Tug Boat Brewing Co

I love this little joint that serves their own beer. It's a step back in time and is one of those 'in the know' kind of places. Don't ask for a coke, don't think about root beer. This place does one thing and one thing only. Beer. Bring your Ginsburg books and take a seat in a booth and you'll be immediately transported to the late 60s. more

My husband & I went to Tugboat for the first time in October of 2009 and just went back on June 17th. Both times we were greeted by friendly service and a ""don't rush, stay as long as you like"" attitude. For food we've had their cheese plate & their nachos. Both took care of our munchies while sipping on beer & wine. The other night the bartender actually played Trivial Pursuit with us in between helping other customers and the gal who helped us when we first arrived stayed after her shift to visit with customers. I don't know about you but I can't remember the last time I stuck around my work after quitting time just to visit! My husband is a hophead & likes several of Tugboat's beer. Wine's not their thing but they always have a good selection and will let you taste a few before commiting to a glass. This place is not big and doesn't have the latest decor. It has friendly service, good beer, tasty wine, hit-the-spot munchies and we love it! more

A quick disclaimer: This place gets five stars not because it itself is a five star establishment but because it is an oasis surrounded by places that you might actually give five stars, but would charge you $8.50 for a whiskey and coke. The place is also cash only but makes up for it by being very, very inexpensive compared to almost anywhere else on the west side. The food is mediocre but reasonably priced. Their beer (other than their Russian Imperial Stout which is truly in a league of its own at something around 11-12% alc/vol and so tasty you won't notice that you just had three of them) is also mediocre but they have an excellent selection of guest taps from other local ale houses so just go for that instead. They also have a solid wine selection that is also reasonably priced. The bartender will generally sample anything they have to you before you buy, both the beer and wine if they aren't too busy. Generally only one person working at a time means that you aren't going to have some cocktail waitress slavishly hovering over your table catering to your every whim. If that is your idea of good service there are literally hundreds of places nearby that would love to treat you like the amazing and beautiful person you are. If, on the other hand, you are trying to get away from that aforementioned 'scene' that is downtown Portland then welcome home friend, it'll be good to see you in here! Pros: Location, Cash-Money, Attitude, Hard-To-Find-Ness Cons: Most of their home beer is sub-par, no liquor more

You'll have to come down to discover the awesomeness....=) Seriously, great place, bring cash & a open mind! Pros: Great beer, great friends, great atmosphere Cons: If you've never been, it's hard to find... more

Loved this place. Stopped by for a nightcap last night. Excellent beers, and really friendly vibe.\r \r Just off Broadway, it's a bit divey, but that a plus in my opinion. more

I have been to MANY brewpubs over the years, and Tugboat is truly the WORST. It is VERY small, cramped, it looks like they cannot afford to spice up the place. All of their beer is hoppy, so if you are not a hophead, you won't like it. CASH ONLY, NO CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS. Oh yeah, they forget to mention that until you are ready to pay up. But you can certainly go to the ATM and get surcharged in order to shell out $4 a beer. The bartender was alright, tall guy with a beard and ballcap. Not rude, but it was obviously he didn't want to work. I was not whatsoever impressed with this place. It's a DIVE. So if you want a dark, run down looking place and hoppy beer that lacks character, Tugboat is for you! This is the trashiest pub I have ever seen. Besides that, what business doesn't take debit cards?? I will never return. Pros: Not a single thing I can think of Cons: Dark, run down, it's a dive, hoppy nasty beer, CASH ONLY more

Cozy atmosphere, good beer, but the bartender is consistently rude and obnoxious. It's a shame, this place would be a gem if not for the horrible service. Pros: ambience Cons: service more

This is the first bar that my wife and I went to, on a recommendation from the front desk of the hotel we were staying at on honeymoon. They couldn't have picked a better spot! With walls lined with books and wine bottles, as well as board games, and pleasent jazz from the three-piece band, we felt like we were home at last. The beer is full of NW hops to please any ale fan. The bartender, Megan, was exceptionally friendly and welcoming. After checking on the customers in the rest of the bar, she sat down at our table and gave us spectacular recommendations for unique things to do in town. Since moving to Portland, we have suggested Tugboat Brewing Co. as a meeting place for new friends and clients, and no one we know has ever been disappointed. Tugboat is the best bar to meet new people, drink great beer, and hear interesting music. Pros: Ambience, Service, Beer Cons: Difficult to find unless you know where you're going (though it does keep out the riff raff) more

I really wanted to like this place. Its in a gritty downtown neighborhood. Its cozy and candlelit. Books lining the walls. Bohemian clientele. Simple, cheap, tasty food. The beer is OK, not outstanding, but I could almost forgive that for its atmosphere. The problem? Deliberately bad service. Checked over several visits there is a definite anti-customer attitude from the owner on down. Cash only, no credit cards. And youd better pay up immediately after being served. No sampler plate offered, at a brewpub for gosh sakes. Skip this place and go somewhere where they understand the customer is doing the business a favor by spending money there, not the other way around. Pros: location, decent cheap food, books and candles Cons: horrible service, rude attitude, mediocre beer more

I've been to the Tugboat a few times now and I've had a variety of experiences. Sometimes the beer and music is good, but a couple of times like last night I've had terrible beer and sat through the worst music I've ever heard. The beer I had (IPA) was ok, but not great. My friends had the American Pale Ale and the Porter, both of which I tried, and they were awful. They tasted like someone mixed the beer with lemon juice--sour and tart. But the music was even worse. It was a so-called ""jazz"" group which seemed to be few random guys playing random notes against a random beat. It was as if they were trying to make people leave, and they succeeded. The sax player purposely made squeaking noises, etc. Pros: atmosphere, price, happy hour Cons: music, beer more

The beer: flat homebrew with wet cardboard undertones. Mix one rude bartender dude with dark and dank ambiance. dont bother, you're not missing anything here Cons: poor service, bad beer more

This is more a thank you as wella review. Almost a year ago I broke down on my motorcycle in front of the TUGBOAT BWRY. and the owner.(sorry hun but I forgot your name) was the most helful and kind individual I have had the pleasure to meet in a long time. This I think also reflects in the atmosphere and quality of service and product that you recieve at this quaint pub & eatery. I am so glad to have found this web page and have the ability to express my appreciation of this marvelous establishment and it owners. Best of luck and thankyou Tony D. more

No glam... no foofy drinks... it's genuine & laid back... the service is great - you can ask the bartender exactly what your taste buds are craving for & without hesitation, he'll slide a full glass down the counter right at the aim of your hand. The best thing about this place is that it isn't always consistent. Besides the regulars & the bartender... every night there's a different feel. The music, the people, etc. In Portland there are many hip, trendy & over priced bars... this place will make you feel like you're back ""home"" again. Pros: great beer, inexpensive, not too crowded Cons: wine & beer only, a little smokey more

This is a neat little place with a friendly staff. It was full the evening we went in. Most of the clientelle were ""signing"". We found out that the Theater for the Deaf was performing there later on. Books line the walls and lots of beer on tap. The woman behind the bar says she brews the best! more

great small brew pub. good beer, good atmosphere, good service more