McMenamins Passport: A Beer-Stamping Journey

Some call it a Magical Mystery Tour of beer. Others are in it for the vintage intrigue of hotels, pubs, spas, golf courses, concert venues and so much more. It’s the Passport program —booklets providing a window into the world of McMenamins. The name “McMenamin” is well known throughout the Pacific Northwest, signifying fantastical places to enjoy handcrafted ales, wine, spirits and pub fare with family and friends.signifying fantastical places to enjoy handcrafted ales, wine, spirits and pub fare with family and friends.The dream began 30 years ago in the hearts of brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin and continues to spiral upward. With 52 properties and counting, the siblings are considered to be pioneers of the Oregon and Washington microbrew, historic hotels and music venue industries. Beginning in late 2013, each of these 52 locations—and the bars and nooks and crannies within the locations--got its own unique Passport stamp, which patrons can gather by visiting each place. Each complete grouping of stamps earns cool free stuff, ranging from exclusive T-shirts to custom pint glasses to a burger.Each complete grouping of stamps earns cool free stuffWith 24 breweries handcrafting McMenamins’ beers, all locations along this journey serve up the standards: Hammerhead, a classic pale ale; Ruby, an ale made with Oregon raspberries; and Terminator Stout, a rich, nutty full-bodied stout. Additional taps rotate through McMenamins seasonals—which each have their own stamps—including: Black Widow, Thundercone Fresh Hop, Jam Session ISA and Irish Stout.Brewers craft their own recipes for IPAs and other specialty taps, adding to the allure of the beer offering throughout McMenamins. Monthly specialty beer tastings garner unique ‘experience’ Passport stamps as well, as do McMenamins nine annual brewfests.Those who fill their Passports by gathering every last stamp are deemed “Cosmic Tripsters.”More than 50,000 Passports are now floating through the wondrous world of McMenamins, continuing to collect location stamps and “just for fun” beer and event stamps. Those who fill their Passports by gathering every last stamp are deemed “Cosmic Tripsters.” The reward is: three free hotel overnight stays at any of McMenamins nine hotels, drinks at happy hour price for a year at all McMenamins, two concert tickets, attendance at one annual party (where the beer is freely flowing!), and a shining key which admits them to exclusive tastings and discounts. This makes the initial $25 Passport purchase soooo worth it!stories of new stamp offerings, prizes and journeys to explore McMenamins near and far.The Facebook Passport page is a buzz with stories of new stamp offerings, prizes and journeys to explore McMenamins near and far. To add to the mystery and merriment of filling up Passports, more stamps and good times just keep on coming.