BridgePort Brewery Ceases Brewing Operations, Brew Pub To Close March 10, 2019

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by Todd, Feb 12, 2019.

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  1. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,254) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    Staff Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    From a recent post on their Facebook page:
    ---
    Dear Friends of BridgePort,

    Today we unfortunately announce that the BridgePort Brewery will cease brewing operations effective immediately, while the BridgePort Brew Pub will close effective March 10th, 2019. The decision to close was extremely difficult for all involved. Back in April 2017, declining sales caused the brewery to restructure its operations. However, sales and distribution continued declining in the extremely competitive craft beer market of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, which resulted in this final decision.

    We extend our most sincere thanks and gratitude to our hardworking brewers, pub staff, our suppliers, and sales and marketing team for their dedication to BridgePort over the years. Because of their contributions, BridgePort’s enduring legacy as Portland’s craft beer pioneer will always be remembered.

    We communicated this news earlier today to our employees and all are being provided with comprehensive severance packages.

    We would also like to thank you—our BridgePort drinkers, pub customers, and fans—for your loyal support over the past 35 years. We invite you to stop by the pub for one last pint before we close next month. We would love to host you and reminisce one last time.

    With our heartfelt appreciation,

    The BridgePort Team
    ---
     
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  2. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,639) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Society

    damn, thats crazy. another one bites the dust. I feel bad for all of those who are losing a job.

    ill keep my opinions to myself on why this probably happened, but if my personal experience is any indication, I probably havent purchased a bridgeport beer (bottle or draft) in over 10 years.
     
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  3. weaverr

    weaverr Zealot (705) Jun 10, 2008 California

    Wow, I guess I sort of saw that coming but was living blissfully in denial. I stopped in the pub every few months - they had a pretty good happy hour. In the past year it appeared their brewers were given a little more freedom to create one-offs and they added a bunch of draft lines but I guess it was too little too late. Bittersweet Flagship February for a historic brewery that relied too heavily on its flagships to go under.

    What's even more sad is that facility is huge and I doubt they can repurpose it, so instead we'll get another mid-rise condo building in the Pearl.
     
  4. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,206) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society

    End of an era. Their IPA was one of the first I ever had.
     
  5. Mebuzzard

    Mebuzzard Grand Pooh-Bah (4,216) May 19, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    We held onto them for as long as we could at the store. Hop Czar and Kingpin did well, but I think it was 2 years ago that we finally replaced them with more local beers. Personally, I really liked their Pintail Ale as an "everyday" beer. Glad, at least, that they offered a severance package.
     
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  6. sharpski

    sharpski Pooh-Bah (2,806) Oct 11, 2010 Canada (BC)
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Karl Ockert made the first Oregon (maybe NW?) fresh hop beer at Bridgeport. Long Ball made me rethink golden ales. They distributed a Port barrel aged beer in 12oz bottles within the past 12 months. The Stumptown Tart pin-up girls. My first Blue Heron and Bridgeport IPA, for crying out loud. Those memories aren’t enough to keep a brewery afloat, but I respect the hell out of them and will be sad to see them go.
     
  7. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,071) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    BridgePort is owned by the Gambrinus Company, which began in the 1980s as one of two US importers for Modelo/Corona, and later bought Spoetzl (Shiner brand), BridgePort, and also set up and owns the Trumer brewery in California. They lost the import rights for the Modelo brands in 2006. The company also owned the contract-brand, Pete's, after Slosberg and the other owners sold out in the late 1990s, discontinuing it in 2011.

    Not sure who is the "BridgePort Team" but obviously the decision what made back in Texas at the corporate headquarters. Likely they will continue to own the brand name.
     
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  8. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,254) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    Staff Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

  9. NWer

    NWer Pooh-Bah (2,145) Mar 10, 2009 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Sad to see them go but not sad enough apparently since I'd had none of their beers in quite a while. Hop Czar was a favorite years ago. I would buy it by the case at Costco. Too bad that the pioneers who made all this possible are going by the wayside.
     
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  10. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,275) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    This is me as well. There was a time (when I was living in Sacramento) when Bridgeport was my favorite craft brewery, and Blue Heron and their IPA were a staple in my fridge. Trips to Portland back then always included visits to the old pub, where I could get a slice and an imperial pint of their XXXXX stout on cask. No matter where else I planned to go during my stay, a stop at the old pub was a given.

    That being said, it's probably been 15 or 20 years since I last stopped by the pub on NW Marshall St. Like you, I can't remember the last time I purchased a Bridgeport beer. It seems like the craft beer industry in PDX has continued to evolve, and unfortunately Bridgeport didn't evolve with it.
     
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  11. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I used to drink a ton of Hop Czar six or seven years ago now, but it's been a while since I had some. I'd always buy their fresh hop bomber every year, though.

    Curious how many of the large established WA and OR breweries will survive. Maritime Pacific and Hales can't be doing all that well.
     
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  12. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,275) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    The same thought crossed my mind, though at least in the case of Maritime and Hales, I still see their beers on tap at various taphouses whenever I'm up in the Tacoma or Woodinville area. I don't know when the last time was that I saw a Bridgeport beer on tap here in town (or for that matter, anything from Rogue or Caldera).
     
    #12 John_M, Feb 12, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2019
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  13. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,772) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Omg! :slight_frown:
    They periodically showed up in Casper and I always sought out the IPA. My 4.45 rating confirms that I really dug that beer. I can't think of another IPA that resembles it.
     
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  14. TaborTime

    TaborTime Pundit (928) Dec 10, 2013 Oregon
    Trader

    When I moved to Portland in 2012 the Bridgeport taproom on Hawthorne was a regular spot of mine. Cool Asian-inspired menu at that time and pints of Blue Heron were right up there with my favorite initial Portland beer experiences.
     
  15. Reidrover

    Reidrover Grand Pooh-Bah (4,622) Jan 14, 2003 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Sad. I loved Bridgeport IPA back in the early 2000s ..used to see it in most dive bars.
    Now my local dive had RPM and Pallet Jack.
    I guess that tells the story.
     
  16. sharpski

    sharpski Pooh-Bah (2,806) Oct 11, 2010 Canada (BC)
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Don’t you put that bad juju on Caldera! :astonished:
     
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  17. NWer

    NWer Pooh-Bah (2,145) Mar 10, 2009 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Caldera beers don't impress me that much either.
     
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  18. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,625) Sep 3, 2008 California
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Agreed. I grab a bottle of Mogli every now and then, but that's it.
     
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  19. ppilot

    ppilot Crusader (498) Jul 17, 2009 Oregon

    It's not a secret that the market disconnect was growing exponentially as the owners really didn't understand craft beer from a non macro standpoint. Investment and keeping brewing talent in-house plummeted
     
    #19 ppilot, Feb 13, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2019
  20. sharpski

    sharpski Pooh-Bah (2,806) Oct 11, 2010 Canada (BC)
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Losing Toasted Coconut Porter would suck.
     
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