Alter Ego Cider is closing their southeast Portland taphouse

Alter Ego Cider taphouse tasting room is closing in SE Portland

Southeast Portland’s Alter Ego Cider is closing their on-site taproom to focus on the business of production and distribution of the small cider brand. Co-founder and partner Anne Hubatch, also fully owns Helioterra Wines and moved their sister cidery brand Alter Ego into the same production space at 2025 SE 7th Ave in 2018, and then opened a cider tasting room there in June of 2019. September 12th will be the last day for the taphouse.

“It was, and has been a great opportunity for both companies,” says Hubatch. “Unfortunately, over these last three years, Alter Ego hasn’t been able to achieve its goals with the space, and have decided to focus efforts around growing distribution instead of a retail presence.”

Moving forward, Alter Ego Cider and Helioterra will continue to share the production space although the cidery also uses an off-site co-packer for their canning needs and distribution which will become a greater focus in the future as they look for new ways to reach the public.

“Since the start of the pandemic, I resumed the role of cidermaker for Alter Ego,” says Hubatch. “I have and will continue to make a few small batches of seasonals and limited releases for the wholesale market here at the location. This will still be our primary address and licensed facility.”

Alter Ego is currently distributed in Oregon, Washington and Minnesota, and will continue to be available in local bottle shops, grocery stores, and restaurants via Oregon wholesale partner Running Man Distribution. You can also do one better by purchasing their cider online direct from the company via the Alter Ego Cider website. 

Alter Ego will host one last party in the taphouse on Saturday, September 4, 2021 from 3-6pm you can purchase discounted growler fills, and enjoy the limited edition ciders on draught. Growler fills and draught will be available until Sunday, September 12th. After the 12th, customers can still pick up packaged ciders from Helioterra Wines tasting room.

Acting on a desire to experiment with new flavors and ingredients not found in wine, friends and winemakers Nate Wall, Kris Wall, and Anne Hubatch launched the cidery in 2014, with co-owner Kevin Bates joining the team in 2018. Alter Ego’s flagship ciders and small-batch seasonal offerings are made using white winemaking techniques and slow, cool fermentations to develop nuanced and elegant aromatics and flavors employing both traditional and modern techniques to capture depth and texture for well-balanced, engaging ciders.