Assembly Brewing Suddenly Closes its Doors on May 11
The state's first and only Black-owned brewery, Assembly Brewing, which opened in March 2019 with owner and brewer George Johnson, came to an end, according to The New School. Johnson, a Detroit native, brought the region's iconic pizza style with him, and eventually opened a kid-friendly pizza joint while the brewery remained open to those 21 and older.
'After six incredible years, it's hard to put into words the emotions that fill our hearts. This journey has been one of passion, creativity, and community and we are immensely grateful to everyone who has been a part of it!" Johnson said in a statement after the closing.
"From our very first brew, we aimed to create a space where friends could come together, share stories, and enjoy exceptional craft beer, booze and Detroit style pizza. We've welcomed countless faces and formed lasting friendships. We hope to cross paths again down the road," he added. "We extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff, loyal customers, and the vibrant community that embraced us. Your support has meant the world to us, we couldn't have done it without you!"
Johnson admitted the craft beer industry caused quite a few challenges along the way.
"The craft beer industry is dynamic and ever evolving and we navigated through various hurdles, from heightened costs and market fluctuations to the impacts of global events. Each challenge taught us resilience and adaptability. Unfortunately, the hits kept coming and we no longer have a financial cushion to weather the storms ahead," he said while paying tribute to the patrons who populated the brewery in Portland.
"Thank you for being a part of our journey. Cheers to new beginnings and the memories we've created together!'
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