Ridgewalker Brewing is located in an old post office building. The building itself looks nigh indestructible and is a monument to fantastic engineering of yesteryear. The experience visiting was fantastic and I can definitely recommend folks give it a try.
Where is Ridgewalker Brewing?
Ridgewalker is almost directly across the street from one of my favorite places – Miget’s Island Grill – another place you definitely need to visit. Ridgeway is located in an old post office building – if you look carefully at the outside it’s easy to see the architecture is very similar to most other vintage traditional post office buildings.
Arriving at Ridgewalker Brewing!
I was fortunate enough to be able to park directly in front of Ridgewalker. Something to be aware of is that the parking just to the east of the building is only for employee parking – it’s marked but I wanted to make sure you all knew. No law breakers here!! As I walked up to the front I couldn’t help but notice the curved covering over the entrance – which is very similar to many post offices I’ve seen before. It’s a fantastic idea that Ridgewalker has taken so many original elements and made them part of the road appeal of the business. The original construction date can also be seen from the first steps inside – there is a stone arch over the front door that shows nineteen twenty-one. This building has been there over ninety-five years!! Amazing!!
Inside Ridgewalker Brewing
Just inside the front door the vintage aspect is maintained but different, the inside features several large leather couches on the right. One the left side – and further down on the right is a row of very impressive booths designed with black steel and wood sections carefully sealed. The combination is very very impressive and the seats while looking very attractive are also very comfortable.
The middle of Ridgewalker is a giant family style seating area where there must be twenty or thirty spots – I wasn’t able to get a picture as I didn’t want to disturb folks who were already dining there, but it looks really nice and I can imagine having a nice meal there and chatting with other customers. Over the family seating in the center of Ridgewalker is a very large ornate construct which breaks up the ceiling and adds visual interest – this is a great addition to the ambiance and looked just wonderful. The hanging construct looked great with the benches as it was constructed with similar wood and has similar black steel holding it together and suspending it from the ceiling. The other thing the ceiling has which are purely functional in this instance is the sound – dampening panels mounted on the ceiling. There was another place, The Block House in Dayton that I was concerned didn’t have them, as I could see it getting very noisy, but Ridgewalker Brewery has addressed noise levels by installing these onto the ceiling – great planning as far as I’m concerned.
Food and Drink at Ridgewalker Brewing
My favorite part of Ridgewalker Brewing and something I’ve noticed before for example at ABV Taphouse is the electronic listing of the various items that are on tap. The electronic board is located above the bar area and shows everything currently available.
I wandered up to the ordering area and spent a few minutes deciding, I’ve had mead on tap, but Ridgewalker didn’t have – not a bad thing which allowed me a chance to expand my interests. I ended up trying the Seven Bridges Burgundia – which I was told was a Sour Red aged in Pinot Noir barrels, and made in Silverton. The ABV was nine percent and it tasted absolutely fantastic!!! I didn’t guzzle it, many brews go down easily so it ends being over too quick, but this one was just amazing. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
The bar itself is also a very nice one, the staff was personable and very helpful, and dressed in halloween gear. There’s a nice spot where the specials area easily seen (when I went the specials were kimchi chicken wings, a smoked turkey sandwich, fish tacos, and shishito peppers – which is a great variety and not typical bar food.
I ended up ordering hushpuppies to go with the Seven Bridges Burgundia beer I was enjoying and let me tell you – the hushpuppies at Ridgewalker Brewery are really really good. Like amazingly good.
Summary and Rating
Ridgewalker Brewing is located in a vintage postoffice in Forest Grove, I really appreciate all of the original vintage features that have been maintained here. The wonderful ambiance continues inside with raw wood benches, central family seating in the middle, and a wonderful ceiling feature that is just breathtaking. All of the furniture and structures are constructed similarly which really adds to the appeal. The bar and it’s electronic board list of items available on tap is super impressive and one of my favorite parts. Overall Ridgewalker Brewing deserves five Heywillamettes – the exterior, interior, beverage selection, and food selection are all top notch and I recommend you visit as soon as you have an opportunity.
Hey Willamette Valley 