with the master brewer, Anna Buxton (@gingersnappvanillachai), and I really had a great time with her!

Anna Buxton, master brewer at Steeplejack Brewing. Photo: Carl Theriault

Anna is particularly passionate about barrel-aged beers, Belgian styles, and traditional pub brews. In addition to brewing, Anna loves craft spirits, punk/metal music, and spending time with her dog, Mr. Feeny.
Thank you for having me, @steeplejackbeer!

BAUMAN’S ON OAK – CIDER TASTING ROOM & RESTAURANT

Founded 8 years ago, the cider house and beer bar@baumansonoakquickly became a staple in the region. They’ve won over 150 medals, including a perfect score for their cider "Endless Harvest." I tasted it, and it's indeed perfect! I'd love for anyone who says they don't like cider to try it, haha!

The place is stunning, known for simple yet elegant ciders and dedication to craftsmanship. Christine, the owner and head cider maker, has made the farm’s products shine for five generations now. It all started in 1895 with her great-great-grandmother Elizabeth and her sons Stephen and Leo.

In the early 1900s, Stephen began making cider for family and friends to enjoy. Christine started making cider in 2016, and in perfecting the modern version of Great-Grandpa Stephen's cider, Bauman's Cider was born.

This blend of modern techniques and time-tested traditions results in a cider they believe Stephen & Clyde would be proud of.

"Oregon and the farm are in my blood, and I want to help both grow and prosper." - Christine Walter”

Founder / Head Cidermaker / 5th Generation Farmer

@ciderchristine (owner-cidermaker)

We then headed to the airport and took our flight to San Francisco before heading to Montreal.

This concludes my (too short) stay in the beautiful state of Oregon! Another check on my bucket list! I already want to go back; there’s so much more to explore and visit and so many breweries to try! This trip has truly been a highlight for me. I love California, which I have the chance to visit often since my sister lives there now, but I can definitely say that Oregon is one of my top destinations on the West Coast! The perfect mix of serenity, open-mindedness, nature, and great places to go. Thank you to @traveloregon and @travelportland for thinking of me for this dream trip!