Ferment Brewing Company is often considered the most beautiful brewery in Hood River. Fully planked with natural wood panels, the massive floor to ceiling windows expose breathtaking views of the gorge. Ferment bills itself as a modern brewery perfecting traditional farmhouse brewing techniques with the aid of science and the proof is in the proverbial pudding -- they make some of the best beer in Hood River.

The apricot sour ale at Everybody's Brewing is worth the drive alone. The laid-back atmosphere of this beloved White Salmon brewery is outshined only by the impressive range of brews on offer, guaranteed to satisfy even the most ardent palate. Speaking of palates, don't sleep on the food, especially if you see a seasonal salad on the menu. Using locally-grown seasonal produce, everything churning out of the kitchen is top-notch.

pFriem ("freem") Family Brewers probably needs no introduction. Opened in 2012, pFriem has amassed an impressive array of prestigious awards for their European-inspired brews (including being named Brewery of the Year by Beer Connoisseur for three years). Perfectly complex, smooth and satisfying, locals can't seem to get enough of these beers (reservations recommended). Boasting a creative menu dedicated to PNW cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, the food is definitely worth ordering.

Thunder Island Brewing was founded in 2013 but didn't officially branch out to its current (beautiful) location until 2020. The taproom is really cool, with fermentation tanks on full display as soon as you walk in. The massive floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with light and offer panoramic views of the gorge and Bridge of the Gods. All the beers are top-notch but the IPAs are most impressive, ask about the seasonal pours and you're bound to be amazed by the head brewer's creativity.

Established in 2007, Double Mountain Brewery was founded by two co-workers from Full Sail Brewing. This beloved community staple has yet to waver from their crystal clear focus: make beer for beer lovers, dubbing themselves a "Brewer's Brewery." Today, the brewery is known for three things: great beer (duh), award-winning ciders and top-notch brick oven pizza. The beers are long-aged and unfiltered, resulting in complex yet balanced brews that are hard to forget.

Sometimes you just need a laid-back old school alehouse with great beer and good pub fare. Thankfully, Walking Man Brewing fits the bill. But don't expect the standard quality you've grown up with, Walking Man punches above weight. All the brews are satisfying, but the cherry stout and the Walking Man IPA deserve a special shoutout. As for the food, don't sleep on the clam chowder or wings to see why locals flood this place on weekends.

Sitting on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, there's no denying that Full Sail is the most popular craft brewery in Hood River. The outdoor patio swells to capacity during the warm summer months and getting a table requires nothing short of a miracle. Serving Oregonians since 1987, this award-winning brewery is best known for strong IPAs, smooth ales and refreshing hard Kombucha, this is a spot you won't want to miss while visiting Hood River.

Opened mid-July 2021, the Gorges flagship brewery is beautiful. Featuring a mezzanine, well-designed dinning space, bar and two rooftop decks (one family friendly) the brewery hopes to expand by introducing a glamping campground in the near future. The goal is to provide visitors with a base-camp for exploring the breathtaking gorge and it all starts with great beer. Offering freshly-made brews, I recommend getting the tasting flight to appreciate the impressive range offered.

Specializing in lagers, Working Hands Fermentation is the new kids on the block. Opening in 2020, this Hood River brewery was started by a handful of friends eager to share their passion of perfectly fermented brews. Located a few minutes from the popular downtown core, this brewery is known to attract a laid-back local crowd. The current lineup is minimal as this is the newest brewery in Hood River, but the selection is exciting nonetheless.

Opened by two brothers in 2012, Backwoods Brewing hails from Carson, Washington. This Columbia Gorge brewery has since expanded to Portland and doesn't show signs of slowing anytime soon. Graduating from a single-barrel brewpub to a humming 20-barrel system, it seems like folks can't get enough of this liquid gold. It's not hard to see why, sourcing local hops, yeast and grain, the focus is on highlighting the Pacific Northwest's bounty. A task the brothers have mastered effortlessly.