The Port of Camas-Washougal is ready to welcome a brand new brewery in its brand new industrial building in 2023.
At their July 6 meeting, the Harbor Commissioners approved a deal that will see Recluse Brewing Company lease two 3,330-square-foot bays inside Building 20, a 50,000-square-foot building slated to open in the port’s industrial park in 2023.
“I’m glad we have another brewery there,” said Harbor Commissioner Larry Keister. “The ‘pub hub’ is on its way. … It’s a pleasant neighborhood to live in.
The lease allows Recluse Brewing to operate a production brewery and tasting room, which can also serve food. The company’s leasing of the port property will begin on April 1, 2023.
August Everson, a former employee of Portland-based Widmer Brothers and Wayfinder Beer, founded Recluse Brewing.
“He initially wanted to start earlier at another location. However, the draw for Building 20 and Steigerwald prompted its decision to wait for construction to be completed,” Port Chief Executive David Ripp said of Everson.
Recluse will join the 54-40 Brewing Company in the Washougal Industrial Park, located near the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. 54-40 opened a brasserie and restaurant in the industrial park in 2015.
Ripp said 54-40 owner Bolt Minister has long said he would like to see other breweries move into the Washougal Industrial Park.
Harbor commissioners approved a contract with Vancouver-based Rotschy Construction in August 2021 to construct Building 20, worth $7.8 million. Portland-based CIDA Inc. designed the building, which will be divisible into 15 3,300-square-foot bays, some with loading docks.
The port received a $3 million grant from the Economic Development Association and $1.44 million from the Community Economic Revitalization Council to help fund its Building 20 project.
Construction of the building began in early 2022 and is expected to be completed in early March 2023, according to Ripp.
