Steeplejack Brewing

Iconic church architecture inspires brewery design

Steeplejack Brewing Company partnered with Scott Edwards Architecture to plan and design a large-scale production brewery for their growing operations in Oregon. This location is the industrial counterpart to their first location, a renovated church near downtown Portland that was built in the early 1900s. The architecture and spatial design of their Hillsboro location marries the tradition-rooted elements of Steeplejack’s brand with the industrial character of a modern high-volume brewing facility. SEA worked in collaboration with the client on the layout and design of the brewery, creating a unique and integrated experience that is devoted to a reverence for craft and to fostering a place for fellowship.

Client
Steeplejack Brewing

Location
Hillsboro, OR

Size
16,255 sf

Year
2022

People sitting at tables and bar within production area

SEA drew inspiration from varying scales of church design elements to organize the large industrial space. The brewery tanks are arranged like a pipe organ and open up toward the entry for an impactful guest arrival. A chapel-like canopy shelters the bar, anchored by a slab calling to mind an altar. An indoor fire pit set against a natural backdrop provides views to nature.

two people at booth having beer and pizza — Our design explores several forms of the “church structure” including an open air church–we used lighting to suggest a cathedral-like roof.

The space’s design incorporates salvaged wood from their first location’s preserved church. Steeplejack Brewing West features a canning line, an indoor food cart, space for live music, and numerous other interactive elements for guests to enjoy.