Brewing in Oregon

Many sources credit Swiss-born Henry Saxer and his Liberty Brewery as being Oregon's first commercial brewery (supposedly opening in 1852); however, the first verifiable record of a brewery in Oregon is an advertisement in the August 5, 1854, issue of The Weekly Oregonian for Charles Barrett's Portland Brewery and General Grocery Establishment.{{cite web|last1=Woodward|first1=Bob|last2=Bennett|first2=Laurel|date=January 1, 2010|title=The History of Oregon Beer|url=https://1859oregonmagazine.com/live/food-drink/oregon-beer-history/|access-date=May 2, 2017|website=1859 Magazine}}{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=August 5, 1854|title=Advertisement Portland Brewery and General Grocery Establishment|work=The Weekly Oregonian|url=|access-date=}}

• 1862 – After working at and later owning several smaller breweries, Henry Weinhard purchased and expanded Liberty Brewery which was later renamed City Brewery.Oregon Historical Society (2002). [http://oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/henry-weinhard-1830-1904/ "Henry Weinhard (1830-1904)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827124036/https://oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/henry-weinhard-1830-1904/ |date=2016-08-27 }} The Oregon History Project.
• 1914 – Five years before national prohibition was established, the voters of Oregon approved a statewide ban on the manufacture, sale or advertisement of intoxicating liquor.[https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/exhibits/prohibition/Pages/oregon-prohibition.aspx Oregon State Archives]
• 1933 – Oregon and the nation ratified the 21st Amendment.{{cite web |url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/prohibition-ends |title=This Day in History: Prohibition Ends – Dec 5, 1933 |website=History |access-date=May 2, 2017}}
• 1985 – Oregon Legislature legalized brewpubs.{{cite web |first=Peter |last=Holmstrom |date=March 8, 2016 |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/articles/2016/3/8/the-law-that-changed-oregons-beer-culture-forever-june-2015 |title=The Law that Changed Oregon's Beer Culture Forever |website=Portland Monthly |access-date=May 2, 2017}}

According to a 2014 report by the Beer Institute, Oregon had 208 breweries, a number exceeded by only three states – California (with 509 breweries), Washington (251), and Colorado (217).{{cite news |date=February 16, 2014 |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/washingtonbeerblog/2014/02/16/one-third-of-americas-breweries-are-in-four-states-and-this-is-one-of-them/ |title=One Third of America's Breweries are in Four States. And This Is One of Them |newspaper=Seattle Post–Intelligencer |access-date=January 1, 2017}} As of July 2015, Oregon was home to 234 brewing facilities operated by 194 brewing companies.{{cite web |url=http://oregoncraftbeer.org/facts/ |title=Facts |website=Oregon Craft Beer |access-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-date=February 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227110857/http://oregoncraftbeer.org/facts/ |url-status=dead }} There are also many nanobreweries in Oregon. Many breweries have won nationwide and international acclaim.

Alongside brewing, hops have a historical presence in Oregon. Hop production in Oregon began in 1867 when William Wells planted his first crop in Buena Vista, Oregon. This grew throughout the 20th century, when Oregon was dubbed the "Hop Center of the World" for its production around Independence, Oregon, in Polk County. Hop production later saw some decline due to mildew and mechanical picking technology; however, Oregon remains the second largest hop producing state in the US.{{Cite web|url=http://scarc.library.oregonstate.edu/ohba-history.html|title=The History of Brewing in Oregon - Special Collections & Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries|website=scarc.library.oregonstate.edu|access-date=2019-06-03}}

Oregon State University began planting and experimenting with hops as early as 1893. Dr. Alfred Haunold influenced modern and popular hop varieties through his work with food studies. The Fermentation Science Program established itself in 1995 and further aided the study of hops and brewing at Oregon State, followed by the creation of the Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives in 2013.

The Oregon Brewers Guild was established in 1992 to promote Oregon breweries; it is the second-oldest nonprofit brewer trade association in the United States.{{Cite web|title=Behind the Scenes at the Oregon Brewers Guild|url=http://www.oregonbeergrowlerarchive.com/2/post/2016/07/behind-the-scenes-at-the-oregon-brewers-guild.html|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Oregon Beer Growler|language=en}}

The following are some Oregon-based breweries. The list includes some large brewing companies that have regional or national distribution. Oregon also has many mid-size and small breweries. Most of them produce kegs of beer to be served on draft at taverns and restaurants. Many of them also package their beer in bottles or cans. Some production breweries have taprooms where patrons can drink the beer that is produced onsite. And some breweries are brewpubs – full-service restaurants that brew their own beer.

• 10 Barrel Brewing Company{{cite web |first=Sue |last=Jepsen |date=March 23, 2016 |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/beer/index.ssf/2016/03/10_barrel_brewing_opens_roofto.html |title=10 Barrel Brewing Opens Rooftop Bar in Portland |website=Oregon Live |access-date=January 16, 2017}} – bottles, cans, and brewpub locations in Bend and Portland, as well as Boise, Denver, and San Diego; founded in 2006; bought by Anheuser-Busch in 2014.{{cite news |first=Joseph |last=Ditzler |date=January 24, 2015 |url=http://www.bendbulletin.com/business/2811418-151/10-barrel-partners-no-apologies-for-sale |title=10 Barrel Partners: No Apologies for Sale |newspaper=The Bulletin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126054716/https://www.bendbulletin.com/business/2811418-151/10-barrel-partners-no-apologies-for-sale/ |archive-date=January 26, 2015 |access-date=March 11, 2020}}
• Alesong Brewing & Blending – Lorane; bottles, tasting room; founded in 2015{{Cite web|url=https://www.registerguard.com/entertainmentlife/20181007/541-flavors-alesong-brewing-hits-high-notes-at-great-american-beer-festival|title=541 Flavors: Alesong Brewing hits high notes at Great American Beer Festival|last=Gorthy|first=Joel|website=The Register|language=en|access-date=2019-01-08}}
• Ancestry Brewing{{cite web |first=Don |last=Scheidt |date=May 16, 2016 |url=http://www.newschoolbeer.com/2016/05/ancestry-brewing-opens-tualatin-tasting-room.html |title=Ancestry Brewing Opens Tualatin Tasting Room |website=New School Beer |access-date=May 8, 2017}} – opened in 2016, brewery and taproom in Tualatin, restaurant in Portland
• Barley Brown's Beer{{cite web |first=Martin |last=Cizmar |date=March 2, 2017 |url=http://www.wweek.com/bars/beer/2017/03/02/barley-browns-is-baker-citys-biggest-tourism-draw-for-a-reason/ |title=Barley Brown's Is Baker City's Biggest Tourism Draw For a Reason |website=Willamette Week |access-date=May 4, 2017}} – Baker City – brewpub, and production brewery with taproom; founded in 1998
• Block 15 Brewing Company{{cite web |author=D.J. |date=July 24, 2015 |url=http://brewpublic.com/beer-events/block-15-brewery-tap-room-to-open-on-tuesday/ |title=Block 15 Brewery & Tap Room to Open on Tuesday |website=Brewpublic |access-date=May 8, 2017}} – Corvallis – bottles; brewpub opened in 2008; production brewery and taproom opened in 2015
• Boneyard Beer{{cite web |first=Carlos |last=Perez |date=January 4, 2014 |url=http://www.oregonbeergrowler.com/blog/boneyard-sets-up-new-brewery |title=Boneyard Sets Up New Brewery |website=Oregon Beer Growler |access-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118050102/http://www.oregonbeergrowler.com/blog/boneyard-sets-up-new-brewery |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }} – Bend; tasting room; opened in 2010
• Breakside Brewery{{cite web |first=Mattie John |last=Bamman |date=March 6, 2017 |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2017/3/6/14803890/breakside-brewerys-northwest-opens-menu-food |title=Breakside Brewery's Hop Lab Opens March 7 in Slabtown, Menu Revealed |website=Eater Portland |access-date=May 4, 2017}} – bottles; brewpub in Northeast Portland (opened in 2010), brewery and taproom in Milwaukie (2013), and brewpub in Northwest Portland (2017)
• Buoy Beer Company{{cite news |first=Brooke |last=Bass |date=September 2, 2014 |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/articles/2014/9/2/buoyed-by-the-newest-addition-to-astoria-s-brewing-scene-september-2014 |title=Inside Astoria's New Riverfront Brewpub Buoy Beer |newspaper=Portland Monthly |access-date=January 18, 2017}} – Astoria; bottles, brewpub; opened in 2014
• Captured by Porches Brewing{{cite web |first=Parker |last=Hall |date=February 23, 2016 |url=https://www.wweek.com/bars/beer/2016/02/23/captured-by-porches/ |title=Captured by Porches |website=Eater Portland |access-date=December 28, 2020}} – Saint Helens
• Cascade Lakes Brewing Company – bottles; brewpubs in Redmond and Bend; founded in 1994
• Claim 52 Brewing{{Cite web|url=http://www.newschoolbeer.com/2014/10/claim-52-brewing-opening-abbey-springfield.html|title=Claim 52 Brewing opening The Abbey in Springfield|date=2014-10-08|website=New School Beer|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-08}} – Eugene; cans, taproom, brewpub; founded in 2012
• Coldfire Brewing{{Cite web|url=https://www.eugeneweekly.com/2016/06/30/taste-of-the-euro-northwest/|title=Taste of the Euro-Northwest|work=Eugene Weekly|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-08}} – Eugene; bottles, cans, brewpub; opened in 2016
• De Garde Brewing – Tillamook; bottles, taproom; opened in 2013
• Deschutes Brewery – Bend, Portland; bottles, brewpubs; founded in 1988
• Double Mountain Brewery – bottles; taprooms in Hood River and Portland; founded in 2007
• Falling Sky Brewing – Eugene; brewery, taproom, founded in 2012{{Cite web|url=http://www.newschoolbeer.com/2017/08/5-questions-falling-sky-brewings-scott-sieber.html|title=5 Questions for Falling Sky Brewing's Scott Sieber|date=2017-08-04|website=New School Beer|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-08}}
• Fort George Brewery – Astoria; cans, brewpub; opened in 2007
• Full Sail Brewing Company – Hood River; bottles, brewpub; founded in 1987
• Gigantic Brewing – Portland; bottles, brewpub; opened in 2012{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
• Gilgamesh Brewing – Salem; bottles, brewpub; opened in 2009
• Gorges Beer Company – Cascade Locks, Portland brewpubs; opened in 2019{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
• Great Notion Brewing{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Russell |date=January 6, 2016 |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/beer/index.ssf/2016/01/long-awaited_great_notion_brew_1.html |title=Long-Awaited Great Notion Brewing Is Pouring Beers on NE Alberta |newspaper=Oregon Live |access-date=January 17, 2017}} – Portland; brewpub, opened in 2016
• Heater Allen Brewing – McMinnville, lager focused, opened in 2007{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
• Hop Valley Brewing Company{{cite news |date=July 29, 2016 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-millercoors-hop-valley-0730-biz-20160729-story.html |title=MillerCoors Announces Another Craft Beer Deal |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |access-date=June 20, 2017}} – Eugene, founded in 2009
• Hopworks Urban Brewery – Portland; founded in 2007, SE Powell pub opened in 2008,{{Cite web |last=Shelby Wood |first=The Oregonian |date=2008-03-20 |title=Portland's Hopworks brewpub is new, green and bike-friendly |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/pdxgreen/2008/03/portlands_hopworks_brewpub_is.html |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=oregonlive |language=en}} Vancouver pub opened in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Bamman |first=Mattie John |date=2017-01-04 |title=Hopworks Brewpub Now Sudsing It Up in Vancouver |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2017/1/4/14159268/hopworks-brewpub-opens-vancouver |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Eater Portland |language=en}}
• Laurelwood Pub and Brewery – Portland; founded in 2001
• Little Beast Brewing – Clackamas (brewery);{{Cite web|url=https://www.newschoolbeer.com/2018/05/little-beast-moves-production-facilities-beaverton-clackamas.html|title=Little Beast moves production facilities from Beaverton to Clackamas|date=2018-05-07|website=New School Beer|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-22}} Portland (beer garden);{{Cite web|url=https://www.newschoolbeer.com/2018/01/little-beast-brewing-opening-beer-garden-barrel-house-former-lompoc-hedge-house.html|title=Little Beast Brewing Opening Beer Garden & Barrel House in Former Lompoc Hedge House|date=2018-01-16|website=New School Beer|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-22}} bottles, brewpub; founded in 2017
• McMenamins – a brewpub chain with locations throughout Oregon and Washington; founded in 1983
• Ninkasi Brewing Company – Eugene; bottles, taproom; founded in 2006
• Oakshire Brewing{{Cite web|url=https://www.brewbound.com/news/oakshire-brewing-hires-industry-veteran-new-sales-director|title=Oakshire Brewing Hires Industry Veteran as New Sales Director|date=2018-05-21|website=Brewbound.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-08}} – Eugene; bottles, cans; founded in 2006
• Old Town Brewing – Portland; bottles and pizzeria brewpub; original restaurant opened in 1974, brewpub opened in 2012
• Ordnance Brewing{{cite news |first=George |last=Plaven |date=March 30, 2017 |url=http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20170330/ordnance-brewing-begins-canning-beer-in-boardman |title=Ordnance Brewing Begins Canning Beer in Boardman |newspaper=East Oregonian |access-date=May 8, 2017}} – Wilsonville; cans, taproom, opened in 2014
• Pelican Brewing Company{{cite web |first=Hannah |last=Carlson |date=January 25, 2016 |url=https://www.porchdrinking.com/articles/2016/01/25/inside-the-tank-pelican-pub-and-brewerys-darron-welch/ |title=Inside the Tank: Pelican Pub & Brewery's Darron Welch |website=PorchDrinking.com |access-date=January 17, 2017}} – bottles; brewpubs in Pacific City and Cannon Beach, taproom in Tillamook; founded in 1996
• pFriem Family Brewers{{cite news |first=Terry |last=Richard |date=December 29, 2013 |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2013/12/pfriem_family_brewers_strikes.html |title=Pfriem Family Brewers Strikes Chord with Before/After Anything Crowd in Hood River |newspaper=OregonLive |access-date=May 2, 2017}} – Hood River; bottles, brewpub; opened in 2012
• Plank Town Brewing{{Cite web|url=http://www.wweek.com/bars/beer/2018/03/04/plank-town-brewing-almost-single-handedly-breathed-life-into-downtown-sprinffield/|title=Plank Town Brewing Almost Single-Handedly Breathed Life Into Downtown Springfield|author=Kelly Kenoyer|website=Willamette Week|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-08}} – Springfield; bottles, brewpub; founded in 2013
• The Prodigal Son Brewery and Pub{{cite web |author=Margaret |date=July 25, 2010 |url=http://brewpublic.com/brewpubs/pendletons-prodigal-son/ |title=Pendleton's Prodigal Son |website=Brewpublic |access-date=May 8, 2017}} – Pendleton; brewpub, opened in 2010
• Rogue Ales – Newport; founded in 1988; bottles, cans; brewpubs in Oregon, Washington, and California
• Stickmen Brewing Company{{Cite web|url=https://absolutebeer.com/breweries/stickmen-brewing-company/|title=Stickmen Brewing Company|website=New School Beer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-10-05}} – Lake Oswego; bottles/cans, brewpubs in Lake Oswego and Tualatin, founded in 2013
• Upright Brewing{{cite web |first=Kerry |last=Newberry |date=April 2011 |url=http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/04/upright-brewing-portland-oregon-behind-the-scenes.html |title=Upright Brewing in Portland, OR: Playful, Provocative, Farmhouse Inspired Beers |website=Serious Eats |access-date=May 8, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Samurai |last=Artist |date=March 31, 2017 |url=http://www.newschoolbeer.com/2017/03/alex-ganum-reflects-8-years-upright-brewing.html |title=Alex Ganum Reflects on 8 Years of Upright Brewing |website=New School Beer |access-date=May 8, 2017}} – Portland; opened in 2009; bottles, taproom
• Viking Braggot Company{{Cite web|url=http://kval.com/news/local/new-brewery-specializes-in-braggot-a-style-pioneered-by-vikings-11-12-2015|title=New brewery specializes in braggot, a style 'pioneered by vikings'|last=Lee|first=Lauren|date=2013-06-21|website=KVAL|access-date=2019-01-08}} – Eugene; bottles, taprooms; opened in 2013
• Wayfinder Beer – Portland; brewpub, opened in 2016{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
• Widmer Brothers Brewery{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Furnari |date=August 9, 2016 |url=https://www.brewbound.com/news/cba-opens-new-widmer-brothers-innovation-brewery-portland |title=CBA Opens New Widmer Brothers Innovation Brewery in Portland |website=Brewbound |access-date=April 30, 2017}} – Portland; founded in 1984, Widmer Brothers is now part of Craft Brew Alliance
• Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery{{cite web |first=Molly |last=Harbarger |date=July 20, 2016 |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/beer/index.ssf/2016/07/wolves_people_brew_farmhouse_a.html |title=Wolves & People Cultivates Wild Yeast, Experimental Beers at Newberg Farm |website=Oregon Live |access-date=May 8, 2017}} – Newberg; bottles, taproom, opened in 2016
• Worthy Brewing{{cite news |first=Joseph |last=Ditzler |date=April 14, 2015 |url=http://www.bendbulletin.com/lifestyle/3068323-154/brewmaster-leaving-worthy-brewing |title=Brewmaster Leaving Worthy Brewing |newspaper=The Bulletin |location=Bend |access-date=January 16, 2017}} – Bend; cans, brewpub; founded in 2013

• BridgePort Brewing Company – Portland; bottles, brewpub; founded in 1984; acquired by the Gambrinus Company in 1995;
• Burnside Brewing Company
• Hair of the Dog Brewing Company – Portland; bottles, brewpub; founded in 1993
• Henry Weinhard's, formerly of Portland, is now owned and brewed by SABMiller, although some beers are brewed under contract by Full Sail Brewing Company. The Weinhard Brewery Complex is now a mixed-use development.
• Portland Brewing Company – Portland; bottles, brewpub; founded in 1986; bought by Pyramid Breweries in 2004; acquired by Florida Ice and Farm Company in 2012;{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Yaeger |date=September 23, 2015 |url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/pyramid-and-portland-brewings-new-start/Content?oid=16545593 |title=Pyramid and Portland Brewing's New Start |newspaper=The Portland Mercury |access-date=April 30, 2017}} closed in 2021.

The Oregon Brewers Festival the largest gathering of independent craft brewers in the United States.[http://www.viamagazine.com/weekenders/oregon_breweries02.asp "Hip Hops in Oregon"], VIA Magazine, July 2002

The Gold Beach Brew & Art Festival is always held the Saturday after Labor Day. It is the oldest brew festival in southern Oregon and on the Oregon Coast.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100702005118/http://goldbeachbrewfest.org/ "Gold Beach Brewfest"]}}, Gold Beach Brew & Art Festival, May 2013

Oregon is host to several other beer oriented festivals throughout the year, each with their own unique focus and feel.

F.H. Steinbart is a homebrew supply store on SE 12th Avenue in Portland, Oregon. It is the oldest homebrew supply store in the country and helped nurture the vibrant Pacific Northwest craft-brewing scene.{{Cite web|title=Portland's Original Homebrew Shop Turns 100|url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2018/09/portland-s-original-homebrew-shop-turns-100|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Portland Monthly|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2018-05-09|title=FH Steinbart: 100 Years of Homebrewed Independence|url=https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/news/fh-steinbart-100-years-of-homebrewed-independence/|access-date=2021-06-07|website=American Homebrewers Association|language=en-US}} President Jimmy Carter signed HR 1337 into law in 1978, which legalized homebrewing at the federal level.{{Cite web|last=Harry|first=John|date=2019-09-30|title=Jimmy Carter: American homebrew hero?|url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/papazian|access-date=2021-06-07|website=National Museum of American History|language=en}} In the years that followed, many commercial brewers began as homebrewer customers who were introduced to the company by buying supplies there – the Widmers and McMenamins brothers were customers.{{Cite web|last=Silberstein|first=Nina|title=Business Walkabout: FH Steinbart|work=The Southeast Examiner|url=https://www.southeastexaminer.com/2020/05/business-walkabout-fh-steinbart/|access-date=2021-06-07|language=en-US}}

Owner John DeBenedetti helped establish the Oregon Brew Crew in 1980; it is Oregon's largest active homebrew club and meets monthly in the FH Steinbart warehouse.

====Brewery Awards====

(Discontinued in 2018)

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Alcoholic beverages in Oregon
• Beer in the United States
• Drug policy of Oregon
• List of breweries in the United States
• List of companies based in Oregon
• List of microbreweries
• Lists of Oregon-related topics
• Oregon wine

{{div col end}}

{{portalbar|Beer|Wine|Drink|Companies|Oregon}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.readmetro.com/show/en/NewYork/20070613/1/19/# Metro US article on Portland breweries]
• [https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/exhibits/trademarks/Pages/liquor.aspx Labels from pre-prohibition breweries], from Oregon State Archives
• [http://oregonbeer.org Oregon Brewers Guild]
• [http://www.opb.org/programs/oregonexperiencearchive/beervana/player.php Video on the history of Oregon Brewing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020182303/http://www.opb.org/programs/oregonexperiencearchive/beervana/player.php |date=2012-10-20 }} from Oregon Public Broadcasting
• [https://guides.library.oregonstate.edu/c.php?g=485695&p=3321598 Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives] from Oregon State University
• [https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/brewing-industry-in-oregon/ Brewing Industry in Oregon] from Oregon Encyclopedia

{{Beer in the United States}}

{{Lists of United States breweries}}

Oregon

Category:Oregon-related lists