Ex Novo Brewing Co Reviews

Stopped in for lunch with my mom. Tried a could beers, and ordered the Banh Mi with pork and the potato skins. Sandwich was very tasty as were the skins. Great server, food and atmosphere.

I love their mission statement and purpose the decor industrial chic was awesome staff was friendly and attentive On food presentation was one of the best restaurants I've been too and beer was delicious and then the food ..... looked so good and was so oily I want to like everything about this place and will go back for the beer but not sure about the food unless they change something Bummer

Been wanting to try this spot for a while now!! Big space in NE with a two floors for seating and garage looking windows for when the weather gets nice!! Obviously beer selection is on point. They have great options and something for every no matter what you're looking for. Food was an awesome surprise. Their burger and chicken sandwich were awesome and tasted even better than they looked which was a surprise because they looked amazing!! Good menu selection of bar eats!! We were there on a slow day and the service wasn't anything too special.

We have had Ex Novo beer at several brewfests here in Portland and have always thought they were solid and innovative. Only recently did I see that they are a non-profit brewery. It took me a while to wrap my head around that and I still couldn't figure it out. It turns out that 100% of the profits go to several non-profit organizations. I deeply respect that and, honestly, that was one reason I wanted to visit and try the food and the beer. That being said, the beer was delicious - I had the (Most Interesting) Mexican lager and I don't usually drink yellow, fizzy beer....but this was outstanding! Corn was used in the process and I think that is what lends it a nutty taste - very refreshing and it goes down easily. My partner had a taster tray and all the brews were great. The food - good lord! We had corn fritters that were outstanding. The Super Mac is insane! It has chunks of deeply slow cooked pulled pork, bacon, pretzel bits on top....totally satisfying. We plan on returning for sure.

Let's just say, Ex Novo, is killing it. They have outdoor and indoor seating. They have an upstairs, three clean bathrooms, accessories for sale, fantastic staff, and mouthwatering food. Parking is a bit tough as it is in Portland but drive safe, watch for people, and you'll find a good spot. So keep belongings out of sight as that part of Portland is known for break-ins but nothing to be worried about. We sat outside, ordered IPAs for the man and ciders for me! Then we ordered deep dish pizza with green chillies and pulled pork. THERE ARE NO WORDS to describe just how perfect this pizza is. I don't usually use caps at all in my reviews but seriously,I'm not being dramatic, this pizza is good! It stayed hot, cheese very melty, pulled pork flavored to taste and the green chillies were soft and slightly spicy. I loved the mix of "pepper" with burnt crust. There's nothing like it. If I had to die I want this pizza for my last meal. It's big enough to share and be happy, buzzed, and full. Take time to look around as they have beautiful art inside. We're coming back soon!

It's a nice big, warehouse like space, with brewing vats on display, but neither the beer or the food was exceptional, the waitress was grumpy, and two other waitstaff guys grabbed our plates with our food uneaten, one of them just giving us an insulting look as we protested. Wow, bad management and vibe much? It's ok, there are more good places to eat in Portland than any one city has a right to, and this one's crossed off our list.

Our group of five arrived and bought beers while we waited for our table to be cleared (we highly recommend reservations.) After being seated our waiter came up and asked us if we wanted any other drinks then he waited for our food orders - we weren't sure and asked him to come back but ordered the bagel bites. The bus boy brought up our bagels but he dropped one and apologized and gave us the one but went to order a new set for us. The bagel was an everything bagel but the bottom was slightly burnt. When he came back we had some questions and two still weren't sure so he told us he didn't have time to wait and left us. We flagged him down to order and then after we got our food we never saw him again (literally!) Two ordered grilled cheese which was served slightly burnt with very little cheese. The super mac also had little taste and very little cheese. The Elliot's pie was actually amazing and we would highly recommend it. The chicken soup was good, but it was a weird puree mixture of chicken and vegetables making it thick like a creamed stew. When we finished eating the waiter never came back to see if everything was okay, no offer for more drinks, no bill, or anything - we had to go down and ask the hostess for our bill. And even then our bill was brought up with someone else. The hostess also had to bring up our boxes for the leftovers (we took them home and added more cheese and spice to make them decent.) The atmosphere is neat with the beer tanks and open top floor but the food and service left much to be desired.

The tap room is almost inside the brewery, what makes it a great experience to have beers while watching the equipment. The service is great, too! Prices are average for that region.

We stumbled upon Ex Novo while walking to meet friends for dinner. It had only been open for 2 months at this point, and the beer, ambience, menu and service were all superb! Best of all, it's a non-profit organization: check their website for charities they support with their earnings. We had the guacamole and two beer flights, and were well impressed by everything. The next time we're in Portland, we'll be back for sure; this time for a full meal and a few more drinks!

Visited Portland this past weekend and stayed near the Conference Center for my wife's 40th bday. Did some Brew Pub research beforehand and am very glad we visited Ex Novo. Definitely the best of the bunch we went to with a great variety of well made beers and food that was quite honestly exceptional. We came with two kids and even the kids menu food was very well done. The only downside is that this place is nowhere near my house.

Stopped here for a quick flight. The beer was good; nothing jumped out as. The staff is great. We didn’t eat. I’ll go back for an alternate flight as I’m sure they’ll have something which is outstanding. Try it for yourself.

A nice assortment of beer styles. Great IPAs. The Guavant Garde was a good find. Food was very good. Smoked Pickled Egg, Fressen Pretzels, and Detroit Style Pizza were all done well. Loved the crispy caramelization around the square pizza. Ex Nova is a nice short stroll from Upright and the Portland Streetcar, so we explored the taps at Upright (dominated with saison styles) and then went for dinner with great IPAs at Ex Novo. We visited on a fairly crowded Friday evening and the upper level was closed for a private event, but we grabbed a beer at the bar and were seated before getting halfway through our beer.

Lovely environment. I like the brewery's philosophy. Big food selection (scary large portion sizes - ended up sharing entrees). But importantly let's talk beers... We ordered tasters and they're not bad. Not my first choice but nonetheless a good beer attempts from Ex Novo (not impressive, but good). If my friends wanted to come here, I wouldn't mind at all. I really liked their Mango beer (stood out for me from their tasters). Anyhow - keep up the good job, Ex Novo, you're on the right path.

Ex Novo opened this past week. It is a non-profit brew pub where Ex Novo is committed to donating 100% of their net profits to organizations that are working to affect positive social change both in Portland and around the world. We came across it after we had eaten somewhere else so decided to have desert and my husband decided to have one of the made on site beers called a Red Scottish Ale. He really liked it. I had a beer milkshake, as a non-drinker, I was pleasantly surprised how good it tasted. This will be the only way I drink beer from now on. My husband had an Olive oil cake with marinated blueberries and cream, Yum yum! Loved the decor, very Portland. The dinner menu looks awesome. You'll see no burgers here, Will come back for dinner soon!

I've been here a few times, One of the best breweries in Portland. Definitely worth a stop if you are Portland.

We went for the beer but the food and experience was Crazy Good! The Vienna Lager was exceptional as was the Eliot's IPA. The Spicy Fried Chicken and Donut Sliders where off the charts delicious and one of the most unique foods we've tried. The Brewburger and Pan Fried Brussel Sprouts where also delicious. The glass of bacon looked interesting for our next visit.

We decided to try Ex Novo on the recommendation of a friend, and we weren’t sorry! Cool building built in the 40s but we opted to be outside on a gorgeous day in Portland. I tried their beer flight and was disappointed to discover that’s only 4 beers rather than the usual 6. But the 4 I tried including the Cactus Sour were great. We also tried three small plates. The house made salt and vinegar chips with Southern Crack dip was delicious - chips are a bit thicker so just right to scoop up the dip. We also tried the Mufungo which sounded interesting and was quite tasty. Plus we tried the sweet potato hush puppies. Mmmm only missing a dusting of spice or some honey or something. Overall I would definitely recommend it.

I live in Portland and go by here often. You always see people having a good time, enjoying the beer. Finally I got to go here once and it was as good in person as I was imagining it every time I bike or drive by. Recommended.

In a place that seems to have never ending breweries, this place is the perfect home base brewery because of their friendly staff, the comfortable environment and delicious options of beer!

We went to the Ex Nova because of how close it was to the moda center. The beer was great and cold the food was good and the staff very friendly. Con: prices were high! We have eaten better and payed less.. Just go because it's close!

When our guide was telling us about this little spot she knew of in her old neighborhood, I did NOT picture this. Tucked into a neighborhood, down the street from an elementary school sits Ex Novo Brewing Co. unassuming building in the middle of an otherwise residential street. We get in and the place is packed. We grab some beers for our wait, get seated 15 mins before we were supposed to. We eat a stellar round of some of the best appetizers on this trip so far. Our Server is amazing and quick for a place as packed and loud as Ex Novo. We had real good time here. Our guide told us that they donate to charities. Really top notch beers and food. Definitely worth the exploration to find.

I love ex novo - I used to play city league volleyball weekly right across the street - so we went there almost every Wednesday. Here's what I love: - GREAT beer - interesting/inventive flavors plus the old faithfuls (Pilsner, Mexican Lager, etc) - GREAT food - they keep putting new menu items out there that are so delightful! I LOVE their pork Bahn Mi. YUM. All in all - a great spot and an awesome addition to PDX!

I'm told this is the only nonprofit brewery in the country. If them doing good isn't enough to get you in the door, you should try because the food, beer, and service are spot on. It's also extremely family friendly. They've got big garage doors that open and let in air, but it's not air conditioned, so be forewarned that if it's 90 degrees outside you might want to wait until the sun goes down to visit. They have a good happy hour.

I've been here a couple times, once when they first opened and just recently for drinks. The food is really good (can't remember what exactly I had after all those pints), but the real treat is the beer. One of the best breweries in pdx in my opinion; definitely worth a stop.

What a great place for beer and bar food. the beer is some of the highest rated in portland including a great IPA. They have playful names like DAMON STOUTAMIRE, LIQUID SWEATER, PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BROWN. The food is also good, the chick and pulled pork were great. the Pan Fried Brussel Sprouts with bacon beer jam, pickled red onions, charred lemon were excellent.

So this place is apparently a nonprofit organization that donates it's profits to local charitable causes. They are doing many things right to further that cause. The beer selection is varied and all very well done. The food is good (bacon for the table - really? How can you not?). And the atmosphere is just an inside/outside constant party. Packed on a Thursday afternoon. Staff is on top of things and very engaging. Keep up the good work!

I really liked this place...family style bench seating makes it comfortable to chat with your neighbor.. nice selection of beer and the food was super good!

came for lunch with a friend after portland sunday parkways....had a mexican beer, my partner had the citrus sour, and our friend had an ipa, and 2 others along those lines...next, we split the wedge salad and detroit 8 inch pizza, and she had a pork mofongo...the salad and pizza were delicious....the former light industrial was ellk lighting, and the transformation respects what was formerly there....the company ex novo donates heavily to non-profits, like friends of the children...neat interior and mural, and brewing tanks....the staff is super nice....thx so much..

I recently traveled to Portland to visit family. I had done a bit of research in advance and the Travel Oregon guide had suggested this brewery amongst the many in Portland. I was not disappointed. Probably the best beers I had on my entire visit. We visited late in the evening so I can't say what the neighborhood was like but it seemed quiet and we found a spot right in front. The interior was a cool atmosphere. I ordered up a seasonal Bluebeery Cream Ale. Really outstanding. We next ordered a flight so we could taste a few more. All were great. Staff was very friendly and informed.

Went here to have a small birthday celebration for a friend on a Tuesday night. Unassuming from the outside at night and a little off the main streets. Seating was easy that night with the place only around 30% full. The beer was plentiful and they had a wide selection available. I had the Quadtastic/Fruit Gose blend and it was very tasty as well as the Eliot IPA. They seem to name their beer after their immediate surroundings which is a nice touch as I'm from Portland and went to Boise-Eliot Elem. They had a few food specials available as I got the half-rack of ribs for $10. The ribs were good but could have used either a greater amount of smoky or sweet (or both) sauce with them or on the side. Came with creamy mashed potatoes with roasted broccoli and cauliflower mixed in. When we were finishing up with our meal that night, our server was finishing his shift and apparently didn't relay the message to take care of us so we waited for longer than usual (20-30 minutes) for someone to recognize that we needed our checks. That didn't really dampen our spirits as the proceeds were going to charities listed on the walls. We will be back sometime (hopefully soon)!

The food was delicious, the beer was great, and the atmosphere was good, we were definitely happy we made it one of our few Portland stops before heading south.

Classic style brewpub with a kitchen that tastes as good as the place looks. The planed log bar goes well with the northwestern industrial decor. Talk to the bartender, he's got the uncanny ability to ensure a beer to match your palate. I had the brisket sandwich. Good and filling. Could definitely taste the smokey flavor. Definitely recommend as a reasonably priced evening out that will fill your belly.

Went with my brothers stag and could not have had a better time. The staff were incredible and the beer was excellent. We got the bacon and a special sticky bun which was awesome. Totally worth the walk.

Definitely giving this place 2 thumbs up! My coworkers and I went after work and they exceeded our expectations. All of the food we ordered was delicious and the beer selection was great. Our waiter was phenomenal and got everything right (even printed off individual tabs for all 10 of us). I wouldn't say they have a happy hour, but they do have a few discounted menu items during happy hour time (no drinks on happy hour). I would recommend this place to anyone looking for quality food and beer at a decent price. It's also is a great spot to hit up before a Blazer game!

I really enjoyed myself here! This brewery is a non profit! Although I only stopped in once for a flight and an appetizer I wished I'd gone more! All of there beers were super easy to drink! I do not usually like the sour beers but they definitely did there's without going overboard! The app. that I tried was the peanuts with rosemary! They were so warm and yummy! The atmosphere was lovely, from the wood bar top to the whole industrial feel I loved it!

I heard about this place a while back, and was intrigued about how a ‘non-profit’ brewery operated. I had the opportunity to find out last Saturday afternoon when my wife & I were passing through Portland and decided to seek shelter from the rain (any excuse to check out a new brewery). When we walked through the door, we realized many others had the same idea – it was rather busy, but the noise level seemed OK considering the occupancy rate. The welcome person, Jodi, greeted us with a big smile and happily answered our questions regarding the non-profit aspect of the brewery. So far, so good. It only got better after we were seated. Our server Kimberly was an absolute delight. Not only was she cheerful and funny, she was very knowledgeable about the beers and gave some spot-on appetizer recommendations. I had a couple of pork sliders that were simply amazing! The top bun had a little bit of ‘maple bar’ glaze that put this dish directly at the intersection of Savory and Sweet. My wife had some pear bruschetta that were equally enjoyable. The beers were first rate as well. I had a 4-beer sampler flight (you get to choose from whatever they have on tap that day). Mine consisted of a blonde, an IPA, a winter warmer, and a stout. It was hard to pick a favorite. My wife had a Saison that she deemed excellent (I did too - she shared a little with me). Also, we found out that Kimberly coordinates and participates in various volunteer projects in the community. Bravo! We would not be surprised if other Ex Novo employees volunteer their time and talent as well. The brewery motto is: “Drink Beer – Do Good”, so we think these folks ‘walk the talk’ in addition to ‘drinking the drink’. One caveat: We did have a little trouble finding a place to park. It wasn’t horrible, but you may find yourself walking a bit on those days when the place is hopping. They may have a parking lot, but we didn’t see one. You may want to call the brewery to clarify. On the bright side, we noticed a streetcar line that runs not too terribly far from the brewery (maybe 6-7 blocks?). That may be an option for some people. We have used Portland’s public transit system in the past, and it is quite good. We’ll be back…

This place was great!! Food was incredible, I had the Yam Noodle Bowl and I would definitely order it again. Beer was amazing too, I had the Saison, delicious. Staff was fast, friendly and knowledgable. I highly recommend :)

Came here for brew and lunch. Loved sitting up on the loft area. The servers were great, the brews were hard to choose from, and the Sweet Potato Hush Puppies exceeded my expectations. As did the honey dip. I was not able to finish them off! Took the rest home for later. The beers were very good and I had to take two bottles of Marryin' Berries home just because I wanted to have some to savor later! I learned that they choose to give back to the community and that is one more reason to come back and support them!

Nice local pub with a good selection of in house beers and whiskeys and complimenting appetizers and main bar foods on the menu.

Nice pub, my first pub/brewery to visit in Porrtland. Nice concept also, to share profits with those who need it, at the same time creating a great atmosphere in this rough old Industrial building. Nice staff!

Just when you think Portland can't support another brewpub, Ex Novo opens and blows the competition out of the water. Excellent food, beer, wine, service and ambiance. There's always room for this kind of quality.

Only went for a couple of drinks so can comment on the food. However, I had my favourite pint in Portland here. Cactus wins the lottery, pear addition. A truly lovely sour. Staff were super friendly and the bar itself has a nice friendly atmosphere. I was surprised at how busy it was on my visit on a Monday early evening. It was a little tricky to find, but well worth seeking out. Also interesting to note that all profits go to charity.

Ist time at Ex Novo Downtown....love it!! great food, Great Beer, Great Atmosphere, great Employees!! Definitely coming back!!

Four of us went here for beer and dinner. (Two had been here before and it is their favorite brewery in Portland.) I ordered a flight of four beers: German Pilsner, Hazy IPA, Scottish Ale, West Coast IPA. All four beers were perfectly balanced. I had a Fried Chicken Sandwich. It had Brussel Sprout Cole Slaw on it. It was a great sandwich! The French Fries were the best too! Really like this brewery. Definitely will be back on our next flight to PDX!

Last week I brought a visitor from Romania to Ex Novo and we had a terrific Sunday lunch with beers. Ex Novo have a nice selection of brews, including some nice sour beers. The Scottish ale is also very good. Food is amazing, with brisket in a starring role in both of our meals. Ex Novo is a standout for directing its profits to non-profit agencies helping children and poor people and fighting such issues as trafficing. It's a meal you can feel good about, and not just because it's good food.

Lively place in a big box of building with en vogue industrial design that works really nicely here. It's two levels, with the main bar downstairs offering stools and high tops, and a smaller loft-like seating area upstairs. Check out the very cool mural on your way up. Our group chose three different beers and there wasn't a complaint in the bunch. The standby Eliot IPA, The powerful Dynamic Duo Imperial IPA, and an excellent, not too-tart dry-hopped sour beer, the Do You Even Sour, Bro? Our food picks? The menu is seasonal but we had the Smoked Pork Belly Banh Mi on a perfectly crusty baguette with Sriracha aoli, super-flavorful Beef Barbacoa tacos (three of 'em!) and an order of Sweet Potato Hush Puppies (yep, trust me, they were that good.). All in all, a cool laid back vibe in a neighborhoody spot.

Nice space. Quiet neighborhood. Not overly large but still enough seating at the bar. Food was better than average. It nothing super amazing.

My husband and I came here after brunch on a Saturday and had a great flight. Well made beers all around! Love the Fire on the Farmhouse and Do you even Sour, Bro?Sour Pale Ale!

What an excellent experience I had at this brewery. I always like to try new breweries when I am in Portland. The beers at Ex Novo looked interesting, and the fact they are non-profit is neat. My wife and I met another couple and we all had dinner and drinks here. The beers were top notch. I had the Peaching to the Choir, a very interesting and nuanced sour, and the Jacked Up, a less interesting but equally good sour. My wife had the insane Friends with Benefits, a high ABV beer with lots of scotch and bourbon flavor notes. Our friends had a couple of flights, and they were happy with everything they sampled. I ordered the short ribs. They came bone-out, which I did not expect. The meat seemed more like a pot roast this way. Nonetheless, the meat was excellent. It was soft and rich with the perfect amount of fat, and the stout braise left an excellent flavor. The smoked Gouda cheese whiz at the bottom of the bowl this dish was served in was superb. It was rich and creamy and salty and just overall excellent. It paired perfectly with the rib meat and the potatoes. Overall, my meal was perfection. My wife ordered a salad and the cheese, onion, and dill soup. She thought both were great; I sampled the soup and found it rich and thick, spiced well but not overdone with the dill. The salad tasted like salad to me. Our friends didn't seem as pleased with their food. They ordered the pulled pork banh mi and the stuffed yams. I was too focused on my food to try theirs, so I can't directly speak to the items they ordered. Both agreed the food was fine, they just didn't consider their meals quite as transcendent as I considered the short ribs. They did praise the beer, though. Our server was quick and helpful with beer suggestions. Our table was a long communal table; it was a little narrow and probably not good if you are going to get both appetizers and mains. Overall, this is one of the best brewery experiences I have had in Oregon, and I highly recommend giving Ex Novo a try.

Out of the three breweries I had the pleasure to visit while in Portland, this was my favorite. Great place to meet up with friends for a drink. I had a milk stout while there, it was deliciously creamy and smooth. Food was pretty good as well. Would love to stop in on my next visit to the area.

The beer was great, available in reasonably priced flights. The food we had was good as well. Try the mofongo! Staff was friendly and attentive and parking was available in the immediate area.

Beer is so good here, try them all. Good food try the hula hula fries or pork belly sandwich. Love the industrial look.

Quaint little place, with a limited but good menu. I had the MAC (Mac & Cheese) wonderfully garlicky and creamy. My husband had the Albuquerque dog. He is pretty picky about his sausages and hot dogs, he thought this one was very good, great taste. I had tastes of the Dynamic Duo IIPA, and the Hoppy Pils but setteled on the Saison Lillis was not sold on any of them really, but that is just my taste. The food is good the beer was okay, but the cause/idea of a non-profit brewery? AWESOME. Go if for no other reason than you are drinking a beer and doing good.

Great atmosphere, fantastic staff. Made our extended family with 3 little ones under 5 very comfortable with special kids menu, coloring papers and crayons. The food was outstanding (carnitas tacos, smoked pickled eggs, Bahn Me Sandwich & burgers done to perfection. Oh and the BEEER, it was great too! We'll be back.

Our server at a brewery in the Newberg area recommended this to us, and we were not disappointed. We planned on just going in for a couple of beers, but ended up eating something too, and we were not disappointed. The beer selection is great, and all of the beers are excellent! We were able to get a flight, and it was a great selection. We ordered "bacon for the table". They actually bring out several huge pieces of bacon in a pint glass. It was by far some of the best bacon I have ever had! Then, we got the mac n' cheese. Get it loaded - you will not regret it. Possibly the best mac we have ever had! Our server was excellent. Very knowledgeable of the beer and food and extremely attentive and efficient. We were able to eat at a table on the sidewalk, which was nice. We could see the big park across the street, and all of the people playing with their dogs. The inside looked nice - new and spacious. Highly recommend making this stop if you are doing beer tours in the area. There are 5 within a mile or two in this neighborhood, and this is the best.

This place is awesome. We were traveling through Portland and met up with a friend here - very glad we did! We always like to try different breweries when traveling and this one has probably been the best yet. The food was awesome, the beer (and milkshakes) were excellent and the staff was very nice. They even have their bathrooms stocked with everything needed for diaper changes - what a thoughtful gesture! It's just so nice to go out and have positive interactions instead of a rude and apathetic staff - it's why you pay $. If we lived here, it would be our regular place for sure!!

A brewery featuring off-beat brews, lots of whiskeys, and a different pub menu. Especially good is their Detroit-style pizza. Tasty and filling and pairs nicely with their beers. Good service. Can get crowded, but that's because it's a solid place. If you park on the street, it's a 10 - 12 minute walk to the Moda Center, so this is definitely a pre- or post-game hangout ... another reason it can be crowded.

Friends had recommended this place so I went to try it out. Ordered their kids size Mac and cheese and felt really good afterwards. Delicious and just the right amount, not too creamy.

Great whiskey beer pairing. All the beers are good. Solid service. Burger is great any time. Get the chicken and waffles for brunch.

Another great place to hangout in Portland after long day of sight seeing. The place it located in a very urban part of Portland. Definitely not located in the city. But the drive is worth it. They have great beer. My favorite was their Perle Haggard it’s very floral, earthy, crisp and refreshing. And to eat I had their Street Tacos where to came with pork carnitas, picked red onions topped with lime crema and fresh cilantros with escabeche. In my Personal opinion the tacos are small and it can be used as an appetite so I also decided to go with their double brewberger and that was pretty good as well. Overall their food pairs with their beer selection and I really enjoyed the food and the beer.

Wanted to include a brewery in our visit to Portland and not have to pay a fortune for parking. This was a perfect place for us! The beer/cheese flight was OK (amount of cheese very small) but fair amount of beer. Interesting samples to try. They also have some wonderful bourbon and single malt scotches. We had simple food (sandwich and wedge salad), but no complaints. Outside we could carry on a conversation without yelling. Nice park across the way to add to the serene setting. As a lot of places in Portland, very dog-friendly.