With the backdrop of Greater Portland, Mt. Hood and the Willamette River, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory offers the best of all worlds — urban buzz, mountain beauty and verdant river country. And at the heart of it all is Oregon’s craft beverage tradition. Whether you’re looking for hoppy brews, rich coffees or tart ciders, Mt. Hood Territory has it all.
Jolt of java: Get your caffeine fix at Happyrock Coffee Roasting Company in Gladstone. This small-batch artisan coffee roaster offers a range of signature blends and single-origin coffees in a charming 1912 building. Happyrock was a finalist in the 2014 Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Northwest Brewers Cup for its Modern Italian. The small town roaster will also fill your growler with craft beer, thanks to collaboration between Happyrock and Fearless Brewing Company — delicious Happyrock Coffee Porter. (465 Portland Ave., Gladstone)
Celtic quaffs: For the largest selection of single-malt Scotch whiskey in the Portland area, stop in at Highland Stillhouse Scottish Pub in Oregon City. The whiskey menu has as much Scotch burr as the décor — Speyside, Northern Highlands, Islay and more, as well as a deep list of bottled beers from the United Kingdom and Oregon. The pub features live Celtic music on Thursday and Sunday nights and a food menu with large plates, small plates and Scottish Breakfast on Sundays (including bangers and beans). (201 S. 2nd St., Oregon City)
Brewery-skewery: Lake Oswego’s Stickmen Brewery & Skewery combines two loves — craft beer and Japanese-inspired skewer meals. The family-friendly atmosphere and made-from-scratch approach to food make this place welcoming and fun. Chicken, vegetables, fish, beef and lamb grace the Yakatori skewer menu, and the appetizer menu has a distinctly Asian feel as well. Enjoy a pint of Stickman beer (they’ll also pour you 4-, 8- and 12-ounce glasses) like Paddle Board Pale, Brown Dn’Unda and Lone Palm Lager on the lakeside patio. (40 N. State St., Lake Oswego)
Beer-loving brewers: The folks at Breakside Brewery & Taproom in Milwaukie just love beer. Whether it’s a seasonal, small-batch, barrel-aged or a year-round variety, Breakside is always brewing up something special. The rustic taproom has two dozen rotating beers to choose from. Sample everything from Liquid Sunshine Pilsner and Old World IPA to Bourbon Barrel-Aged Aztec. (5821 S.E. International Way, Milwaukie)
Cider side: As part of the state’s growing craft cider scene, the Portland Cider Company in Oregon City was started by a British ex-pat burning to share the English tradition with Oregon. Using only Northwest-grown fruit, Portland Cider Company offers Sorta Sweet, Kinda Dry, Pearfect Perry (made with Bartlett and D’anjou pears) and Hop’rageous (dry apple cider infused with hops). Tip a pint, have a taste or fill a growler at the Oregon City taproom. (275 Beavercreek Road, Oregon City)
Growlingly good: BigFoot Growlers is a 42-tap growler station offering local craft beer, wine and cider and located inside Nature’s Country Store in Damascus. Relax with a glass in the covered beer garden, or fill your growler to take home. BigFoot has live music and occasional outdoor barbeque. (15252 S.E. Highway 224, Damascus)
Paddle power: Not all the liquid assets in Mt. Hood Territory are drinkable. Check in with the folks in eNRG Kayaking to book a rafting trip or to rent a standup paddle board, sit-on-top, tandem kayak or canoe. eNRG is located on the Willamette River, so you can paddle right from the dock. Enjoy the spectacular beauty of nearby Willamette Falls and surrounding area rich with birds and wildlife. (1701 Clackamette Dr., Oregon City)
