Portland, Oregon
MCA Architects teamed with construction manager DA Bentley Construction to develop a new brewery and restaurant for Fat Head’s Brewery. MCA took what was an old piano store, dating back to the 1940’s, and transformed it into a 278-seat facility with a dining/bar area, gift area, commercial kitchen, brewery facilities, interior loading dock and storage. Daylight floods into the two-story building through a wall of windows, and the interior space is characterized by a high, arched ceiling with old wood beam trusses. The space offers bar seating, booths, and varied other seating options that can be shifted to accommodate groups. Thoughtful details are everywhere, such as outlets built into the bar wall, allowing patrons to charge their cell phones while enjoying a pint. This space is as much a brewhouse as it is a bar and restaurant; the facility houses two 30-barrel, seven 20-barrel and four 10-barrel vessels. Brewery equipment (fermenters, tanks, barrels, etc) is proudly displayed through big, interior glass windows. Grain storage, a barrel room and the milling room are located on the second floor, above the brewery.