[May 21st, 2008]

Absinthe

Who’s drinking it: F. Scott Fitzgerald and his modern-day admirers; cutting-edge frat-boys.

Where they’re drinking: Clyde Common (1014 SW Stark St., 228-3333).

The FDA loosened its import restrictions on the infamous green spirit last year, and there are now a number of brands for sale in the U.S. with more on the way. The avant-garde bartenders at the Common are ahead of the inevitable green fairy craze, serving well-reviewed Lucid Absinthe Supériure with all the paraphernalia—reservoir glass, slotted spoon, sugar cube—for $11 a pour. Enjoy it the civilized way, before lesser, violently green brands of Eastern European rotgut become the new Jägermeister.

Imported beer

Who’s drinking it: Suds-lovers tired of strong hops and malt; Belgians.

Where they’re drinking: The Victory (3652 SE Division St., 236-8755).

The cozy Division Street “bar with good food” is also the place to go in Portland for foreign beer: Four of the bar’s six taps come from overseas, and the bottle and can list includes more than 20 European brews, mostly from Belgium and Germany. It’s like an EU convention in there.

Gin & tonic

Who’s drinking it: Drinkers on something like 85 percent of all known worlds in the Galaxy (according to Douglas Adams, anyway).

Where they will be drinking: Beaker and Flask (720 SE Sandy Blvd., beakerandflask.com).

Kevin Ludwig’s high-class watering hole hasn’t opened yet—the launch date is still “June”—but when it does Ludwig will be serving up the mind-blowing g&t he developed while bartending at Park Kitchen, mixed with housemade tonic water flavored with lemongrass and chichona bark. Can’t wait for opening day? Park Kitchen is still using his recipe.

Pabst Blue Ribbon

Who’s drinking it: In this town? Everyone and his grandmother.

Where they’re drinking: Delta Cafe (4607 SE Woodstock Blvd., 771-3101) and Miss Delta (3950 N Mississippi Ave., 287-7629).

Pibber’s pibber, but nobody serves it with more flair than the Deltas, where your 40-ounce bottle comes chilled in a champagne bucket, droplets of condensation glistening in the summer sun. Twist that cap and chug, brother.

Whisky, whiskey and bourbon

Who’s drinking it: Scotophiles, hardboiled detectives and Sam Raimi, respectively.

Where they’re drinking: Ten01 (1001 NW Couch St., 226-3463).

The Pearl District restaurant’s selection of whiskeys isn’t the biggest in town—that honor probably goes to Paddy’s or the Leaky Roof—but it is one of the best curated. With glasses ranging from $6 (Jim Beam) to $89 (the very rare Port Ellen 23-year-old), there’s a hooch for every palate. Don’t know Cragganmore from Crown Royal? The bartender will happily create a flight to get you educated (prices vary).