Amnesia Brewing
832 N Beech St
Portland, OR 97227 (503) 281-7708
- Hours:
Mon-Tue 3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Wed-Thu 12:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sat 12:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
38 Reviews for Amnesia Brewing
Honestly, I'm surprised there aren't more places like Amnesia in Portland. Germany and Japan, two great beer cultures, are full of beer gardens -- the emphasis is on enjoying beer outdoors talking with good friends, while keeping the food and decor simple. Portland, with another great beer culture, deserves a beer garden of its own and Amnesia single-handedly takes the title.
On a recent warm Spring evening, the vibe was mellow, the buzz of conversation was a pleasant cacophony and dogs were everywhere, enjoying bonus time with their owners.
Amnesia has the right formula for summer, looking forward to spending many evenings here.
I spent every Friday last summer hanging out on Amnesia Brewing's front patio drinking beer, reading and planning my weekend. I'm the kind of girl who likes going out with friends, but who is also very independent and sometimes just likes to kick back and have some drinks by myself. This is the perfect bar for either option.
The patio is very comfortable and there are shaded and sunny spots to choose from depending on how you're feeling. There are usually several mellow dogs hanging out with their owners, and lots of cool people. The beer is brewed on site in the back, an area which is visible from the bar. Once you walk inside you will smell it. Mmmm, hoppy. I've gotten mostly good service here, nothing over the top, but that kind of fits in with the neighborhood which is ok with me.
Food is grilled on the patio and ranges from sausages to veggie burgers - not a huge selection, but quite good. They serve their sandwhiches with fresh fruit and kettle chips. Delicious! If they have it, order the Portabello Mushroom Sandwhich. It's to die for! I literally had it once a week last summer, and man, I'm craving one right now just thinking about it. I don't do pork or beef, so it's always that or a veggie burger for me. Both are really good.
Oh, and the beer!!!! Jeez! It's awesome. Portland has so many great locally made beers, and Amnesia ranks up there with the best.
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After playing some soccer in the hot weather (finally), I headed over to Amnesia for a beer and some grub... it was the perfect place to be all gross and not feel like people were staring at my grossness. It is also one of the coolest places ever to sit outside and enjoy some beer and good company. The pale was a delicious after-workout beer. The sausage with kraut was just okay... but the Kettle chips helped out the situation. The level of noise was perfect too... not so loud that you couldn't hold a good conversation and not too quiet that you felt like people could hear what you were saying.
I really enjoyed hanging out at this place - and if I lived in NE Portland, I'd make this a regular spot. I love, love, love sitting outside after being cooped up all day long in the tech world... makes me feel human again - and this place has a nice friendly vibe to go along with the great outdoor seating.
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After drinking cocktails all evening, my group hit Amnesia Brewing and I was a little worried about the beer offerings. I didn't want to mix beer and hard alcohol. I was looking for a light sort of ale so asked the bartender what he would suggest. He asked if I liked wheat or a pilsner. When I said pilsner, he presented me with what looked like a bottle of german beer. The best part - $3!!! And it was a great beer.
It was a bit too chilly to sit outside so we took up several of the indoor picnic tables. Immediately I had a sense of deja vue - remembering the times, years ago, when friends and I would go to the beer garden at the Oktoberfest. With the only food offering being sausages, and drinking a German beer it really felt like September in Mt. Angel.
Our table had a set of dominoes so our group started a game. Soon we had another gentleman join our table and after explaining the game to him, we started in. All in all, it was a very fun time!
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In my humble opinion, there is no better place to enjoy a great beer outdoors on a sunny afternoon (well maybe my backyard, when I have the grill running). Amnesia is located in a very hip area on Mississippi, and is always teeming with a wide selection of Portland's best citizens. Add to it the smell of the burgers and brawts being grilled outside, and you have the perfect setting to enjoy an amazing beer with friends, while the soaking in the sun and cooking the mold out of the body after a long and wet Portland winter.
I always know that summer is just around the corner about the time I make my first trek of the year to Amnesia.
Plus, both of their IPA's are top notch...
Simple, unassuming and hip.
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this beer is so local it hurts. i really like some of their concoctions, and the rest are great quality but suited to the tastes of people hoppier than i. so here's what makes this place a 5 instead of a 4:
1) copious bike parking. they installed a fucking corral in the street! yeehaw! and the placement was well-thought-out, too. it's about 10 feet from the patio where people are frequently out drinking it up, so there's way less chance that someone's gonna walk off with your light or molest your bike.
2) covered patio. i love sitting outside if it's warmer than 40 degrees. i do not love getting rained on while i relax with a beer. the solution is, a huge honking tent over the patio. perhaps the tent goes away in the warmer, less rainy months, but it was there and it was convenient that it was there, when i was there.
3) saaaaaausages. several varieties. done right--grilled, not nuked, all krauted up. nuff said!
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Amnesia brewery in the summer is like being at a big barbeque party. I think the fact that it's dog friendly, and the fact that the picnic tables inevitably get shared by people who didn't arrive together kind of forces interactions between people, in a good way. It's not that people are intruding on your space; it just sort of forces everyone to smile and be friendly to each other.
The beer is really good; not my absolute favorite, but good enough where I'll order it from a tap at a different bar. The food is just right for the place; I love that they only serve grill food, and they do it well.
The first time I went there I knew it was cool. I had never had their beer and so the bartender, in a friendly manner and unsolicited, gave me tastes of a couple and told me about the brews. Plus there were friendly dogs running around (in the control of their owners), which always adds a star in my book. They had Miles Davis playing on the stereo. That was a good place to be that day.
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Went to sit in the sun and chat, it was perfect! I don't drink a lot (but don't condemn those who do, you bunch of lushes!) so I appreciated being able to buy a glass, rather than a pint. A glass of beer is enough to last me an hour and give me a mild buzz. Yay for being a cheap drunk! I didn't like that my glass was sorta sticky and not well washed, with chunky bits on the outside, but clean glasses really are overrated. We didn't order food, it looked like standard bar fare. I totally loved that people sat outside with their dogs and enjoyed the day. There were older people, me, younger people, all sorts of people! The staff seems very nice. I was recommended a very light beer on tap that was just perfect.
There is a very hoppy, yeasty, malty aroma inside. I think it would make me sorta ill if I ate in there, but it does attest to the fact there is something abrewin' there.
I would definitely go back and sit in the sun with a beer and a dog.
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Oh Amnesia
I have not forgotten you...
I've not forgotten those hot summer days of yesteryear (ok, so it was just last year, but "yesteryear" sounds more poetic)
sitting out in the parking lot at a picnic table under your awning
with the smell of grilled dogs 'n burgers smoking the air
making my eyes burn, and my mouth water in anticipatory delight
with a cold tasty handcrafted brew trickling down my throat
I'll be back soon.
____
While a simple place, Amnesia is getting 4 sparkles from me because they know what they do, and they do it well. They win stars for simplicity. Good beer, simple menu, great neighborhood hangout. Enjoy.
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Delicious beer and BBQ! It was 3:30 on a Thursday a few years back and the place was full going BBQ party just as someone else had described. The outside seating was social and a live jazz band was playing. Recently a good friend drove back with two mason jars of Desolation - bounced all the way back over two days to SF and was still carbonated and tasty as ever. When I visit Portland Amnesia is my first stop.
This place is great for a group, but don't go if it's just the two of you. It's all outdoor seating and sort of college-party style atmosphere. Not much of a menu either unless you want sausage & beer. But it's great if that's what you're looking for. We ended up choosing it one night when we were here with a group and hey, we wanted sausage and beer. Nice. We weren't disappointed. We came with our dog Bean (this is a *super* dog friendly town). The guy running the sausage grill came over and gave Bean a leftover-overdone sausage to go with my pint dredges (Bean likes beer). Not only are dogs allowed in restaurants, they're SERVED. Bean loves this town.
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Meh. I went here last night for a drink, and aside from the plentiful outdoor seating, which is where everyone seemed to be hanging out, it didn't really have anything about it that stood out. It seems to be a good place for groups, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to go back.
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The trusty (never dusty) Urban Dictionary defines "Sausage Fest" as:
"A party or gathering where there is a substantial abundance of weiner"
Amnesia's interpretation of Sausage Fest is definitely heavy on the weiner, but in a much more promising way than your average keg-standing, beer bonging, polo wearing, hair gelling combination of kappa, gamma, sigma, or alpha.
On a three day whirlwind tour of Portland, Amnesia was one of the first stops - I had to show Miss Stephy S. 'how we do' up here. And that entailed noshing on fresh apples, cheese, and sausage, and sipping on a microbrew in a warehouse-turned-brewpub.
We could have stayed here all afternoon - the doors were open so a nice fall breeze was blowing, highlighting these things we have up here called "seasons," and Stephy's obsession with the 6-pack of mustard was almost as amusing as my school girl crush on the cutie bartender. (He was sporting his Oregon-orange long-sleved tee which really highlighted the "straight off the beach" surfer look he was rocking. On that note, his parents must have been beavers too....cause dam(n)...)
With so much of Portland to explore, we had to leave just a tad bit before we were ready, but this is definitely a sausage fest that I won't mind returning to.
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Thank you Portland, because Amnesia Brewing is EXACTLY the kind of establishment I closed my little blue LA eyes really tight and prayed for when I found out I was heading to Portland.
As soon as we pulled up to this place just off of Mississippi, I got excited. My resident tour guide, Laura N said, "this is my kinda place and this is MY version of Portland" and honestly, that's all I needed to hear since during the last 48 hours, she's presented me with a slew of awesome places that have made my stay here incredible.
Once in, I quickly realized that an even deeper love affair was about to begin. The bar itself was so unassuming and welcoming. The atmosphere was just so humble and chill. The patrons were so polite and cool and honestly, I'd be hard pressed to find anything wrong with this place or with the time we spent here.
We enjoyed on site brewed beer, a tasty sausage plate with cheese and bread and deelish apples and were even served mustard in a beer 6-pack cardboard container (an idea which I am totally stealing for my next dinner party).
I have only spent 2 days here in the fine city of Portland, but I can say with 100% certainty that if I lived here, THIS would be a frequent hang of mine and I may just have to go back and hit this place before I leave! Yeah, it was that cool.
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Stopped in here on our way to get a couple drinks in the city and it was a wonderful place to start. this is totally the sort of place I'd want to hang out at on a regular basis.
It's like a big garage with the bar up front and the brewing in the back, which makes it feel really open. There's picnic tables inside and out front and while it was too cold to sit outside they still had the grill going.
I'm not a beer snob, but the beer was good. I definitely want to head back some day and try the tofu sausage thing that was on the menu. Everyone inside seemed friendly and inviting.
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Great beer. If you see an amnesia's beer on tap in another tavern, they have good taste and it's likely one of the best brews they have to offer.
However, the Amnesia bar on Mississippi generally seems to abhor positive qualities. The food selection is painfully sparse, 3 or 4 items grilled outdoors. The service tends to the mediocre and the interior decor and imaginativeness of design lacks a certain je-ne-sais-quality.
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Amnesia Brewing's Copasetic IPA is one of my favorite beers. Brewer Kevin Young formerly of Rogue really knows his stuff. He loves hoppy beers and so do I. I love the ambiance of Amnesia because it is so laid back and they have some of the best beer and largest beer garden in town.
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Excellent neighborhood spot! Their IPAs were both very good and we like the minimalist industrial interior. Lots of people were hoovering outside under the heat lamps in 34 degree temps! We will definitely go back and I highly recommend it.
Just burgers and brats on the menu (which they cook on the grill outside), so be sure to have a good dinner down the street at Mississippi Station instead.
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Dig Amnesia.
Spent a nice Summer early afternoon here ... good beer, a brat, and warm sunshine.
The service was super friendly, but a bit slow on the food from the grill. The grill was cool, though ... out on the patio ... and made the place seem a bit more like home.
The beer was delicious.
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We've been meeting a lot of potential roommates lately, and our go-to place has become Amnesia.
It has a great open, friendly vibe; a nice atmospheric middle between everybody keeping to themselves versus everyone being regulars. Never showed your face before? You won't get cold looks, everyone staring and wondering who just walked into THEIR bar. Nope, just grab yourself a picnic table (inside or out) after ordering a beer and chill.
Every time I walk into Amnesia, I feel like I could make a new friend (so far I've made 2 new roommates, so that's not bad). One of the female bartenders recognized us on our second trip there in a week, and the guy working really impressed me by asking if I had cut my hair - I shaved my head about 1 month ago, and he had only seen me once before.
I was only going to rate 4 stars, just because I wish they had a few more beer and vegetarian food options, but a memory like that deserves 5.
And the guy is cute.
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There is something so comforting and cozy about coming here in the winter. You step in from the rain and are greeted by the intense smell of hops permeating the air and a nice dry stool to park it for a while. But then again, there is something so relaxing and familiar about coming here in the summer. I love rolling up onto their dog friendly patio on a crisp sunny day, sipping a frosty Desolation, and munching down a veggie burger. This is the kind of brewery that makes you appreciate how nice the simplicities of life can be.
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I'm not a brew girl, but I love hanging out at Amnesia on a hot summer day. They have a great outdoor space that is dog friendly and an outdoor grill where they cook up your meal right there on the barbee.
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I was hesitant when my friends invited me to this place called Amnesia. It sounds like one of those one-word hangouts where hipsters in black, sip on fancy cocktails. But I was pleasantly surprised by the laid-back feel and outdoor seating area. It was like being at a neighborhood picnic, and every once in awhile you'd find something interesting to say to the table next to yours. It has the environment of Lucky Labrador, with some of the menu offerings of Good Dog/Bad Dog.
I normally don't drink beer but I found myself enjoying two pints of the IPA and chewing on the Tofu bratwurst, which both were surprisingly gratifying. Next time I think I'll sink my teeth in a real burger. Though the place is dog-friendly, be careful not to let your furry friend roam around without a leash...it stresses out the waitstaff.
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Love it! Best beer in Portland and simple, non-pretentious menu without yuppie flare. Down-to-earth people service.
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For a cold pint on a hot day, Amnesia Brewing hits the spot. With almost all outdoor seating (picnic tables under canopies), and a do-it-yourself BBQ, Amnesia Brewing offers a comfortable and VERY casual place to bask in the limited Portland sun.
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i had a boring time here but that doesnt mean you will. beer was alright but kind of expensive here. there was a ton of outdoor seating. bartender seemed a little sour, but it was near closing time. i could imagine a group of friends gossiping loudly and reveling in their youth and good fortune while drinking into the night. i however was just sitting with a pal bitching about life as usual. i probably wont be there ruining the evening so give it a try.
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Best brewery in town. I used to live by there, and now that I don't I still go back weekly. Great outdoor eating, awesome beer (Desolation), the staff is great, good vibe, etc, etc. Can't go wrong. Whenever friends are in town, that's our first stop.
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Ready for a summer barbecue
Don't let the name fool you --- you'll never forget Amnesia Brewing as a great place for the summer --- spring if we're lucky.
The menu is simple but don't mistake that for limiting. It doesn't have to be extensive because it offers the best outdoor grill for barbecue hamburgers and sausages. Through in some tasty microbrews on the menu and what else do you need to have a good time? I know --- your dog with you on the patio. It's dog friendly too.
Tip: They also have live music, so call ahead to find out when.
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This place does a damn fine cheese burger - one of the best i've had in Portland - they are simple, smallish burgers made with quality meat. Maybe its the olfactory stimuli that enhances their flavor so. They cook the patties on big grills outdoors and you are usually not more than 20ft from the grill and its yum-o odors. I love to go here on hot days and eat a burger on their patio. On a really nice day the patio can get a little crowded for my taste - but it is a good spot to drink beer with a group of friends, bring your dogs and people watch. I like beer and they've got beer here. I don't get into the technicalities of beer but they got something like an IPA which works for me -- and many other varieties which might work for others.
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It is of my opinion that Amnesia has the best IPA in Portland. That's a big statement to make too. They have a great patio for the summertime, but get there early because it gets crowded and people start hawking for tables. Another great thing is that they're dog friendly there. They have water bowls and such for the pups.
Their food is great because it's cooked on the charcoal grill, but only if you're in the mood for burgers or dogs. Otherwise, they have Cheez-its! I love Cheez-its! Or pretzels, they have those as well.
It's not for everybody there and their other beers are mediocre, but what they do well makes it worth it.
Besides, it's on Missihipster and everybody wants to be on Missihipster, for now.....
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This microbrewery is a relative newcomer to the Portland scene but has made fans with delicious brews and a selection of bratwursts cooked on a grill outside. The inside feature the same rustic picnic tables as the outside, with a slight view of the silver brewing tanks in the back room. Sacks of yeast and other brewery type things are heaped in corners, and the fun atmosphere and chipper staff make you want to go in the back and start playing with hops.
Summer is Amnesia's shining season, hen the patio is packed and the garage door is opened to let bluegrass and jazz bands play over the din. Locals from Mississippi tie their bikes to the rail and their dogs to the table and spend hours over a favorite beer (psst, the Pilsner is a hop lovers dream!).
Garden burgers please the vegetarians, and brats please the carnivores, but every beer lover will be happy with the brews. Take a glass jug home, or bring in your own glass bottles for a fill up.
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This is one of the best places for beer and a burger in the summer!
They have huge garage doors that they throw open and a patio thats bigger than the actual restaurant. They have huge picnic tables outside.
The menu is limited to brats, dogs and burgers but they are all good.
The beer selection is great and they brew it all themselves.
Its a really cheap date and a great place for groups.
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Decent beer at a decent price. If you are in the area check it out otherwise there isn't a need to make a special trip for it.
I believe they also have free wifi.
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I find this place rather...forgettable. Pun totally intended, but, by the way, still true. The beer is decent, but nothing to write home about. The lack of vegetarian food options kinda loses points with me, but meat-loving folks do seem to enjoy the BBQ.
I do, however, enjoy the abundant outdoor seating on a warm day. And the brewery itself supports some good causes -- I've come here in big groups when they were pledging a percentage of every pint sold to early-childhood-literacy programs, because if there's anything I love more than drinking, it's drinking FOR A CAUSE.
That said, when contemplating Places to Go Tonight with pals, this place just never really turns up in my radar. Perhaps it's just too aptly named.
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I've only been here twice, but I really liked the desolation IPA. In fact, I believe they had three IPA's on tap, which was great because I love IPAs. So much so that I felt compelled to drink several pitchers of it over the course of an afternoon. Interesting mix of people for a brewery.
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Pretty good beer, I've had better and worse. The atmosphere in the place was very casual and relaxed however it smelled heavily like bleach when I walked in the door - while although annoying at least means they definitely clean the place... I was there in the winter so I wasn't able to partake in the beer garden action out front but I'm sure its probably a good time when the weather is cooperating.
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Nice casual place. The menu was spare, and there was a guitar/drum combo kind of struggling through the evening, but the atmosphere was fun and comfortable. You could safely say that this place caters to a younger crowd.
I tasted 3 different brews, and all were up to snuff.
I will be back for more.
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Monday night B-I-N-G-O! The travelling bingo man stops here on Mondays and his smooth mellow voice giving steady commentary and calling out "next round cussing bingo" made my Monday night. Good for a cheap pick-me-up. The food smelled good, but having just had food poisoning I refrained from trying the sausage plate. Next time!
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