Horse Brass Pub Reviews

First off, this is a beer house not a brewery. Do not expect flights! You can have samples first 2 are free after that it's a buck. Horse has 50 rotating beers and ciders. Food: pot pies, fish and chips,scotch egg, bake brie and bread,ploughmans platter. There's more! My wife and I eat here frequently especially in the fall and winter. We come for the beer. Our yearly holiday gatherings with our friends is held here. Long table's perfect for large groups. Multiple dart boards located throughout the restaurant. The kitchen is small here, so if this Pub is hopping when you get here, patients is required. Not really vegetarian friendly. Cheese and salad is your only option. I love this bar. Go in, relax and have a pint .

This joint is a Portland institution...at least it seems that way since it has been around forever. Had a hankering for fish and chips and my wife and I decided to head out to the Horse Brass for a bite on a Sunday afternoon. I was a little put off that they only serve halibut, as I think the best F&C are made with cod (opinion alert!). I was very pleasantly surprised at the tastiness of the offering, however. The fish was perfectly done and the chips seemed to have been made fresh. Also a pretty good selection of local as well as imported beers...and Guiness poured the correct way, as you would expect. One of the attractions to visiting a real English pub is that you feel like some of these places have been in business for a couple of hundred years, which some have! You don't quite get that feeling at the Horse Brass, but it's worth a visit anyway.

I was one of the first regular customers of this place. At the time, I lived not far away on S.E. Lincoln St. I knew Don Younger from the beginning. Spent time here listening to the music, playing darts (was never much good at it, but then neither are many other 'Yanks' - the Brits are incredible). Anyway - I'm 75 now - was in with an older friend - he's 89. We've stopped in for lunch now and then for years.... this last visit will be my last ever. The current operators are totally, incredibly out of their minds RUDE. Our visit in this time of the Covid 'pandemic' may have been ill-advised, but we go for the nostalgia, mainly. We were literally screamed at by more than one of the current employees - both female. I know for a fact - having known Don Younger - that the behavior of these people would NEVER have been tolerated by Don. This place, as far as I'm concerned, is no longer worth frequenting whatsoever. There is NO justification for treating people the way we were treated - regardless of how terrified you are of some so-called 'disease'.

The Horse Brass pub in Portland is the best of a very long list of good beer places in Portland. It's an English-style pub, with English food that's fairly cheap and very tasty. The fish-and-chips is the best, and the half order for $ 6.95 is filling and a real bargain. Most of the dinner specials Monday-Friday are excellent too. But the beer is the real attraction --- a long list of beers they always have on tap, and an even longer list of guest beers, about 54 in all, plus bottles, mixed drinks too. Most of the beers are domestic microbrews, with a good selection of English ales and occasional Belgians. The bartenders and waitresses know the beer well and are willing to give you tastes as you search for just the right one (or two.) Quite a few people at the bar can also advise you --- there are a lot of beer geeks in Portland, and many of them end up here frequently. The atmosphere is homey and comfortable. From the center of Portland, get to the east side of the river and go east on Belmont to about 46th.

Back in Portland for a month, my wife and I looked forward to visits to the Horse Brass Pub to enjoy the great fish'n'chips experienced in earlier stays. The place seemed a little dark and dingy compared with previous years, but we settled in and ordered our usual drafts and half orders of halibut and chips. The fish was fine though the batter seemed heavier, but the chips were soggy and blackened instead of brown and crisp. The cole slaw was soaked in a very strong horseradish sauce rendering it practically inedible. When the waitress picked up our plates I mentioned it was a shame the cole slaw flavor was so strong, and she said next time we order to let her know. She would make sure that we would not be served any...... There was no "next time" at the Horse Brass on this trip. We found happy hour at the Newport Seafood Grill to be much more inviting and enjoyable.

Nasty pasty ...and just about everything else was nasty too. I know how pasties are supposed to taste. I have eaten them in Cornwall and other parts of England. I have also tasted a reasonable facsimile in another English style pub in Portland (Saraveza). Pasties (and all pastries) should be baked for browning and crisping -- NOT nuked in the microwave. It was a soggy NASTY mess. To add insult to injury, they ladeled brown gravy over the top, for extra goopiness. Instead of being able to pick it up in my hands to eat it the way it was intended, I required a knife and a fork -- probably a spoon too (though I didn't get one). Another member of our party ordered a chicken pot pie. It was similarly nuked, with a soggy crust. There was a good variety of beer. Perhaps if I had consumed enough of those, the food wouldn't have tasted quite so horrid. They shouldn't serve food if they can't be bothered to get it right.

Wow, where to begin. The atmosphere of this pub is very cool. Lots of old photos, newspaper articles, and knick knacks. Lots of seating, from small two person tables to large benched tables for bigger groups. They have a large selection of brews, both beers and hard ciders. I had an apricot cider that was delicious. The food was amazing. I had the Bangers and Mash special (every Saturday night) and my room mate had the scotch egg. The cooks are definitely not afraid of salt. The bangers and the sausage of the scotch egg were both quite salty, but in a good way. The mashed potatoes and peas were a little bland, but a sprinkling of some salt and pepper fixed that right quick. Both dishes were served with a side of spicy dijon mustard that was simply too good to describe with mere words. Finally, (and we've saved the best for last) dessert. The greatest bread pudding I have ever consumed. I have had a lot of bread puddings in my time, this was so far beyond all of them. It came with a side of heavy cream to pour over to the top of it, it was delicious both with and without the cream. I will be returning in the future, if nothing else, for more of this bread pudding. Wrap this up with free parking in the back of the pub, and being open late, and Horse Brass is chock full of Win!

I visited family who frequent this pub often. We stopped by a couple of times on my visit and it doesn't disappoint. Great decor, great food and beverages. There a dart boards to use and I ate the fish and chips and Scotch Egg, which I've never had before. I recommend you stop in.

I've never been treated so poorly by the wait staff at any establishment in my life. And this was not on a first visit. If you read other reviews you see that this is almost typical, there are so many customers who have had similar experiences. Yes, it has a good beer selection. The food is probably authentic British pub-grub, but not good or fresh. But the attitude of those working there remove any desire to ever set foot in the place again. There is something seriously wrong with the owner and managment that they allow such rude and crappy service people to destroy what might otherwise be a decent establishment.

Horse Brass Pub fills up early, so If you are going on a Friday or Saturday night, you might want to be there well before 5 if you want to get a seat. This is more an experience than a good food place. Cause the food is not very good. But they have a large selection of beer - if that is your thing. Be prepared for people yelling and laughing at the top of their lungs. I took ear plugs on the last visit.

My family loves eating at pubs when we're in the UK. On a recent trip to Portland, my son asked to find a place that served British savory pies. On the basis of TripAdvisor reviews we were excited to find Horse Brass Pub. It looked the part - dark, heavy furniture, multiple seating levels, all centered around a busy bar area. My son and I ordered two different meat pies. Unfortunately both came overcooked with burnt pie edges. Worse, both were so heavily salted we couldn't taste anything else. We ate what we could and leaned on the fries to fill us up. Won't be returning.

Visiting in Portland and host wanted to take us here for happy hour. Great atmosphere, people playing darts. Music was fun and fish and chips delightful. Lots of local beers to choose from and we were pleasantly surprised at the level of service and friendliness of the wait staff.

We love the horse brass! We visit every time we're in Portland. They have an excellent beer selection, which changes often and their fish and chips are the best we have ever had, East or West Coast! But the atmosphere is what really gets you, awesome English pub style with a great vibe!

Wow, this bar has quite a beer selection. Wait staff and bartenders are very knowledgeable and food choices are quite extensive. Large bar and eating area. A must do for beer enthusiasts while in Portland, OR area.

Had the opportunity to share a meal with old friends at the Horse Brass Pub last Saturday. Everything was super. The staff was attentive, even though the place was busy and got busier during our time there. The fish and chips (I always say I'm going to get something else, but never do) was once again perfect! I love that the fish is cooked perfectly and never greasy. Plus the fries are the best, real homemade and a generous portion. The lively atmosphere of the Horse Brass Pub, is probably not the best place for a quiet, catching up with old friends, and chatting the evening away get together. But the food and the service make putting up with a little background buzz totally worth it.

This "English" Pub has an "English" menu - full of fish & chips, pies and scotch eggs. They do pretty well, and the food is good, but if you are looking for English "chip-shop chips" you will be disappointed. Although the chips are hand cut and taste great. There are 120 ales to choose from, and our server was really good at picking good ones for us. We had a great time, there was a great atmosphere.

It is hand's down the BEST Fish in town!!!!!! The" chip's" are o.k.. The service, I warn you is not the best!!! In fact, one of the worst!!!You kinda get the feeling there just stuck up hippie's. No bueno!!! Nice place to have a pint and read a book. Your server won't be by to interrupt you!!!!

Great beer selection, but haven't eaten here yet.

The original craft beer establishment. Still great in all its dark-wood and crusty pub glory. Great, knowledgeable staff, surprisingly decent food, stunning beer selection. A classic place.

Being from New England, and gone pubbing in both England and Australia, this place feels authentic, right down to the level of use and wear, and decor...The food was good, nice thick fish, and generous portions. Ask for Matt, he's a great server, very personable. A regular pub type experience.

Best fish and chips I've ever had. We went in for lunch on a Wednesday. Beautifully battered halibut. Not over cooked. The coleslaw was fresh and even had a kick of spice from horseradish. Good tartar sauce. The atmosphere was just like you would think a pub should look like . I've heard that it gets pretty busy. Well worth the wait.

Horse Brass is a nice, dark place to grab a drink. They have a large beer selection. Get a scotch egg and a beer. Don't be in a hurry!

Smoky, smoky, smoky, but only until 01/01/09! Great place to watch Premier League football!

Constantly over delivers Fairly priced Great cocktails snd Beer selections Great Fish and chips Choose between Halibut or Haddock Efficient and friendly service And Squeaky clean

I went to Horse Brass Pub to watch a Women's World Cup game. There was not a large crowd there watching and the noise level was moderate. The waitress was friendly, helpful and prompt and made good beer recommendations. I had the Beef and Mushroom Pie and found it to be very tasty bar food. The beers I had were very good and paired well with my meal. All in all the experience was good and I returned later for another World Cup game.

Leaving the walk at Mont Tabor Park we arrived at this Pub with some tables outside We decided to stop there and we had been able to taste the fishwich and its accompaniment the delights of the place some non-selective beers on the menu. Friendly and hepful team. Bravo keep continuous the good job

great beer selection if they would only get rid of all of the smoke!

British themed, not owned, which would be grand if it was good. What a waste of time & money on this kip. It's the only bad experience we had in Portland. The bartenders are rude, the service was awful, the food wasn't edible and the place is filthy. And, we aren't posh by any standard! They also charge extra for mayo=pettiness!

My fiancee and I started coming here about 2 years ago, and generally trek down from Vancouver about once a month. I have no idea if this is a realistic English Pub setting/atmosphere, but it is how I envision it would be (obviously, I have yet to make it to the UK). It is dark and dingy (a stay from the days of smoking indoors), has exposed dark wood beams, and sports an eclectic mix of pictures on the wall. There is often live music, and an area for watching sports, if you're into that kind of thing. Two darts boards are available for your entertainment. We usually bring our cribbage board. Always seat yourself, and don't hesitate. On busy nights, you will wait for hours if you don't move fast. The service is laid back-not what you find at chain restaurants. They get to you when they can, and sometimes it takes a while. The plus side is that you can hang out for a long time, without feeling pushed out the door. The food is spectacular and consistent. The Fish N' Chips are my all time favorite, with the corned beef on Marble Rye a close second. The Scotch Egg is consistently hard on the bottom, but we are used to it, and love it anyways. They have a good selection of beers and ciders, with rotating taps (I think-I always get the same thing). Make sure you check the sides on the menu-some items (such as the Bridie), comes with chips (house-made, I think). If you want fries, you have to ask and it is an extra charge.

Love the cozy authentic pub atmosphere, the friendly staff, the brew selection and the Fish and Chips! Fresh fish, great batter and fries, touch o' horseradish in the cole slaw, yum yum!

My wife's steak and kidney pie was processed incorrectly. When notified that it was inedible it the order was changed but then was charged for, only removed from bill on my insistence that it was incorrect. Incidently I am british, this is a British pub. A friends burger was not cooked to his liking, the server argued only replacing when insisted on. The brown sauce on the table was not authentic, a bottle of hp sauce would have been appropriate. Drinks were good and genuine, good draught Guinness. Sadly disappointing despite good sausages and Guinness.

This place was listed on thrilllist so we went out of our way to try it. First, they don't have flights, and then they were rude so I drank a little of my beer and left. No idea why it's on thrilllist.

Fun place to play darts

Great fish and chips, and everyone else in our party loved there dinner. Great beer, and friendly staff, had a great time.

I was out driving on SE Belmont Street so I parked on a side street and strolled inside the Horse Brass Pub. An old British ex-pat and closet Anglophile hangout since the mid-1970's. Yes, a British style pub that caters to the tastes of those from another time and place. There are plenty of things to keep your eyes and thoughts busy inside The Horse Brass Pub. The walls are covered with old photos. Some of personalities. But most are classic beer advertisement material, like old iconic Guinness posters. There are mirrors as well of old beer advertisements or reminders of the products. Neon lights advertising beer brands. And what would be a English pub without a dart board? Well, the Horse Brass Pub has a total of three dart boards you can take aim at. If you look hard enough you will also find an example of Horse Brass attached to a wooden beam. This one in the shape of a horses head. This perhaps is a talisman to bring good luck. A practice that goes back thousands of years when old superstitions were rather common place. Horse Brass was placed on a horse to protect it from harm. Perhaps protection from evil spirits. Or perhaps to bring good luck to the horse and owner. And of course is something unique and interesting to look at. They are also are sought after by those who collect them. I picked up a copy of the Union Jack newspaper and a few magazines that focussed on Micro brews and specialty beers located at a counter top near the dartboard along the kitchen. These I brought over to a table with a nice view of the bar and the rest of the establishment. The place I would occupy while I stayed for my meal. The front page of the Union Jack had an old stock black and white photo of the Queen Mary floating in the New York City brine and the caption– “Queen Mary turns 80." I shuddered, knowing that Queen Elizabeth had just turned 90. The math just didn’t add up. I ordered a half fish n chips and a full pint of Blackthorn Cider. I wasn't really all that hungry. Just wanted something solid floating around inside the old cast-iron cauldron. It had been a long night. I could always finish up with a pint of beer and go for a bit of the snake bite effect by mixing a pint of cider with a pint of beer. Something a few mates would do from time to time. For me, fish n chips and a pint just seems like the go-to meal in an English pub. Or at least a nice introduction if you haven’t been in one before. Another Englishman I know that has frequented this establishment since 1975 likes to have his bangers n mash and a pint of Fullers. That’s his comfort meal. Mine would be a rather simple snack I used to enjoy... the old stop at a chip shop in London and just munching away on chips as walked along the street toward my destination. In no hurry. As casual as you please. Without a care in the old world. I finished my meal. Stopped at the red floor mat at the entrance and gazed at the display case at the scarf and a T-shirt of Uncle Sam and Britannia arm in arm ready for a night out on the town. You can buy this iconic image from WWI on a blue T-shirt for $15. Just ask at the bar.

Do not argue with me, there is no better option in town for startlingly great fish & chips. The beer list is long, and the waitstaff are quick & honest. Come in for the British pub atmosphere, and do not worry about your wait. This is not a "bar", it's a traditional pub. They have a small kitchen, as it should be. Relax. Seat yourself, have a drink, and visit with your friends.

The food and atmosphere here are great. It looks like a real English pub, and the food is very authentic. My husband had the bangers and mash; I had a beef pie with side salad. We also tried a scotch egg for a starter. Everything was delicious, and there are lots of beers on tap, including all the usual stuff plus local craft beers. Service was really friendly.

Best Fish and Chips in Portland! Great Pub with one of the best servers in Portland named Matt. This place is great to eat, drink many of their beers on tap and play some good darts. Check this place out if you are on SE Belmont St.

The Horse Brass is an English style fish and chip pub. The menu features some English favorites as well as some more common items. The fish and chips are excellent as are the sandwiches. One point to take note of is that sandwiches come with "chips", aka potota chips. If you want fries you need to ask for them. The fries are very good by the way. The only negative is the service. It is never friendly or prompt. They are not rude, just not friendly and not attentive. Families are welcome at any time but are restricted to the upper part of the restuarant. The prices are reasonable and the portions are ample. A must is to order the Scotch Egg. I have ordered this in many places and have not found one better.

Wanting to grab a quick dinner before a show at Revolution Hall, we (group of 6) stopped in for a quick bite and a few beers.Cesar salad was very good, fish and chips a bit soggy and tartar sauce needing a twang, veggie burger good, Reuben passable. Overall, great ambience and good service. ( Really has an English pub feel down to narrow wooden tables and hassocks. ) Lots of beer on tap- and better than English ones!

This English pub looks a bit dark and dated, but enter for a huge selection of micros and great food. The traditional Scotch eggs are perfect, and the halibut fish and chips are some of the best in PDX. Chips (fries) are fresh cut real potatoes and the halibut perfectly batter dipped; neither are greasy nor soggy. The wait staff could be a bit more attentive, but the food and drink makes up for this. Prices are reasonable and portion size appropriate.

It's a true British pub in all regards. So it's not fancy, it's not modern, its certainly not heathy. It's an establishment geared towards the enjoyment of beer, conversation and darts. My expectations for a quick lunch with my family were low but what an awesome surprise. The food was exceptional. We had the pie and the fish and chips. All were huge portions and really authentic. We will be back.

Cute little place. However, the staff was without a doubt the worse I experienced while I was in Portland. We sat at the small bar for 5 minutes before we were even acknowledged by the 2 bartenders. We were hoping to watch a football game in here, but, the only tv was located behind the bar for the bartenders. And they watched it. We felt like we were putting them out when they finally asked to help us. No help in the beer department. We couldn't order food because after the first beer they ignored us again. They need some training......the servers on the floor were also put out when we tried to talk to them about the menu. A definite miss in Portland!

We were here for dinner on a Saturday night, and it was a very quiet atmosphere, interesting for an Irish pub. Service was outstanding and Fish 'n' Chips meals were phenomenal.

The selection of beer and cider is almost overwhelming, but in a good way. The bangers and mash are served without gravy, but the sausage is properly seasoned. The fish and chips are good, but the horseradish coleslaw was an unexpected delight. Billiards and dart boards abound.

The Horse Brass is a little slice of Britain in Portland, except the beer options are better here. The food is always good, from Fish and Chips to Bangers and Mash. Prices are reasonable and the beer list is impressive and always rotating. Afternoons are usually quiet with plenty of seating.

I go here a lot, either by myself or with others, as it's with staggering distance of my SE Portland home. My visits tend to be more in winter/fall, since there is no outside dining area. I call it "the living room," cause it's very comfy and loaded with dense English Pub atmosphere. (Having never been to an english pub, I can't vouch for its authenticity.) I actually prefer my solo visits, cause there is a lot to watch there. Especially since the smoking ban went into effect, and its customer base increased, you never know who/what you will encounter. I must mention both the selection and the servers: The HB has over 40 rotating taps, they keep their fully-descriptive (verging at times on the poetic) taplist up to date, and the servers are familiar with the selections and are happy to make recommendations based upon your preferences. Prices aren't the lowest in town, but the selection is great and the pints are honest. The English Pub Grub food selections are outstanding and very reasonable. Again, since the smoking ban, you can actually smell the food over the tobacco, and that helps a lot. Their chips are wonderful, and I often get an order to go. They lose a star because the bathrooms are not the best. Believe me, they used to be a lot worse, but they still need some updating and more constant monitoring. All in all, a great spot. We rent a vacation room in our house, and I am surprised at the number of our guests who have read about the place from afar...its reputation obviously precedes it, and for good reason!

My husband and I eat here about once a week-- LOVE staff--their knowledge and service. LOVE beer/cider selections. Used to love the food-- but something has happened-- not sure what, so, the quality is not what it was and the consistency of product is not there. We used to be certain we'd at least get a decent meal if not exceptional-- but now we cringe wondering what our food will be like. I am sad and sorry to say this. I hope whatever is going on can be rectified.

we visit the Brass Horse puo about once a year. Great service. à good asortment of draft beers. a few english beers. not enough for my taste. but i visist England 2 or3 time every 10 years. the traditional English pup food is on the mark.

The food was good but not spectacular. I had cornbeef sandwich and it was edible but just. My husband had a chicken pie that he loved. Waitress was very nice. The decor is eclectic and lots of locals were settled in for the evening. Worth a visit to try a new brew.

We'd heard Horse Brass Pub had the best fish and chips in Portland. Three people in our party ordered them and all of us were unhappy with our meal. The fish seemed like fast food quality. The fries were cold, limo and flavorless. The restaurant wasn't busy and yet the server did not check with us during the meal.

Full bar, beer, wine, cider and the best fish & chips in town! If you like single malts, this is your pub!

They have curry gravy!!! It is a good curry flavor. I had the fish and chips! Awesome fish and chips. I had extra chips instead of the slaw, you get a ton of fries. The beer selection is excellent and I had the Blind Pig.

Searched yelp for good Portland area halibut fish and chips and this place popped up. My boyfriend and I gave it a try and so glad we did. The fish and chips were the best I've had in the city so far. Tried out a couple of different beers they had on their beer menu and both were good. Our server was friendly and very attentive. We will definitely be back.

Being someone who currently lives in England, I can appreciate their effort! I always have a good time, it's always packed, I'm just not a fan of some menu options.

We been there two time for meals and both were excellent. Their Fish CHips are great, the Steack and Mushroom and Steak and Kidney Pies are huge and taste great.

To look at the outside...but it looked authentic, so we ventured inside. Dark, warm and inviting, reminded us of British pubs. People playing darts, backgammon and cards while enjoying a pint. Super friendly waitstaff, a bit on the expensive side. We had a cider and Lambic and tried the baked brie with apples and roasted garlic. Was a great middle of the day date place.

Wow... really authentic with all the walls adorned with pictures,brass Decs... Really warm and cozy.. lovely friendly service.. great menu..I actually felt like I was in England 😂..I had the chicken pot pie 😋 and hubby had fish n chips.. sausage roll too... 10/10 ⭐⭐

My favorite, my local. The Brass is about the beer. Food is an afterthought, although they do have some of the best fish and ships in town, next to the Tabor Tavern. Other eats fall victim to the microwave, most glaringly the meat pies. Don't order those. Daily lunch specials and soups are hit or miss, but you come here for the beer. 70 some odd taps make for a bewilderingly good selection, even if you're a strict hop head like me. The Brass is a nicotine stained stalwart in a town which is rapidly gentrifying. Go here.

Not much else I can add to the other reviews. The selection of beers on tap here is really amazing. Always something new and interesting...though I normally order the same thing since this is one of the few places in Oregon to find IPAs from Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa CA—Blind Pig and Pliny the Elder are really fantastic. With a well prepared burger and a few fries, or the very good fish and chips, and yer set for a wonderful night on the town, English pub style. Can't go wrong here!

Title pretty much sums it up. Not really impressed with food and I have eaten here a few times. Old time pub feel which is cool, but a great draft selection. Bummer they don't do growler fills though.

Since arriving in Portland in 2012 we have been searching for a great fish & chips place. We have probably tried a dozen places and think Horse Brass is the best. The halibut was tasty and the batter not too thick. The tarter sauce is very tasty. The place was busy (Friday night). Our Server Matt was very good a checking our table for drink refills and to make sure the food was satisfactory. On the downside, one of our party had the potpie and though it was tasty, it was a bit doughy in the center. Terrific beer selction too!!

Order a pint of Younger's Special Bitters and a Scotch Egg on a rainy afternoon, and all be right in your little world.

I have been here many times and it is a must for those that want to hang out with friends in a traditional pub setting. Many draft beers to choose from, cask conditioned and ciders. The menu is great as well.. This time I had the Scotch Egg which was yummy! Go on Sunday for the Shepherds Pie special.

Lots of beer, but only a handful of imports. A fun place to hang out and watch a game or play darts.

It has been over forty years since I have frequented a London pub, so my memory is probably not very accurate. But I recall them to be a lot like the The Horse Brass Pub. Well not exactly like them. I recall the London pubs being narrow and long with dart boards at the back wall. When you walk into the Horse Brass it opens wide to both sides with a massive bar at the center and the dart boards far at the back on both sides. Because it is dark inside, dark floor, dark walls, dark columns, dark ceiling, the bar just sparkles as you walk in. You immediately notice the great vibe. People are having fun here. It is so obvious. We were seated at a rectangular 4-top and sat on low padded stools. We received our menus and water with no delay. It did not take us long to read the food menu because we came for the fish and chips. All the other pub grub was there, however: bangers, Scotch egg, kidney pie, Ploughman's lunch and the like. The beer menu was another matter. How does one choose from all of those great draught selections. I finally chose a cask-conditioned Indian Red Ale because I had never tasted a cask beer. It was really good, with a bit less aeration. Tastes great, less filling. (I know, I just couldn't resist.) Despite the crowd, the sound level was low enough to allow conversation in a normal tone. The fish and chips were amazing. The fish was generous pieces of halibut, beer battered, and fried to a beautiful golden brown. The pieces were crispy on the outside, hot, tender and moist on the inside, cooked perfectly. I think they were the best I have ever eaten. Besides the chips, they came with a great crispy vinegar-mayo slaw with a spice, in addition to the garlic, that I couldn't identify. There was also a very nice tarter sauce. Great dinner, great service, great atmosphere. Just another great dinner in Portland. Good show, Brass.

We were told by the receptionist at our hotel that this was her favorite pub in Portland and since I am all about British Pub fare and my husband is all about beer we figured "Why not?!" So we drove all these side streets through neighborhoods and different suburbs to get there and were not dissapointed. The atmosphere is a bit young (21-40) but very casual, comfortable, and laid back. It was like the local pub for the neighborhood which was a suburb of Portland, OR. The decor inside the pub is very eclectic, funky, fun, and English of course!! There are English coasters and memorabilia all over the place; and I do mean all over the place! We ordered their garlic and brie cheese plate which was unbelievable! We've even made it at home it was so simple and delicious. We also had the bread pudding and just about fell over. I cannot wait to go back to Portland just so we can go to our now favorite pub.

I've been going to this pub for 30 years. I met my husband on a blind date here 23 years ago. It holds a special place in my heart. The service is always good and fast. The food ALWAYS great. The hamburgers and homemade crisps are the best. I crave the Saturday special of bangers and mash--excellent! The beer and cider menu are very diverse in the offerings. Also available for those who don't enjoy beer or cider is a full bar. The older part (front) of the pub is the best to sit in. It gives the feeling of sitting in a pub in England. It's dark and intimate with the remnants of smoking days gone by still on the walls--all going to making it 'authentic'. It's not the sleepy, neighborhood pub it used to be and is filled to the brim nightly now. Saturday early afternoon is a good bet to give it a try. Less people, more relaxed.

Ordered the scotched egg and the cheese and onion pastie. My server was a Moby-looking character who barely let me finish ordering, but a lady dropped off my food and told me it was a corned beef pastie. I told her I ordered cheese and she says, "Oh! The Broccoli pastie," and scurried away. I was trying to figure out if there was any cheese or onion in my pastie that was all broccoli, or if that was even what I ordered, but my server never came. I finished my broccoli pastie and he dropped off the check. So if you're looking for a wonderful scotched egg and don't need anything else, go for it.

We dined here at the suggestion of a colleague's relative who is a college student. I can't put into words how horrific this experience was for us, including the waitress who suggested items that were NOT on the menu. She then revealed they were on the menu at her previos job and that she got confused. The food was unimpressive and I would not encourage anyone to visit this pub. Wish I ordered room service instead.

We came here because many of our beer guides said it was a classic. I would agree with the classic part. It's an older establishment. They have many great beers to choose from but don't go there hungry. I was disappointed that the food wasn't better. It truly is dive bar kind of food.

What a find !!!! Adorable pub that makes you feel like your in England . Clean and awesome staff. Great beer and great pub menu. Fish n chips is a must !!!!!

Mixed review on Horse Brass Pub. This place offers a tremendous assortment of micro-brews from all over Oregon,Washington and California as well as other countries. While looking at the beer menu we counted over 65 different beer choices! There is something for everyone here. I ordered the Snap Crackle Pop (IPA) by Elysian Brewery in Seattle, WA. It was deliciously bitter. Now about the pub: dark, dirty and dingy. The whole place needed a good scrubbing and sprucing up. Menu looked good although we didn't eat. If you like beer and expect nothing else - this place is for you. If you want a special location to bring friends from out of town - I'd choose somewhere else. Our bartender was friendly and helpful..

Have not been since the ban on smoking

Mid afternoon, stop for a pint at this location. Impressive beer selection, including cask conditioned ales. Ordered steak and mushroom pie - delicious. The side order of fries was cooked to perfection, crisp on the outside and creamy in the inside. Only reason I did not give it 5 stars is that they were short staffed on the table service and it took a long time to order - I'm sure I just caught them between shifts. I would recommend this place for anyone wanting a "British Pub Experience" - closest thing I've found in the Colonies since returning from the UK. ,

This is an interpretation of a UK pub circa 1980 It's a big space with dark furniture and floors, a dartboard and a wide range of beers on offer. With an update this place would be great. It needs a facelift with brighter floors and walls, there are no pubs here like this now. New menus are needed, ours was ripped and falling apart. That being said food was very good with the fish being excellent Loved the Reuben. Our waitress was good, excellent customer service.

This is a great pub that the owners fashioned after English pubs they'd visited in the UK. No loud TV's in here - except when there are soccer games on - especially the Portland Timbers... there's only on TV for that. Several dart boards are available; a large bar, great staff, and excellent food. Horse Brass has the best fish and chips in town. Bangers & Mash and other English favorites are also available. The beer menu is dynamic and full of local fare from Portlands numerous micro-breweries. Minors are allowed only until 5PM; after that, it's 21 & over only. You'd be missing out to not stop at Horse Brass while in town.

On a sleeting Sunday afternoon this was a welcome home from home. Lots of seating, and bar space. Darts and video games available as well as a schedule of local and international football/ soccer match viewing on offer. Great range of beers, including cask best bitter that was as smooth as it can get this side of the pond. The food was good too. Our group voted the Fish & chips highly. The shepherds pie was not traditional, it was chunks of beef with a few veg (peas & carrots) and mash with melted orange cheese and a slice of tomato on top. It tasted fine. The beef & mushroom pie was a bit dry, almost absent of gravy, the fries were good - traditional steak cut fries. The Bridie and the sausage rolls were very good. Overall a good time, we will be back!

Alot of old wood, a collection of old brass bottle openers and coasters adorn the walls. A great selection of pacific northwest craft beer, and food to boot. The day time bar tender was great, exactly what you would expect to find in a place like this; great stories. Where Portland brewers hangout when they are not at work!

Wonderful English style pub in SE Portland. Knowledgeable staff, great on tap beer selection. Fish was battered perfectly and was not greasy. This is a place I will visit every time I'm in Portland.

I love this bar. A couple of friends and I like to go here and throw darts quiet often, and it is great for having beers, tossing darts, and catching up. It is also a big place so it is great for big groups. I don't eat here too often, but when I do I love it. They have great english style breakfast, bangers and mash, and meat pies. All the meals I've had here have been great, and they have a huge list of beers. Good place to hit up with a group, but I see a lot of couple here.

This is a small pub with English style food. The fish and chips are very good. The fish is firm and good quality. A fun place for a casual dinner and drinks.

We had an early dinner at Horse Brass. Our server was very knowledgeable about the beer and food menu, an all around pleasant guy. I had the banger dinner, it was served with a salad rather than mashed potatoes, I thought that was a pleasant change and enjoyed it. My friends both had fish and chips and said they were very good. Atmosphere is very typical of British style pubs, I love that. Look forward to returning on the next trip.

I've been reading about the Horse Brass for years. When I had a chance during a stay in PDX, I put it on my do-list and was excited about it. Well. . . . . I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed. I've been in plenty of 'English style' pubs, including some actually in England. The Horse Brass may be a historical place in the PDX and northwest beer scene but, to me, it's a not-so-nice dark dank dive. Maybe that's how the locals want it but I just can't see what's so special. Do they have lots of local beer - sure, but... Go to the Green Dragon instead - you'll be happier, in many ways. Sorry Don.

We were in Portland, Oregon two weeks ago. My niece just turned 21 years-old, so she wanted to go to a pub. We went online and checked out the reviews for the Horse Brass Pub - some reviews were so-so, some were good. Decided to go for it. Actually went there for the brew, but ordered a little food too. I had the Scotch Egg - not good at all. My niece had the Sausage Roll - not good at all. Disappointed with the food, but the brew was tasty.

A well known spot in Portland that has an authentic pub-like decor, friendly staff, a wide selection of beers and ciders on tap, and pretty authentic pub food - not haute cuisine but quite good. Prices are reasonable.

Halibut is used for the fish and chips and the fries are hand cut and not frozen. This fish is lightly beer battered with a slightly crispy crust, firm and not greasy. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 the best I found the fish to be an 8. Typical English Pub menu. About 50 beers and ciders to select from. Service was adequate. Interior is dark in places.

My daughter and I arrived about 6:00 PM on Saturday, sat at the bar and waited, waited, waited for about 10 minutes before even being acknowledged by the bartender. Not even a "hello" "what can I get you?" just an abrupt "do you want a beer?" Never a smile or politeness the entire time. My dish of Bridie was awful! The crust was like leather, and the meat inside was tasteless and overcooked, and some bits were like bullets! They do have a good selection of beer, and atmosphere is good.

Scotch Egg is awesome.

When I entered the Horse Brass Pub I got a terrific feeling that this was a real fun place. It's really big, with tables and roomlets just about everywhere. But what amazed me most was the fantastic menu with item I doubt you can find everywhere else. The Horse Brass Pub is simply a great place to go to to have a good time.

The best thing about Horse Brass Pub is that the staff knows their beer. While the selection isn't the biggest in Portland, they offer some very tasty brews and will help you find one to fit your style. I had the beef pot pie and was very happy with the selection. It won't set your taste bud dancing but then it is authentic English fare. Comfort food and great beer. Who can resist!

This is the 2nd time I’ve had lunch here. 2 years ago was the first. (A friend had recommended it). We have gotten the fish n chips both times. It was exactly how I remember them from two years ago. Delishious! Batter perfectly crusty, fish light and flakey, the fries oh yummy, tartar sauce to to sweet and the coleslaw crunchy and tangy. I’ve yet to have a beer there but, they have a great selection. The ambiance is perfect too! The only thing is parking kinda sucks. If it’s busy is hard to find.

No matter how many times, I visit Portland, the world renown Horse Brass Pub is always on my list. It is a classic venue to quaff some excellent beers. Opened as a traditional English pub, with a rambling and woody interior, serving over 50 local, national and international beers (in a proper imperial pint glass), Horse Brass offers a wonderful experience. In addition to the beer, there is the pub grub, such as Scottish Eggs, fish and chips and (my favorite) bangers and mash - with peas. But the beers are the thing; in my case, an IPA from Breakside (see my review), Modern Times pilsner, a brew from Laurelwood and (my favorite English beer), Old Speckled Hen. Though a bit out of the city in the Belmont district, you can easily get there on bus 15, which stops in front. Enjoy and Cheers.

After four months in England, we wanted to enjoy a bit of nostalgia on our fourth anniversary, so we went to Horse Brass Pub. Great atmosphere. It felt like we were back in London at one of the many pubs we enjoyed. Fabulous array of beers and ales. The pub food was excellent. London didn't serve halibut (as Horse Brass does), instead they served haddock and hake. I prefer the halibut, and it was plentiful. We had a great time. The service was acceptable since we sat at the bar. In England, no seating at the bar, but Portland is a bit more congenial and offers seats.

It's an OK place - smokers LOVE it as smoking is allowed in the pub/restaurant. Seems they think it's cute to never (EVER) clean or repaint the walls - there's about a century of smoke tar built up on the plaster. Makes a good graffiti blackboard though. I love Olde English pubs, being an original Brit, but this is more of a city local. The only olde about it is the decor, furniture and building. The fish and chips were pretty good but once again..... Not over the top. Not owned by a Brit in 30 years. Gotta go now - need oxygen!

Folks looking for the above will be perfectly at home here. The tap selection is local and British, the food is British style made with locally grown ingredients, and the staff is friendly. It's hard to beat the feel of the brick and stone walls, the hardwood floors, the fireplace, the dartboards and billiards tables. I'll definitely go back when I'm in town.

Ok I love this place Great staff Great specials (comfort food) Too many great boutique breweries to mention, and always changing

A British style pub. Gigantic selection of craft beers. Personally I was looking for familiar British beers (of which there were few), but as a visitor, I now know that Oregon has a vast craft brewery business - so why not sample some. I had a reuben (which I found delicious), and tried several beers (I had a long wait for a flight out later in the evening). Some sort of blueberry beer was horrible, but perhaps I shouldn't have tried it...you live and learn. Nice staff, very pleasant environment. Having spent a long time in Britain (and being a Canadian), I was surprised that the pub was regarded as such a rarity by American standards. I had a nice long walk through Belmont, which I found as interesting (if not more) than the pub itself. Not sure why the survey asks "Is this an Irish restaurant"?

Each time we step into Horse Brass it feels like a time warp; somehow it becomes 2am very quickly. The atmosphere is always relaxing and they host an exceptionally large tap list and keep new stuff rotating on a constant basis. The food is pretty much British pub fare (for those that like) but we enjoy coming here for the mood, great beer and setting. They also have dartboard games for those looking to pass some time with more to do.

If I would have reviewed this place a couple years ago, this rating would be at least two stars lower. The service used to be horrendous. It didn't matter who I got, they each acted as if I just ruined their life for wanting to patron their establishment. EVERY single time. It was so unwelcoming I actually boycotted this joint for almost a year. Those fish and chips though....I had to have them, so I decided to see if things had changed. My first stop back was much improved. Since then, we haven't had a single bad experience. Sure, the servers don't smile much, aren't over-the-top friendly, but I actually like what they've got going on. They check-in just the right number of times, offer great feedback on their selection of beers and I really enjoy coming here now. I have never eaten anything here other than the fish and chips. It's the BEST halibut I've ever had. The fish is lightly battered and perfectly cooked. The slaw is also the best I've had - love the slight kick to it. The chips are great. I love that they offer vinegar as a condiment. It wouldn't be complete without it. The beer. So.much.beer. There are so many choices, it's actually overwhelming for me. I always get the same thing for the first beer or two. If I have a third, that is usually when I try something new. Always an IPA. I hate a disappointing beer, so I stick with what I like. This is the spot if you want to try out some new beers. The ambiance is great. You definitely feel like you have been transported across the Pond to England. It's almost always crowded here, but I have never had to wait for a table. I also never feel rushed to get out of here. It's a great spot to spend time catching up with friends. I dig this place.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a great place with good ambiance, and I highly recommend it. The service we had was excellent and the waiter congenially sparred with my questions and comments, remaining in good humor, while my poor wife was embarrassed to death. We saw none of the bad (actually awful) food and service of some of the other reviews. The food was very good for Pub fare, not high caliber, some microwave stuff, but tasty and above par for pub grub. Their ever changing selection of over 50 craft beers and ciders is superb, and the few I had were very good. However, their web URL and home page states, “If it were any more authentic, you’d need a passport” Really? The décor and ambiance, sure, but what about their food? Let’s take a look. First, let’s omit discussion of beer temperature. If they tried to serve the warmer English beer in the US, they could not stay in business. Likewise for local beer vs. English (completely impractical). When ordering, I asked our waiter these questions: do you have scrumpy? No! Do you have mushy peas? No! What kind of batter do you have on your fish? Beer batter! Do you have malt vinegar? Yes! What kind? Sarson’s. OK, we ordered from their excellent selection of craft beer and cider (alas, no scrumpy), Fish and Chips and one of their pasties, the Bridie The F&C came with Cole slaw in lieu of mushy peas. The fish was good in spite of the soft beer batter. Good English style fish has a thin and crispy batter akin to Long John Silver’s in the US. A picture from a third generation operated F&C shop in England is attached for your interest, complete with mushy peas. They made the top 60 of 10,500 fish shops of the year, and hope for the top 10 next year. If you are in England, stop by Pisces Fish Shop in Thrapston. At Horse Brass, the “chips” were cut right, thick square cross section, but a little off top caliber, being somewhat soft and discolored. The Cole slaw had a sharp horseradish bite to it which I liked very much, but may be too strong for most. Slaw is not the authentic norm. It can be found occasionally, but never with horseradish. The pasty was covered with gravy. For those of you who know pasties, gravy is a sacrilege. Sure gravy is out there, even (yuck) ketchup. However, among aficionados both are considered weird. I do admit, however, that it tasted very good. Another fault with authenticity: they use the American spelling “pastie” instead of the British spelling “pasty.” Pasties, the national dish of Cornwall, originated as a mainstay of workers in the tin mines. Pasties were an oval semi circle with a large fringe crust on the curved portion specially crimped. The classic pasty is large (around 14 oz) and filled with diced meat, sliced potato and onion, but historically they were filled with most anything. There were jokes about that at the time. e.g. The devil was afraid to go down to Cornwall because he might end up in a pasty. Often they had a jam or other sweet in one corner for dessert, and the owner’s initials were carved on the surface. For lunch, the miners, with toxic hands, would hold the pasty by the large fringe crust, eat the internals then throw the contaminated edge away: a pretty neat package. There was and is no place for gravy in an authentic pasty. So let’s come up with some equations: No scrumpy equals authentic equals no big deal. Many pups do not offer scrumpy. No mushy peas equals authentic equals missed the boat. Beer batter fish equals authentic equals yuck. Pasties with gravy equals authentic equals weird. Let’s finish on a couple positive notes. Sarson’s malt vinegar equals authentic equals A++. It is the best you can get: likewise for their real, 20 oz Imperial, pints. I took ½ star off for food quality and ½ star for food authenticity. Big plus for the ambiance, big plus for the beer and cider selection and plus for the service. Hope you don’t run into anything awful. Kingwood Bob

Very interesting place to check out, came recommended by several people we had me that day. Plenty of parking in the back when we were there. It did get a bit busy, and service was good. The food portions are very ample, and tried a Scotch Egg for my first time, very good! Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Second time eating dinner here. Consistently good. Had the Chicken pot pie and chips.....great. Huge variety of Northwest Beers. British pub theme throughout, so while enjoying a beer, wander around and look at all the cool pictures of Winston Churchill, etc.

Walked in for lunch with two adults, two seniors and a ten-month old. This did not faze the waitress. Menu had lots to choose from, both the food and the beer. All great and for mots members of our party too much.

Good beer. Try the scotch egg.

Having visited London and really enjoying the pub food there I had to see if a place in the US could match the fare. Horse Brass Pub food is good but it doesn't match the London offerings. I ordered the steak and kidney pie. It tasted good but was obviously made a day or more earlier - not freshly made like in London. The crust wasn't very flaky and the filling was dry. When I asked the server about it, she said I should have asked for some gravy. Gravy certainly would have helped, but it would have been nice if she would have asked me about it when taking my order. On the plus side, the house made potato chips (crisps) were excellent, prices were very reasonable, and the atmosphere was great. Should I return I will try something else on the menu - and make sure I ask if I should add some gravy.

Great old English type bar. Especially fun if there's a soccer game going on...and there usually is.

The horse brass pub has become my go to place for meeting up with friends whenever I am back in Portland. Since I first visited in 2008, I have very much enjoyed this classic establishment. They have a fantastic beer and scotch selection and a wonderful ambience. The food is pretty good as well. The only thing that keeps this review four another five is that the service is inconsistent. The last time we were there our waitress was perfect. But the few times before that our waitress was downright rude. So we've had it both ways here. Regardless I would make A visit to the horse brass pub a priority when visiting Portland. While you're there, visit Mike's movie madness that is just across the street. Not only is it one of the rare surviving video stores, but it has become a museum of Hollywood props. You're also walking distance from Portland's famous Hawthorne district that is full of restaurants and shopping.

Yesterday, my sister and brother in law took me to the pub for my 81st The atmosphere and ***the food (fish and chips) were wonderful reminiscent of pubs I have visited in travels in UK and OZ Highly recommended ***Sadly, even though my cell takes photos I opted for only phone/text service so have no way to share a photo. The meal was entirely deserving of sharing.

Where can I start: the extensive list microbrews available? the excellent brit-style pub food? the fast, helpful service? We stopped here on a whim, looking for a late dinner on a Thursday evening and loved the place. The fish & chips (always a risky order) was terrific - crisp, not greasy, fresh taste that resulted in eating most of it plain, without vinegar or sauce. The shephards pie & chicken pot pie were delicious. Especially tasty were the fries.. mmmm... The only drawback is the din: having hard wood floors, walls, and ceilings pushed this busy bar to decibel levels verging on painful. I understand some people find that fun or energizing, but we would have liked to be able to converse without screaming. All in all, we'll definitely visit again and so should you.

Visiting a friend of our son's and they brought us here due to the extensive list of brewery choices. Learned a lot about the different choices and love that they offer different size pours to allow you to sample a variety without overindulging. Loved the atmosphere.

The draft beer selection is very good plus 20 oz glasses. I found the hard potato skins to be inedible. I'm pretty sure the fish for fish and chips was a frozen piece which means it had no flavor so I had to add lots of seasoning. It's a good place for drinking pints and talking.

We visited a high school friend in Portland and they took us to this pub. Very nice atmosphere and unusual menu. Truly an English Pub. They had the fish and chips, looked to die for. My husband had the chicken breast sandwich and liked it. I had a different style French Dip, they didn't call it that in an English Pub, it was very good. They feature all kinds of beer so I had a pale ale, also good. Fries were very good and had malt vinegar on them. Good visit with friends because the pub was quiet and not too busy when we were there.

This was the worst experience I have ever had, period. I was excited about going to the Horse Brass Pub to enjoy it's beer. Within 3 minutes the bartender refused to serve me. Why? Don't really know. After leaving I went back to the hotel and looked up reviews on the Horse Brass Pub from various sites. I was shocked. I am not the only one to have experienced this absolutely terrible treatment. Just look for yourself. For some reason, I think that the staff at the Horse Brass would read this, they would consider it a feather in there hat.