Good idea: Hopworks Urban Brewery to honor mug club memberships from recently closed Portland-area breweries, bars

In the past year, Portland has seen some high profile drinking establishments close their doors. The once-beloved BridgePort Brewing closed, Portland Brewing and Widmer Brothers Brewing closed once-packed restaurants, and brewpubs Alameda Brewhouse, Columbia River Brewing, Burnside Brewing, Lompoc Brewing, Rock Bottom Brewing and Cider Riot called it quits too. In addition, Laurelwood Brewing closed its Westmoreland pub and sold off its production side. Bummer.

This turnover means there are some regulars looking for a new stool or mug to call their own again. Enter Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB), the first Certified B Corporation brewery in the Pacific Northwest. HUB sent word that it will honor mug club memberships from these recently closed breweries, cideries and bars in the Portland area, which is just a really great idea and marketing promotion. There is also a call for former employees of those places to reach out (more on that below).

“When we heard about the recent closures of Portland institutions, we felt a void in the community,” explained Christian Ettinger, founder of HUB. “A lot of livelihoods and social occasions are affected by these closings, and we want to help, whether it’s honoring closed establishments’ mug clubs or helping people who have lost their jobs get back on their feet.”

Former patrons may show proof of their active mug club memberships at Hopworks Powell, Williams and Vancouver locations. The memberships will be honored through Dec. 31, 2019.

Honoring the mug club membership includes: 21-oz pours for the price of 16-oz pours, 10 percent off all merchandise purchases in pubs (gift cards excluded) and 10 percent off growler fills. Mug club memberships are valid at the Powell, Williams and Vancouver brewpubs only. Hopworks will also have a garage sale with extensively discounted beer and merchandise on Dec. 13, at which mug club members will be able to shop one hour early.

Hopworks also encourages former employees affected by the recent closures to reach out directly about employment opportunities at its three pubs in Portland and Vancouver:

• Hopworks Urban Brewery at 2944 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, Oregon
• Hopworks North Williams Pub and Beergarden at 3947 N. Williams Ave., Portland, Oregon
• Hopworks Urban Brewery Vancouver at 17707 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, Washington