One of our most highly anticipated new Portland/Vancouver areas breweries Recluse Brew Works (RBW) is now soft opened at 4035 Grant St Suite 102 in Washougal, Washington, but the big grand reveal opening has been scheduled for this Satuday, December 2nd.

As we already extensively covered in more depth and detail, Recluse Brew Works is from Gus Everson, former Lead Brewer at Portland’s Wayfinder Beer, and before that of Widmer Brothers Brewing. What we didn’t go into much in previous, was the story behind their confounding but eye catching logo that appears like an unnatural hand symbol with an eye between the fingers.

“I had the brand name and some concepts figured out and was, at the time, thinking about using an opossum or raccoon for the brand/mascot,” says Gus Everson about the conceptualization of the RBW logo.

Everson took the concept, including the overall theme of the brewery which is of the contradiction between industry and nature, to his RBW brewery design partners at StarKeep Studio.

“They drew up a ton of options including woodland creatures and the logo that we went with.  I was immediately drawn to the hand logo.  I loved that it really captured the idea of a recluse hiding out and also the contradiction of still trying to look out on the world,” says Everson.

A left hand is depicted in the logo, and Everson also happens to be a lefty. The logo is strange, striking, and familiar, while being open to interpretation, Everson thinks it captures the “reluctantly gregarious” nature of Recluse Brew Works.

The RBW brewery and taproom is based in a brand new industrial park in Washougal, and is steps away from beautiful Captain William Clark Park, a popular swimming and hiking destination. The 15-barrel brewhouse will offer a variety of Everson’s beers, but Lagers will be the star of the show.

“I do like introducing people to how versatile (lagers) can be,” Everson said. “My first one is just a fizzy yellow beer, but they can be dark, they can be light, they can be amber, they can be bitter, they can be malty. Just like pales and IPAs (India pale ales), they can be very versatile.”

The taproom, managed by Richard LaRue, can be both hard to find and easy to miss if you don’t know what to look for. Around a few windy roads and turns into large warehouse structures and utility parking lots, look for the brand new building just around the bend from 5440 Brewing. LaRue was previously the manager of Mayfly PDX taproom and bottleshop in Portland, and has an extensive history and connections in the industry himself. Together, he and Everson are creating an open and airy but lowkey and unpretentious taproom that is casual and friendly for anyone to stumble in, and even has a corner of the room with toys and coloring books for the kids while the adults can cozy up to the bar. If you are looking for other options outside of beer, they will also feature guest cider and wine options. There is no kitchen, but outside food is welcome and they are hosting rotating food trucks in the parking lot.

The Grand Opening party on Saturday Dec 2nd, from 12-10pm will feature food from Razo’s Tacos out of Vancouver, Washington from 12-8pm (or sell-out.) Daniel Adams, a beer sales veteran of Upstanding Distribution, will be playing a DJ set under his moniker Whysopod for the grand opening from 2-6pm. The special occasion will also mark the first time that RBW is up to 6 of their own beers available with the release of their first dark beer - Moose Man Porter.

After the Grand Opening the Recluse taproom at 4035 Grant St Suite 102, Washougal, WA 98671 will be open to the public Wednesday and Thursday 12-6p, Friday and Saturday 12-10p, and Sunday 12-6p. RBW is closed Monday and Tuesday.