Recluse Brewing Company heading to Washougal

The Port of Camas-Washougal is ready to welcome a brand-new brewery to its brand-new industrial building in 2023.

During their July 6 meeting, Port commissioners approved an agreement that will allow Recluse Brewing Company to lease two 3,330-square-foot bays inside Building 20, a 50,000-square-foot building set to open in the Port’s industrial park in 2023.

“I’m glad we’re getting another brewery down there,” Port Commissioner Larry Keister said. “The ‘pub hub’ is on its way. … It’s a nice neighborhood to be in.”

The lease allows Recluse Brewing to operate a production brewery and tasting room, which may also serve food. The company’s lease of the Port property will begin on April 1, 2023.

August Everson, a former employee of the Portland-based Widmer Brothers and Wayfinder Beer breweries, founded Recluse Brewing.

“He initially wanted to start sooner at another location. However, the draw of Building 20 and Steigerwald drove his decision to wait until construction was complete,” David Ripp, the Port’s chief executive officer, said of Everson.

Recluse will join the 54-40 Brewing Company at the Washougal industrial park, located close to the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. 54-40 opened a brewery and restaurant in the industrial park in 2015.

Ripp said 54-40 owner Bolt Minister has long said he would like to see other breweries move into the Washougal industrial park.

Port commissioners approved a contract with Vancouver-based Rotschy Construction in August 2021 to construct the $7.8 million Building 20. Portland-based CIDA Inc. designed the building, which will be divisible into 15 3,300-square-foot bays, some with loading docks.

The Port received a $3 million grant from the Economic Development Association and $1.44 million from the Community Economic and Revitalization Board to help fund its Building 20 project.

Construction on the building began in early 2022 and is scheduled to be finished by early March 2023, according to Ripp.

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