Portland’s Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom Expands North to Alberta

In a city overflowing with craft breweries, brewpubs and taprooms, what’s one more? Imperial Bottle Shop and Taproom’s new Alberta location is a re-imagined incarnation of one of Portland’s best taprooms, located in one of the hottest neighborhoods in town. 

Featuring 28 taps of craft beer, cider, wine and even a casked option, Imperial has expanded upon the model they’ve established down on SE Division. While it features a similar motif of wooden seats and floors, the rest is a modern collage of art, lighting and a more airy vibe. The bar itself is copper-topped with steel embellished edges, lit by carboy light fixtures, and a beer list hovering near the taps on the western wall via projection.

It’s surprising that the new space is roughly only a 100 square feet larger, though they’ve maximized the space available. The east wall features some abstract art and lengthy horizontal mirrors, framed from above by a vaulted ceiling. Entering through an unfinished brick wall, the cellar-like back room is populated with a large cooler and specialty bottles for sale, with cut bottles serving as light fixtures. 

The front of the house features a large door opening onto the bustling Alberta Street Community. This new Imperial is flanked on all sides by some of the most popular spots in town including the original Salt and Straw, Great Notion Brewing, Pine State Biscuits and Bunk Sandwiches.

While on-site previewing the location Monday, their taps offered everything from The Commons Brotherly Love Barrel Aged Belgian Dark to Little Beast’s Fera Brett Saison, and Claim 52’s Look on the Bright Side Hoppy Wheat. Everything feels right here and we see no reason why this location won’t flourish as well, possibly even more so than their award-winning Southern sibling.

It just opened last night and they’re having their Grand Opening party today from Noon to Midnight, so be sure to stop in soon before the secret is out.

All Photos by the Author