Pfriem Family Brewers

My boyfriend and I have been taking on the Breweries in the Gorge tour, visiting each one of the 11 participating breweries on the map. Pfriem was number 3 for us.
The first thing we noticed is that it was PACKED — a 45 minute wait, we were told. When it comes to restaurants though, a full house is usually a good sign, so we opted to explore a bit while we waited (the restaurant is situated right by the Hood River waterfront, which is a beautiful place to walk around and take in the scenic gorge views).
Once we were finally seated, I took a look at the menu. Right off the bat I was disappointed in how few items there were to choose from, and that half the menu items looked very unappealing. The menu changes seasonally, and when we went, it included items like beef tongue, «head cheese», and numerous vegan selections.
I skeptically settled on the pork roulade (which came with a cider gastrique, mashed potatoes and dandelion greens), and was pleasantly surprised — it was delicious! I just about licked the plate clean! Unfortunately for my boyfriend though, his burger was bland and lacking by comparison. He was not impressed.
We ordered a tasting flight and while it was steeply priced ($ 12 for six tasters), we enjoyed each beer we tried. Lots of bright, refreshing flavors perfect for a warm summer day.
All in all, while the menu selection is lacking and the tasters are definitely overpriced, if you enjoy local craft beer and have an adventurous palate, give pFriem a try. I’d go back just for the pork roulade and a flight of the other beers I missed!

Great food! Great beer! Great service! Great location! We’ll be back!

I feel I have to leave a review as we (boyfriend and I) were completely let down by our visit to Pfriem. After hearing people rave about it and reading all the great reviews we had pretty high expectations. We’ve had the beer before and enjoyed it so were looking forward to the variety at the brewery. First impression was pretty good, though we were disappointed the patio was so small and didn’t allow dogs. No biggie… our dog was tired from a hike and it was nice out, so she could nap in the car. There was a wait of an estimated 60 minutes for a party larger than 2, but fortunately we were able to be seated immediately. VERY KID FRIENDLY. Good or bad depending on who you ask.
We were instantly disappointed to see that the items we had gotten excited about (fried chicken and the salmon dish) were no longer on the menu. I didn’t know fried chicken was seasonal, but whatever. We ordered the deviled eggs (which had also looked tasty based on other photos), the Italian tuna melt and a pork schnitzel sandwich. All were very much 3 stars. Our deviled eggs tasted fine, but looked nothing like the pictures, just mushy blobs of filling, no presentation whatsoever. The tuna melt was straight up canned tuna dumped onto a bun. No seasoning, tasted fine, but I have no interest in paying $ 12 for a canned tuna sandwich. Pork sandwich was the best of the bunch, but still just ok. Fries looked like bottom of the barrel (which multiple reviews mention so I’m not sure who is getting the actual fries that are more than an inch long…).
Beers were ok. My Pilsner pretty good, his blonde IPA lacked flavor.
TL:DR — maybe grab a beer, but better food can be had elsewhere. Or at least don’t come for their «summer» menu.

Awesome beer, adorable facility and super friendly accommodating staff. We stopped in for lunch on our way home to Portland and I’d definitely come back to eat here again.

The beer was 10 stars, hands down. The experience and the service was also awesome. The food… super disappointing.
We ordered the burger w/​a side salad and the tuna melt w/​fries, and the best thing about both dishes were the beers we were drinking with them. I seriously do not understand why any establishment that obviously takes pride in the beef they source (from Mt Shadows) would even consider serving their burgers on cold buns. How hard is it to throw the bun on the flat top and toast it up a bit before assembling the beef and other accompaniments in order to create their burger?!? And the tuna melt? It was completely fine that there wasn’t hardly any tuna on the sandwich b/​c canned tuna isn’t really my thing when I go out for a bite… especially when we’re less than a few hours from the coast.
Lastly, we seen a sandwich and fries delivered to a dining patron across the way before we received our food and thought to ourselves, «Oh yeah, those fries look really good.» What we got on our plate looked as if they were from the ‘bottom of the bucket type,’ quite possibly the other patron’s leftovers. It didn’t even look anywhere close to a full order of fries.
All in all, we’ll for sure go back and have amazing beers and awesome service. Maybe we just ordered the wrong food dishes. I’d be inclined to order something different, but it will for sure not be the burger or melt ever again.

Expect beers, their cheese burger is to die for and I’d never forget their patty which is so juicy and yum! The beef aroma is full of my mouth! Anyway it made my day!

This was my first time in Hood River — such a cute town. I was impressed with the hype young presence that seemed to be filling the city. Pfriem fit the bill perfectly. Very modern design, open space and right by the water — beautiful brewery.
We sat at a community style table, but never felt like I was on top of the people sharing the table with us, which is very appreciative.
Our server was awesome and even jumped into a photo with us when we were being silly.
Our table tried the meat and cheese board, a burger and a chicken dish. My only complaint with the chicken dish is that I wish there was more chicken on the plate. It was more like a cornish hen then a ¼ of a chicken. The mushroom brussels sprouts were delightful as well as the potatoes that accompanied the chicken. Overall there was nothing bad said about any of the other dishes.
The beers were great. It seems to be a place to get sours which isn’t really my cup of ‘tea’ (or should I say beer), but definitely serving up a great product. Would definitely go back when I am in town and recommend everyone to check this palace out.

It doesn’t get much better than Pfriem Brewery in Hood River Valley. I’ve officially tried all of the breweries in the area and many in Portland. Pfriem has all of the elements of the perfect small delicious brewery.
1. Great location and views right on the Columbia River
2. Cool understated rustic setting
3. Interesting beers that aren’t just IPAs like some other places in the area
4. DELICIOUS food
5. Servers who know a ton about the beers and will gladly give you tastings
Beer: Try them all because they are all great. I especially liked the small batch varieties like Peche and the Red Ale.
Food: Brussel Sprouts, Cheeseburger, Mussels, French Fries.
Can’t wait to go again!

Um… WOW!
Impulsive detour made this our next destination date from our home in Portland. I’d easily make the drive for my wife to be this (equally) happy again!
Food, beer, all was incredible and UNIQUE!

Ok over the past year, I’ve tried to go here after a Meetup event. Last time, last year we showed up and it was over an hour and a half wait. so we went elsewhere. Knowing this we called ahead. a few hours, and were told to call back. A party of 13 and they told us to call back. Is it that hard to take a name and #, and save us some tables? We did call back and it went to voicemail. We tried. We went there and the front hostesses had no name or any word of us coming and didn’t seem to really care. Just said it was again over an hour wait. I get this place is busy and on the main street, but it is a bummer when a place doesn’t seem to care even when we call and ahead. It was disappointing for so many were looking forward to the beers there. So it doesn’t want to make me try and go back a 3^rd time. We called two other places who said to come over then and we could be seated with no wait. so we did. Had a great meal and time at Sixth Street Bistro!

Review from parents of two littles: this is a fantastic place on all counts. We were told one hour to wait but it was only 40 minutes. The wait didn’t matter at all, though, because right across the street is a fantastic park that we thoroughly enjoyed while waiting. There were kids of all ages playing on the well chosen structures which include slides, an awesome gradual rock wall, huge climbing rock for older kiddos. You can walk to the river and watch the windsurfers. Our kids loved the park and it made the wait so easy.
The staff was super friendly and put us right next to the kids play area. It has a magnetic board, and various cute toys. Everything appeared to be 3+ and no choke hazards. The kids were given colorable kids menus and a box of crayons.
The beer, according to my hubby, is hit and miss. He liked a beer he bought in the store recently, but was meh about his choice today which I think was a Pilsner. I tried it and it was ok.
The food was fantastic. I am so pleased to see breweries and brew pubs create menus with some interesting and signature choices rather than the usual brew pub fare. I had amazing pork meatballs, the deviled eggs, and the pork croquettes which are all on the appetizer/​small plate menu. The kids shared a brat and fries which they liked. Hubby had the brat as well and enjoyed it.
The atmosphere is fun with tall industrial ceilings and lots of woodwork and neat lights.
I heartily recommend this place for families.

The breweries around this area require street parking. and the meters do not take credit cards… it only takes coins. how archaic is that?! My mind was blown.
Pfriem was basically the only brewery with decent parking areas that did not require coin meters.
I really liked their sour IPA! I would definitely get that again. As for their food. it was alright, nothing spectacular. I had the burger and my friend had the mussels. both were just alright. I would stop by here for drinks, but probably not for food again.

Stopped here after spending some time at the park across the street. I’m not a beer drinker so can’t comment on that. Food and atmosphere were both good. The mac and cheese was excellent! Definitely get it. Our waitress was a little new but overall she did a good job. The little kiddie area and outdoor seating was great.

First of all, amazing beer. And a great day trip from pdx to this brewery. Second of all, I experienced nothing but kindness, prompt service, great atmosphere, and good music at the brewpub, so I’m not sure what the 2-​star reviews are about, but apparently
cranky-​thirsty-​impatient haters gonna hate.
Highly recommend a flight (or several) with lunch while you watch the brewers make beer right next to your table! Will definitely be back for more core and seasonal beers soon.

My friend & I are lunch here! Oh my word, best burger I’ve ever had! This tops TILT burgers in my book. We both ordered the pimento cheese burger with garlic aioli.
The meat tasted so fresh & the patty wasn’t thin & flimsy. It was thick & juice poured out as I cut the burger in half. If summer had a flavor, this burger would be it.
I also ordered a side of beets & they were SO GOOD. I think they had Rosemary & some amazing dressing drizzled on them.
I can’t wait to eat here again. The service is fast & friendly! I love the atmosphere of the place. Very family friendly too! The women’s bathroom has a changing station that provides diapers & wipes for moms with little ones!
Eat here! You won’t regret!

How this place has five stars is friggen beyond me.
Showed up with friends after paddling the White Salmon. Told 40 minute wait, but great burgers! Okay sure, we’ll wait. Tables are open but figure it’s got to do with kitchen capacity. Grab a beer, kick it forever. Gets cold outside, finally get a seat inside. It’s colder INSIDE than outside! Why are you running the AC in October? Oh it’s Satellite controlled we don’t have control… how odd.
Sit down, one burger on menu. Order it with salad. Order steak frites (sharing with my GF). Arrives after a lengthy wait, we’ll deal for good food. Salads (our friend ordered one as well) has zero dressing. Burgers the buns are not only not toasted but they’re cold. Steak was grizzly and flavorless. Portions were MEAK for expensive prices, which topped with low quality really turned us off. What gives? Send steak back. Get another burger cause we’re starving, just as miserable.
Redeeming values:
–Beer was decent (everywhere in Oregon has good beer, this isn’t special anymore).
–Blue cheese dressing (we requested some) was kind of a ranch/​blue cheese all base covering mix, and it rocked.
–Wait staff and hostesses were all nice and gave their best.
–Outdoor firepit looks cool… seating is kind of meh around it though.
Overall, we’re not coming back. We were really let down and I’m perplexed this place has good reviews. It didn’t suck or make us sick, but there’s better in Hood River by far.

Long wait but worth it. We went on a Saturday and there was an hour wait. We just got done hiking so we were hungry but it was ok because they let us get a beer at the bar and take it to the outdoor waiting area.
it was a beautiful day so it was busy so we understood. We got the deviled eggs, the hushpuppies and shared the burger and the albacore melt. Told you we were hungry. After a 10 mile hike, we deserved it.
The burger was better than the tuna melt. My fries were a little soggy, think they were at the end of the batch. They don’t have ranch but they had a house aioli that was good.
The hushpuppies were good but a lot of share for two people. I think there were like 6 or 7 of them in the order.
My beer was good. I got the Dank and the blonde. Both delicious.
Since this is right by the waterfront, it was worth the views and the wait.

Great vibe at this place.
Great view of the park and river. We ate salads in the communal section of the inside. I had no booze, but my buddy really liked the beer flight.
They have a kids corner. A good bet is to put your name on the list and go enjoy the park out front.

And it gets even better in Hood River… this is the shiznit of interesting beer temples!
If you like a less «in-​trend» and more creative variety of beers, taking traditional to a new level, you will love this place. Phriem features hand-​crafted brews that are of the euro-​variety: expect lots of Belgian and German style brews, but ones that feature creative twists such as various aging techniques and so forth. You won’t find boring old IPA’s here that are inundated with so many hops you might as well drink a glass of hops muddled with some water – it just doesn’t happen here. You will find brilliantly balanced farm house ales, delicious pilsner, and oak barrel aged delights – and while barrel aging isn’t my thing when it comes to beer, these cats pull it off with ease and really bring their beer to the level of the finest wines.
Aside from a great location and really interesting facility (fire pit, dining room basically in the brew house, etc.), you will find excellent service here as well – the passion and energy of Phriem’s employees was evident the moment we entered the doors. While we didn’t eat here, the food looked interesting – more on that next time.
Don’t miss this gem if you are passing through!

Our first time at Pfriem did impress!
1^st, the pub is located on the Columbia River Gorge with great views of the Washington foothills.
2^nd, the pub is spic-​and-​span new (opened in 2012). In the pub you are seated next to at least a dozen shining stainless brew silos processing delectable hops and malts. The pub has tall, open ceilings, cement floors and wood tables.
3^rd, service was very responsive and friendly. When the hand cut fries were served less than even warm, the server brought us a hot batch in no time.
4^th, the IPA symphony of citrus, piney and hoppy notes played on bulbous nerve endings on our tongues and in a thirsty pallet – wham bam bitter brew and tasty. A standing ovation for their flagship IPA – 80 IBU’s. We tasted the Rye and Blond, very good.
5^th, the food was excellent and looked awesome plated. We shared and gobbled up a grass-​fed burger with cheddar, bacon and grilled, crispy onion slivers. Also, the house-​made bratwurst with Belgian style potato salad with a horseradish/​mustardy sauce sauerkraut was lip-​smacking good. All good portions.
After a hike near the town of Lyle at Balfour-​Klickitat, Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, in search of bald eagles (we saw 4), we stopped in Hood River at Pfriem for lunch – we’ll be back to Pfreim again when once again we hike out in the Gorge!