Widmer Brothers Brewery
Portland brewery that pioneered the American Hefeweizen style.
Widmer Brothers Brewery was established in Portland, Oregon, in 1984 by siblings Kurt and Robert Widmer. The company operates under the Craft Brew Alliance, Inc., which ranked as the twelfth-largest brewing operation in the United States as of 2017. The brewery gained recognition in 1986 with the release of its Hefeweizen, an American take on the classic German style. Unlike traditional Hefeweizens, which rely on distinctive yeast flavors, this version was an unfiltered wheat beer made with Cascade hops. The beer helped establish the "American Hefeweizen" category and popularized the practice of serving wheat beer with a lemon slice.
In November 2007, Widmer Brothers and Redhook Ale Brewery announced a merger, forming a company initially called Craft Brewers Alliance, later renamed Craft Brew Alliance in 2012. The combined entity kept both the Redhook and Widmer brand names. The two breweries had already collaborated for several years under a licensing agreement that allowed Redhook to brew and distribute Widmer beers on the East Coast. Anheuser-Busch held a minority stake of about 32% in the company until it sold that stake to Tilray on August 8, 2023.
Widmer Brothers closed its taproom in Portland’s Eliot neighborhood on January 22, 2019, after 22 years of operation. In April 2021, the brewery released official beers for two of Portland’s professional soccer teams. IPA 'Til I Die was created for the Portland Timbers to mark their 2021 MLS season opener on April 18, 2021. Slide Tackle Hazy IPA was made for the Portland Thorns and their home opener on April 9, 2021.
The brewery’s year-round beers include Drifter Pale Ale, Drop Top Amber, Hefeweizen, Upheaval IPA, and Steel Bridge Porter. Seasonal offerings include Brrr Seasonal Ale, Hefe Berry Lime, Deadlift Imperial IPA, Hefe Hopfruit, and Hefe Twisted Citrus. Limited-release beers have included Barrel Aged Brrrbon, Galaxy Hopped Barleywine, Kill Devil Brown Ale, Raspberry Russian Imperial Stout, the Rotator IPA Series, and SXNW: South By Northwest.
Quick Facts
- Hq Location
- 929 N Russell St / Portland, Oregon, U.S.
- Owner
- Publicly owned (BREW)
- Founded
- 1984
- Production
- 450000 usbeerbbl in 2011
- Industry
- Alcoholic beverage
- Products
- Beer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Widmer Brothers Brewery was founded in 1984 in Portland, Oregon, by brothers Kurt and Robert Widmer. In 1986, they introduced their Hefeweizen beer, an American variant on a traditional Hefeweizen. While traditional Hefeweizen is usually characterized by distinctive yeast flavors, the Widmer brew was an unfiltered version of their existing wheat beer (Weizenbier) and used Cascade hops. This style became known as 'American Hefeweizen,' and the custom of serving wheat beer with a slice of lemon spread alongside it.
In November 2007, Redhook Ale Brewery and Widmer Brothers announced plans to merge, forming a new company called Craft Brewers Alliance, later renamed Craft Brew Alliance in 2012. The merged company retained both the Redhook and Widmer brands. The two had already been working closely through a licensing agreement whereby Redhook brewed and distributed Widmer beers on the East Coast. Anheuser-Busch held a minority stake of approximately 32% in the company until they sold the stake to Tilray on August 8, 2023.
On January 22, 2019, Widmer Brothers Brewing closed its taproom in Portland's Eliot neighborhood after 22 years. In April 2021, the brewery unveiled official beers for two of Portland's professional soccer teams: IPA 'Til I Die for the Portland Timbers and Slide Tackle Hazy IPA for the Portland Thorns.
Reader's Guide
Widmer Brothers Brewery holds a significant place in American craft brewing history as the originator of the American Hefeweizen style. By introducing an unfiltered wheat beer brewed with Cascade hops in 1986, the brewery created a distinctively American interpretation of a German classic. This innovation not only defined a new beer style but also established the widespread practice of serving wheat beer with a slice of lemon. The brewery's influence extended through its merger with Redhook Ale Brewery in 2007, forming the Craft Brew Alliance, which became the 12th largest brewing company in the United States by 2017. The partnership allowed Widmer beers to reach a broader audience, particularly through Redhook's East Coast distribution. The brewery's connection to its Portland roots remained strong, as seen in its 2021 collaborations with local professional soccer teams. Despite closing its Eliot neighborhood taproom in 2019 after 22 years, Widmer Brothers continues as a brand under the Craft Brew Alliance, with Anheuser-Busch's minority stake eventually sold to Tilray in 2023. The brewery's legacy includes a range of year-round, seasonal, and limited-release beers that reflect its ongoing commitment to innovation.
Did You Know?
- The brewery introduced the American Hefeweizen style in 1986, using Cascade hops and an unfiltered wheat beer base.
- In November 2007, Widmer Brothers merged with Redhook Ale Brewery to form the Craft Brewers Alliance, later renamed Craft Brew Alliance.
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