Deschutes Brewery’s Portland Airport spot opening
On Saturday, SSP America, a division of SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, will open the award-winning Deschutes Brewery, a Bend-born craft beer pioneer, at Portland International Airport on Concourse D, the companies announced Friday.
SSP America and Deschutes Brewery have partnered on all aspects of the brewery’s airport location since being awarded the contract in the summer of 2017, according to a news release, which continues below:
“Portland’s airport is well-known for showcasing Oregon’s most iconic, high quality brands to visitors,” said Michael LaLonde, Deschutes Brewery president and CEO. “We’re proud to be joining SSP America’s select group of vendors to bring our unique pub culture, our amazing food and our damn tasty beer we’ve now been brewing for 30 years to the more than 19 million travellers who come through PDX every year.”
“We enthusiastically welcome Deschutes Brewery to the PDX family as a cornerstone representation of our state’s brewery culture,” said Shane Andreasen, senior manager of concessions development for the Port of Portland. “This partnership has been years in the making, and we are thrilled local travelers and visitors alike will be able to enjoy a Deschutes experience at the airport.”
The design of the space capitalizes on natural light and echoes the energy of the airfield and the original Deschutes Brewery location in downtown Bend. Passengers will experience a true public house/beer hall feel with open ceilings, barrel stave walls and comfortable surrounds. A 35′ craft beer bar, a state-of-the-art digital fireplace and a custom stainless-steel wall depicting the history of Deschutes add visual interest to the space.
Deschutes’ defining beers such as Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Fresh Squeezed IPA and seasonal, small batch beers will be on draft as well as a beer exclusively available to the PDX passenger. SSP America’s culinary team has worked closely with Deschutes Brewery Corporate Executive Chef Jeff Usinowicz and his team to craft an expanded menu for the airport location, accented by a variety of items which use the beers as a key ingredient.
SSP America is a long-term operator at PDX, and the opening of Deschutes is the latest example of the company’s focus on bringing a ‘taste of place’ to North American airports.
Scott Welding, vice president of business development, commented, “Our team has a tremendous commitment to the PDX community and share the airport’s focus on local and regional concepts. Deschutes Brewery is an incredible partner and a committed member of the greater Portland community. We’re going to work very hard to deliver an exceptional experience to PDX passengers.”
