BridgePort Brewing Stops Brewing, Closing Pub In Hit To Industry

PORTLAND, OR – Another week and another of Oregon's craft breweries announces that it shutting down. In this case, it's the state's oldest – BridgePort Brewing Company.

They announced Tuesday that they are shutting down and closing their pub in the Pearl.

The pub will close on March 10.

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"The decision to close was extremely difficult for all involved," the company said in making the announcement.

BridgePort, which was founded in 1984 by winemakers Nancy and Richard Ponzi, traces the problems back to at least April 2017 when declining sales forced them to make changes.

While they were originally hopeful that they'd be able to overcome the problems, it was not the case.

"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," according to the company.

The company says that what success they've had over the years is the result of the many staff and suppliers that they've worked with.

Thanks to them, the company says, "BridgePort’s enduring legacy as Portland’s craft beer pioneer will always be remembered."

It was just last week that Burnside Brewing shut down after the landlord locked them out for not paying rent.

BridgePort and Burnside are just the latest in a growing list of Portland brewpubs to shut their doors.

Lompoc closed Hedge House and Lompoc Tavern, Alameda Brewing is closed, Portland Brewing shut its restaurant and tap room, and Widmer shut their pub and tap room.

"Portland is a challenging restaurant market," Portland Brewing wrote on Facebook when they announced the closure of their restaurant.

Photo via BridgePort Brewing Company.