The Commons Brewery

It was this notion of gathering with friends, family, and neighbors to enjoy a beverage, a meal and conversation that The Commons is rooted in. The Commons Brewery started in Mike Wright’s garage in Southeast Portland. A true nano brewery to be sure – you can read more about that below in the back story.

The Commons strives to make well executed, approachable beers with a refreshing and lively character. You can call us yeast forward, we’re comfortable with that. The beers are geared to be session-able and therefore enable or enhance social interaction. For consumers, the focus should be on friends and family they are sharing time with.

After a short stint in the garage brewery, Mike decided to expand the operation to a 7bbl brewhouse and a new space. The work began in the summer of 2011 and wrapped up that winter. Brewing on the new system commenced on September 15, 2011 and the tasting room opened December 3rd, 2011.

Today we are three people strong. Sean Burke joined The Commons in July of 2011 right after completing the Master Brewers program at Siebel Institute and Doemens Academy. Sean helped assemble the brewery and get the new operation off the ground. Not long after Sean’s arrival, Josh Grgas joined the team to handle sales and distribution. Josh had spent the previous two years working at the Beermongers as a beer-tender and beer buyer. The ‘Mongers happened to be one of Mike’s neighborhood haunts.