The only thing littering the pristine landscape of Hood River, OR, is exceptional craft breweries, and we’re certainly not complaining.

Known as the home of craft giant Full Sail Brewing, the beautiful locale also boasts some noteworthy smaller operations. We had the chance to visit four of these breweries Good Great Friday on our recent Easter weekend trip to Oregon, and are excited to share some of the highlights from our adventure.

Located just over an hour outside Portland, this beer mecca is certainly worth a day trip on your next visit to the City of Roses.

Here’s why:

Logsdon Farmhouse Ales

With both World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival medals under his belt since Full Sail/ Wyeast founder David Logsdon opened the doors to his brewery in 2011, we were very surprised to take the breathtakingly gorgeous drive up to Logsdon Farmhouse Ales through cherry and pear orchards and discover that we were the only group visiting the tasting room.

The picturesque brewery is situated in a classic red farmhouse set behind a pasture of horses. On a clear day, like the day we visited, you’re able to see a beautiful view of Mount Hood through the small tasting room’s windows.

Judith (Logsdon’s wife) took us through a tasting of all the beers they had available in the taproom for the bargain price of five dollars. She gave us all the background on the brewery, their family, their label art, and the farm. Then she happily took us on a tour of the brewhouse and introduced us to some of the other members of the co-op including the brewer, Chuck. We were shocked to see that a brewery with such great shelf presence at all of the bottle shops we visited in Portland and Seattle was actually such a small operation (obviously farmhouse breweries are typically small, but Logsdon’s has less tank space than most of the brewpubs in Austin).

Visitors are able to leave Logsdon with bottles of their renowned beers like Seizoen Bretta, Kili Wit and Cerasus, and, if you’re lucky, maybe a Peche n’ Brett. Taproom hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

 

Solera Brewery

Located just outside of Hood River in the even quainter town of Mt. Hood, Solera Brewery looks like a pretty unassuming bar/brewpub located on the main drag of the tiny town. But, take one step out into the brewpub’s back beer garden and you’ll be greeted with one of the most breathtaking views of Mount Hood around. Solera’s beers range from a west coast IPA dubbed “Hedonist” to some pretty puckering sours like “1/2 Naked” and “Long Division,” and they’re served alongside simple yet elevated pub grub like a wild rice burger topped with chipotle aioli and a turkey and brie panini. In addition to Solera’s solid house brews, they offer two guest taps and a small but high quality bottle selection including beers from The Commons and Logsdon. Solera is open from 4 to 9pm during the week and noon to 9pm on the weekend. They are closed on Wednesdays.

 

Pfriem Family Brewers

Situated just across the street from the Hood River Waterfront Park, Pfriem serves up belgian and pacific northwest style beers in a very hip setting. All reclaimed wood and chunky metals, it’s an eye-catching new space.We each ordered a tasty flight of Pfriem beers, and shared a delicious meet and cheese board  that was accented with pickled fennel and mustard and fig compotes. As the name suggests, Pfriem is a family friendly establishment. But, don’t expect a jungle gym or ball pit here. Instead, a tasteful, understated kids activity wall sits in the brewery’s corner, and luckily the Hood River Waterfront Park playground is just a few yards away for pre and post-beer play time. Pfriem is open from 11:30am to 9pm daily.

Double Mountain Brewing

Located in downtown Hood River, Double Mountain Brewing has a kind of modern brewpub meets mountain lodge feel. Decorated with heavy woods, eye-catching art and Breweriana, the brewpub boasts multiple bars and seating areas, and certainly attracted a pretty robust Friday night crowd on our visit. We enjoyed some draft offerings like the Rusty Zipper Biere de Garde, as well as a sinful vintage bottle of Devil’s Kriek from the cooler. In addition to beer, Double Mountain serves up pizzas and salads, and even offered a house made heirloom cider dubbed “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” on our visit. Double Mountain opens every day at 11:30 am. 

 -Caroline

-Photos by Shaun & Caroline