Yakima’s Hop Capital Brewing to open South Portland Taproom
Recently we previewed over a dozen highly anticipated upcoming Oregon breweries and taprooms opening in 2021, but hadn’t yet heard about Hop Capital PDX.
Yakima, Washington’s 14 year old Hop Capital Brewing is opening an Oregon taproom and restaurant in south Portland this weekend. Setting up shop in the former Etc Eatery at 6500 S Virginia Ave, Portland, OR 97239, Hop Capital PDX will be on the same block as McMenamins Fulton Pub in the highly underserved south westside area near Willamette Park.
Formerly known as Yakima Craft Brewing, the company was purchased by Oregon native Johnathon Thomas (JT) and his wife Aimee Quast in 2017. The couple quickly went about rehabilitating the brand which had fallen a bit since it’s founding in 2008. At the time, it was the only craft brewery in Yakima, aka the hop capital of the world — hence the name change.
JT and Quast opened a new taproom in Yakima, designed a new set of flagship beers and seasonals, and changed the name to Hop Capital Brewing in 2019. As Portland residents that manage a Washington brewery some 3+ hours away, opening a local PDX taproom was always part of the plan. But just as things seemed to be falling into place, COVID hit and spun everyone for a loop and left them looking for a new space. JT learned that a southwest Portland restaurant and bar that had hosted Hop Capital Brewing events prior to the pandemic was also looking for a new opportunity.
Hop Capital Brewing PDX outdoor seating area
Etc…Eatery was opened by longtime friends Julia Webster and Cheryl Scollo in 2014 with a focus on pacific northwest comfort food and drinks. They had found their stride in the relatively quiet Johns Landing neighborhood surrounded by offices, homes and the Willamette Sailing Club. Like many other small businesses Etc…Eatery was forced to close when the pandemic hit and permanently closed their doors on December 6th. But it wasn’t long until Etc had the opportunity to reimagine the business model with a Washington brewery. Etc. will reopen as the hospitality side of Hop Capital PDX as they take over the financial burden of an existing lease and Webster and Scollo handle the restaurant and bar side of taproom management.
Hop Capital Brewing PDX will softly open this Friday and Saturday, January 29-30th from 2-10pm for family friendly outdoor seating for groups of up to 6 with covers and heaters around the building in an intimate patio and parklet. They will start with limited food options this weekend, and then try out new and established food specials and cuisines over the next few weeks as they hone in on a menu that works best for the new pub. The bar will offer a full liquor selection and 9 taps of Hop Capital beers that they hope to expand to 24 over the coming weeks. Hop Capital 16oz cans and crowlers of draft beer will be available to-go and are also distributed by Portland’s Upstanding Distribution. The taproom will be open Thursday - Sunday 11am - 9pm for COVID hours after the opening weekend.
