Depressed Metabolism

Although non-traditional sweetened fruit “Lambics” are easy to obtain in most American cities, finding retailers, pubs, or restaurants that sell traditional Lambic and Gueuze (also spelled Geuze) remains a challenge. Most Americans remain unfamiliar with these traditional beers, or dislike the dry and tart taste. By definition, traditional Lambics need to be imported from Belgium, which further limit availability and increase price. Nevertheless, there are a number of locations in Portland, Oregon, where these beers can be purchased and consumed.

A good brief introduction to Lambic beers is the Wikepedia entry on Lambic beers. A great recent book that extensively covers Lambics is Jeff Sparrow’s “Wild Brews: Beer Beyond the Influence of Brewer’s Yeast.”

The following list only includes locations in Portland, Oregon, where traditional Lambics and Geuze beers are being sold. Each location includes a list with representative beers. This list is not complete and may be outdated. Please contact the authors at depressed.metabolism@gmail.com for additions, corrections and updates.

Northwest

North45 Pub
517 NW 21st Avenue (at Glisan )

Boon Oude Geuze

Downtown

Higgins Restaurant and Bar
1239 SW Broadway

Oud Beersel Oude Geuze Vielle
Cantillon Grand Cru Old Lambic
Cantillon Foú Foune

Northeast

Concordia Ale House
3276 NE Killingsworth St

Girardin Gueuze 1882 Black Label
Cantillon Iris

La Bodega Wine and Beer
1325 NE Fremont St.

La Bodega used to sell brews like Cantillon Iris, Oud Beersel Kriek, and Oud Beersel Framboise but did not sell any of those during our last visit (August 2008).

Southeast

Jáce Gáce
2045 SE Belmont st.

Oud Beersel Oude Kriek

Hopworks Urban Brewery
2944 SE Powell Boulevard

Hopworks sells a small collection of bottled beers including Cantillon Gueuze.

Belmont Station Beer Store and Biercafe
4500 SE Start St.

3 Fonteinen Hommage
3 Fonteinen Doesjel
Cantillon Classic Gueuze
Cantillon Grand Cru
Cantillon Iris
Cantillon Fou Foune
Cantillon Kriek
Cantillon Lou Pepe Framboise
Cantillon Lou Pepe Kriek
Girardin Gueuze1882 Black Label
Oud Beersel Framboise
Oud Beersel Kriek
Oud Beersel Gueuze

Retailers

Some local Whole Foods stores carry traditional Lambics (for example, Cantillon at the Pearl District Whole Foods) or are open to ordering special requests. Belmont Station has the largest selection of traditional Lambics in Portland, which can be either purchased to take out, or consumed in the “bier cafe”. They frequently have traditional Lambics and Gueuzes on draft and organize an annual “Puckerfest” to celebrate sour ales and lambics. Another beer seller with an impressive collection of traditional Lambics is John’s Market in SW Portland. The bottle shop Saraveza carries a small selection of Oud Beersel and Cantillon beers. Liquid Solutions in Oregon City carries quite a number of traditional Lambics including Cantillon, Drie Fonteinen and Oud Beersel. Until recently, the excellent lambics of Hanssens were not available in Portland but since Autumn 2008  bottles of Hanssens have made it to Belmont Station and John’s Market. The only traditional Lambic brewer that is not available at all in Portland is De Cam.

American Wild Ales

Not strictly Lambic, but American wild ales share some similarities with the traditional Pajottenland beers. Representative brewers of this style are Russian River Brewing Company and Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. Some American wild ales (notably Jolly Pumpkin) are available at Jáce Gáce, Belmont Station, John’s Market, Bailey’s Taproom (downtown), and Concordia Ale House.

Resources

Boon
Cantillon
De Cam
3 Fonteinen
Girardin
Hannsens Artisanaal bvba
Oud Beersel