54°40′ Brewing Co. Sign with General Distributors and Stein Beverage

With the announcement that Brewpublic shared in early April that Bolt Minister and Charlie Hutchins are teaming up to open 54°40′ Brewing Co., all things look to be on track for the brewery’s early fall opening. But even before they produce its first beer, the Washougal, Washington based brewery has signed distribution agreements with both General Distributors for Northern Oregon and Stein Beverage for Southern Washington.

After visiting with both Minister and Hutchins at the new brewery located in the Port of Camas-Washougal, the two new small business owners are very anxious to open the doors to the public. The plan is to be open in early fall with its first batches of beers being brewed in late August. The new 15 BBL Brewhouse that is being built by Practical Fusion from Portland is scheduled to be delivered in early August.

As the 54°40′ Brewing Co. build out continues with the guidance of George Jones, today the brewery will receive its brand new sloped concrete floor with just enough time to fully cure prior to its brewhouse arrival in a few weeks. Once this floor is complete other aspects of the building will take shape including the brewery’s very own Tasting Room.

The first planned beers that the brewery will brew will be Kettle Sour Tart Wheat, a Fresh Hop, Kölsch Style and an IPA. Fortunately for us craft beer fans two of these styles Minister has already won medals for at his former brewery, Old Town Brewing. While there, Minister was in charge of the brewery that won a Silver Medal for Sun Dazed, German-Style Kölsch category in 2014 at both GABF and World Beer Cup. Minister is also behind the GABF 2013, Gold, Cents and Sensibility, Fresh Hop category.

Once these beers are ready for public consumption, 54°40′ Brewing Co. will use Craft Canning to package its initial 22oz bottles that will be sold alongside its draft counterparts. Then as the opening jitters subside, the brewery plans to venture into 12oz cans in 2016.

54°40′ Brewing Co is located at 3801 S Truman Rd in Washougal, WA. Look for more updates here on Brewpublic as the brewery nears its opening in early fall. Once open the brewery will operate a Tasting Room that will offer some of the best music on vinyl along with its distribution of its beers in Oregon and Washington.