"What's this brewery like? The bustling Ecliptic Brewing, set in a well-renovated garage space, features a wide patio and a roomy, modern interior. Unlike a more casual pub, the busy brewery has a host on-hand who escorts guests to their table when it's ready. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you might snag a glimpse of John Harris, the brewery's bearded owner and a luminary in the Oregon beer scene. So what's the vibe? Ecliptic is the Mississippi district's most family-friendly brewery, and the tables are usually filled with parents and kids. The bar is reserved for adults: mostly folks coming in to sample Harris' famous astronomy-themed beers. Can you tell us a little more about what's brewing? Owner John Harris is an icon in the Oregon beer industry, having helped found some of the most influential breweries before taking on a 20-some-year stint as head brewer at Full Sail. After decades in the industry, he finally has his own brewery, and with Ecliptic he went about making pitch-perfect Northwestern beers, including fun fruit ales, and bright, vivid IPAs. The brewery distinguishes itself from other spots in town by offering a respectable cocktail menu, but you really should be drinking the beers. Is the food menu worth checking out, too? Ecliptic offers standard pub grub and then some. Besides the (admittedly expensive) burgers and sandwiches, you'll also find more robust dishes like lamb pasta, flat-iron steak, and a fish of the day. There are also plenty of lighter bar snacks, from nuts to deviled eggs, and even a kids' menu. How's the service? The staff here operates like a crew for a busy restaurant; everyone is attentive, friendly, efficient, and well versed in what they're serving. Why would you recommend it? Whether you're coming in for a family dinner, a quick lunch, or just to sample the entire plethora of Harris' iconic ales, there's never a bad time to visit Ecliptic."
