Local pub meetup
posted October 5, 2016 4:56 PM RSS | iCal | +googleCal
Sat October 15 at 4:00 PM, Occidental Tap Room / Wursthaus
6635 N Baltimore Ave, Portland, OR, USA (Map & Directions)
It's been a while since our last local beer & conversation meetup, and I found myself thinking it's about time for another one.
Nobody objected to Saturday Oct. 15th at Occidental Tap Room / Wursthaus, right next to Cathedral Park at the base of the St. Johns Bridge.
Ditto: 15th good, 22nd I've got a thing. And I'm down for new or old; been to Green Dragon a couple times in the last few months and remembered how much I like that place, and it's relatively central, so I'd be down for that as an easy choice.
There's also a new German brewpub restaurant under the St. Johns Bridge if people feel like being a little Oktoberfesty and are willing to make the schlep to North Portland; Occidental Wursthaus, beer from the (already right there) Occidental brewery, tasty food from the Urban German foodcart folks.
posted by cortex at 7:53 AM on October 6, 2016
There's also a new German brewpub restaurant under the St. Johns Bridge if people feel like being a little Oktoberfesty and are willing to make the schlep to North Portland; Occidental Wursthaus, beer from the (already right there) Occidental brewery, tasty food from the Urban German foodcart folks.
posted by cortex at 7:53 AM on October 6, 2016
It will likely be cold and rainy, so we'd definitely want an indoor space.
I'd be okay with the Wursthaus.
I know the main indoor space at Green Dragon can get pretty loud; is that "back area" large enough to hold our typical number of attendees?
Other "been there before" possibilities are Eastburn and Horse Brass on the east side, or Paymaster in NW downtown (but only if they've got their back patio covered and the heaters fired up; indoors was kinda cramped).
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:30 AM on October 6, 2016
I'd be okay with the Wursthaus.
I know the main indoor space at Green Dragon can get pretty loud; is that "back area" large enough to hold our typical number of attendees?
Other "been there before" possibilities are Eastburn and Horse Brass on the east side, or Paymaster in NW downtown (but only if they've got their back patio covered and the heaters fired up; indoors was kinda cramped).
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:30 AM on October 6, 2016
The quieter "cafe space" side of Green Dragon (near the bathrooms) can easily hold our typical number of attendees if there isn't another large group already in there- we've had large meetups there in the past.
The Wursthaus is great and I definitely think people should check it out- but the space is a little echo-y and I find it to sometimes be too noisy for me when there are people at all the tables. I haven't been there enough yet to figure out when the popular times are- it's pretty gread when it isn't so busy! The tables there are large, which sort of good for a meetup- but also sort of bad because if there's a bunch of couples, each one claims a table and then there's no place left to sit. Also there's not much of a way that I can think of to push tables together, because they're large. There is a great patio, partially covered, probably not great for pouring rain, though. I don't know if it's heated yet or not. When the Wursthaus gets too busy, you can always order your food there and take it downstairs and across the parking lot to the Occidental Tap room, which is usually pretty quiet. They don't like you to carry your beer from one location to the other, though.
posted by Secretariat at 10:48 AM on October 6, 2016
The Wursthaus is great and I definitely think people should check it out- but the space is a little echo-y and I find it to sometimes be too noisy for me when there are people at all the tables. I haven't been there enough yet to figure out when the popular times are- it's pretty gread when it isn't so busy! The tables there are large, which sort of good for a meetup- but also sort of bad because if there's a bunch of couples, each one claims a table and then there's no place left to sit. Also there's not much of a way that I can think of to push tables together, because they're large. There is a great patio, partially covered, probably not great for pouring rain, though. I don't know if it's heated yet or not. When the Wursthaus gets too busy, you can always order your food there and take it downstairs and across the parking lot to the Occidental Tap room, which is usually pretty quiet. They don't like you to carry your beer from one location to the other, though.
posted by Secretariat at 10:48 AM on October 6, 2016
I would guess late Saturday evening is going to be pretty busy wherever we go. It sounds like at least with Wursthaus we can always slide over to Occidental if we want to escape the noise.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:56 AM on October 6, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:56 AM on October 6, 2016
Correction: late Saturday afternoon and early evening.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:09 PM on October 6, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:09 PM on October 6, 2016
Point of interest: Occidental's beer list vs. Green Dragon's...
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:06 PM on October 6, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:06 PM on October 6, 2016
So far nobody's objected to Saturday the 15th, so let's focus on where we're going.
Votes for Occidental?
Votes for Green Dragon?
Votes for somewhere else?
(And remember, kids - vote early and vote often!)
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:34 PM on October 7, 2016
Votes for Occidental?
Votes for Green Dragon?
Votes for somewhere else?
(And remember, kids - vote early and vote often!)
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:34 PM on October 7, 2016
I'll add more disclaimers, in case any of these are a dealbreaker: No minors in the Occidental Tap Room, Yes minors in the Wursthaus. There are also some german wines available at the Wursthaus, and presumably soft drinks- but it is worth noting the menu is limited. Vegetarian choices are probably spaetzel, fondue, pomme frites, and salad. (I haven't inquired- so while in appearance those are meat free, I can't guarantee those aren't secretly prepared with meat.) You can bring outside food to the Tap Room and there are several options for tasty vegetarian and vegan food available a few blocks away. But one of those blocks is up a steep hill.
posted by Secretariat at 8:18 PM on October 7, 2016
posted by Secretariat at 8:18 PM on October 7, 2016
Occidental's beers are tasty. I vote for the under the bridge option.
posted by janell at 8:14 AM on October 10, 2016
posted by janell at 8:14 AM on October 10, 2016
I was just thinking about Horse Brass last night. Probably because we were walking around London looking for a decent pub.
posted by nickthetourist at 9:51 AM on October 10, 2016
posted by nickthetourist at 9:51 AM on October 10, 2016
Does that mean you consider Horse Brass an example of a decent pub, or of a lousy one?
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:19 AM on October 10, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:19 AM on October 10, 2016
Well, it's better than the one we ate at last night.
posted by nickthetourist at 10:24 AM on October 10, 2016
posted by nickthetourist at 10:24 AM on October 10, 2016
While I prefer the larger beer selection at Green Dragon, we've gotten a couple of endorsements for Occidental. Shall I go ahead and set the event for this Saturday at Occidental, for (4pm? 5pm?)?
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:14 AM on October 10, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:14 AM on October 10, 2016
I'm not particular as to a place. Set it for wherever and we'll do the best we can to make it.
posted by nickthetourist at 1:25 PM on October 10, 2016
posted by nickthetourist at 1:25 PM on October 10, 2016
Sounds good to me!
posted by Secretariat at 2:22 PM on October 11, 2016
posted by Secretariat at 2:22 PM on October 11, 2016
Anyone concerned about the storm that hits during this meetup? I'm still game to meet up if you all are. Here's a post that's been updating with some info (mostly WA-centric, though). I guess it's not going to be the storm of the century, but it could be the storm of the decade. Sort of unrelated- there was a tornado at the Oregon Coast today!
posted by Secretariat at 2:43 PM on October 14, 2016
posted by Secretariat at 2:43 PM on October 14, 2016
I'm currently ambivalent about Saturday's weather. "Heavy rain" and blustery winds were forecast for Thursday afternoon/evening, but all I saw was normal rain and a few breezes (maybe it was worse outside of my own neighborhood, I didn't go looking). So now I don't know if Saturday will turn out the same, or actually match the original forecast. And right now Weather.com is saying showers, rainfall under 1/2 inch, and gusty. All I know to do is play it by ear, see how things develop tomorrow.
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:55 PM on October 14, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:55 PM on October 14, 2016
...Aaaaand now the forecast is getting more dire again. We'll see, but we may have to cancel and reschedule this event.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:04 PM on October 14, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:04 PM on October 14, 2016
At the moment it's looking like the worst of the rain will be done by mid-afternoon, with mostly wind continuing into the evening. I'm still game for a meetup.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:52 AM on October 15, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:52 AM on October 15, 2016
On account of being so near the venue, I hereby pledge to get my ass over there if anyone else does venture the trip.
posted by cortex at 10:55 AM on October 15, 2016
posted by cortex at 10:55 AM on October 15, 2016
Sounds good, even if it's just gonna be you'n me...
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:24 AM on October 15, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:24 AM on October 15, 2016 [1 favorite]
Weather seems to be okay so far... Strudel and I are planning on coming. :-)
posted by FireFountain at 12:24 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by FireFountain at 12:24 PM on October 15, 2016
No reason to sit around at home, then!
posted by Secretariat at 2:55 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by Secretariat at 2:55 PM on October 15, 2016
True, but Portland is blanketed with outages, and the prospect of trying to drive across town without traffic signals is daunting. I'm so tempted to come, though....
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:11 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:11 PM on October 15, 2016
I've decided to skip this one. :-( Have fun, O Brave Ones!
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:19 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:19 PM on October 15, 2016
Argh, I can't decide!
First one there, please update the thread and let us know how the roads are. I can always show up late.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:31 PM on October 15, 2016
First one there, please update the thread and let us know how the roads are. I can always show up late.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:31 PM on October 15, 2016
Yeah we haven't left yet either, and the bar is ~ 30 min drive for us - anyone know how the roads are? We lost power here too in southeast for a bit
posted by FireFountain at 4:00 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by FireFountain at 4:00 PM on October 15, 2016
Can only speak to the last mile to St John's but it's fine up here, power on and such. We're at Wursthaus now, just sat downwind some beers.
posted by cortex at 4:05 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by cortex at 4:05 PM on October 15, 2016
We have a decent sized table, it isn't busy.
posted by Secretariat at 4:05 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by Secretariat at 4:05 PM on October 15, 2016
Okay, Strudel and I will make our way there - sorry in advance, we'll be a bit late!
posted by FireFountain at 4:08 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by FireFountain at 4:08 PM on October 15, 2016
Faced with the prospect of trying to read by candlelight vs. the allure of a cold pint and hot food, my resolve failed and I'm going for it! See you in half an hour - I hope.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:11 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:11 PM on October 15, 2016
Glad you made it, Greg! And thanks for setting this up.
posted by knuckle tattoos at 9:26 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by knuckle tattoos at 9:26 PM on October 15, 2016
Thanks for coming. And the icing on the cake is that my power was back on when I got home!
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:31 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:31 PM on October 15, 2016
Yes, thanks Greg for setting this up, we had fun. Glad to hear your power is back!
posted by FireFountain at 10:32 PM on October 15, 2016
posted by FireFountain at 10:32 PM on October 15, 2016
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by nickthetourist at 12:11 AM on October 6, 2016