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Brewery Review: Fat Heads Brewery Portland



There's something to be said for having a good brand. These days people in every field talk about their "brand" or what makes a successful brand or how they think branding works. Well, this week we went to a place that does it right and manages to make some good beer along the way.

Flagship: head hunter IPA
Dogs: outside only
Kids: yes
Do they brew there: yes
Food: full menu
Has guest taps: yes
Events: yes
Outside seating: yes
Wifi: yes

Sitting in downtown Portland a stones throw (alright maybe you'd need to pick up the stones and toss them again) from Powell's is the Oregon branch of Fat Heads brewery. The night we went the brewery had a lot to offer, so let's get right into it!

First off the place is big. Certainly capitalizing on the restaurant aspect of the space the brewery features large windows, wooden booths, and a full but not crowded assortment of tables and chairs. The entire building features a high, curved ceiling giving it a warehouse  or airplane hanger look depending on your preference.

Besides the look I begin to notice something. The fat faced dude from the logo is everywhere, only with variations. In what I find to be one of the more impressive uses of a simple logo for a brewery Fat Heads uses their same logo for each of their beers, adding a bit to the man to fit the name. A few accessories, a different haircut, but still the same fat guy in glasses like in the above picture. It's simple but pretty clever.

I went in on a Saturday night so the place was busy but I got the impression that it's usually like that.  The people I talked to, both staff and patrons, were all friendly and my beers were all good.  Looking it up online I see many are quick to point out its origins in the East but for me that's not a problem. They brew there and it's no mere bar so I can't complain. It isn't the same kind of brewery as many I've been to, but the model is solid and everyone there seemed to be having a good time.

Now I'm sitting at home some 180 miles from this brewery. I'm enjoying a beer from a larger manufacturer that I bought at the local supermarket as I write this. I type but my eyes wander to the growlers sitting on a shelf in the kitchen. I probably do have too many, more than I'd use at one time to be sure. But...I kinda wish I'd gotten one there and filled it up. Fat heads is good for every reason I've mentioned but maybe the biggest compliment I can give is that I'm craving their beer a state away.

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