Beer Guide, OregonNorthwest Beer GuideMcMinnville, Oregon, Allegory Brewing Company, Golden Valley Brewing Company, Grain Station Brew Works, Heater Allen Brewing Company, Evasion Brewing Company, Oregon Beer GuideComment

Discover breweries, food, and opportunities in McMinnville, Oregon.

Beer Guide, OregonNorthwest Beer GuideMcMinnville, Oregon, Allegory Brewing Company, Golden Valley Brewing Company, Grain Station Brew Works, Heater Allen Brewing Company, Evasion Brewing Company, Oregon Beer GuideComment
Discover breweries, food, and opportunities in McMinnville, Oregon.

Let’s face it, living in or around a major city has its own pluses and minuses. Plus, access to numerous chain stores, gas stations, movie theaters, and parks.  Minus, traffic congestion, long wait times at restaurants, rising rates of real estate outpacing the average worker’s salary. With both the pluses and minuses to consider, moving or temporarily escaping to where the traffic and citizens are pleasant, where the food is accessible and the air cleaner might be your safest option. 

So if you have a week, a weekend, or plans to relocate to McMinnville, Oregon, then we have some suggestions that are sure to hit the spot. Of course, given that we are all about the beer we focused our time and energy on breweries first before pondering our next bite to eat, play to watch, or trail to hike. 

From it's sweeping valleys to its country roads, the city of McMinnville can easily be considered one of Oregon's many overlooked oases. Recognized in 2015, by the American Planning Association's Great Places In America, for its historic Third Street, the city of 30k+ is also home to award-winning wines, inspired-beers, and chefs.

Getting there

Located in Yamhill County, McMinnville is roughly 40 miles Southwest of Portland. For those who arrive via Portland's International Airport the preferred method for traveling to the city is via rental car, or of course courtesy a local friend or relative. Should you choose to travel by other means here are some suggested websites.

Breweries

Like many other wine-centric, destination towns, McMinnville is home to only a handful of breweries. However, what they lack in quantity the breweries definitely make up in quality and variety. It’s definitely worth noting that the breweries listed here were personally visited, which does not include McMenamins Hotel Oregon, located at 310 NE Evans Street McMinnville, OR 97128. 

Charlie Van Meter of Allegory Brewing/Northwest Beer Guide™

Charlie Van Meter of Allegory Brewing/Northwest Beer Guide™

Allegory Brewing Company. A block from historic Third Street, owned and operated by Bitter Monk owner David Sanguinetti, is one of McMinnville’s newest breweries, located at 777 NE 4th Street McMinnville, OR 97128.

At the helm is former Yachats Brewing Company alum, Charlie Van Meter, who brings with him multiple years of brewing experience both at traditional breweries including Portland’s Sasquatch Brewing Company and the spontaneous at places like Logsdon Farmhouse Ales of Hood County. One simply has to walk into their tasting room where one is guaranteed a uniquely-inspired India Pale Ale or Pilsner, as well as countless riffs ranging from the trendy Brute Force Brut IPA or dessert-inspiring beers like their ongoing Field Fresh series which includes ingredients like Blueberries.

Whether single or in a party, the brewery's beer garden can accommodate your need to relax with a pint, a schooner, or a tray of tasters - paired with a made-from-scratch food truck meal or something from a nearby restaurant. Allegory is open most days from 3 pm to 9 pm, closed (as of 2018) Monday - Wednesday. To check current hours or confirm available hosting of large parties, call (503) 437-9477.

Golden Valley Monkey Tail Coconut Porter/Northwest Beer Guide™

Golden Valley Monkey Tail Coconut Porter/Northwest Beer Guide™

Golden Valley Brewing Company. Taking a stroll along Third Street we arrive at the historic Golden Valley Brewing Company,  located at 4308 980 NE 4th Street McMinnville, OR 97128 and home to one of the largest collection of locally-crafted beer you’ll find anywhere in McMinnville. 

Managed by former McMinnville High School graduate and overall outdoor enthusiast, Jesse Shue. With almost 30 years of brewing experience, Shue has worked along Oregon’s Pacific coast at Pelican Brewing Company, Washington’s Silver City Brewing Company, and Portland’s Hair of the Dog Brewing. But it was Golden Valley Brewing company and the chance to return home that brought Jesse back. 

Whether this is your first time or a return delayed, we encourage you to start with a flight of their award-winning beers, paired (naturally) with a Prime Rib French dip, a plate of onion rings, or steak, all made with locally-sourced ingredients.  For our money, we suggest their Bald Peak IPA, Beaverton Blonde Ale paired with either an Avocado BLT or Pork Schnitzel. Golden Valley Brewing Company’s McMinnville Pub is open 11 am, Monday - Sunday, and is open most evenings till 10 pm. To place a reservation or check hours, call (503) 472-2739. 

Grain Station Bet The Farm IPA/Northwest Beer Guide™

Grain Station Bet The Farm IPA/Northwest Beer Guide™

Grain Station Brew Works. Should you trade the comfort of a worn leather passenger seat for a pair of worn-soled tennis shoes, then we suggest a walk to the historic granary yard at 755 NE Alpine Avenue.

Started in 2013, with the mission of being one of Oregon’s “Community Supported Breweries“, Grain Station Brew Works was conceived by one-time Golden Valley Brewer Mark Vickery and Granary District owner Kelly McDonald. Although the brewery has gone through changes, most of which made the ”Grain Station” unique remains. 

If you have a hard time deciding from their extensive, double-sided menu, we suggest you start with a Bet the Farm IPA before sipping your way through a flight of both flagship and limited-edition ales and lagers. During our visit, we paired a pint of Bet the Farm IPA with Maple Bacon Burger along with some french fries. Posted hours are 11:30 am to 9 pm (most days, with Friday & Saturday being the exception till 10 pm). Call (503) 687-2739 for reservation information or hours.

Heater Allen Kolsch-style /Northwest Beer Guide™

Heater Allen Kolsch-style /Northwest Beer Guide™

Heater Allen Brewing Company. Three minutes away from Grain Station Brew Works, lies the home to one of Oregon’s most overlooked German-inspired breweries in the area. Founded by owner Rick Allen, with the mission of producing lagers that utilized the unique water chemistry of Yamhill County, Heater Allen is a gem in a crowd of ales. Located at 907 NE 10th Avenue is a unique, family-owned brewery when one meets current head brewer and part-time taproom server Lisa Allen. 

The beers, like her personality, will inspire smiles and joy from every glass of Pilsner, Schwarz, or Dunkel. In addition to the three mentioned, the brewery releases limited-edition beers like their Marzen “Bobtoberfest”, Coastal, Helles, Rauch Bock and the most popular beer of all Sandy Paws (with an auction held each year, to feature the winner’s pet on the label). 

You won’t go wrong if you make the journey to the brewery. As the brewery has only enough room for a tasting room, guests are encouraged to arrive with meals. Heater Allen’s taproom is only open Friday & Saturday. For more information, call (503) 472-4898. 

Evasion Stout /Northwest Beer Guide™

Evasion Stout /Northwest Beer Guide™

Evasion Brewing Company. The last stop might as well as be the first stop, as Evasion Brewing Company is the farthest from downtown as you can get. Located at 4230 NE Riverside Drive, Evasion Brewing is a gluten-free brewery with the sole goal of producing beers that almost pass for the real thing. But don’t let the location or the notion of a gluten-free beer scare you. 

For founding brewer Ben Acord, gluten-free isn’t just something that he brews, it’s something he understands. You see, Ben is wheat-intolerant. Meanwhile Evasion Brewing owners - Erik Lapp, Craig Lapp, and Evan Lapp - are gluten-intolerant, which inspired Evasion Brewing. Oh, and owning a machinist warehouse helped with securing a location.

If you’ve had beers from breweries like Ghostfish or Ground Breaker you might be surprised to learn Ben’s approach to GF starts with water, millet, rice, and hops before adding ingredients like honey, dextrose, and oats. Don’t believe us? Why not stop in for a pint of their Sprutz Kölsch or Hophoria IPA. Just bring some patience if the brewery reminds you about gluten-sensitivities, should you walk in with a cheeseburger, pizza, or birthday cake.

Evasion Brewing Company is currently open on Saturdays but plans are underway to expand their hours and daily availability. Call ahead to (503) 835-5322 to confirm hours on Saturday. 

Where to stay

Should you choose to stay in the city for a night, a weekend, or a prolonged period; the following accommodations are available based on 4-star ratings from several travel websites.

Where to eat

Authored with the notion that beer shouldn't always the first thing on your mind, we thought we'd provide some great alternatives to a pint paired with peanuts or a burger. Some of the entries on this list may have a draft or bottle list on demand but really you should experience not only the breweries of McMinnville but also the food, thoughtfully prepared to make you homesick upon your departure. 

Bakeries and Cafes

Breakfast

Community Plate Breakfast Sandwich/Northwest Beer Guide™

Community Plate Breakfast Sandwich/Northwest Beer Guide™

From a slice of coffee cake paired with a cup of black coffee, roasted locally, to a plate of biscuits and gravy or corned beef with hash, breakfast is a great way to start the day. If staying the weekend, we encourage you to start with a visit to Crescent Cafe before departing McMinnville with a breakfast sandwich made from scratch at Community Plate.

Note, during our stay we visited The Diner and Community Plate, because who would argue with a plate of seasonal vegetable hash or breakfast sandwich.

  • Crescent Cafe. 526 NE 3rd St, McMinnville, OR 97128. (503) 435-2655. *open for Breakfast and Lunch till 2 pm.

  • Community Plate. 315 NE 3rd St, McMinnville, OR 97128. (503) 687-1902. *open for Breakfast and Lunch till 3 pm.
    Scott & Courtney Cunningham open their door to family, friends, and strangers-alike to enjoy made from scratch recipes, locally-sourced, and made to order. Like their namesake Community Plate is an opportunity for guests to share a table with others, who are seeking somewhere to relax before touring breweries.

  • Wildwood Cafe. 319 NE Baker Street, McMinnville, OR 97128. (503) 435-1454. *open for Breakfast and Lunch till 2 pm.

  • The Diner. 2580 SE Stratus Ave, McMinnville, OR 97128. (971) 261-2191. *open for Breakfast and Lunch till 3 pm.
    The Diner keeps it simple with menu items ranging from the Seasonal Vegetable Hash to a savory Fried Chicken Club served with your choice of french fries or tater tots.

Pizza Capo enjoyed at Allegory Brewing/Northwest Beer Guide™

Pizza Capo enjoyed at Allegory Brewing/Northwest Beer Guide™

Lunch/Dinner

Maybe it's the vineyards in the valley or the cool breeze on a temperate Summer day but the city of McMinnville is home to a plethora of rewarding options ranging from cuisines inspired by Latin America to French Creole, to comfort foods like country fried steak or a medium-rare burger. Without delay here are our choices starting with our number one pick, La Rambla Restaurant & Bar, located on 3rd street.

We hope that you will consider McMinnville as your next destination for great beer, good food, and rewarding memories.

Pursuant to FTC rules, research was sponsored by Visit McMinnville, Allegory Brewing Company, Heather Allen Brewing, Golden Valley Brewing Company, and Evasion Brewing Company. However, our inclusion of these businesses was strictly voluntary and subject to editorial discretion.

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