As an Oregonian, I can’t imagine anything better than spending slow summer days in the Columbia River Gorge. A charming region ripe for exploration, no trip to the area is complete without visiting the best breweries in Hood River.
Determined to rank all the breweries in the Columbia Gorge, my friends and I devoted a few summer weekends to the endeavor. We’re not beer professionals by any stretch of the imagination, but we do love strong IPAs, lagers and ciders.
So let’s do a quick roundup of the best breweries in the Columbia River Gorge. Cheers!
Best Breweries in the Columbia River Gorge
If you’re new to Oregon (welcome!), it may be helpful to know that the Columbia River Gorge consists of a handful of charming towns. The most popular is Hood River, followed by White Salmon on the Washington side.
To make this article as helpful as possible, I’ll break things up like this: list of the best breweries in Hood River, best breweries on the Washington side (Carson and White Salmon) and the best breweries in the Columbia Gorge overall (including small towns worth the detour).
(Click here for the table of contents)
Best Breweries in Hood River
You might enjoy reading: 12+ EPIC Things to Do in Hood River, Oregon (Local’s Guide)
#5. Working Hands Fermentation
Opened in 2020, this Hood River brewery was started by a handful of friends eager to share their passion for complex old-world ciders and craft beer.
Committed to traditional European fermentation methods using locally sourced ingredients, Working Hands Fermentation is responsible for making some of the best ciders in the Columbia Gorge.
Not surprising, considering the brewery is co-owned by Kasey McCullough, who used to be the head brew master for Ferment Brewing Company (which I’ll cover shortly). Over the past few years, the brewery has also expanded its range to include lagers and IPAs as well.
Located a few minutes from downtown, Working Hands Fermentation is known to attract a laid-back local crowd. This is one of the newest breweries in Hood River, so the selection is more limited, but exciting nonetheless.
Local’s Recommendation: Don’t sleep on the food, Working Hands Fermentation partners with a local chef who makes top-notch pub fare. We split an order of chicken wings and promptly ordered more.
#4. Full Sail Brewing Company
Sitting pretty on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River, Full Sail is arguably the most popular craft brewery in Hood River. Snatching a table on the outdoor patio during summer feels like an impossible feat, but it’s worth the effort. The views are spectacular!
Serving Oregonians since 1987, the brewery has earned numerous national (and international) attention and is considered one of the original Columbia River Gorge breweries. From traditional IPAs to creative barrel-aged beers, the list of awards is too long to list (hell, there’s more than 200 gold medals alone).
#3. Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery
Established in 2007, Double Mountain Brewery was founded by two co-workers from Full Sail Brewing. This beloved Columbia Gorge brewery has yet to waver from their crystal clear focus: make great beer for beer lovers, dubbing themselves a “Brewer’s Brewery.”
True to their word, the brewers create beers they themselves want to drink. The beers are unfiltered and long-aged, resulting in exciting brews. If you’re not into beer (this is a judgement-free zone), try the refreshing ciders. Made with local apples and pears, they’re perfectly balanced without being overly sweet.
Good to Know: Double Mountain’s unwavering commitment to the environment deserves a shout-out. Pioneering refillable bottles and housing 25,000 square feet of solar panels, this Hood River brewery plays a big role in the possibility of a sustainable future.
#2. pFriem Family Brewers
pFriem Brewery needs no introduction, this popular Hood River brewery is a household name, albeit a tough one to pronounce correctly (“freem”). Opened in 2012, pFriem has amassed an impressive array of prestigious awards, most notably being named Brewery of the Year by Beer Connoisseur.
The artisanal beers are inspired by European influences while staying true to their Northwest roots. The end product is a beautiful thing: complex, smooth and satisfying, these are some of the best beers in the Columbia River Gorge.
The food menu is equally impressive. Featuring delectable seasonal fare made with locally-sourced ingredients, the menu exceeds expectations and tests the limits of traditional pub fare.
#1. Ferment Brewing Company
In terms of the most beautiful breweries in Hood River, Ferment can’t be beat. And I’m not the only one that thinks so. Our entire friend group came to a unanimous decision, we all considered Ferment to be the cream of the crop.
Fighting words, I know. But someone had to tell you.
Fully planked with natural wood panels, the massive floor-to-ceiling windows expose gorgeous views of the gorge. The newly designed brewery has a minimalist Nordic flare to it, which keeps the focus on the exceptional brews.
The dog friendly patio makes this one of the best pet-friendly breweries in Hood River. But note: Ferment’s tasting room doesn’t accept reservations, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Aside from the great venue, the beers are exciting, delicious and memorable. Ferment bills itself as a modern brewery, perfecting traditional farmhouse brewing techniques with the aid of science. The proof is in the proverbial pudding, they make some of the best beer in Hood River.
We opted for a flight (it was our first time to the brewery) and found ourselves enjoying every pour. The seasonal strawberry sour so impressed the group that we all got full pints after the flight.
Also worth mention: Ferment Brewing had the best merchandise of all the breweries in Hood River, so if you’re looking for souvenirs I suggest holding out for this brewery.
Best Breweries in White Salmon & Carson
#1. Everybody’s Brewing
The lovely locals in White Salmon don’t need to travel across the bridge into Hood River when they find themselves thirsty for great beer. Everybody’s Brewing is one of the best breweries in the Columbia Gorge and you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone that disagrees.
The brews steal the show (as they should), but what impressed me most was the food menu (those nachos!). We ordered a seasonal salad with Brussels sprouts to balance out the carbs, and it was one of the best salads I’ve had to date.
The laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to enjoy far too many brews, and you should do just that. The impressive range on offer is guaranteed to satisfy anyone, regardless of the beer of choice. Don’t sleep on the apricot sour, it’s one of the most memorable beers I’ve had in Oregon.
#2. Backwoods Brewing
Opened by two brothers in 2012, Backwoods Brewing hails from Carson, Washington (25-minute drive from White Salmon & 30-minutes from Hood River). This Columbia Gorge brewery has since expanded to Portland and doesn’t show signs of slowing anytime soon.
Graduating from a single-barrel brewpub to a humming 20-barrel system, locals can’t get enough of this liquid gold. Sourcing local hops, yeast and grain, the focus is on highlighting the Pacific Northwest’s bounty. Making great beer is a task the brothers have mastered effortlessly.
Columbia Gorge Best Breweries
#1. Thunder Island Brewing Co. (Cascade Locks, OR)
I don’t shy away from picking favorites. If it were up to me to decide the best breweries in the Columbia River Gorge, Thunder Island (followed by Ferment in Hood River) would be my top picks.
This Cascade Locks brewery was founded in 2013 but didn’t officially branch out to its current (beautiful) location until 2020. The taproom is really cool, with fermentation tanks on full display as soon as you walk in.
All the beers are top-notch but the IPAs are most impressive, ask about the seasonal pours and you’re bound to be amazed by the head brewer’s creativity.
The floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light and offer panoramic views of the gorge. Make your way upstairs to the cozy bar if the downstairs area is full. If it’s cold and rainy, snatch a table by a window. If it’s summer, head outside.
The large patio offers great views of the surrounding mountains and the Bridge of the Gods. You’re guaranteed to see plenty of dogs because this is one of the best dog friendly breweries in the Columbia River Gorge.
Good to Know: Thunder Island has a fun little program where visitors can purchase beers for Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers that make a pit-stop at the brewery. This seems to be a popular pit-spot for PCT hikers, made evident by the backpacks hanging on the wall.
#2. Walking Man Brewing (Stevenson, WA)
Sometimes you just need an old-school alehouse with great beer and traditional pub fare. Thankfully, Walking Man Brewing delivers. Established in 1999 in Stevenson, Washington (near the Bridge of the Gods), this is one of the oldest breweries in the Columbia River Gorge.
The 17-barrel brewhouse has garnered impressive medals from top beer competitions around the world, becoming a destination for beer enthusiasts across the state. Intrigued by the accolades, we got a flight of six beers and quickly understood the hype.
Within seconds of our first sips, we knew this spot deserved a place on our list of best breweries in the Columbia Gorge. The star of the show was the cherry stout, followed by the Walking Man IPA. As for food, we ordered clam chowder and wings, both dishes were perfectly satisfying.
#3. Gorges Beer Co. (Cascade Locks, OR)
Opened July 2021, Gorges Beer Co. flagship brewery features a mezzanine, well-designed dining space, cozy bar and two rooftop decks. As for the beer, it was good but didn’t quite make our list of the top 10 breweries in the Columbia Gorge.
During our visit, we opted for a tasting flight (we’ve never heard of Gorges and wanted to try a variety of beers). The beers were good but didn’t quite compare to the competition. I’m excited to see how this brewery grows over the next few years, it has a ton of potential!
#4. Freebridge Brewing (The Dalles, Oregon)
Founded by a husband and wife, Freebridge Brewing specializes in Northwest Ales and German lagers brewed. Opened in 2016, it’s officially the city’s first brewery since the repeal of Prohibition, a wild thought!
The founder’s great-grandmother came to Oregon by way of the Oregon Trail. This 5-generation Oregonian family is rooted in tradition, so beer was a natural segue. They typically offer 10 taps of craft beer, but the seasonal pours have my heart.
If you’re visiting this Columbia Gorge brewery in late April, don’t miss the seasonal cherry Berliner Weisse (made using 50 pounds of cherry puree). It’s a drink you won’t easily forget. In addition to serving some of the best beer in the Columbia Gorge, you’ll also find house-brewed kombucha and filling meat-forward dishes.
#5. Solera Brewery (Parkdale, OR)
The mission at Solera is simple: create an authentic pub experience for locals and visitors alike. Traditional pub fare is on offer, which pairs perfectly with cold IPAs and ales. The burrito seems to be the star of the show, we saw it gracing every table.
The views of Mt. Hood from the outdoor seating area are exceptional, but the brews left something to be desired. Would I consider this one of the best breweries in the Columbia Gorge? Not really, but I’ve a feeling some locals might disagree (the place was packed during our visit).
How many breweries are there in Hood River?
There are five breweries in Hood River, Oregon. Many of these have established themselves as household names, so no proper tour of the best breweries in Oregon is complete without mentioning the Columbia River Gorge.
How many breweries are there in the Columbia River Gorge?
All told, there are 14 breweries in the Columbia River Gorge. Of those, seven are found in Oregon and four are located in Washington. The most popular breweries in the Columbia River Gorge are pFriem Family Brewers, Double Mountain and Full Sail.
Best Breweries in Hood River + Columbia River Gorge (Post Overview)
In sum, here’s a quick roundup of the best Columbia River Gorge breweries.
Best breweries Hood River
- Ferment
- pFriem
- Double Mountain
- Full Sail
- Working Hands Fermentation
White Salmon, Washington breweries
- Everybody’s Brewing
- Backwoods Brewing
Other Columbia Gorge breweries
- Thunder Island
- Walking Man Brewing
- Gorges Brewing
- Solera Brewing
Good to know: Learn about Breweries in the Gorge (BIG)
Breweries In The Gorge (B.I.G) is comprised of 11 local breweries and 200 fun-loving, dedicated professionals who are inspired by nature and fueled by a collective passion for creating quality, craft brews. Through our mutual respect for one another, BIG was established to promote the region’s award-winning beer and encourage beer-lovers like you to experience it in the place where it was born, the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.
More information can be found here: Breweries in the Gorge. You can also grab a beer passport from participating Columbia Gorge breweries before starting on your crawl.
Map of best beer in Hood River & Columbia Gorge Breweries
Here’s a map of the best beers in Hood River and the Columbia Gorge!
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