Montavilla Brew Works Celebrates 10 Years in Portland

Montavilla Brew Works looking west in Portland, Oregon.

This year marks the tenth year in business for Montavilla Brew Works, which serves as both a brewery and a taproom on the Stark Street commercial strip in the Montavilla neighborhood. In honor of those ten years, they’ve decided to celebrate throughout 2025 with a variety of special brews and collabs. But don’t worry, they’ll have a big birthday bash this summer, too.

I sat down with Michael Kora, one of the founders of Montavilla Brew Works, to learn more about this yearlong event, plus some history of the building and the business.

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Four Things I Learned This Week (February 17)

Upright Brewing is now open in Cully. Finally, they are up and running, along with Junior’s! The New School has a nice article on the opening, and these were the details I fuond particularly interesting: it’s called the Upright Beer Station; Junior’s will be open 7am to 2pm, Upright from 3pm on weekdays, from noon on weekends; pints and beers only, with 11 taps, including a cask beer; “Upright has designed a brand new beer called Spellbinder Pils that is specific to the Beer Station location”; Chaat Wallah cart opens in March; collabs include a Chai Stout and Coffee Stout. 7151 NE Prescott Street, Portland

Food system issues summary. Over on goodstuffnw, Kathleen Bauer has summarized some of the food-related legislation in front of Oregon’s 82nd Legislative Assembly, which is important to know about. Topics include raw milk sales (HB2616), improvements and clarifications to Oregon’s Farm Direct Marketing Law, (SB507), and a factory farm moratorium (HB 2667).

Whole animal, wood-fired Korean BBQ is coming to Portland. Gary Okazaki (aka Gary the Foodie) announced this news on his Instagram:
@hanoakpdx and @tokipdx’s @talktospark and @petecho will be opening a NEW restaurant at 626 SE Main Street in what is @renatapdx but will be transitioning very shortly to Peter & Sun’s restaurant. The name of the restaurant has yet to be determined.”

Haitian pickleez pop-up this weekend. At Wellspent Market on Sunday 2/19 from 1 to 3pm, stop in for some pickleez made in Portland by Haitian expat Elsy Dinvil from Creole Me Up. I love slaws of all kinds, so this is making my mouth water as I write about it. Pickleez is “a zippy, tangy, spicy cabbage slaw that is an integral part of Haitian cuisine. Perfect alongside fried foods and braised meats, pickleez adds a bright pop of flavor to every meal, and further demonstrates the possibilities of our favorite vegetable.” There’s a good chance she’ll bring some akra-fried taro fritters, too. 935 NE Couch Street, Portland

Small Bites – NA Drinking, Brunch, Awards, Vegan Milkshakes, and More

Cast Iron Butter Baked Eggs for the returning brunch service at The Observatory. Photo credit: The Observatory

After a sort of sleepy December on my part, I’ve been jotting down various Portland food-related tidbits I’ve encountered this week and am pleased to present this Small Bites post, replacing my usual Four Things I Learned This Week column. Enjoy the variety.

Besaws is opening back up. The Portland Business Journal reports on Eater’s news that Besaw’s and Solo Club will reopen later this month. Sounds like a variety of things have been going on to delay this good news. I’m happy to hear of this reopening—years ago, my family had brunch at Besaw’s (original location) and it was a really good time, so the place has a warm spot in my heart. 1545 NW 21st Avenue, Portland

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