Portland brewery institution, Lompoc Brewing Company, announces the conclusion of operations on October 29th.
Since the early mid-teens of the 21st century, expansion has been a constant for those looking to open or expand their breweries in the Pacific Northwest. This expansion has led to the increased availability of brands from Bend to Boise and from Bellingham to Eugene. It has, unfortunately, also led to an increasingly competitive landscape where alehouses, pubs, and grocers are the benefactor and brands are the victims. In the city of Portland and the greater Portland area, that list of victims includes brands like Burnside Brewing Company, Bridgeport Brewing Company, Alameda Brewing Company, and now Lompoc Brewing Company. Unfortunately, all these brands have one thing in common - closure.
Announced, this past Thursday, Lompoc Brewing Company owner Jerry Fechter has confirmed the upcoming conclusion of Lompoc's brewing operations and the closure of two of its three pubs - The Fifth Quadrant and Sidebar. This regrettably means supporters will have one last weekend to enjoy Lompoc beer, one last Monday for Wing Night, and one last Tightwad Tuesday. There is, however, a silver lining with the confirmation that Lompoc Brewing's third location - Oaks Bottom Public House - will remain open as a standalone pub. As the owner of Oaks Bottom, Jerry Fechter intends to sell the remaining supply of Lompoc-brewed beers, while returning to Lompoc's roots as a neighborhood tavern.
As for the brewery, head brewer Bryan Keilty has confirmed he has moved on but not before transferring the remaining beers from stainless steel fermenters and wooden barrels into kegs. Jerry Fechter wishes Bryan the best of luck in his next position and expects great things from the silent engineer at Lompoc Brewing Company. In addition, Jerry Fechter has offered affected staff at both Sidebar and 5th Quadrant, severance packages and an opportunity interview for open roles at the remaining public house, Oaks Bottom.
Started in 1993 as The Old Lompoc Tavern, in Portland's Northwest District, Lompoc Brewing began as a humble neighborhood tavern serving brewed-onsite ales and lager before being acquired by co-owners Jerry Fechter and the legendary publican Don Younger (owner of the Horse Brass Pub). In 1996, the tavern was reopened under the name The New Old Lompoc. It would remain in one capacity or another until 2018, after years of declining sales and attendance. Today, with the announcement and upcoming conclusion of Sidebar and The 5th Quadrant, Lompoc Brewing's 23 years run as one of Portland's older breweries will be recorded as another casualty of progress and increasing competitiveness with only the consumer being the benefactor.
For now, those who wish to enjoy one last pint of Proletariat are encouraged to visit the Sidebar and 5th Quadrant each at the same address - 3901 N Williams Avenue. It's worth sharing that Fechter intends to hold one more "garage sale" at Sidebar, located at 3901 N. Williams Avenue) from noon to 5 pm on November 2nd. At the "garage sale" will be an opportunity to purchase vintage Lompoc beers, merchandise, glassware, and more.
