Introduction

Oregon and Washington have been leaders in the craft beer boom that began in the 1980s. The number of craft breweries and brewpubs in the U.S. has increased dramatically in recent years--almost 4700 were doing business as of mid-2016. Much of this growth has taken place in the metropolitan areas of Portland and Seattle and in sizable cities like Eugene, Salem, Spokane and Tacoma. Yet many breweries have opened in villages and small towns. The author visits more than three dozen in this exploration of the vibrant craft brew scene along the coast of the Pacific Northwest. Profiles of brewers and owners and descriptions of breweries and their settings are provided, along with tasting notes on more than 200 beers.