Brewpub Grub: Shoyu Ramen, Big Horse Brew Pub, Hood River, OR

This is a fun brewpub to visit because the chef and management always put on an imaginative and provocative plate. Last time I was here I had the Pad Thai with Tempeh. This time I am rewarded with an amazing Shoyu Ramen. Look at this magnificent concoction.

Shoyu Ramen

Big Horse gives you a solid broth as its base. The broth is the secret: beef, pork, chicken, fish, soy and nori are cooked for a full 12 hours to release all the wonderful juices of its ingredients. Add fresh made ramen noodles and 5 pieces of delicious bbq pork and you have a an intensely flavorful and hearty ramen soup. The soup also rounds out nicely with tofu, mushrooms, scallions, dry sake, garlic, ginger fermented bamboo shoots, sliced carrots, chili oil and toasted sesame oil. Savory, memorable, and pleasingly delicious, the Shoyu Ramen delivers. If you like Vietnamese Phở, then you'll like Big Horse's ramen. Slurp and enjoy.

For my brew, I chose the seasonal table saison. It seems that the Hood River brewpubs have a knack for seasonals-maybe because of all the fruit in the area. Big Horse's seasonal drank down clean and crisp, with a citrus taste that reminded me of lemonade or lime flavors. Easily drinkable and not at all filling, the seasonal asks for a second pint. If you are in the area during saison time, it is to your worth to try Hood River's seasonals.

Big Horse Brew Pub has a comfortable outdoor patio overlooking the Columbia River and Washington State. I'd recommend to sit in the patio if the weather permits.

115 W State St, Hood River, OR