Best Pacific Northwest Craft Brewery?
Submitted by Dan on June 11, 2009 – 9:35 am 117 Comments
In the spirit of loving great beer, we are asking you, the readers, who is the Best Pacific Northwest Craft Brewery? For the sake of fun, we have added Alaska and Hawaii to Pacific Northwest States Oregon and Washington.
To vote, simply select one of the nominated breweries, or write one in using the comment feature below. So have fun, express your love for some great beer, educate your neighbor and fellow TFP reader, and don’t take this as serious as a heart attack!
Voting ends July 11, 2009 8PM PDT.
Best Pacific Northwest Craft Brewery?
- Ninkasi Brewing (11%, 646 Votes)
- Maui Brewing (7%, 403 Votes)
- Deschutes Brewing (7%, 394 Votes)
- Rogue Ales (6%, 328 Votes)
- Alaskan Brewing (5%, 317 Votes)
- Full Sail Brewing (4%, 250 Votes)
- Midnight Sun Brewing (4%, 209 Votes)
- Hair of the Dog (3%, 175 Votes)
- The Oregon Trail Brewery (3%, 151 Votes)
- Laurelwood (3%, 145 Votes)
- Hopworks (2%, 142 Votes)
- Kona Brewing (2%, 136 Votes)
- Widmer Brewing (2%, 134 Votes)
- Boundary Bay (2%, 132 Votes)
- 10 Barrel Brewing (2%, 130 Votes)
- BridgePort Brewing (2%, 129 Votes)
- Elysian Brewing (2%, 127 Votes)
- Bend Brewing (2%, 123 Votes)
- Pike Brewing (2%, 121 Votes)
- Caldera Brewing (2%, 120 Votes)
- Big Time Brewery (2%, 119 Votes)
- Pyramid Brewing (2%, 118 Votes)
- Roots Organic (2%, 118 Votes)
- Mehana Brewing (2%, 115 Votes)
- Cascade Lakes Brewing (2%, 114 Votes)
- Fish Brewing (2%, 114 Votes)
- Hales Brewing (2%, 114 Votes)
- Beer Valley Brewing (2%, 113 Votes)
- Baron Brewing (2%, 112 Votes)
- Homer Brewing (2%, 112 Votes)
- Steelhead Brewing (2%, 112 Votes)
- Lazy Boy Brewing (2%, 112 Votes)
- Winthrop Brewing (3%, 111 Votes)
Total Voters: 5,796
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- Ninkasi Brewing – Voted Best Pacific Northwest Craft Brewery!
i like the midnight sun beers too. artic devil has one a ton of awards for barley wine. paulie
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
Midnight sun has awesome brew! Great flavor
Why no Calapooia Brewing?
This contest is a not accurate if you are not going to salute every amazing brewery in the NW. Look at these comments for one’s you are missing already.
I think an open tasting of all NW brews is needed here. Pick a summer weekend and a place with a lot of rooms. I’ll be there.
NINKASI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HOODY HOO!!!!!!!!!!!
NINKASI!!! By far the BEST Northwest IPA!!!
TOTAL DOMINATION
Would have voted if Walking Man were on the list.
Traditional open fermented country ales, nothing weak about that. I think these other
more places need to grow a pair and brew real beer. Homer gets my top vote hands down.
No New Old Lompoc? This whole poll is null and void without it. A crime!
Why isn’t Maritime Pacific listed? Or Iron Horse? Silver City? Who’s ass do these fine breweries have to kiss to get on the list?
You should be kissing theirs.
Didn’t see it on there, but the best beer I’ve ever tasted is Mac & Jacks out of western Washington. By far the best beer I’ve ever had. If you’re ever in the area, ask for a Mac & Jacks, and it’s only served on tap at bars and restaurants. Ellensburg Brewery also makes a damn good amber and stout.
Midnight Sun of Anchorage is my favorite- i love the sockeye red ipa
Midnight Sun Brewing gets my note for best Pacific Northwest Craft Brewery.
I highly reccommend everyone out there who can find it try ANY beer from Midnight Sun Brewing Co. They have no bad beers, they have won more awards then you can count, the owners are great people and the new facility is top notch!!!
Great Beers! Great People!
NO WALKING MAN??? Also a few others, like Terminal Gravity, are missing.
Walking Man would win this hands-down, but having said that, I voted for Midnight Sun over Roots, the only two breweries deserving on this list. Not that the other breweries aren’t good to great (Homer is pretty weak, though hopefully they’ll improve), but Midnight Sun, Roots and Walking Man are without a doubt the best north of Sonoma County.
alaskan brewing co.
Uh, Hawaii has no place on this list. I can drive to about 2 dozen craft breweries in a day, not so with Hawaii.
NINKASSSIIIIIIIII!!!!! Ninkasi. Then Rogue.
Ninkasi, Ninkasi, Ninkasi.
I love Tricerahops so much.
Ninkasi gets my vote, but Oakshire makes some great beer down here in Eugene. And as an Oregonian, I feel the need to say McDonaldmin’s sucks.
I am all in for Fearless Brewing in Estacada. The Scottish Ale is perhaps the best ale I have had the pleasure of devouring. Brewed with the heavenly waters of the Clackamas River and a heap of love. Full Sail is my second, but come on…”Release Your Inner Viking”!!!
Are you kidding? PNW not So Cal!!
Boundary Bay has some tasty ales (and I have fond college memories of beer and pretzels at the brewery in Bellingham) but then I saw that Maui Brewing Company is on the list. Although I can’t get their beer in Seattle (Why not?! There’s a huge Hawaii crowd in Seattle), I’m still craving the Coconut Porter. I haven’t found any other truly northwest beer that can compete.
I would like to add Firehouse Brewing Co.
In San Diego, CA
RE: Dave’s recommendation of the Alaska White Ale; it rocks! One of the best yet out of Juneau. Always glad to see enlightened places Outside (of Alaska) that have brought some of the world’s best beer to their locals, haven’t met a disappointed person yet who has tried an Alaskan beer. Keep ‘em cool and have a safe and celebratory Fourth; Happy Birthday America!
Great to see that Alaska is being acknowledged as a Pacific state; why wouldn’t we be? I believe we have more Pacific coastline than all of the other states combined…geography lesson aside…
Yes! We DO have some delicious brews made up here in the Greatland! Among our several outstanding craft brews it is too bad not to see the Moose’s Tooth included in the list, surely a place not to be missed when visiting Anchorage. Their Raspberry Wheat has swayed ‘non-beer drinkers’ into being believers in the brew! I will still be happy to cast my vote for another favorite, but my ballot will be kept secret; I encourage folks to try them all; pace yourselves of course. And please, secure a designated driver!
the Alaskan White Ale is very good! If you haven’t tried one, do so. Happy Fourth!!!
Stumbled on Alaska Brewery while stuck in Juneau 10 years ago. One awesome stumble! I used to have my wife take an extra empty suitcase with her on her trips to Seattle so she could bring back Alaskan Amber. Distribution to Southern California was a blessed event. No quality lost in transit.
I have tasted several of the listed beers and none of them can compare with Alaskan Amber.
Is there ANY reason why Silver Gulch in Alaska isn’t on the list?
um, Terminal Gravity?
Way!!!
I think it is a disservice to the Northwest beers to put in the Hawaiian ones – and vice versa. The Hawaiian ones should have gone in another list. There’s no way Maui Brewing, which is good in its own right, is better than anything in the Northwest.
A toss up between Ninkasi and Pike on this list.
Maui Brewing Co. Hands Down. Toasted Coconut Porter, Mac Nut Brown Ale, Lehua Honey Amber Ale! Need I say more?
#2 may be Maui Brewing but their beers have lost character lately… their IPA has nothing like the hop character I remember just last year… the Coconut Porter is still pretty good though a bit thin and their Blonde lager was a bit off when tried it last week…so #1 is Boundary Bay — they are brewing sensational beers these days… Alaskan’s Smoked Porter is still amazing… So many good brews… only 24 hours in a day…
Maui Brewing for the win. If you have not tried MBC beer then you are missing out. The new head brewer has really improved their beers, especially Big Swell IPA. Had it last year before the guard change and it is vastly improved. Not to mention all the beers they brew that aren’t in their can production: Mana Wheat – pineapple wheat beer that went wild and is like a nice light belgian, Blackpowder IPA – Black IPA (all I drank at the pub). They are also winning many awards of late. Congratulations Spanky!
Well anything Pike Brewing Company Brews is the best, that’s my bias.
Ahhhhh this was so hard! We have such good beer in the Pacific Northwest! (and Hawaii and Alaska!) Definitely gonna keep an eye out for 10 Barrel Brewing.
1 vote for ninkasi please.
Started out alphabetical….
Seems strange it isn’t all in aphalbeticall order, hmmm…. Perhaps that is why Laurelwood isn’t number one!!
I’m hoping (hopping to hops) that I don’t make anyone mad, but I’ve got to say that 10 Barrel has a good shot, when I first tasted their beer while I was in Bend a year ago.
Before 10 Barrel gets too excited, a few months ago, a few friends and myself (8 total tasters) went out to watch the finals, and on a whim, decided to do a comparison test of at least six Oregon-brewed beers at a bar in Portland.
The consensus?
• Ninkasi Brewing is Number One overall, almost unanimously (funny that their most favored beers in our group were at the opposite spectrum – stout beer drinkers like myself swore that Oatis Oatmeal Stout was the best Stout on the market, even beating the ever-popular Black Butte Porter, and the three girls in our group loved Spring Reign… hmmmm. Also impressing our guzzling panel was Ninkasi’s Believer Double Red.
• 10 Barrel is a close second, its IPA delighting a few of our crew
• Deschutes is close third, based solely on the Black Butte Porter (sorry to say that the rest of their selections weren’t available other than a few, they didn’t rate. Can’t remember which ones they were.
The rest are too close to call. They’re all yummy cuz they’re Oregon-based.
Final call: Ninkasi takes it
10 Barrel, your SINISTER ALE rocks my world. That beautiful black ale is currently my favorite beer of all time! Thank you!
10 barrel is moving up!
10 Barrel Brewing has been added.
Votes were tallied from comments from Marianne,Rosie,Bridget,Jane Renee,KJ and BobDan,Jake, and Norm.
Sure wish I had a Big Swell IPA sittin on my desk…
Maui Brewing Company has my vote. After experiencing lots of different beers at the 1st Annual Maui Brewers Festival here on Maui, I will have to stick to a home town favorite, the “Bikini Blonde”. Garrett and his team has done an excellent job with the selection of beers they provide. Coming in at second place (for me)is the “Coconut Porter”…. if you like or love coconut, you’ll love this one. Two thumbs up for Maui Brewing Company.
Mahalo…
Can’t believe 10 Barrel Brewery is not on your list! It’s beer is great and is one of the fastest growing breweries in the area – if not in the the state. My vote goes to 10 Barrel.
Pete, you did select Rogue, which is listed on the poll right?
Rouge all the way! I am from the Mid-west and I have introduced alot of my friends and family to this great beer! They all love it, and they have so many choices to choose from! I really like the new one,Somer Orange Ale. It is very refreshing and satisfying. I enjoy them all, and love having the different ones in my home for our friends to relax with and enjoy!
Carry on Rouge!
Please add another vote for Rogue!
Thanks!
Even in a world of advanced micro-brewing, Rogue stands alone thanks to their innovative brewing, their exclusive use of local ingredients and their dedication to the revolutionary in all of us.
How could I forget the Diamond Knot Brewery in Mukilteo…geesh…….one of the finest Industrials IPAs to ever hit my lips..
I can’t believe Georgetown Brewing isn’t on the list.
Hi all, there are so many great beers in thes catagory to choose from, however since I love the coastal breweries I have to go with “Maui Brewery” Garrett and his crew are so kind as well as great people… truly yo ko noi…
Aloha
Vinny
What about SnoFalls brewing, Elliott Bay, Skagit River, Snipes Mtn, Harmon Brewing…just to name a few not on the list….
How can one ever choose a favorite tho!? They all rock! The world needs more IPA!!!!!!!!
10 BARREL BREWING COMPANY gets my vote. It’s clearly the greatest beer in the Pacific Northwest. If you havent tried it then you are clearly missing out.
There is a great brewery out of Bend OR, 10 Barrel, they are expanding their market and getting great reviews from “Real” beer drinkers. We were excited to see it even in Monmouth, OR (which was once dry!). My vote is 10 Barrel, Summer Ale. Can’t wait to try Sinister!
I think you accidently missed 10 Barrel Brewery of Bend. They have blasted into Portland and are sucessfully letting Sinistor take over. I can taste why they received a 2nd place medal. Please add 10 Barrel! They get my vote.
I would like to write in “10 Barrel Brewing Company” in Bend, Oregon as the Best Pacific Northwest Brewery!!! Superb beer!!!
10 Barrel makes great beers!
What about 10 Barrel Brewing Company??? They have the best beers in Bend right now….their Summer Ale is exceptional!
My vote: 10 Barrel!!!!
Hey you all don’t have my favs on the list. Being from Oregon I am very spoilt when it comes to beer, but this list is missing 2 of my Favorites: Calapooia Brewery (which has won many awards), and McMenamin’s brewery which is a very well known brewery, distillery, winery, franchise in Oregon and southwest Washington.
I thought of a descriptive word for all the super coolios adding breweries to the list. Hopsters. No?
Seriously, write in your brewery of choice and hope that it wins.
This is obviously biased. Ninkasi is dope, but all those votes???
Deschutes has been one of the most consistently wonderful brewers I’ve ever had…so my vote goes there.
Tons of other greats – Skagit, Walkingman, etc.
Rogue is great, but with their marketing have infiltrated every corner of the globe…good if you’re stuck in Morocco without a prayer.
Great to have options in the NW.
Upright Brewing too new?
Also, The Snowgoose, in Anchorage. Can’t forget that one.
Also, Ninkasi stacked the vote. I live less than a mile from them. Its good, if you think every beer should taste like IPA.
You’re missing some breweries from Alaska:
Glacier Brewpub
Moose’s Tooth
Silver Gulch Brewing
You’re also missing Oakshire and Amnesia here in Oregon, and I’m sure others.
No matter. I’ve had beers from all but 7 of those in your poll, as well as those I mentioned. Midnight Sun still gets the vote.
This poll became worthless as breweries that are NOT “Crafts” joined the bunch. I feel a big education on what a craft brewery was needed before micros and simple brewpubs were added to the list.
This poll should be titled: “The Northwests best Beer”.
Then I would have voted for Laurelwood.. but too late… i voted for a craft.
Ninkasi is just straight wicked. Same with Hopworks, Laurelwood, Lompoc and Deschutes. It is great to live in Oregon.
Deschutes pulls out all the stop for their beers and goes the extra mile for everything they do if never been to their pub in Bend they check it out you will be BLOWN AWAY!!!!!!!!!
ROGUE
Ninkasi FTW!
Ninkasi is definitely the best.
Ninkasi all the way!!!!
Deschutes in almost all styles hands down.
Ninkasi…..great beer, great people!
Matt
Ninkasi
Double Mountain!
I vote for FULL SAIL
I vote for FULL SAIL
Full Sail Brewing that is!
Next to Duff beer…its my favorite…D’oh
Diamond Knot!!!!! Pat The Brewer is my personal savior.
Double Mountain
Not voting due to weak selection of breweries. Too many missing. Data is already biased
I’m really surprised to see only one mention of Walking Man. They have had the best consistency in brewing great beers that I’ve experienced. I haven’t tasted one bad beer from them. And, “My Old Kentucky Homo” is by far my most favorite beer ever.
So, write me in for Walking Man.
Oakshire!!!!!
Guys, instead of acting super cool, and rattling off 20 breweries that didn’t make it, WRITE IN YOUR NON-LISTED VOTE. Better yet, build support for the non listed brewery and have a write in win the poll?!
OAKSHIRE!!!
Ninkasi is the best but you should add Calapoyia, Block15 and Pacific City.
Too many missing breweries and already looking like a list of least interesting to most interesting.
Ninkasi Brewing
I can’t believe this is even a question… Is there another brewery in this line up with more world wide awards than Rogue? Full Sail certainly should be up there, but Deschutes?
My vote is for Fort George brewery in Astoria OR
Terminal Gravity
Dick’s
McMenamins
Walking Man
Snipes Mountain
Ice Harbor
Rattlesnake Mountain
Iron Horse
Diamond Knot
Scuttlebutt
La Conner
Skagit River
Maritime Pacific
Georgetown
Snowqualmie Falls
Mac & Jack’s
Port Townsend
Lucky Labrador
Fort George
Siletz
Double Mountain
Hop Valley
Standing Stone
I should say, at least according to some definitions.
Kim: Double Mountain is considered a microbrewery, which is smaller than a craft brewery. Stick with the town and go Full Sail!
DESCHUTES BREWERY IS THE BEST BREWERY AROUND I’M GLAD EVERYONE IS FINALLY FIGURING THAT OUT.
You’re missing quite a few breweries (I included the one’s that previous commenters listed as well):
~Alameda
~Astoria Brewing/Wet Dog
~Barley Brown’s
~Big Horse
~Block 15
~Brewer’s Union Local 180
~Calapooia
~Captured By Porches
~Cascade/Raccoon Lodge
~Dick’s Brewing
~Fearless
~Fort George
~Golden Valley
~Heater | Allen
~Klamath Basin
~Leavenworth
~Mac & Jack’s
~Maritime Pacific
~Max’s Fanno Creek
~Mt. Hood Brewing
~New Old Lompoc
~Oakshire
~Off the Rails
~Oregon Trail Brewing
~Pelican
~Pale Horse
~Panty Dropper
~Port Townsend
~Redhook
~Siletz
~Skagit River
~Southern Oregon Brewing
~Snoqualmie Falls
~Standing Stone
~Terminal Gravity
~Trade Route (formerly Laughing Buddha)
~Tugboat
Lasty, I realize McMenamin’s is a chain, but they have a large, devoted following for some reason…
I know many of the breweries I listed don’t have enough name recognition to win your contest, but you should at least do them the honor of including them in the list for consideration…
My vote is for Deschutes Brewery
Full Sail gets my vote. They have the best selection of different styles around and they all rock!!!
My vote is for Ninkasi…I want to show my love, but how do I vote? I don’t see any icons to click on. Am I missing something? Help!
When I clicked the link I was going to go straight for Terminal Gravity (they make the best IPA on the planet, IMO), but alas, it’s nowhere to be seen. Went with Ninkasi instead.
Oakshire Brewing!!!
PELICAN!!!
Terminal Gravity!
My vote is for Fort George Brewery and public house. Astoria, OR
I voted for HoD because they don’t have a bad beer in their exceptional line-up. More diverse than Ninkasi, although Ninkasi & Double Mountain are doing great things as up-and-comers in the NW.
However, if you are going to talk about overall brew pub experience, I’d probably give the nod to Deschutes over Rogue now that the PDX Pearl Pub is open. Great food, and they always have something outstanding on tap.
Although my wife and I will be celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary @ the Rogue Bed & Beer in Newport this weekend! That’s a plus.
A couple other great NW brewers: Big Horse Brewing in Hood River, OR; Tugboat Brewing in Portland.
Bob G,
They were accidentally omitted, and now added.
Where’s Double Mountain in Hood River, OR? Their IRA is top notch… well so are the rest of their beers for that matter!
Oakshire and Pelican should also be in the running!
Am I missing something? Where are Hopworks and Laurelwood?
The Pelican Pub & Brewery
Terminal Gravity, Enterprise, Oregon
Where’s Big Al’s? Can’t vote if my favorite isn’t on the list!