During last
years’ annual Zwickelmania event, we often had to wait in lines to enter
breweries for the free tours and samples. In some cases (Widmer and Cascade),
we simply glanced at the crowds and just kept on driving.
For this
year’s event, we decided to visit some of the less-popular places, ones that
are not so much on the Portland beer geek radar.
Our first
stop of the day was at Occidental Brewing Co. This brewery, which opened in
2011, is one of the few places in Oregon that focuses on traditional German
styles. They have a fairly bare-bones tap room next to Cathedral Park, under
St. Johns Bridge, an area of Portland that is not overrun with breweries or
beer bars.
Eight beers
were on tap, including their five regulars (Hefeweizen, Kölsch, Altbier,
Dunkel, and Pilsner) and three seasonals.
Occidental
Kölsch (4.5%) 3.4 out of 5.0
Fresh and
light pale malt nose, tiny grassiness, and gentle hops. Clean medium straw
color. Sweet malty initial, mid palate flavor changes with light hopping,
finishes soft and fruity. Thin body, light carbonation. Smooth, fresh, and
clean. According to the bartender, this is Occidental’s flagship brew.
Occidental
Bohemian Pilsner (5.8%) 3.6
Pleasant and
lightly grassy nose. Clear medium straw color, creamy white head, and good
lace. Grass, grain / mid palate moves to light sweet pale malt / thin hop
tracks in finish. Thin body. Clear and clean across the palate. Europeans might
describe it as an American-style pils. Pretty good.
Occidental Alt (5.3%) 3.7
Good mild,
sweet malt aroma, with some spiciness and slight floral notes. Clear dark amber
color, really pretty. Bright sweet cereal initial / smooth rich malt mid
palate, reminiscent of Bass Pale Ale / light bitterness and then a balanced
finish. Thin body. A pleasant alt, just a touch hoppier than a German alt.
6635 N
Baltimore Ave
Portland,
Oregon United States 97203
503 719 7102
Hours:
Wed-Thu: 4-8pm
Fri: 3-8pm
Sat: 12-8pm
Sun: 12-6pm
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