Popular Hood River brewpub suddenly closes after being sold to owner of ‘BuzzBalls’

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Sazerac has closed Full Sail Brewing’s Hood River brewpub after acquiring the company and does not plan to make or distribute Full Sail beer in the long term, a spokesperson said.

The Kentucky-based spirits company confirmed the acquisition Thursday. In a statement, Victoria Zabel-Wirdak, Sazerac’s global communications director, said the deal adds production and manufacturing capacity to the company’s network.

“Regrettably, Sazerac has taken the difficult decision to close the Brew Pub at Full Sail Brewing. Impacted team members have been notified,” Zabel-Wirdak said. “We know how hard this news is for colleagues and the community who have supported the brand and restaurant over the years, and we are committed to supporting them through this process.”

Zabel-Wirdak said Sazerac will work with Full Sail employees to handle limited inventory and with local partners to wind down contracts.

Matt Swihart, owner of nearby Double Mountain Brewery and a former Full Sail employee, said he was saddened by the pub’s closure. Swihart said he worked at Full Sail for 13 years, eventually becoming assistant production manager and brewmaster.

“It’s still reasonably popular. They get a good lunch crowd over there, and it’s a place for locals to hang out and drink beer,” Swihart said.

Swihart said 25 people lost their jobs. Full Sail and Sazerac have not confirmed that number, but several restaurant employees told FOX 12 they were let go Monday.

“It’s a bad time of the year. It’s not the tourist season, which is typically in the summer here in Hood River. So, those folks are going to have a hard time finding replacement work,” he said.

Sazerac owns hundreds of alcohol brands around the world, including Fireball Cinnamon Whisky and Svedka Vodka.