By Cindy Anderson

Now is the time to try the varied line-ups of spectacular Northwest beers on tap at our local brewpubs. To further enjoy the month-long celebration in "Beervana," as Portland is known, hit the hops at Happy Hour to save the big bucks big time. And don't forget to include some true brew tastings by ordering a brewery's sample flight of house specialties.

Alameda Brewhouse [4765 NE Fremont St]
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 3:00 - 6:00pm
Food specials: $3.25 - $4.50 (half-off)
Beer: $1 off drafts
Atmosphere: Fresh and simple brewery in the heart of charming Beaumont Village Alameda Brew House has a particularly good Happy Hour with 50% off ten tantilizing appetizers, and both the food and the beers are produced fresh on-site. In the summer, take a seat at a sidewalk table, or grab a booth inside and enjoy the contemporary, serene scene. At Happy Hour, try their pizza, onion rings, taquitos, ravioli, wings, hummus, quesadilla or crab cakes. Read More

Bridgeport Brewpub [1313 NW Marshall St]
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 4:00 - 6:00pm
Food specials: $2.50 - $6
Beer: $2.75 pints
Atmosphere: Slick, urban brewery revamped in the old warehouse space
Located in the trendy, industrial Pearl neighborhood, Bridgeport is one of Portland's most popular pubs and "Oregon's oldest craft brewery," founded by Dick Ponzi in 1984. Its huge, refurbished brick warehouse also houses a bakery/coffeeshop. Select nibbles off their big menu: cheeseburgers, blackened or tofu fries, quesadillas, hummus platter, pulled pork sandwiches, teriyaki chicken and pizza.

Bridgeport Ale House [3632 SE Hawthorne Blvd]
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 3:00 - 5:00pm
Food specials: $3 - $10 (varies seasonally)
Beer: $2.75 drafts (20 oz)
Atmosphere: Contemporary, local brewpub and grill on bustling Hawthorne Bridgeport is one of my favorite craft brewers with a near-perfect IPA and their exceptional creation of Beertown Brown. This smaller, neighborhood version on Hawthorne has a huge central bar and large open-air windows for good people watching. Their rotating chef-created menu currently includes salads, mac and cheese, pulled pork sandwiches, soup and pizza.

Hopworks Urban Brewery [2944 SE Powell Blvd]
Happy Hour: Daily 3:00 - 6:00pm and 9:00pm - Close (Fri and Sat 10:00pm - Close)
Food specials: $1.75 - $3.75
Beer: $0.75 off
Atmosphere: Spacious, sustainable neighborhood brewery
As their website proclaims, "HUB is Portland's first Eco-Brewpub to offer all organic handcrafted beers, fresh local ingredients, and a sustainable building with a relaxed and casual atmosphere." This new, cool and fresh space is bike-, banquet-, baby- and beer-garden-friendly. Happy Hour menu items include pizza, pretzels, peanuts, sausages, fries, wings, soup and salads. Flock outside! Read More.

Green Dragon Bistro and Brewpub [928 SE 9th Ave]
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 4:00 - 6:00pm
Food specials: $3
Beer: No drink discounts
Atmosphere: Low-key, garage-style brewery
Nestled in the middle of the central Eastside industrial district, Green Dragon's open warehouse-style restaurant is a dreamy respite offering a utopian beer selection in 19 perfectly selected rotating taps. And they just added outside seating! Food is deliciously fresh, tasty and varied (served atop blackboard tables for creative doodling). At Happy Hour, enjoy pork sliders, brat bites, fish and chips, cheesy poofs, egg rolls, Buffalo chicken wings, onion rings and fries. Read More

Laurelwood NW Public House [2327 NW Kearney St]
Happy Hour: Daily 3:00 - 6:00pm and 9:00 - 11:00pm
Food specials: $3.95
Beer: $2.95 drafts
Atmosphere: Cozy, Victorian home just off the busy street
This majestic old home is tucked just off NW 23rd Avenue and has several outdoor porches on which to sip Laurelwood's fantastic organic beer (or a host of other award-winning brews) on a lazy summer afternoon. Inside, it feels just like home with its comfy converted living room, but beware the upstairs if you're in mellow mode - without a sippy cup you won't fit in with the rambunctious kiddie crowd. Food-wise there's BBQ quesadillas, burgers, chili cheese fries, nachos and buffalo chicken strips. Make a mental note: Laurelwood Breweries also has two bars in the PDX airport. See More

Tug Boat Brewing Co [711 SW Ankeny St]
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 3:00 - 7:00pm
Food specials: $5.00 Tex-Mex Food
Beer: $1.00 Off Beers on Tap
Atmosphere: Downtown Portland's oldest microbrewery, this little quiet nook is tucked away and cozy. Wall to wall with books and board games, the homey feeling will entertain you for hours. At night the Tub Boat has become the place to go for great, live jazz music. The beers are British-style strong ales and unbeatably fresh.

Widmer Gasthaus House [955 N Russell St]
Happy Hour: Mon 4:00 - 12:00am, Fri - Sat 10:30 - 12:00am, Sun 11:00am - 5:00pm
Food specials: Pretzel and Burger Specials (Except Fri & Sat)
Beer: $2.00 Pints
Atmosphere: Near the Fremont Bridge in the historic NE Smithson & McKay Brothers Building, the Gasthaus if warm and inviting like an authentic German public house. Plenty of seating including the Gasthaus Banquet room that can be reserved for big parties. Family friendly as well.

MacTarnahan's Tap Room [2730 NW 31st Ave]
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 3:00 - 6:00pm & 9 - Close
Food specials: $2 to $5
Beer: $3.30 Pints
Atmosphere: Gleaming, overly polished copper fermenting vats greet and blind you once you enter the MacTarnahan's brewpub. Large number of bar seating in comparison to the dinning area, it is obvious the Tap Room is designed for tasting first. Family friendly as well.

New Old Lompoc [1616 NW 23rd Ave]
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 4:00pm - 7:00pm; Sat and Sun all day
Food specials: $2 off appetizers
Drink specials: $3 pints, $1 off well and call
Sunday all-day special: $2 Bloody Marys
Monday all-day special: $2 drafts
Atmosphere: The New Old Lompoc is a very casual alternative to the "trendy-third" scene with well-worn picnic tables and a borderline dive bar appeal. Their back patio is a top favorite for most Portland beer geeks, dog lovers and bikers. Their new discount menu includes buffalo wings, crab and roasted garlic dip, chicken tenders, hummus, calamari and nachos.

Have a favorite local brewery you want to add to the list? Leave your comment below.

All prices and times are subject to change.