Beer, Wine & Spirits in Aloha

Opening Covington Cellars was a natural step for David and Cindy Lawson—he loved home winemaking, she loved pushing the boundaries of her home kitchen. Eventually, they decided to turn their hobbies into something larger. David enrolled at UC Davis to study enology (the study of seminal winemaker Brian Eno) while Cindy expanded her knowledge of cooking and wine at culinary schools around the country. Today, the two oversee a diverse line of wines and a locally sourced, seasonal menu to match. They also share their enthusiasm with visitors during winemaking events, tours, dinners, and bottle-smashing parties.

Creativity and sustainability are the guiding principles of the restaurant co-owned by Johnson & Wales food-science professor Lynn Tripp. Mingling the disparate flavors of France, America, and Morocco, chefs treat palates to tapas, cheeses, and desserts in an intimate atmosphere warmly inspired by medieval chateaus. If not sidling up to the 35-seat wine bar or sinking into an Italian-leather sofa, diners feast amid cozily antiqued surroundings trimmed with stone arches and rough-hewn wooden columns. Wine barrels, a large, communal dining table, and romantically lowered lights bring a rustic charm to the storefront to welcome customers more warmly than a bear-hugging doormat.

The Wine Cellar at Boynton Beach invites visitors to explore its spacious, open-floor spread of handcrafted wines that hails from vineyards across the globe, including Italy, Australia, and South America, as well as regional vineyards in California. The shop's relaxed atmosphere fuses Old-World vibes with New-World simplicity and lack of saber-tooth tigers, and the team of experts is readily available to answer questions and offer suggestions. Surrounded by bottles nesting peacefully upon the shelves that line the shop's outer walls, inquiring guests can enjoy complimentary tastings before committing to a purchase, and mix and match personalized cases to take home.

Like a rainforest filled with still-undocumented species, Uptown Market stocks so many kinds of beers it feels like some of them haven't even been discovered yet. More than 850 varieties of beer are on display. The selection extends well beyond Oregon borders, with hundreds of microbrews from around the world available in kegs and bottles. Weekly visits from various breweries fill Uptown Market's calendar and customers' stomachs with complimentary tastings. On Sundays, the staffers host home-brewing classes. They have all the equipment required to start brewing your own beer, which is helpful since the government has decided to repeal the 21st Amendment next month.

Red Slate is a relaxed environment to learn about and enjoy wine. The space is also available for private parties and events

Named Best Homebrew Store by Northwest Brewing News readers five times, FH Steinbart Co. has been outfitting aspiring homebrewers since 1918. A hops-hardened staff runs the oldest homebrew supply store in the country, connecting amateurs and experts with the raw ingredients and equipment to make smooth elixirs. Starter kits can spark a first attempt at fermentation, and resident draft experts can also help transform your fridge into a kegerator. FH Steinbart's extensive brewing classes teach students how ingredients affect the final product and let them witness the rare mating dance between hops and yeast as well as the stumbling walk of shame that follows.