Huge changes at Logsdon Farmhouse Ales
Big breaking news regarding Hood River’s Logsdon Farmhouse Ales today, as reported by both Brewpublic and the New School: the brewery is being bought out by Portland-based Uptown Market along with current partners/investors John Plutshack and Jodie Ayura, with founder Dave Logsdon retiring and brewer Charles Porter leaving entirely.
A snippet from Brewpublic:
Plutshack is also an owner of Tin Bucket in North Portland. In a deal that is still being finalized
David Logsdon will retire from the brewing industry and will sell his stake of the brewery whilePorter will completely walk away from the business he proudly founded.Today is Porter’s last day at the brewery he founded with Logsdon four years ago. The recipes that he developed over the years with Logsdon will continue on with current Assistant Brewer Aaron Gilliam and the new ownership, but Porter will have no involvement with Logsdon Farmhouse Ales after today.
And Ezra at the New School has more:
Chuck Porter said in a statement “Today is my last day as Head Brewer at Logsdon Farmhouse Ales. I’ve put head and heart into building this business since we started this partnership in 2011 and while our beers have never had my name on them, they’ve always had my soul in them. Along with Dave, and as Founding Brewer, I’ve played an essential part in the face, taste and character of our beers. I’m proud of my contribution to our success and to the impact we’ve had on the American-Style Brett Beer category.”
What does this mean for the brewery? Logsdon Farmhouse Ales as a brand will continue, in fact they are planning to open a new Barrel House taproom in Hood River any day now and are receiving a brand new bottling line and recently installed an awesome coolship open fermenter.
I have to say this is pretty surprising news to me, especially considering it’s Uptown Market making the buy—the bottleshop turned recent (small) brewer is pretty under the radar. And then Logsdon itself is relatively young, and specialized enough that I would have expected them to continue their artisanal efforts. I’m sure there will be plenty more written up about this sale, stay tuned.
Update: As has been making the rounds, Stuart Faris of Uptown Market has issued an update from Dave Logsdon: “This is an agreement between two private, family-owned companies, with the Logsdon family remaining involved. There is a restructuring of Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, in which Dave Logsdon will continue as the Founding Farm Brewmaster, to sustain the growth and exceptional quality Logsdon fans respect and covet. New members will join the current Logsdon Team in management and operations, as Dave is stepping back from directing the day-to-day operations full-time and Charles Porter has indicated his intent to leave his position as farmhouse brewer.”
See Comments from Dave Logsdon:
“This is an agreement between two private, family-owned companies, with the Logsdon family remaining involved.
There is a restructuring of Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, in which Dave Logsdon will continue as the Founding Farm Brewmaster, to sustain the growth and exceptional quality Logsdon fans respect and covet. New members will join the current Logsdon Team in management and operations, as Dave is stepping back from directing the day-to-day operations full-time and Charles Porter has indicated his intent to leave his position as farmhouse brewer.”