Fat Head’s Brewery To Close Its Portland Location
Another Portland brewery has announced that it will close its doors in the coming months. Fat Head’s Brewery in Portland’s popular Pearl District will close in the first quarter of 2018 as its local owners have decided to terminate its franchise agreement. It will most likely re-open as Von Ebert Brewing, a name that is registered at the same location as the existing franchise ownership that is based in Vancouver, Washington.
When Fat Head’s Brewery arrived in Portland in November 2014, it opened as a franchise owned by local entrepreneur Tom Cook. This local ownership also has involvement with a fair amount of Buffalo Wild Wings (World Wide Wings) and Taco Bell (Pacific Bells) franchises in the local area and beyond.
Additional Coverage: Fat Head’s Brewery Opens Today In The Pearl
This news according to Portland city records comes on the heels of the recent real estate transaction for the purchase of the former RingSide Grill in Northeast Portland by the local Fat Head’s franchise, most likely the same name as the one in the Pearl will end up with that leads to be the previously mentioned Von Ebert Brewing.
Here are additional details sent to us from the press release from the corporate offices of Fat Head’s…
Of the decision, founder Glenn Benigni said, “Despite the best efforts from both sides, we were unable to agree upon a vision for the future. As a result, we’ve mutually decided to close the Fat Head’s Brewery location in Portland, pouring our last beer in early 2018. We’re extremely proud of our accomplishments and the success we’ve had here,” he continued, “including the the team that was put in place at its inception. We are forever grateful for their hard work and dedication to Fat Head’s.”
All current employees will be given the opportunity to retain their positions within the new company that will occupy the space at 131 NW 13th Avenue. Fat Head’s wishes them success in their future endeavors.
“We’d like to say thanks to the beautiful city of Portland and all of the customers who joined us there over the years,” expressed Benigni. “It has been a pleasure serving you.”
Fat Head’s will now concentrate efforts in growing their production brewery and brand in Ohio, Pennsylvania and neighboring states.
About Fat Head’s — Opened in 1992 as Pittsburgh, PA’s premier craft beer bar and restaurant, Fat Head’s teamed up with head brewmaster Matt Cole in 2009 to create Fat Head’s Brewery & Saloon just outside of Cleveland, OH. In response to overwhelming demand, a production facility was opened in 2012. Fat Head’s Brewery distributes three core beers and a range of seasonal offerings throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana. Fat Head’s will move to a larger production brewery and beer hall in 2018, in addition to opening a brewpub in Canton, OH.
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.
Though the beer was very good, the look and atmosphere of Fat Head’s Portland was like a fast food / casual chain restaurant…..the photo of that row of identical taps really epitomizes it for me.
Their logo kinda looks like a chubby Adolf. Just sayin