Oregon distillers step into the spotlight
Portland is home to a growing distillery industry.
Wendy Culverwell
Business Journal staff writer- Portland Business Journal
First came the wineries. Then the breweries. Now, it’s distilleries.
Oregon businesses have been distilling hard alcohol for years of course. But the small industry has found its voice and is winning fans and visitors to tasting rooms cropping up in Portland.
Almost by happenstance, Portland distillers formed businesses within blocks of one another in the Central Eastside Industrial District, attracted by modest rents, quirky buildings and proximity to customers for their tasting rooms.
In true Portland fashion, a handful of Eastside distillers got together, realized they had something unique to offer and branded the neighborhood “Distillery Row.”
Subscribers can read more about Portland’s young distilling industry in Friday’s paper.
The brand was a success, even if some of the original members failed.
Today, the Central Eastside is a don’t-miss destination for spirit-lovers, travel writers and locals looking for unique products that originate in Oregon.
There are 43 active distillers in Oregon. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission
reports locally distilled alcohol generated $53 million in sales in state-controlled stores in 2011, accounting for 12 percent of revenue.
Not bad for a relatively young industry.
Wendy Culverwell covers real estate, retail and hospitality.
See all your followed company news on your personalized dashboard.
To access the full benefits of bizWatch and receive a weekly email with aggregated news on all the companies you are following, please provide your email address below.
You must have a bizjournals account to follow a company.
Please Log In or Register.
