A lot of businesses speak about uplifting their local community but don’t follow through on the meaning of community and all that it encompasses. While speaking with co-owner McKean Banzer-Lausberg I truly felt the community togetherness he and the other owners of Migration Brewing Co. created.
The name Migration came from the rapid wave of people moving to Portland in search of something new. McKean along with his brother Eric and business partners, Colin Rath and Mike Branes wanted to create a community brewery for the Portland natives and the new wave of people moving to the area. They wanted to create a business committed to the area around NE Glisan Street, the home of their first brewery. “Our goal has always been to create a community oriented location. We believe in donating to local nonprofits and business. By lifting up the people around us we feel a togetherness that is genuine to our mission. We aren’t just a flash in the pan business. We are here for the long-term play; to build a following of friends and neighbors all around something we love, beer”, says McKean.
While looking for a second location, McKean noticed that the beer industry was underserved in Gresham. The owners applied for an economic grant for the city and were selected. In six short months, after the lease was signed for Migration’s second location, it opened its doors to the public. With 20,000 square feet, a 20 barrel brew house and a goal of 5-6,000 barrel production for 2019, the brewery is settling in to it’s new home nicely.
If you’re eager for exciting things to come in 2019, don’t worry there is no shortage. The brewery has plans for a Brut IPA that won’t disappoint, as well as, a 16 oz. hazy can program. The next release will be the Rock Steady Hazy IPA coming out in February in four packs. If that doesn’t seem like enough excitement for you, there is a special release collaboration, the Wild Coast Goose IPA, with Drifter Brewing out of South Africa scheduled to hit pint glasses in early 2019.
To learn more about Migration Brewing Co. check out their website: http://migrationbrewing.com/.
