Driving the Great Northwest - "B" is for Billings. Or is it Beer, Maybe it's Breweries?

While visiting our friends in Billings, Ron knew that Stijn would love the chance to try some Montana beers.  Stijn being from Belgium, who regards himself as a "beer connoisseur" if you will, jumps at this opportunity to see if Montana's beer can even come close to the World renowned beers of Belgium.  And it just so happens that Billings has a few breweries where Stijn can do a few taste comparisons.

It seems Montana has developed quite a reputation for producing great beer. They do grow some of the finest grains in the nation and location is everything. In an area situated just off the Rocky Mountains that produces barley that is used throughout the country to produce fine beers, domestic and craft. And Montana breweries pride themselves in using Montana grown grain to make their beer.

Now we did draw this out over a two day period, starting with visiting the "Montana Brewing Company" located at 113 N. Broadway.  Why did this brewery get picked first?  Well it was Sunday and it was the only one open, that's why.

I must make a confession here.....because this event actually took place this past April, neither Stijn or I can remember which beers we tasted.  But as Stijn says "It was beer, it was good!"

On Monday afternoon we hit the other 3 breweries in town.  First stop, "Angry Hanks Brewery".

I just love how most breweries that we've been to since we've started this trip are in places that have been re purposed if you will.  The building that Angry Hanks is in was once an old gas station located at 2405 First Ave. North.

 

It was a nice sunny afternoon, so we ordered up our beers and headed out front to the patio!

Okay, let's get moving, we have two more breweries to hit before dinner!  Next stop "Yellowstone Valley Brewing Company"  This brewery is referred to as the "Garage Pub".   Why?  Because it is  located in what used to be an old automotive repair garage.  Here is where Stijn got to chat with the brew master and discuss the intricacies of brewing beer.  And of course along with this came several samples of the brew masters favorites. 

So after much talk over several tastings, it was difficult to decide which brews Stijn would be leaving with from this brewery.

Last stop, "Carter's Brewing" 

Located on Historic Montana Ave. right along the train tracks, Carter's Brewing has been serving up their specialty brews since their business began in July 2007.  An extensive brew list made it hard to decide which beer would be our last of the day.

Well, I'm about beered out!  Aren't there any wineries in the area?

There are a few more pictures of our two days "Pub Crawling".  Click here to see the album "Billings Breweries"

Driving The Great Northwest - One Last Happy Hour

Our home exchange has come to an end in Vancouver Washington and I can't believe how fast 2 weeks has gone by!  April actually turned out to be a great time of year to be in the Great Northwest with mild tempetures and very little rain.

Now it's time to head to Montana, but not before we hit just one more happy hour before we leave!

We had seen this great restaurant on the water when we rode our bikes along the Willamette River on April 18th and I thought what a great place to have a drink.  So on April 20th, the evening before we leave, we decided to drive over the Columbia River into Portland and stop in at the "Newport Seafood Grill".  

This is Portland's only floating restaurant!  Which seems sort of odd based on all the river's around here. 

We probably parked to far away, but we enjoyed walking the waterfront on our way there.

Happy hour here is from 3pm til 6pm and then again at 9pm until closing, every single day!  The place was pretty much empty when we arrived so we were able to pick our table at a window with a great view.  Actually the whole place is nothing but windows, so no matter where you sit, you will have a great view!

We actually ended up ordering off of the regular menu as the prices weren't that bad and everything looked really good.  I had the Mahi Mahi Baja style tacos with grilled mahi mahi, mango tomatillo salsa, cilantro lime sour cream, in corn tortillas for $10.95.  If you want three it's $13.95.  Two was plenty!  Stijn had the Alaksan Halibut Sandwich with seasoned grilled halibut, lemon caper tartar, sun-dried tomato pesto, dressed sweet greens and cucumber on a toasted brioche bun for $11.95.  Sorry no pictures of these fantastic dishes, we were too busy eating!

Stijn did have a beer and I had a glass of wine and we toasted to another fabulous home exchange, thanks to Terri, our exchanger in Vancouver Washington! 

You can also see these pictures at "Where's Debbie".  Just click on the album "One Last Happy Hour"

Driving The Great Northwest - Some Great Places for "Happy Hour" in Portland - Part II

Happy Hours are such a great thing in Portland Oregon that as you can see it has made it necessary for me to do a two part story about some of these great little spots!

So after our first evening on April 12th of discovering where the "locals" like to go, April 15th Sterling and Carrie took us in a different direction to try some of Portland's "Happy Hour" fare.

I know everyone has heard of the "Pearl District" in the heart of Portland.  It's the one talked about in all the travel books and magazines.  So of course that's where everyone (tourists) wants to go.  Well let me share a little secret with you...."The Historic Mississippi Avenue District"!!  This now trendy, historic part of Portland is located in the northeast in the Boise section at North Fremont Street. 

Portland Oregon's Historic Mississippi Avenue Shopping and Restaurant District has a culture all its own, combining originality, variety, and excellence with style and energy. Almost every business is locally owned and operated, making it a welcome break from the corporate fare found elsewhere.

Our first stop, "Casa Naranja".  Located at 4205 Mississippi Ave., the brightly painted California Craftsman Style house is what draws me in right away.

But with all the great options for sitting outside, "In" is not what we did.

We tried a few of the items off of the Happy Hour menu and I must tell you, the Yam fries are the BEST you will ever have, ANYWHERE!

Stijn was loving his burger and beer!

Our next stop brings us to "Amnesia Brewing" which is located in what seems to have been an old auto mechanics garage at 832 North Beach St.

This is a very relaxed place with picnic tables lined up outside where you can enjoy your beer and a barbequed hamburger or hot dog while enjoying a rare sunny day in Portland.

It was pretty fun to see that Belgian Beer, being the great beer that it is, was not available for Happy Hour!

But all is not lost.  We headed over to "Bridgetown Beerhouse" where Mike was more than happy to help Stijn fulfill his need for some good ole' Belgian beer!

There are some more pictures to see at "Where's Debbie".  Click on the album "Happy Hour Part II"