Norte Brewing and Food Hall opening in Wilsonville
Cerveceria Norte, a 2023 launched Hispanic beer brand, will open their first brick-and-mortar location in Wilsonville, Oregon as part of a mini food hall in a new apartments and mixed-use development.
Norte Brewing launched in 2024 as the brainchild of Zoiglhaus brewer Nick Velasquez and brewmaster Alan Taylor. Norte was always intended to be it’s own thing, an expression of a community and a flavor sensibility quite separate from Zoiglhaus’s German and American beers. The creative direction largely came from Velasquez, who tapped into his Hispanic background to make beers that may fill a growing whole in local craft beer for the Latino community. But ultimately the relationship didn’t work out between Velasquez and Zoiglhaus, so they went back to the community for help and partnered with the Latino Network.
“We are working on some stuff to keep it focused on the hispanic heritage behind the brand,” says Zoiglhaus brewmaster/co-owner Alan Taylor. “Getting a taproom and a place where we can highlight it as its own thing, these are not Zoiglhaus beers these are beers brewed explicitly as Norte Brewing.”
Norte Brewing’s beers center on South American-inspired flavors and ingredients with plenty of northwest-style hops as well. The flagships are both light and dark Mexican-style lagers and a contemporary IPA. Seasonals lean into fruit and spice: Watermelon Hibiscus Sour, Summer Lager with Passion Fruit, Margarita Sour, a pumpkin porter, and a Mole Stout brewed dried fruits, and spices including guajillo chiles.
Vuela mixed-use development
The Norte Taproom and food pods will go into the ground level of the nearly completed Vuela (formerly Wilsonville TOD) at 9699 SW Barber Street. This is a mixed-use development with 121 affordable housing units on floors 2-5 restricted to households earning between 30% - 80% of the area median income (AMI), including 35 units reserved for households making 30% of AMI or below. The units will be a mix of studio, one, two-, and three-bedroom units. Building amenities include on-site management offices, social service offices, parcel lockers, fitness room, multi-purpose community room, bike room and laundry room.
The project will pursue an Earth Advantage sustainability certification. Sustainability features include a rooftop photovoltaic solar system for common area electricity. Enhanced insulation and high-performance windows, LED lighting, Energy Star appliances, and smart thermostats will provide energy-efficient units for residents.
Transit Center
One of the primary draws of the location is being right next to a new Tri-Met transit station with a mix of on-site and shared parking. Tri-Met operates the WES Commuter Rail (Westside Express Service) serving Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville. WES runs on weekdays during the morning and afternoon rush hours, with trains every 45 minutes.
Norte Brewing Taproom & Food Hall
On the ground floor will be community amenities such as, the SMART transit welcome center, Wilsonville Community Sharing food bank, and a commercial space. The commercial space is where Norte Brewing will open a taproom and a coffee shop with a focus on commuters, area employees, and neighborhood residents within walking or biking distance. Another major bonus for the beer, coffee, and food pod tenants, is direct access to the landscaped outdoor plaza. The design uses native water-smart plants, and elsewhere around the nearby exterior will be a children’s playground, sports court, covered picnic tables, outdoor patio spaces, and EV charging stations.
Palindrome, the lead developer of Vuela, and the parent company of Zoiglhaus Brewing, Spotlight Brewing, Ascendant Beer, Ponderosa Brewing, and now Norte Brewing, has tapped Latino Network to provide outreach services during the pre-development period to inform design and programming, referral services to the property management agent, and programming at the new apartment community.
Norte’s taproom is designed as a modern mixed-use gathering space for the residents at Vuela as well as commuters transferring from the neighboring transit station.
So far we know that popular food truck Nino’s Birrieria will open a new location at the Norte food hall serving their authentic Mexican food. In 2025 Nino’s made public their desire to work with local craft breweries:
“This year we have made it our goal to bring our kitchen expertise into a brewery so we can work along side and run kitchen operations. If you guys have a brewery in mind that you think would be a great fit! Tag them down Below! & we will reach out! We would truly appreciate a share so we can get the word out there!” - Nino’s Birrieria posted on 2/6/2025
That came to fruition first with their food truck finding a permanent home at Upright Brewing Beer Station remains popular and isn’t going anywhere. Also earlier this year Nino’s opened another truck at SteepleJack Brewing’s the Union on Hawthorne, but that location has now closed while they move into their first brick-and-mortar in Wilsonville.
Palindrome has filled 3 out of 4 food stalls and is still looking for one more chef, restaurant, or food truck for a brick-and-mortar kitchen, and that want to be part of the shared space. The leasing agent mentions BBQ, Asian street food, sandwiches, pizza, desserts or something completely unique, as desired concepts to complement the already confirmed lineup.
Monthly Rent: $1,950
All Utilities Paid
Common Area Dishwashing
Walk-in Cooler Space
All Bussing Provided
Flexible Lease Terms
Send inquiries to: sweaver@palindromecreates.com, or call 503-288-6210 ext. 333
Vuela Development and Norte Brewing, 9749 SW Barber St, Wilsonville, OR 97070