Upright Beer Station Continues, Upright Brewing Will Close in Portland

The news is out: Upright Brewing is planning to close by the end of the year. Upright is beloved and well respected, makes excellent award-winning beer, and has been a significant part of the Portland craft beer community for over a decade and a half. Their presence will be missed. But what about the Upright Beer Station?

Compared to the Brewery, The Upright Beer Station is just a baby—it opened not too long ago, in 2023. I like spending time there and appreciate its multi-functionality (beer, coffee, food carts). I have to admit, I was initially worried about its fate. I decided to reach out to Upright’s founder, Alex Ganum, to better understand what’s going on with the Beer Station in particular. Here is what I’ve learned.

The Future of the Upright Beer Station

I first caught the news of the Upright Brewing closure in the New School Beer blog, which is worth a read. I also read Upright’s Instagram post, which includes their plans for the Upright Beer Station. Here is the relevant part of that post:

“Our satellite location, the Beer Station at NE 72nd and Prescott, will remain open and eventually transition to pouring beers from our favorite breweries. It will continue for a long time as a welcoming neighborhood spot with thoughtfully served craft beer.”

“It will continue for a long time.” Music to my ears.

Alex said in an email, “It’s been heavy nearing the end of such a long chapter and dear part of my life. But I am also feeling ready to move on and focus more on the ‘gas station,’ as I like to call it.”

Thank You, Alex and Upright

Alex and his team—along with the original Junior’s folks—have made a huge impact on that corner of NE 72nd and NE Prescott. What was once a gas station, and later occupied by squatters, has been transformed into a vibrant community gathering spot, with four food trucks (Niños Birrieria, Schmunch Burger, R-HAAN Thai Kitchen, and Pine State on the weekends), lots of outdoor seating that look onto the Roseway park blocks, and a nice interior space for drinking coffee and beer, catching the game, and chilling.

I am grateful for how he and his vision have positively impacted this little corner of Roseway/Cully in Northeast Portland.

Upright Brewing: The Closure Plans

In the Instagram post, they lay out the details of the other important aspects of the closure process: The timeline of brewery production, the fate of the brewery taproom, and an opportunity for a lease takeover, all focused on their space at 240 N Broadway.

• The Brewery. It will cease production around Thanksgiving, but until then they will continue to make their excellent beer.
• Brewery Taproom. It will be open through the tail-end of December. They will be “pouring the usual mix of lagers, saisons, real ales, and other straightforward beers we’re known for.” This is the time to stop in, savor their beer, and give the staff your best wishes before the end of 2025.
• Take Over the Lease. Alex would love to see a brewery take over this space and use it to continue making great beer here. “Hopefully we find a replacement tenant that can make use of the brewery equipment,” he said. The lease runs to April 2028. Please reach out to Alex if you are interested (we can help connect you).

Feedback on the Closure Announcement

The closure announcement sparked plenty of comments, including good wishes, expressions of thanks, understandable dismay, and respect from beer lovers, Upright’s peers and fellow business owners. Here are a just a handful:

• Extracto Coffee: “Alex, you’ve brewed many of our favorites over the years. Sad to see this but sending best wishes for what’s next. Thanks for the great memories!”
• Ruse Brewing: “Home of the best to ever do it. You have inspired us all. Sending all the love and to a bright future ahead.”
• Wren House Brewing Company: “You guys are an inspiration far and wide. Drinking oyster stout in the basement is a core beer memory for all time.”
• Level Beer: “Portland beer is losing a real one. Sad day indeed.”
• Montavilla Brew Works: “You’ve inspired so many of us with your righteous beers and good-hearted camaraderie. Congratulations on the road you’ve laid down and the one ahead. Much love and respect to y’all.”
• @cask_sabbath: “Best brewery around. Thanks for all the amazing beer and inspiration!”

Upright Brewing has been making beer for 16 years, and brews what is regarded as some of the best beer in the U.S.

But Alex said over on the New School Beer blog, “The industry isn’t as fun for us as it used to be.” I can see how that can push a person to make changes. Hopefully pivoting to focusing on the Beer Station will bring back the fun.

More on the Upright Beer Station

Alex was kind enough to write at length about the future of, and his plans for the Upright Beer Station. He first explained how the name will change and his hopes for what they will offer at the Beer Station.

Future Name Change: Upright Brewing Beer Station to Simply, Upright Beer Station

“It currently operates under the official name of ‘Upright Brewing Beer Station,'” he explained. “As we transition to pouring beers from other breweries, the name will simply drop the ‘brewing’ part and become Upright Beer Station.”

He’s also applying for a new OLCC license. He wanted to transfer the license from the brewery to the bar, but I suspect they are different types (perhaps a Brewery license vs an On-Premises Sales license and therefore non-transferrable). The OLCC has its rules and I guess that even if you are the same owner of two places, they’ll require a completely new application process. Permitting can take time, so I hope the OLCC gods (the old and the new) bless him with a swift approval.

Future Upright Beer Station Taproom Operation

“For the most part we’ll be buying beers from local breweries to pour on tap and also offer a small selection to-go. This will be somewhat new, as we never had an ideal setup for packaging at Upright. The draft system will remain the same with our seven standard taps, one side-pull faucet, and three cask / real ale offerings.

“I hope to do some collaborating in town, so the Upright name might still end up on some beers.

“Obviously, we are well-connected in the local scene, and excited to curate a list that will highlight characterful, well crafted beers. Our bar manager Todd prides himself on thoughtfully pouring and presenting the beers, and I’d like to think that the draft system itself is maintained to the highest possible standard.

“The list may be somewhat short and our bar may not be fussy, but we took great care in how our beers were offered and will continue to do so with those from other breweries.”

Future Focus

He notes that there will be a lot to wrap up at the brewery, but after that is taken care of the Beer Station will be his focus. “I’ll be fully devoted to the gas station, which is actually a bit of a handful between the bar, cafe, and carts,” he said. “Having more time to maintain the property and attention for all the moving parts there should help make it even better.”

He added, “I’m so happy it’s been well received by the neighborhood. So many awesome folks live nearby and we truly enjoy the relationships we’re making and being a gathering place. I hope folks know that we plan to operate there for a long time!”

All the best to Alex and his team during this final quarter of 2025 as they manage this transition period. I am relieved to know the Upright Beer Station has a bright future, despite Upright Brewing in North Portland winding down. See you at the gas station!

Upright Brewing [closing end of 2025]
Upright Beer Station [not closing]
240 N Broadway, Portland (Brewery)
7151 NE Prescott Street, Portland (Beer Station)
Upright Brewing website | Upright Brewing Instagram | Upright Beer Station Instagram