Portland is a beer enthusiast’s paradise, home to several award-winning breweries. However, with great options comes the great challenge of picking the right spots for a satisfying beer crawl. But don’t fret! We’ve got you covered with our top recommendation. Von Ebert Brewing has the best beer in town and mouth-watering food that will take your experience to a new level, including one of the best hand-made pizzas in Portland. So, if you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your beer and food cravings, keep reading!
About Von Ebert Brewing
Von Ebert Brewing in the Pearl District is the perfect spot for a beer-tasting flight! On my recent visit to Portland, I visited this beautiful spot and tried their award-winning beers with a tasting flight. Tom Cook, Eric Simko, and Sam Pecoraro founded this craft brewery in 2017 with a mission to create high-quality beers reflecting the Pacific Northwest’s unique flavors and ingredients.
The team behind Von Ebert Brewery has a wealth of experience in the brewing industry. Tom Cook is a veteran brewer who has worked for various breweries in the Pacific Northwest, including Fat Head’s Brewery and Elysian Brewing. Eric Simko is a certified Cicerone and an experienced brewer who has worked for breweries in Oregon and Colorado. Sam Pecoraro is a seasoned hospitality professional who has worked in the restaurant industry for over 20 years.
Awards
Von Ebert Brewery has won numerous awards, including a gold medal at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival for its American-style Indian Pale Ale, a.k.a Volatile Substance. And a bronze medal at the 2022 Oregon Beer Awards for Belgian, traditional Brett, and German wheat beer. You can check out a complete list of awards on their website.
Tasting flight experience
The variety of beers on tap was impressive, from hoppy IPAs to smooth pilsners and even some unique seasonal beers. Here’s a list of beers we tried during our tasting flight.
Volatile Substance 🍺
Volatile Substance is a multi-award-winning beer and the brewery’s top-selling brew. This beer delivers a complex and balanced flavor profile, with notes of pine and tropical fruits inspired by the Pacific Northwest’s characteristics. Despite its hop-forward nature, “Volatile Substance” is not overly bitter, making it very easy to drink. Therefore, this beer is undoubtedly a fan favorite, as it delivers a top-quality drinking experience showcasing the best of the West Coast IPA style.
Pixelated 🍺
Pixelated is a fruity and aromatic beer delivering a burst of tropical flavors. The beer is well-balanced, with a mild sweetness complemented by a slight bitterness, making it very easy to drink. The aroma and taste have fragrant fruity notes of mango, peach, and passionfruit, leaving a pleasant aftertaste. “Pixelated” is currently a staff favorite at the brewery, delivering a delightful and well-crafted drinking experience.
Drink me 🍺
Drink Me is a refreshingly tart beer perfect for a hot summer day. But it is equally enjoyable on a cold winter morning. This beer has a bright and fruity aroma, followed by a crisp and clean taste that is slightly sweet and tart. The light body and high carbonation make it refreshing, and the finish is crisp, leaving a pleasant aftertaste.
Rauch Marzen 🍺
Rauch Marzen is a smoky and flavorful beer that is sure to satisfy fans of smoked brews. This beer’s aroma is reminiscent of campfire smoke and bacon, which gives way to a rich buttery taste that is well-balanced and smooth. The smokiness is prominent but not overpowering, making it an excellent choice for pairing with hearty dishes such as grilled meats or smoked cheeses. With its medium body and low carbonation, Rauch Marzen is a velvety beer that lingers on the palate, leaving a pleasant aftertaste.
Floral pilsner 🍺
Floral Pilsner is a fragrant light beer perfect for those who enjoy crisp and refreshing brews. With its delicate floral aroma, this beer invites you to take a sip, revealing a well-balanced and clean taste that is neither bitter nor too sweet. It is an excellent choice for warm weather or as a palate cleanser between heavier brews.
Ode to Jo 🍺
Ode to Jo is a Czech Amber Lager, perfect for any occasion. This beer has a pleasant aroma of toasted malt and subtle hints of caramel, followed by a well-balanced and smooth taste that is not too sweet. Its light to medium body and moderate carbonation make it very drinkable, and the clean finish leaves a pleasant aftertaste that lingers on the palate.
Food at Von Ebert Brewing
It’s not just the beer that sets them apart from their competitors. The food is just as incredible. We tried the lemony ricotta pizza, one of the signature dishes at Von Ebert Brewing. The combination of the tangy lemon flavor with the creamy ricotta cheese and the crispy crust was just perfect, and we highly recommend trying it. 🍕
Pro tip: Order the Rauch Marzen to pair with the pizza. The smokiness of the Marzen is the perfect flavor pairing to the lemony cheesy goodness of the pizza.
We also tried the Carolina Pulled Pork Burger, another excellent pairing with the beers. The tender pulled pork, complemented by the delightful blend of sweet and spicy honey mustard sauce, sandwiched between a soft bun, which came with the crispiest tater tots, delivering an explosion of flavors that left us craving for more. 🍔
Final verdict
Our experience at Von Ebert Brewing was fantastic, from the friendly staff to the delicious food and beer. If you’re in the Pearl District, we highly recommend stopping by this gem of a brewery and trying its best-sellers. You won’t be disappointed! Plus, they organize fun trivia and movie nights now and then. Do give them a follow on Instagram for the latest updates about the events, offers, and beers.
