COURTESY OF STRAIGHTAWAY COCKTAILS Given Oregon’s storied history in winemaking and beer production, it’s no surprise craft distilling is the third leg (or fourth, if you count coffee) of Portland’s lauded craft-beverage culture. With high-quality water and ingredients and an overflowing well of creativity, the city’s makers are producing barrels upon barrels of award-winning bourbon, vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, liqueurs and other exciting spirits. Several of the state’s 60-plus distillers can be found in Portland proper. Visit Distillery Row in the Central Eastside to find a dozen innovative distilleries, each with their own unique innovations. Straightaway Cocktails (901 SE Hawthorne Blvd.) is hot on the scene and a gift givers’ dream, with bottled renditions of ready-to-sip beverages including the martini, negroni and Oregon old-fashioned, ice not included. Freeland Spirits (2671 NW Vaughn St.) is one of the only distilleries in the country owned and operated by women. Book a tour of their spirit production, and savor their botanical- forward gin cocktail with a slice of wood-fired pizza in their bright tasting room in the Northwest industrial district. Wine lovers may appreciate the fruit brandies and rye whiskey at the under-the-radar Stone Barn Brandyworks (3315 SE 19th Ave.), with only a few counter seats for an intimate tasting. And groups will have plenty of room to stretch out indoors and on the patio at Westward Whiskey (65 SE Washington St.), next to the train tracks, kitty corner from the headquarters of the delightful Steven Smith Teamaker (110 SE Washington St.), a pioneer of Stumptown’s tea scene (yes, there’s one of those, too). Don’t miss annual tasting events like Negroni Week, held each September, and Portland Cocktail Week in October. Spirits Taste and hear the stories behind Portland’s craft-distilling revolution. STRAIGHTAWAY COCKTAILS 901 SE Hawthorne Blvd. 971.255.1627, StraightawayCocktails.com Straightaway Cocktails crafts awardwinning cocktails utilizing the highest-quality ingredients from the PNW and are a certified B Corporation. The Tasting Room offers full-size cocktails, cocktail and amaro flights, cocktail classes, and local food pairings. Straightaway Cocktails FOOD & DRINK 26 PortlandUncovered.com
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