Landmark Portland Breweries And Pubs That Closed In 2018

2018 was quite a year for craft beer. But in addition to more American breweries online than ever before, we also saw an increase in brewery and brewpub closings, even in core regions like Portland, Oregon.

According to OregonLive several heritage breweriess closed their doors in 2018, the victims of “changing demographics, changing tastes and changing geography…combined with a highly competitive industry.”

The Alameda Brewhouse & Brewery

The Alameda Brewhouse, a Portland institution that dates back to the early days of Portland’s first craft beer boom, shut down both its Northeast Portland brewpub and its 20-barrel brewing facility in Southeast Portland in November.

Alameda Brewing’s 22 year award-legacy includes four medals at the Great American Beer Festival, all for Black Bear XX Stout, which took a Gold Medal at the 2003 and 2005 GABF and the Silver Medal in 2006 and 2008 in the foreign-style stout category.

Seven Brides Brewing

Formed by three homebrewers who decide to go primetime, Seven Brides Brewing was “a major operation in 2010-2012 after moving into a 12,000 sq. ft. production space and taproom and beginning to bottle its beers,” according to New School Beer.

But over the years demand for its beer shrank and they turned to contract brewing to pick up the slack before finally throwing in the towel via Facebook in October.

“The beer business we fell in love with is not the same beast today,” said Seven Brides’ owners, in announcing its taproom and retail closing.

Two Kilts Brewing

Once an acclaimed award-winning operation, Two Kilts Brewing closed its doors last July without an explanation or even a social media goodbye…

According to New School, “the brewery won a Silver medal at GABF in 2016 and a Gold at World Beer Cup in 2014 for its Scottish Ale.”

Fat head’s Brewery

Last January, Fat Head’s franchised Portland outlet closed (it’s now Von Ebert Brewing) after the Ohio-based brewery and franchisee, Tom Cook reached a mutual decision not to continue their relationship.

“I know it sounds like spin…But that’s exactly what happened. They wanted to focus on the Midwest, where they have a lot going on with a new production brewery and the new Canton brewpub. I wanted to focus on Portland. We decided it’s probably best for them to continue in the Midwest and for me to do my own thing out there.”

Lompoc Tavern

Last September, Lompoc Brewing closed the Lompoc Tavern, its first location which has gone through several revisions over the decades, First opened in 1993, Lompoc tavern was of an era and it failed to hold on to its once steady clientele as Portland’s increasingly progressive craft brewing scene evolved.

In a press release Lompoc owner Jerry Fechter explained the decision…

“The time has come for us to move on. “Running three individual pubs in three separate parts of our growing city has been a wonderful challenge. We’ve enjoyed serving Portland’s distinct neighborhoods, but we feel we can do more with less.”

Fat Head’s Banner: Yelp / Johann D.