The Pacific Index went to three different bars around downtown Forest Grove to find out where to quench their thirst. As autumn commences and winter quickly approaches, local brew pubs and tap houses are offering up their favorite seasonal drinks to those craving a taste of the holidays.
The Growler Garage — 1837 Pacific Ave.
A relative newcomer to Forest Grove, The Growler Garage has beers and ciders for any taste. Though they’ve mostly transitioned out of their autumn offerings — “We did have a bunch of Oktoberfest stuff,” says Bre Epling, a server at Growler Garage — they’re still stocked for any cider craving, with four different ciders on tap, including three from Forest Grove’s own Bull Run.
If you’re craving something for the winter, their large selection of stouts and porters can warm you up in the cold weather. They currently offer five different dark brews, with more to come as winter gets closer.
“One that’s popular right now is number 28,” Epling said, referring to Belching Beaver’s Mexican Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout, brewed in Vista, Calif. “I think it’s one of our more unique flavors; you don’t see it very often.”
If dark beers aren’t your thing, they also offer a winter ale, Jubelale, brewed at Oregon’s own Deschutes Brewery. No matter your taste, The Growler Garage has got you covered.
Ridgewalker Brewing — 1921 21st Ave.
Forest Grove staple Ridgewalker Brewing takes pride in their seasonal offerings, even serving up monthly themed food specials. Their November specials include spiced hazelnuts, as well as an autumn burger served with a roasted squash aioli. And of course, they’ve got you covered for a drink pairing.
“We really like to keep things seasonal here,” says Pablo Campos, a manager at Ridgewalker. “Light in the summer, nice and dark in the wintertime.”
For fall cravings, Ridgewalker’s got two perfectly fitting beverages on tap: an Imperial Pumpkin Cider called Hollow Jack’d from Corvallis’ 2 Towns Ciderhouse, and a Pumpkin Pale IPA called The Squishing of the Squash from Lake Oswego’s Stickmen Brewing Company.
For cider lovers, Ridgewalker’s geared up for the holiday season with another offering from 2 Towns called Nice & Naughty, an Imperial Spiced Cider made with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.
But for wintertime, Campos personally recommends their own Imperial Brown Ale, The Sloth Bear. “It’s nice and toasty,” he says. “It reminds me of coffee.”
Waltz Brewing — 1900 A St.
For a bit more of a traditional bar vibe, Waltz Brewing on A Street offers a rotating selection of brews.
“We have one cider on tap all the time,” says Emma Funk, a bartender at Waltz. “We’re pretty heavy on pilsners. And once we get into winter, we’ll have more stouts and dark porters too.”
At the time of this writing, Waltz offered up Bloktoberfest, a fitting brew for a taste of the passing autumn season from Corvallis’ Block 15, as well as a chocolate porter called Dark Matter, also from Block 15, perfect for cold winter weather.
Though Waltz may not offer up any specific seasonal drinks, their tap list changes every day, so customers can be assured there will always be something to fit their craving.
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