Want to know more about the Portland distillery scene and running a distillery in Portland? Well, you’ve sure come to the right place – we’ve got everything you need to know.

Let’s get straight to the nitty-gritty!

About Portland

Portland, Oregon is a vibrant city with a population of over 641,000 people. And it attracts a great deal of tourists, too, thanks to attractions such as botanical gardens, cable trams, the Powerhouse Motor and Car Museum, and more.

Accessibility

We’re pleased to report that Portland is a very accessible city, with plenty of accessible tourist attractions, including the likes of theaters and museums, and even accessible trails and playgrounds as well.

Similarly, city parking is free of charge for anyone with the right placards for wheelchair users, while TriMet, Portland’s public transportation system, is one of the nation’s best for accessibility. And there’s also an extensive database of accommodations for the disabled. And it even has adaptive bike rentals!

Things To See

As mentioned earlier, there are many draws to get people into Portland, Oregon. It’s home to the world’s largest independent bookstore, Powell’s City of Books , where tourists can purchase new, used, and rare books.

There is a beautiful Japanese garden and a Chinese garden , an art museum , markets , a lighthouse , parks , and more.

Food And Beverage Scene

And let’s not forget the food and beverage scene – foodies love a trip to Portland – especially when it’s accompanied by a craft beer or two.

Portland’s chefs and restaurateurs take their food seriously. There are many award-winning restaurants for diners to enjoy, as well as an amazing street food scene. In fact, there’s something for everyone, whatever their budget.

If, like us, you like fine dining, you may be interested in checking out Le Pigeon , Andina , Tercet , Mucca Osteria .

Or, if you fancy yourself an at-home chef, you’ll love the fresh ingredients available at the farmers markets. Portland is known for its amazing freshly caught seafood.

And the beverage scene is just as good – there’s fantastic brew pub fare for amazing cool beers, wine bars and wineries, artisanal spirits, independent coffee roasters, wonderful tea houses, and Portland’s signature cocktails.

Local Distilleries

Portland has one of the highest concentrations of craft breweries in the US, with a staggering 13 distilleries. There’s a vibrant craft beer scene, wine scene, and spirit distillery scene as well.

In Portland’s Central Eastside, you’ve got Distillery Row, which is an entire 1.5 mile road of distilleries. Then in Northwest Portland, you’ve also got its own equivalent, known as NW Distiller’s District.

They have just about every beverage you can dream of. Think America’s best single malt whiskeys, apple brandies, spice and fruit infused spirits, rice-based spirits, cocktails like spicy vodka and ginger liqueur, and much more.

Highlights Of Distillery Row

• Oregon’s Willamette Valley
• Vinn Distillery
• Stone Barn Brandyworks
• Westward Whiskey
• New Deal Distillery
• Clear Creek Distillery

Highlights Of NW Distiller’s District

• Freeland Spirits
• Bull Run Distillery
• Aria Gin

Many of these distilleries offer tours for guests, where taste testing is permitted.

Operating A Distillery In Portland

Everyone is welcome to join the Portland distillery scene, whether as a patron, a business owner, or employee.

Here’s how to open a distillery in Portland, Oregon.

1. Apply for distillery license for the state of Oregon
2. Get approved for selling distilled liquor by the bottle in Oregon
3. Get approved to provide taste testing for consumers
4. Get approved to sell distilled liquor directly to consumers
5. (This is purely optional) obtain an IAA (Industrial Alcohol Authority)

Here is the official guide to Oregon’s distillery guidelines .

You may also be interested to know that Oregon State University has a distillery startup workshop . If you have the budget to do so, we highly recommend taking part, since it will cover every aspect of launching and operating a distillery in Oregon.

There, you will receive expert guidance and the course curriculum covers everything from legal issues and paperwork through to practical matters such as adjusting the alcohol content to legal requirements.

State Fees

When this article was written, the cost of a distillery license in the State of Oregon was relatively low, coming in at just $200 per year. This may change over time. If at all unsure, please head over directly to the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission Official Website .

Incidentally, there are also other licenses available, such as breweries, wineries, special events, etcetera.

Licensing Requirements

Before you can apply for any kind of liquor license in Portland, Oregon, you must first post a public notice of your application on the business premises for a minimum of 30 days in order to demonstrate that your business is correctly zoned as a business for the sale of alcohol.

This will then be followed by an investigation into the business, and into yourself also. You can expect up to 90 days for the paperwork to go through. So please bear this in mind when ascertaining your countdown to launch.

Paying the annual license fee on time is essential if you wish the business to remain open.

Distillery Restrictions / Laws

In Portland, Oregon, it’s illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. What’s more, it is also illegal for a minor (someone aged 18 or under) to enter an establishment that’s permitted to sell alcohol if said establishment does not allow minors.

In fact, the only time when it is permitted for anyone under the age of 21 to drink alcohol in the state of Oregon is when they are in a private residence AND they are also in the company of either a parent or guardian. Incidentally, citizens can only drink alcohol in their front yard if they are of legal age.

If someone under the age of 21 is caught in possession of alcohol in the state of Oregon, this may incur a Minor in Possession charge, which can result in a fee of anywhere between $260 and $1,000 (correct at the time of writing).

When it comes to drunk driving, Portland, Oregon has a strict zero tolerance policy, and you would fail the blood alcohol test if you have a blood alcohol concentration reading of as little as 0.08 percent or more.

Home brewing without a license is illegal in the state of Oregon, but it is possible to obtain both an OLCC distillery license and a distillery permit from the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

Conclusion

So, in short, Portland not only has a large population, but it also attracts a great deal of tourists through the museums, galleries, gardens, bookstores and more.

But one of the main attractions is the food and beverage scene, and in particular the distillery scene, being home to not one but two large distillery districts, where patrons can taste everything from craft beers, wines, spirits, single malt whiskeys, and Portland’s signature cocktails.

Portland, and Oregon as a whole, has strict laws regarding the sale and possession of alcoholic beverages. It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21, and any minor who does may be liable to pay a fee of anywhere between $260 and $1,000.

If you wish to open a distillery in Portland, Oregon, you will have to follow the correct application procedure and guidelines, which includes applying for distillery license, which, at the time of writing at least, cost at least $200 and is due promptly and annually.

There’s every reason to open a distillery in Portland, provided you understand that it could be years before the business starts paying for itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Open A Distillery In Portland, Oregon?

For sure, you should, they have such a great beverage and distillery scene, and an attractive profit margin. There may be competition, but if you have something unique to offer, the business is sure to excel.

Given the operating costs, however, it could be 10 years before the sales revenue from the business produces significant net profit. That said, however, the business should be self-sustaining within just 5 years of trading.

What Alcohol Is Portland Known For?

The most well known alcoholic beverage available to purchase in Portland, Oregon is the Bourbon Renewal which was crafted by one of Portland’s most famous bartenders, Jeffrey Morgenthaler, who is sometimes attributed to putting Portland on the world cocktail map.

What Happened To The Big Bottom Distillery?

Big Bottom Distilling, also known as BBD, an Oregon-based distiller of premium gins, whiskeys, brandies, rum, and vodka is now largely owned by Eastside Distilling.

What Happens On A Distillery Tour?

A distillery tour is a great opportunity for both brewers and patrons. It gives distillery visitors the chance to go behind the scenes and find out exactly how their favorite alcoholic drinks are made, from start to finish.

It is generally conducted by a distillery employee, who walks tourists through the entire process, imparting their extensive knowledge on the subject.

Quite frequently, distillery tours include an opportunity for tourists to have a free tasting session where they can sample the distillery’s wares.