There is a lot to love about a McMenamin’s brewpub. Because there is so much I have enjoyed over the years, I have included three of McMenamin’s restaurants here on my blog. There are 50 in all in the two states of Oregon and Washington. The McMenamin brothers have kept them local, a Pacific Northwest kind of brewpub. I like that.
They also brew their own beer. You can get Hammerhead Ale. You will no doubt notice the logo for the Hammerhead Ale (a guy with a hammer for a head, of course) when you visit one of the pubs. Getting the Terminator Stout, dark and heavy, is another option. Or you might want a lighter beer with a bit of berry taste. Try Ruby Tuesday. You can get them all but only at McMenamin’s, which are only in Oregon and Washington. Another reason to put the Pacific Northwest on your bucket list.
The following three locations just happen to be the last McMenamin’s I visited on my most recent visits to Portland.
Kalama Harbor Lodge
Tavern and Lodge
215 N. Hendrickson Drive
Kalama, Washington
360-673-6970
The Kalama Lodge is different from all other previous McMenamins. It is not refurbished from an existing building in need of help, saved from doom. This lodge rose from the ground totally new, nestled between the Kalama’s totem poles and the Port of Kalama marina. Larger than I expected, it is quite solid as it faces the Columbia River directly in front.
You can approach the lodge from the river if you are among the boats that travel up and down the Columbia. The lodge provides some boat docking for up to 10 days. Check with them beforehand as they sometimes are full. Otherwise, most of us take Hwy I-5 , a 40 minute drive north from Portland.
You will also notice that the building is not a familiar Northwest construction. It is actually inspired by the good deeds of John Kalama, a Hawaiian. Way back when Kalama was asked to come to serve as a middleman between the local Indian tribes ( the Chinook and Cowlitz Tribes ) and the Hudson Bay Company. He then stayed in Washington, married an Indian woman, had children. Apparently he did many good deeds while living there as the town (and now the hotel) is named after him.
Note: The inspiration for the hotel was taken from The Pioneer Inn in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. Sadly, this hotel was destroyed during the tragic fires in Lahaina, Hawaii in August, 2023
Entering the hotel there were all the comforts again of a McMenamins with not too much Hawaiian that I could find. In the summer months, when I was there, we were able to sit outside and watch the life of the Columbia River flow by. In the winter you have all the comforts of cozy inside.
Since the lodge is fairly new ( it opened in 2018), I doubt that there are any ghosts to worry about. Other McMenamins are haunted, but these are old buildings with histories. The Kalama Lodge does have secret rooms with secret doors, though. And I am not telling you where they are. I am good at keeping secrets…but there is one on the third floor. I just forget exactly where on the third floor. That is my sister standing in front of one of the rooms behind one of the secret doors we found. I don’t remember but I doubt she actually went into that room since she’s afraid of ghosts.
Also included here are some pipes. Always comforting to run into some more painted pipes throughout the different McMenamins.
Grand Lodge
Tavern and Lodge
3505 Pacific Avenue
Forest Grove, OR 97116
503-992-9533
After many years of planning, the original Grand Lodge opened in 1922. It opened as a Mason’s home: “for the aged and infirm and the poor and distressed worthy Master Masons, their widows and orphans…” In the year 2000 the property began it’s new life with the McMenamins who agreed to be “the new keeper of this great old property”.
In the warmer months the place is hopping with live music. Aside from being a lodge, it has a Spa, restaurant and movie house/theater and a small pool. They still maintain the vegetable/herb garden that might contribute to your meal if you visit in the warmer months.
Cornelius Pass Farmhouse
Tavern
4045 NE Cornelius Pass Road
Hillsboro, Oregon 97224
503-640-6174
The first time I stood alone, looking up at the original home of the Cornelius Pass Farm, I knew I wanted to live there. That, unfortunately, wasn’t going to happen.
In 1977, the sixth generation of farmers that had lived on the Cornelius Pass Farm for over 120 years, converted their home into a restaurant. Then, in 1986, the McMenamins leased the property and converted the house into a brewpub. We now know it as the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse.
They restored the old granary, the octagonal barn and the milk house using, once again, pioneer craftsmanship. Imbrie Hall (Imbrie being the surname of original farmers), opened in 2001. I have gratefully enjoyed many meals there since.
The last photo, below, is of the farm’s original six-sided barn:
If you find yourself in Oregon or Washington and need a place to stay or a burger to refuel, think of McMenamin’s. Between the two states, there are fifty. So there is always one not too far from wherever you find yourself.
