Deschutes Brewery

My father has a deep love and appreciation for beer.  Not any kind of beer, but good beer.  Recently, my father (along with my sister) discovered that they have an intolerance to gluten and have had to begin living “gluten-free”.  The biggest challenge for my father in living gluten-free is having to give up his beloved beer.  This father’s day, I was determined to find a place to take him that not only served delicious food, but also a delicious micro-brew.  Living in Portland is like living in a beer candy store.  We are very spoiled with all the wonderful local breweries in Portland, and so I knew that my beloved city would not let me down on my quest to find a delicious tasting gluten-free beer. 

Deschutes Brewery is a local brewery located in Bend, Oregon.  They have two pubs located in the quaint city of Bend, and recently opened a pub in Portland, Oregon in the up-and-coming Pearl District.  The Portland-area Deschutes Brewery pub is located in an awesome converted warehouse, which still contain big garage doors that are opened up in the summer to let the warm air in.  Additionally, the inside is filled with beautiful hand-crafted wood carvings, lending their appeal to the traditional “North-West” decor. 

Recently, the Deschutes Brewery has started brewing a gluten-free beer, aptly named “Gluten-Free ESB”.  When I found out that Deschutes was brewing their own gluten-free beer, I knew that I had hit the jackpot.  So, with my dad in tow, we stood in line outside the Deschutes Brewery to be the first in line for Father’s Day lunch.  Much to our excitement not only does the Deschutes Brewery have their Gluten-Free ESB on tap (and available in growlers!), their entire menu is filled (and labeled!) with gluten-free items.  The chef has even come up with gluten-free buns for their burgers, and a gluten-free chocolate desert.  As my dad anxiously awaited his pint of Gluten-Free ESB, he poured over their menu in excitement over their 17 gluten-free items.  To his amazement, the Deschutes Brewery Gluten-Free ESB is “the best tasting, real beer tasting” gluten-free beer he’s ever tried.  For lunch he ordered the lamb burger with a freshly made gluten-free bun.  The burger was huge, and my dad described the gluten-free bun as “a big soft cracker”.  Either way, he said it was the best tasting gluten-free bread item he’s had.  He did try the gluten-free chocolate dessert, which he found heavy, and not much to his liking, but the fact that they even had a gluten-free dessert is still something to be excited about.  The end to a great lunch came with a growler fully loaded with his beloved Gluten-Free ESB which he got to take home with him as a gift. 

For those who aren’t into the gluten-free menu, never fear, as the Deschutes Brewery isn’t focused on the gluten-free items.  The Deschutes Brewery pub menu is full of delicious salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches and dinners.  They are open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.  The staff is more than friendly and helpful.  All of their beers on tap are available for sale in growlers (32 ounces) and some are even available in bottles.  For anyone who has a love of good beer, good food, and a love of all things Portland, run yourself down to the Deschutes Brewery Pub on NW 11th & NW Davis in the Pearl District of downtown Portland.  Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Deschutes Brewery – 5 out of 5 on the “yummy goodness” scale