September 6th
On our quest to get the brewery rebuilt, the biggest day since the fire is in the books, NEW TANK DAY. Due to insurance, crowdfunding, and from what we were able to salvage from the fire, our new brewhouse is now onsite. From here, we can begin process piping in the system, for a hopeful first brew day in the near future.
July 30th
Construction is in full swing - with all structural items completed. Thank you Hidden Paradise Builders for helping us with a rapid rebuild. As of now, our proposed reopening is around the 1st of November. Stay tuned on all social media and via our email newsletter for updates.
June 11th
Our Indiegogo Crowdfunding Campaign is nearing completion, as we’ve just reached 78% of our fundraising goals by 262 backers. There’s only 13 days left and we’ve just released new perks and discounts to existing ones. Thanks to everyone who’s supported us thus far - please consider backing and sharing our campaign.
APRIL 24th
Into the dirt we go, Portage 2.0 is officially underway. The past three months since the fire have gifted us with time and headspace to intentionally redesign our organization, space, and vision for the future. Portage will return with a refined focus on efficiency, traditional farmhouse and experimental brewing, and an overhauled tasting room experience.
MARCH 28TH
Our architects from Linden Group in Chicago fly to Walker for a final drawing review and a tour of the old site. Within weeks, our final push for permits and preparation for construction, will begin. Linden Group has helped breweries such as 3 Floyds Brewing Co., to build out their space. This crew has been an integral part in helping us get ideas down on paper. They are family friends and doing some of the best work in the business.
MARCH 20TH
Our pals to the North, invite us in for a first-ever collaboration, barrel fermenting a traditional saison recipe, inside French red wile barrels. Look for this to release in cans and on draft at or around the Rare Beer Picnic.
FEBRUARY 26TH
Our good friends at Blackstack Brewing Company host us, to kick off a mole pastry stout. In this recipe, we took a rich and malty grain bill, and added pounds of ancho chilis, cacao nibs, cocoa powder, vanilla bean paste, and cinnamon. Look for this release around 4/15.
FEBRUARY 18TH
Double Sun Protection Factor hit shelves. Among the better beer projects we’ve been apart of, we, alongside Modist Brewing Company brewed up an absolute tropical fruit punch getaway. Printed with the now famous #stupidfire tag on the bottom of the can, this was our very first custom designed beer to hit shelves. 100% of the proceeds from this beer will be donated to #rebuildportage. Learn more here.
FEBRUARY 6TH
Our great friends Bent Paddle Brewing Company invite our team over for a recovery re-release of our Fall Scandihazian collaboration. Such a great beer project for us, and with the help of their great community, raised over $600 for #rebuildportage.
FEBRUARY 5TH
Demolition begins and some of our tanks are salvaged from the fire. Alkaline cleaning foam and acid passivation chemicals are used to help restore the stainless steel damaged in the fire. From here we will pressure test and sell some of our equipment.
FEBRUARY 1ST
Our hometown friends Aegir Brewing Company host a benefit tap release of their ALLFATHERS Porter, infused with coffee, and raise $1,384 for #rebuildportage. Many thanks to their team for approaching us for this project.
JANUARY 14TH
Our greatest friends at Modist Brewing Company in Minneapolis, approach our team to redesign and rebrew our popular summer collaboration, Sun Protection Factor. Get ready for a statewide release of Double Sun Protection Factor, a tropical punch milkshake IPA brewed with mango, pineapple, strawberry, coconut, Citra and Mosaic hops, and milk sugar. 100% of proceeds from this beer will be donated to help #rebuildportage.
JANUARY 13TH
One of our favorite partners, Northern Namaste Yoga pairs up with Chase on The Lake Resort and 80 silent auction donors where they are able to raise over $7,000 to help us begin the #rebuildportage campaign. Among the donors, many breweries stepped forward also giving bottles, swag, and gift cards.
JANUARY 11TH
Corey Medina & Brothers, Paul Nye, and Chase On The Lake Resort come together to throw a celebration for the brewery. Nearly 500 people are in attendance with people traveling in as far as Florida to support our community. This marks the first day for positive momentum forward, with over $1000 being raised to support our rebuild efforts. We were also able to donate $700 to the Butte County Camp Fire efforts with our Resilience IPA.
JANUARY 7TH
We are able to access the building site to assess damage and begin the insurance process. Nearly everything on the upper three floors is completely destroyed - adjusters and investigators are dispatched.
JANUARY 6TH
At approximately 7AM on the morning of Sunday, January 6th, local volunteer firefighters are notified that a fire was ablaze at our beloved home and brewery. For nearly six hours the fire was fought, and the building was destroyed. We can’t thank the thirty volunteers, including one of our owner’s, Joe, for risking their lives to stopping the fire.