Deschutes Brewery Closes VA Land Deal

Deschutes Brewery is officially going East Coast. The Bend-based brewer announced on June 29 that it purchased 49 acres of land within the city of Roanoke, Virginia for $3.2 million.

The purchase ends the brewery’s four-year search for a place to open an east coast production and distribution facility. As we reported in April, the brewery altered its purchase plans, moving from an incentive-based deal to an outright land purchase. Deschutes also celebrates its 30th anniversary this week, opening its doors in downtown Bend in 1988.

“We are beyond excited to reach this point,” Michael LaLonde, Deschutes Brewery president and CEO said in a press release. “With our shared appreciation of fine, craft beer and the great outdoors, Roanoke has already come to feel like our second home. Our next step now is to come out and throw a big party on July 14 with our 400-foot Street Pub community fundraiser event. We want elected officials, business and nonprofit leaders and drinkers of our damn tasty beer to know just how much we appreciate all the support and partnerships.”

LaLonde said the brewery’s focus now goes back to planning something unique, economically sustainable, and that supports the local community.

“During the next year, we will continue to watch the craft beer industry carefully and adjust our building plans accordingly,” he said.

Deschutes currently has its production facility and tasting room off Simpson Avenue; the downtown pub on Bond Street; the Portland Public House on NW 11th Street and the Roanoke, Virginia tasting room.