Hood River, Ore. – The Full Sail Brewing taproom that has long served as a gathering spot for residents and visitors closed abruptly on Monday after the brewery was purchased by national spirits giant Sazerac. The closure was discovered by patrons who arrived to find a sign on the door indicating the business was no longer operating.
Local reaction to the shutdown
Long‑time Hood River resident Katey Meza described the moment she and her husband walked up to the door, opened it and were met with the unexpected notice. “Pulled up, opened the door and said, ‘oh it’s closed,’” Meza said.
Double Mountain Brewery owner Matt Swihart, who moved to Hood River in 1994 and spent 13 years at Full Sail, expressed both understanding and disappointment. “I wasn’t too surprised that they had sold because a private equity firm purchased them in 2015, and those firms often resell their investment to recoup financial dollars,” Swihart explained. He added that the brewpub was “still reasonably popular” and served as a place for locals to enjoy lunch and a beer.
Job losses and timing concerns
Swihart estimated that the closure resulted in the loss of about 25 jobs. While Full Sail and Sazerac have not confirmed the exact number, several former restaurant employees told Fox 12 they were let go on Monday. “It’s a bad time of the year. It’s not the tourist season, which is typically in the summer here in Hood River. So, those folks are going to have a hard time finding replacement work,” Swihart said.
Sazerac’s perspective
Sazerac, which owns hundreds of alcohol brands worldwide including Fireball Cinnamon Whisky and Svedka Vodka, issued a statement confirming the acquisition and describing Full Sail as a “strong business with production and manufacturing capabilities.” A company spokesperson added, “This acquisition enables us to add additional capacity and capabilities to our network.” The statement was placed near the top of the release, reflecting the company’s confidence in the strategic move.
What the closure means for Hood River
The loss of the Full Sail taproom removes a well‑known venue that has contributed to Hood River’s reputation as a craft‑beer destination. Residents who frequented the space for its relaxed atmosphere now face fewer local options for dining and socializing. However, the nearby Double Mountain Brewery, located just a few blocks away, remains open and may absorb some of the displaced clientele.
Swihat concluded with a hopeful note, wishing the new owners continued success and expressing hope that the location will stay busy under new management.
Broader industry context
The closure highlights a broader trend of consolidation in the craft‑beer industry, where larger national firms acquire independent breweries to expand distribution and production capacity. While such deals can provide financial stability for the acquired brands, they also raise concerns about the preservation of local character and employment.
Local officials have not yet commented on the closure, but community leaders are expected to monitor the situation closely, especially regarding the impact on the local workforce and the city’s tourism appeal.
Original reporting: KPTV FOX 12 Portland (news) — read the source article.
