In 1919 U.S. Citizens lost the privilege to consume alcoholic beverages when the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was established. On December 5, 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt repealed prohibition and the 18th amendment, making it legal once again to distill and distribute alcohol. Today, distilleries and cideries in the Columbia River Gorge are thriving. There are currently five distilleries in the Gorge making whiskey, vodka, rum and brandy. Tasting rooms in Hood River and Stevenson offer relaxing accommodations for sitting and sipping your favorite libation.

Hard cider was non-existent in the United States just nine years ago and has increased rapidly in popularity. Long ago, cider was the drink of choice until prohibition closed its grip and orchardists had little option but to grub up their cider trees and replace them with eating varieties. Today there are over 1,000 cideries in the United States with over a dozen in the Columbia River Gorge. Craft cider makers source the apples, pears and other fruit from the 440+ local orchardists. In turn, they produce cider that truly offers a sample of the bountiful fruit from this region.

Visit one or more of the distilleries and cideries in the Columbia River Gorge and taste for yourself. Cheers!