deans-scene-neon-sign-02 I’ve long thought that Portland takes it’s local pub culture very seriously. But not too many people know about Dean’s Scene. Dean is a plumber by day, brewer by night and he has retrofitted his basement to be a microtopia for beer lovers. You can just barely see the neon light from the sidewalk, you have to know where to look, but if it’s on you can walk around back and enter a whole new world. Dean’s Scene is one of Portland’s best beer culture offerings, and most people miss it entirely. So, why is it one of the best places in Portland to drink a beer? It’s a top-secret, underground speakeasy for beer drinkers!

deans-scene-drinking-beer-in-portland Down in his basement is a complete brewery and bar and it’s available to anyone who wants to come have a drink with Dean and his pals. He offers about four of his own homebrews on tap. You walk in, get yourself a glass and self-serve your beer. He’s constantly brewing new batches and he has a rule that he’ll never brew the same beer twice. He’s made friends with a lot of the brewers in town and he’s obviously a big collector of beer paraphenilia. It’s quite an exciting place to visit. He’s got a bunch of youtube videos where he’s brewing beer and talking politics with his friends here. Here’s a nice image of the brewery with the bar in the background: deans-scene-brewery-and-bar Here’s the cabinet with all the beer glasses: deans-scene-glass-cabinet-with-beer-mugs

deans-scene-fridge-with-beers It’s a real microbrewery. Sometimes he’ll open up any number of bottles of beer from around the world for you to taste with him. He’s built his own walk in fridge and he’s aging a lot of beer there. One time he opened up a 3 year old bottle of Stone Brewery’s Epic Ale (2006). That was tasty. Another time he opened up a Heater Allan Hefeweisen, a beer I had never seen before. Yesterday I walked in and he had just finished giving tastes of about 7 different beers that I had never had before. Just missed it!

It’s the only bar in Portland you can smoke at. Really though, it’s not licensed, it’s just Dean opening his house to anyone who loves beer. I always give him a little cash to be nice.
UPDATE ***
I had removed the location of Dean’s Scene due to readers concern. Dean and a few regulars have assured me that they don’t mind having the location posted…SO, you can look for Dean’s neon sign on Fremont, just across the street from Alameda Brewery…between NE 47th and 48th.

Additionally, here is another concern from a regular Dean’s Scene attendee: “Just making sure that it is clear, that Dean’s Scene should 1) remain open 2) entrance is through association cannot be done freely and without the presence of the invitee 3) leave a healthy donation reflective of your consumption.”

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12 Responses

  1. Ryan

    June 14th, 2009 at 6:14 pm

    1

    Eric this is amazing. Thank you for this and other endeavors. Regularly a treat.

  2. Dave

    June 15th, 2009 at 11:05 am

    2

    Fantastic!

  3. Two of the coolest things I learned about Portland today

    June 15th, 2009 at 5:28 pm

    3

    [...] Read the rest: Hidden Portland Beer Gem: Dean’s Scene [...]

  4. Mike

    June 15th, 2009 at 6:28 pm

    4

    I hope you let him know that you are publishing this….he may see a line out his door on the weekend, especially with the smokers.

  5. Peter I.

    June 15th, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    5

    I’ll fight the urge to tweet this because I’d hate to see this get shut down before I can bring some out-of-town beer travelers there. Amazing find!

  6. Travis!

    July 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

    6

    best kept secret so lets keep it that way!!

  7. Robert

    July 15th, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    7

    Yes, I agree with everyone on this. I am a semi-regular at Dean’s Scene and I like the article. Although, it should be noted that Dean has gotten quite a bit of complaints, especially from his neighbors and on more than one occasion has been harassed by the cops.

    I believe the rule with Dean’s Scene is that he needs to recognize and know you and you introduce new people through this recognition. Otherwise, this place may not really become ‘Dean’s Scene’ but instead a frat house straight out of Animal House. This place is for people who really like beer and should not be confused as a cheap place to get wasted.

    Dean’s operation costs a lot of money and I appreciate how you say you like to drop ‘a little cash’. Personally, I consider what he does saves me a lot of money and I get a better experience than if I would go to a bar and drop $50. So I like to donate something appropriate that speaks to that.

    So please consider some of these factors as Dean’s Scene should not be a place that is freely advertised for douche bags to go to. Not saying that you are one, just making sure that it is clear, that Dean’s Scene should 1) remain open 2) entrance is through association cannot be done freely and without the presence of the invitee 3) leave a healthy donation reflective of your consumption.

    Thanks for your understanding

    Robert

    Fan of Dean’s Scene

  8. MISTY

    August 11th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    8

    I don’t like smokers.
    Signed,
    Dean’s Girlfriend

  9. Andy

    November 22nd, 2009 at 12:14 am

    9

    I’m intrigued, Travis, my roomate told me about you, my name is Andy, if show up in your scene, i will contribute a flow of love and it will never end (just like Dean’s Scene!)

    -Andy

  10. Daniel

    February 16th, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    10

    This is one of the coolest beer-related things I have ever seen. What a generous guy. That must be quite a nice place to enjoy a pint.

  11. Troy

    March 28th, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    11

    It’s not a secret if you post it on the interwebs. Word of mouth is best.

  12. ericmsteen

    March 28th, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    12

    I talked to Dean about keeping it posted and he wanted it posted.


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