Review: Upright Brewing

Tell us a little about this place.
Just getting to Upright Brewing is a bit of an adventure. Housed in the basement of the Leftbank Building, with helpful, playful signs leading the way, the pub is a mostly concrete room filled with barrels and taps. A small, L-shaped bar sits six or so, while a few tables in the corner fit a few more. The comforting scent of farmhouse ales fills the air, and fellow drinkers are immersed in beer and conversation.

Who can we expect to see here?
Though somewhat diverse, many of the guests here are older, solidly dedicated to Portland's craft brew scene. They're not here by accident, either—there's really no way to stumble into the hidden basement bar. When the Blazers play, expect to see plenty of pre-game drinkers, given its proximity to the court.

What should we be drinking—by which we mean, what's their specialty?
Upright was one of the first breweries in Portland to specialize in farmhouse ales, and today it remains a pioneer in the field, putting a distinctly Northwestern spin on the techniques of France and Belgium. Fruity, funky, herbaceous, and sour beers fill the menu, in addition to a few traditional ales and lagers.

And if we're in the mood for a bite to eat, too?
Bring your own food in, or just enjoy some beers.

How's the service?
Given the size of the space, there's usually only one or two people working the tap. While they're friendly and engaging with customers, they spend most of their time chatting with regulars and other brewers.

So why would you recommend someone plan to visit Upright?
The cozy, industrial space is the perfect venue to dive into the wild world of farmhouse ales, and Upright is one of—if not the—best places in town that makes them. Its tasting room will impress any beer geek, and it's a great spot to grab a pre-Blazers drink.