Cool, industrial taprooms, tart and tangy sours and all variations of India pale ales can be found in the many breweries of Clark County, Washington. Situated just north of Portland, Oregon, Clark County has developed its own identity as a mecca for great brews, tasty food and a stunning waterfront all while maintaining the tight-knit feel of smaller cities and towns.
Situated either on the Columbia River or along the I-5 corridor, the four major areas in Clark County for local breweries are the city of Vancouver and the towns of Camas, Washougal and Battle Ground. Here we’ll visit four brewery locations between Vancouver and Camas.
Grains of Wrath in Camas, Washington
Seeking the comfort and nostalgia of small town America? While boasting a population of over 23,000, Camas’ little league fields, brick-laden main street and plethora of local shops will reignite the cozy feelings of home. On the corner of NE Birch Street and NE 5th Avenue in quaint downtown Camas, Grains of Wrath exudes a low-key cool, industrial vibe sure to draw in crowds of young and old alike. An outdoor patio of picnic tables, strands of lights and fire features offer a perfect summertime hangout for sipping on a refreshing Papermaker Pale ale or a citrus-forward Pandemic Hazy IPA.
When the Pacific Northwest weather inevitably turns rainy, head into the restaurant and taproom for a game of shuffleboard and a decadent burger. Grains of Wrath offers everything from a bahn mi burger to mac and cheese to a delicious smoked brisket sandwich. Along with a menu to please any taste bud, the variety of beers will satisfy any mood. For a uniquely Pacific Northwest take on the double IPA, try the Repentless made with fresh berries, peach and pine. The Dystopia IPA is refreshingly bright and smooth IPA with little of the bitterness that can sometimes come with IPAs. On the flip side, the Unbowed is an imperial stout with a smoky, roasted flavor that fans of Guinness will love.
With tasty food, great beer and plenty of space to hang out, Grains of Wrath is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Fortside Brewing in Vancouver, Washington
Next door to Camas in northeast Vancouver lies a tribute to Fort Vancouver: Fortside Brewing. Fortside Brewing’s warehouse-like location quickly turns into a sleek yet cozy taproom as soon as the front door opens. The t-shirts, chalk art beer menu and vinyl spinning on the record player all lend to the effortlessly cool feel of Fortside. With so many unique brews on tap, it is hard to choose just one, so grab a flight and try six! Go ahead and put an order in for Taco Spaceship, the food truck frequently onsite, and enjoy chips, salsa, tacos or quesadillas with the beer.
To start on the lighter side, the Fortside Pils is an easy-drinking German style pilsner that will go well with any food and any weather on any day. Arguably Fortside’s most popular beer, Orange Whip, is a delicious, citrus hazy IPA. The orange flavor is strong on the front and fades into a crisp, IPA finish. For those who don’t love the flavor of oranges, order Sunshine Dreamin’, a juicy hazy IPA that is full of flavor and goes down smoothly.
For a distinctive brew that is outside of the norm, try And Bob’s Your Uncle Sour Porter. This bold-tasting brew combines a darker, robust flavor with the tanginess of a sour and is sure to please those looking for something unique. In the cooler months, the Mullet of Krampus will inspire holiday warmth with warm notes of spice that taste like Christmas in a cup. Fortside also offers the traditional sour beer in Funky Town and a delicious Russian Imperial Stout in the Night King.
Trap Door Brewing in Vancouver, Washington
When the desire for an urban outing arises, head into downtown Vancouver and visit Trap Door Brewing. Decorated in Portland Timbers gear and colorful artwork, Trap Door has a joyous, congenial atmosphere. One of Trap Door’s most popular beers is the Glowed Up IPA and for good reason — this IPA is smooth, juicy and light. For an IPA with a twist, try Tang. Brewed with the Tang beverage, this beer is bright, fruity and delightfully nostalgic.
Trap Door also knows how to brew a great sour and Raspberry ImPEACHment is a perfect example. Not overly tart, Raspberry ImPEACHment drinks easily and is a sweet treat. To finish on a warm note, the Veloria oatmeal stout is well-rounded and flavorful without being too heavy.
Trap Door also boasts a spacious outdoor patio with a fire, board games and an indoor play area for kids.
Doomsday Brewing Safe House in Vancouver and Washougal, Washington
With roots in Washougal, Doomsday Brewing makes their beer in Washougal, but also offers Clark County residents and visitors the option to imbibe their brews at the Safe House location in downtown Vancouver. This taproom is decorated with wall art murals and offers an industrial feel. Along with a variety of beer, visitors can also order pizza by the slice.
Doomsday Brewing serves up a number of different beers including the Redemption Red, Nuclear IPA and Agent Orange IPA year-round and seasonals including brown ales, stouts, wheat ales, pale ales, kolsches and barley wines. One delicious seasonal brew is the Project Mayhem Raspberry Berliner Weisse, a subtly fruity, light beer that is just the right amount of sweet. Pull up a chair, grab a beer and slice of pizza, pick one of the many board game options and enjoy this special taproom!
