Wednesday 4th of November 2015 11:30:11 AM

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Winner of three medals & winner of the best small brewery at the 2015 GABF. It's off the beaten path in an industrial park but easy to access from I-495. Obviously the place had benefited from its showing at GABF because the place was jumping. We tried a flight of six tasters. Unanimous winner was the Monumental IPA. The Ways and Means is a rye IPA that tickled my fancy as well. Maniacal IPA was decent but the Revival oyster stout was a little disappointing. We had pre-gamed the porter earlier at a bar in Alexandria & we knew that was a winner. The guys behind the bar (River & Dick) were a lot of fun & made for a great time. Left with two grenades - the Monumental and the Ways & Means. Definitely would like to go back again.

Sunday 14th of October 2012 06:26:14 PM

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Port City Brewing is a standalone brown brick building with rounded corners located in an industrial park. They have a dedicated parking lot, bordering a fenced area which contains a tall white grain silo. There are garage doors at shipping and receiving that open to the brewhouse, and large stainless steel brewing vessels are visible in the back of the building. Flags hang above the entrance to their large tasting room, which has a blue and white checkered floor and several high top tables. Nice music, but no chairs. It is standing room only and there are two walk up bars where samples are poured and growlers filled. There is a large refrigerator case where you can purchase their six packs or cases to go. A windowed door opens from the tasting room to the clean and well organized brewhouse floor. They have has six fermenters and an innovative "hopzooka" used for fresh-hopping IPA while still in the fermenters. When I visited they had 7 beers on tap, and they offered six samples and a tour for $7. I tried their Oktoberfest, Downright Pilsner, Optimal Wit, Essential Pale Ale, and Revival Whiskey Stout, where were decent. The two that stood out as especially delicious were Monumental IPA and Porter (7.2% abv). Overall, their beers were better than average, but I wish they had a greater variety. Port City is a midsized brewery with an orderly brewhouse, nicely constructed tasting room, professional staff, and informative tour.