Jeanette and I finally had a chance to try 10 Barrel Brewing – spoiler alert – we are not fans. That fact we had to wait a hour to get a seat a lot of folks don’t agree with us. Most of the seating is what they call community seating so you can plan on sitting with strangers. They do have few tables that you don’t have to share and we manage to get one of those. They have 20 beers on tap that come with cute names but don’t really tell you what they are. There is somewhat more of a description in the beer menu but still leaves you guessing. They are happy to let you sample beers. They were heavy on Belgium beers and did off a sampler of beers they pick. We initially ask for three samples and the waitperson brought two samples and went ahead and just brought the other beer. Two samples were not good but fortunately the beer that was brought was good. We tried one more sample that was not good and decide we would both just go for the chocolate stout that was brought. In looking at the 20 beers they had we were lucky to find one.

So on to the food. The menu was limited and expensive but not totally out of line for the pearl. Having recently had hamburgers at some other pubs for $8.50 the $14 was up there. The fries were average and came with enough ketchup for about three fries. Jeanette tried a couple of appetizers that she was not thrilled about and were up there in price. Seeing other food coming out of kitchen they struck me as on the par with what we had.

For atmosphere it was nice they could open large garage doors to let the street noise in. Our table was fine for conversation and we were not crowd together as some of the other seating was. We caught the place a little before 4 pm and right at a shift change. So service was OK but I think the staff was busy with the crowd so they did not add anything to the experience.

I think if you live downtown this is the type of experience you are use to. I certainly have found better places. So I would put this place at the bottom level of the Portland Standard list and would only returned if forced to.

Outside view of 10 Barrel Brewing

Reception area when you walk in. They put you on a waiting list and call your cell phone we seating is available.

Looking in from the street to bar area.

Looking from the street at the taps and chalk board with all of the not so good beer.

Looking from the street into the main room. After a half hour wait we got a seat by the frementers.

Looking down the bar side at the communal seating.

Looking from out table to the front entry. Being able to open the door up is a plus on a nice day.

The other main seating room.

The food. The snifters of stout. My burger and frys with a dab of ketchup. Jeanette’s hummus plate and brussel sprouts. So who has the healthier diet?

10 Barrel Brewing
1411 NW Flanders St.
Portland, OR 97205
503-224-1700

10barrel.com