Portland is growing.
The metro area grew by 111 people per day between July 2014 and January 2015. A TriMet city bus holds about 50 people, so it’s as if 2 busloads of humans are showing up in Portland, every day! With people coming from all over the country, it would appear there is a migration to Portland.
That’s more or less how Colin Rath, co-owner, and head of “day-to-day” at Migration Brewing Co. (our second brewery in the 5K series), and his team came up with the name for their brewery. Recently, I had the chance to sit down with him and learn more about the origins of Migration Brewing, and what they are trying to accomplish as a brewery.
“There are so many people coming to Portland from all over the place. For a variety of reasons, something draws them here.” Rath said, and they want their brewery to be a place where people gather, feel welcomed and included. Eating dinner there recently with my family, we started talking with a retired couple sitting next to us. Regulars at Migration, they shared with us that they have been living in the neighborhood for “forever” and that “Migration is exactly what this neighborhood needed.”
Rath said he hears this a lot, and is honored and humbled that people think this way. They make a point to be open and welcoming to all sorts of groups, both formal and informal. “From groups of friends, to wedding receptions, teacher meetings, business meetings…we try to find space [for them] to do what they want to do.” It’s also a place where you can enjoy a pint while reading a book by yourself on their amazing patio.
It’s not surprising that this is what Migration has become. Around 2007, Colin and his roommate Mike Barnes (now Migrations head brewer) would gather on Sundays, listen to Merle Haggard and brew beer at home. Eventually their hobby grew into neighborhood parties that became so large they needed to block off the street. They began to wonder (with friends McKean (operations) and Eric Banzer-Lausburg (distribution)), “How awesome would this be if it were everyday life?”
Fast forward to 2016, Migration Brewing Co., located at 2828 NE Glisan Street, has truly become a neighborhood gathering spot. “Beer is a facilitator to get us to what we do [community engagement].” says Rath.
About the Beer (and the Food)
Rath describes their beer as “hop forward, yet approachable,” making something for everyone. In the winter months, they brew heavier beers like stouts and porters, and in the summer they brew Saisons and fall lagers. Regardless of the temperature outside, their goal is to use seasonal ingredients in both their beer and in their amazing food menu. “My new chef is really pushing the boundaries on the definition of gastropub.”
Their original beer, the Migration Pale Ale, is a “hoppy copper-colored pale ale that features Biscuit and Crystal malts balanced with 3 different types of hops.”
One of my favorite Migration beers is Clem’s Cream Ale. It’s a light, yet bold, summer (or early fall) beer, and pairs well with a wide variety of food. Clem’s Cream Ale is made with oats, which lend to the smooth creaminess of the beer.
I also love their darker Terry’s Porter, especially on cooler days. “The perfect compilation of four malts and hops creates a robust, deep brown bodied ale that is balanced with a mild sweetness.”
This fall, Migration will also have a fresh hop IPA (releasing September 23rd) and an Oktoberfest beer. Because they are a smaller brewery (just 7 barrels), and self distribute, they have a bit more flexibility in what they brew and are able to create a variety of interesting beers according to their own preferences. They’re even working on a “carbon lite” beer with Hopworks. The beer will use half the amount of carbon emissions as regular beer – pretty cool!
About The 5K Run on October 15, 2016
We have the pleasure to partner with Migration Brewing for our 5K run on Saturday, October 15th, 2016. We want to emphasize that our runs aren’t traditional “races”. You will not be timed (at least not by us), you’ll be running on an open course, and there are no medals at the finish. The runs will, however, be super fun!
The Migration 5K Course
The Migration Brewing Co. run will start at the brewery, and run east on the wide, semi-tree covered sidewalk of Glisan Avenue all the way to Laurelhurst Place. Runners will turn right (south) and wander through the neighborhood to Laurelhurst Park. After a loop and a half of the park, runners will head back west along Pine Street to 24th Avenue, north to Glisan Avenue, and back to the brewery.
Crossing Burnside Avenue is really the only spot where runners may need to stop for traffic. This run, unlike some of the others in the series, is almost entirely along the sidewalks of quaint neighborhood streets. There is very little elevation gain and few stops for traffic, making it a fantastic route for newer runners, jogging strollers, and families.
Race Day Details
The 5K FUN RUN starts at 11:00 a.m., but please arrive by 10:30 a.m. to check-in. Bring extra money if you’d like to order food from Migration’s amazing kitchen. The menu is seasonal, so it will likely change before race day. Expect small plates, large plates, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and a whole bunch of shareable snacks, perfect for a group.
All runners will receive one complimentary beer with registration, and may purchase more during the event with valid ID. We will also be selling t-shirts and other merchandise.
PARKING is tricky at Migration, but that’s the norm these days in Portland. Expect to park in the surrounding neighborhood, and walk to the brewery. TriMet has nearby public transit stops, and we encourage carpooling. As always, we request that you have designated drivers or a ride home, safety first!
Further UPDATES will be sent to registered runners as we get closer to the event date, so be sure to watch your email inbox.
We look forward to running, drinking, and hanging out with you on October 15th at Migration Brewing Co.!
