Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) has opened its third area brewpub, this time in Clark County, making it the first of its pubs outside Portland, according to an article in The Columbian.
According to co-founder Christian Ettinger, who co-founded the enterprise with his wife Brandie, business has been going strong since the pub opened on December 30.
Ettinger said he and his colleagues chose the Vancouver location because there are many up-and-coming neighborhoods here, but few other pubs that might be competition for HUB. He said that when they decide where to locate a pub, they try to find strong neighborhoods where there are few, if any, similar eateries. Ultimately, though, success depends on bringing in customers, and HUB has done so. Some people were anticipating the opening because they knew HUB's beers, while others prefer to remain in Vancouver rather than driving to Portland.
The brewpub, spanning a generous 6,000 square feet, features an industrial-style interior that includes stainless steel brew tanks and bicycle frames above the bar. Huge windows on the mezzanine allow diners to see Mount Hood on clear days. Ettinger describes the pub as an ‘industrial ski lodge’.
It seats 225 indoors, with room for another 100 on the patio, and sells mostly its own brews, though it does also feature local “guest” brewers such as Trap Door and Loowit occasionally.
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