Portland’s Bottle Shop: A Slice of the Midwest

Derived from the owner’s name and the Spanish word for beer, Saraveza Bottle Shop & Pasty Tavern is a cozy meeting space for anyone who loves craft beer, scratch cooking, vintage breweriana and Midwest hospitality. Whether you’re new to the brew scene and need some guidance or an old pro just looking for something rare, Saraveza’s award winning beertenders will find a flavor that works for you.

Visiting Portland?

Craft beer is a huge part of Portland’s culture.  Saraveza’s beertenders will give you the low down on the Pacific NW beer world: what to try and where to go while you’re in Portland.  Check out our EVENTS page for something fun happening at Saraveza while you’re in town! We’re easy to find; click the map for public transportation and driving directions

Our Staff

Sarah Pederson - publican.  A Wisconsin native and breweriana collector, Sarah’s love affair with craft beer began in 2002 after she unknowingly ordered a cask conditioned Hair of the Dog “Fred” over some homework at the Horse Brass. The first sips changed her life, “How can beer taste so complex?”  Needless to say, she put down her homework, went home and started researching “how to make beer” on the Internet.  Fast forward to 2007 - after hanging with homebrewers, graduating from the American Brewer’s Guild, interning at Hair of the Dog and working the cellar at Lompoc Brewery, Sarah decided she wanted to officially enlist in the craft beer revolution; Saraveza was born.

Tyler “The Elder” Vickers - OB (original beertender).   Saraveza’s first employee, Tyler, loves beer and he loves to serve it.  Born and raised in Portland, Mr. Vickers is known for his 2010 accolade “Oregon Beertender of the Year” as well as the namesake of Upright Brewing’s 2010 fresh hop offering, “Tyler the Elder.”  You may also recognize Tyler from TV.  Stop in and see Tyler some time, the beers on you!
Photo credit: Stuart Mullenberg.

Lori Adams Clinton (a/k/a SugarPimp) – baker. A transplanted Iowa farmgirl, had no idea upon landing in Portland in 1994 how lucky she was. Once she tasted her first craft beer (Bridgeport IPA) her Bud Light days were over. Still partial to hoppy IPAs, Lori delights in trying all different styles of beer and is thrilled to be part of the Saraveza crew and creating new treats made with beer. If you’ve enjoyed a pasty or a sweet treat, you’ve experienced the labors of Saraveza’s own confectionary assassin.

Leigh Grignon – Packer Backer beertender.  Lifelong Packer fan and a Saraveza original, Leigh grew up just outside of Green Bay in Shawano, WI.  A cheesehead in the making, Leigh remembers dressing up as Quarterback Don “Majik Man” Majkowski as a little girl.  One of her most memorable Lambeau moments was in 2005, when she and 60,000+ of her closest friends bowed their heads in silence then cheered (and cried) as Reggie White’s jersey was retired.  Her recent happiest Packer memory was feeling like she was back in the Dairyland as she watched the Pack win Superbowl XLV with a jam-packed house at Saraveza.
“It has been great watching Saraveza’s Packer fan base grow each year! I’m happy to have been there since the beginning!”

Jonathan Carmean - beer curator and operations. Jonathan’s first “great first sips” include a Sierra Nevada Pale on the Maumee River and a Bell’s Cream Stout on nitro at the Village Idiot Pub.  By the time he enjoyed his first post-shift pint of Elliot Ness Vienna Lager at Great Lakes, he was totally smitten by the myriad suds and smiles associated with the scene.

With many significant pub openings and the 2009 “Oregon Beertender of the Year” award under his belt, Jonathan is a perfect fit to run Saraveza.  As far as he’s concerned, turning people on to something that will make their lives more enjoyable is the most essential part of what we do.

Mickey Pollizatto – event coordinator & beertender. Mickey draws strength from party guru Amy Sedaris but is always getting fun and creative ideas from friends, family and Saraveza guests. With more than two and a half decades in hospitality and a lifetime in entertainment, he has learned a lot about putting together the components of a good time.  Just as every show requires the right lighting, sound and staging, Mickey believes your special party or event deserves this same attention to detail.
Of course it would not be possible for him to work at Saraveza if he didn’t love beer, he says, “But I am not as smart as I look… I treat every guest as a potential student or teacher.”

Natalie Flower - chef.  A natural in the kitchen, Nat grew up in a “restaurant family” cooking at home and working in the business by the tender age 12.  She’s spent the last five years cooking around some of Portland’s finest (Besaw’s & Meriwethers) and traveling to and fro Spain.  A Saraveza veteran, our fearless leader took over the Saraveza kitchen reigns after being trained by our original chefs.  She runs a tight, but fun, ship and loves the challenge.
Her first beer memories come from her days in Arizona where she was introduced to Stone IPA, Oak Creek Brewery’s Nut Brown Ale and Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale.  She currently favors a crisp, hoppy beer with some good spicy Mexican food. 

Erika Huston – beertender. A Native Oregonian with a serious passion for beer.  After moving to Portland during the craft brewing revolution of the early 90’s, Erika’s love for beer was boosted into overdrive after trying her first Belgian beer, Affligem Dubbel.  Deciding that beer was more than a hobby to her, Erika started beertending at Concordia Ale House in 2006.  When she’s not serving or enjoying great beer, Erika loves to travel (ask her about her recent trip to Belgium!), hike, camp, run, read, watch movies and make bottle cap jewelry.

Kate - beertender. Kate hails from the beer culture of Wisconsin’s Manitowoc.  One of her earliest memories being a regular gathering of parents and students at the bar in the basement of her elementary school! Kate grew to appreciate more crafted beer while drinking Toohey’s Bitter in Australia.  She is proud to be a part of Beervana since working at Bridgeport in ‘03.

Nick the C(h)ampion – cook. Originally from the Midwest, Nick kicks it hard in the kitchen.  Nick is on the line on our busiest nights taking a break only when it slows down to enjoy the finer things in life….like a nice cold beer.

Press

DRAFT MAGAZINE: America’s 100 Best Beer Bars: 2012

PORTLAND MONTHLY: Saraveza, the One-Stop Beer Shop

HUCK FINN’S BEER BUZZ: Saraveza serves the best beer in Portland, possibly the world.

SERIOUS EATS: Hangover Helper: Reuben Pasty at Saraveza, Portland OR

DRAFT MAGAZINE: America’s 100 Best Beer Bars: 2011

SAVEUR: City Dozen: Chris Onstad and Sarah Kanabay’s Portland, Oregon

NEW YORK TIMES: Tastings With Craft Beers

MIX MAGAZINE: Five People Who Are Reinventing the Joy of Drinking Beer

OREGONIAN: Killingsworth Pub Grub, upgraded

OREGONIAN: New hangout: Saraveza Bottle Shop and Pasty Tavern

PORTLAND TRIBUNE: Beer, pastry make Midwestern magic

WILLAMETTE WEEK: Best of 2008 “The Five Best Things We Put In Our Mouths” - Saraveza’s Caesar Salad
“This lemony, garlicky, in-your-face anchovy wallop of a romaine salad - creamy, peppery and Parmesaned within an inch of its life - ain’t for the weak of heart. Then again, neither are Saraveza’s beers….”

WILLAMETTE WEEK: Devour 2009: A Hungy Shopper’s Guide to Portland

WILLAMETTE WEEK: Brew Master