It seems all too familiar these days. Today, it was announced that Lompoc Brewing will cease operations next week. The brewery’s full statement is below…
“It is with great sadness that we announce that Lompoc Brewing is closing up shop after 23 years in business. The closure includes the brewery, as well as 5th Quadrant and Sidebar, its two pubs on North Williams Avenue. The final day of business will be Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019. That means this weekend is the last weekend, next Monday is the last Wing Night, and next Tuesday is the last Tightwad Tuesday; it truly is The Last Waltz with Lompoc Brewing.
Oaks Bottom Public House at 1621 SE Bybee Blvd. will continue to operate as its own entity, owned and run by Jerry Fechter. It will serve and sell all remaining Lompoc beer while it lasts. For now, Fechter plans on focusing on making Oaks Bottom the best neighborhood pub it can be.
Established in 1996, Lompoc Brewing is part of the old-guard of craft breweries, and has been a longtime Portland favorite. Fechter would like to thank everyone for their support over the past 23 years. To quote another Jerry, “What a long strange trip it’s been.” Cheers!”
Brewmaster Bryan Keilty has moved on to another brewery, and we wish him the very best. Look for amazing things to come from him in the near future. We will be offering a severance package to the remaining employees, and will try to absorb as many as we can at Oaks Bottom.
Fechter will hold a final “garage sale” next Saturday, Nov. 2 at Sidebar (3901 N Williams Ave.) from Noon to 5pm to sell off vintage Lompoc bottles, merchandise, glassware, and more.
Established in 1996, Lompoc Brewing is part of the old-guard of craft breweries, and has been a longtime Portland favorite. Fechter would like to thank everyone for their support over the past 23 years. To quote another Jerry, “What a long strange trip it’s been.” Cheers!”
I don’t know the exact reasons for the closure, but they seem to echo the recent happenings at Laurelwood Brewing. It’s tough out there. Older breweries are having a hard time staying relevant–at both the pub level and at retail distribution.
I’ve covered a fair bit of Lompoc’s news over the years, and as I was reminiscing over some of my old stories, I came across this post I wrote way back in 2011 after my wife and I had visited the New Old Lompoc on NW 21st for the first time, before the remodel. While I was never a regular, I always enjoyed my visits.
If you’d like to visit one last time, you have just a few days left. Best wishes to the Jerry and the Lompoc crew…
