Coming off last week’s post, I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between destinations and locals. The feeling of Von Ebert‘s is in sharp contrast to Hoplandia and that isn’t an indictment, but it’s definitely real. Von Ebert is a destination, not a local.
I’m having a Chapter 3 here, described as a West Coast IPA. I had to briefly interrupt a conversation to request my choice for the evening so after that, I backed off so those people could enjoy themselves.
Fortunately, I have a friend with me tonight so I don’t have to sit here alone.
So: this beer is…the Okayest beer. The nose evaporates pretty fast, but what little I get involves grassy scents. The beer is orange-forward, especially on the finish there’s an orange gummy taste, and I don’t mind that. Dodges the sharper grapefruit flavors, which I’m very thankful for. But….it’s just there. I don’t hate it. I don’t want to share it. It is just a beer.
Similarly, Von Ebert, as a space, is just OK. I’m not sorry that I’m here but it’s clearly got that corporate sheen to keep it from getting too Portland. It wants to be a spot that out of towners can come and be in, without getting any impression of Portland.
It’s also a pretty new place, though. Maybe the feel of it will change in a year or two. The beer isn’t bad, so I think they’ve got time to liven it up.
Today’s Second Pint goes to Snopes.
A pint for Dionysus 