Hood River breweries have built a serious reputation, and for good reason. This small Columbia Gorge town has a brewing scene that draws visitors from across the Pacific Northwest and well beyond. The combination of clean Cascade water, a community that loves the outdoors and good food, and a tight-knit group of brewers who genuinely care about their craft has turned Hood River into one of Oregon’s most exciting beer destinations. Whether you’re making a day trip or settling in for a long weekend, the breweries in Hood River are absolutely worth planning your trip around.

Of course, great beer is just one reason people keep coming back to this stretch of the Columbia River. Things to do in the Gorge run the full spectrum, from windsurfing and kiteboarding on the river to hiking through wildflower meadows on the Washington side, exploring the Hood River Fruit Loop, hitting the slopes at Mt. Hood, and browsing the charming downtown shops and restaurants. In every season, the Gorge offers something different, and Hood River sits right in the middle of all of it, making it one of the best places to stay in the region.

When you’re ready to settle in after a day of sampling flights from the best Hood River breweries, Carson Ridge Cabins offers Hood River cabins that are an upgrade from your typical hotel stay. Set on nine acres of landscaped gardens and evergreen forest just outside of Hood River, we offer private luxury cabins with jetted tubs, cozy fireplaces, and thoughtfully stocked snack baskets waiting when you arrive. Book your stay today!

Our Favorite Hood River Breweries

Hood River’s brewing scene has been evolving for decades, and what makes it special today is the variety. You’re not looking at a single style or a single vibe. You’ve got everything from polished taprooms with full kitchens to no-frills spots where the beer is the whole point, and almost all of them have outdoor seating with views that would honestly make the beer taste good even if it didn’t already.

Full Sail Brewing is the name most people associate with Hood River breweries, and for good reason. Founded in 1987, Full Sail was one of the earliest craft breweries in the Pacific Northwest, and their taproom on the Columbia River is still one of the best spots in town for a pint with a view. Their Amber Ale is a classic worth trying if you haven’t, but the seasonal and limited releases are where things get interesting. If you visit on a clear day, the view from that deck alone is worth the stop.

pFriem Family Brewers has become the name that serious beer drinkers bring up first when talking about breweries near Portland worth making the drive for. Their approach leans toward Belgian and European styles, with exceptional attention to technique and ingredients, resulting in a lineup that regularly earns national recognition. The food program matches the beer in quality, and the taproom sits right along the waterfront, making it one of those places where it’s easy to lose an afternoon. If you only have time for one stop, this one is hard to argue with.

Thunder Island Brewing, located just across the river in Cascade Locks, is worth including on any Hood River breweries crawl. The outdoor space is spectacular, with the Bridge of the Gods visible from the property, and the beers, especially the IPAs and hazies, hold their own against anything in the region. It’s the kind of spot that’s equal parts local hangout and destination brewery, which is the best combination possible.

For something a little more casual, Double Mountain Brewery in downtown Hood River has been a neighborhood staple since 2007. The wood-fired pizza and hop-forward ales have made it a consistent favorite, and the energy inside is always lively without feeling overwhelming. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a stool at the bar and end up talking to interesting people for longer than you planned.

If you want to turn your brewery tour into a structured adventure, the B.I.G. Passport from Breweries in the Gorge is worth downloading before your trip. B.I.G., which stands for Breweries in the Gorge, is a collective of 11 award-winning breweries located across the Columbia River Gorge, spanning both Oregon and Washington. The passport doubles as a self-guided map that connects all the participating taprooms, and it makes for a genuinely fun way to explore the region over a long weekend.

The group recommends taking a few friends, sharing taster flights, and spreading the Hood River breweries across multiple days rather than trying to hit everything at once. Plot your route, and give yourself an excuse to come back if you don’t finish it in one trip. Staying at a Hood River cabin for a couple of nights makes the whole thing a lot more manageable and a lot more fun.

One practical note worth mentioning: Hood River is a walkable town, especially in the downtown core, so planning a loose route between Hood River breweries is entirely doable on foot. That said, if you’re staying at a property outside of town, it’s worth considering whether you have a designated driver or a plan to get back to your cabin before you start your day.

Stay at the Best Hood River Cabins

After a day spent working through the best Hood River breweries, there is something satisfying about coming back to a cabin that feels as if it were designed for exactly this kind of trip. Our Hood River Cabins make a getaway actually feel restorative: private accommodations surrounded by gardens and old-growth forest, a fireplace to settle in front of, and a snack basket that means you don’t have to think about anything. It’s a short drive from the action in Hood River but feels like a completely different world once you arrive.

For anyone planning a Pacific Northwest getaway, whether you’re coming from Portland, Seattle, or anywhere in between, choosing a comfortable, beautiful home base makes it that much easier to take full advantage of all the best Hood River breweries. Book your stay at our Hood River Cabins and give yourself a reason to stay a little longer than you originally planned.