A fast-growing Portland brewery is poised to open a brewpub on Manzanita’s cozy main street.
Steeplejack Brewing has been busy turning the former Neah-Kah-Nie Bistro on Laneda Avenue into its fifth location. The brewery, founded in 2021, plans to open the pub in March.
Co-owner Dustin Harder owns a home in Manzanita and has longed to open a beer-minded business in the coastal hamlet. His partner, Brody Day, visits so often, he considers himself part of the community.
“We’re locals,” Day said. “We’re there all the time. We love the charm of Manzanita.”
A much larger Steeplejack project, also on Laneda Avenue, was mothballed after the city required additional on-site parking. Some residents complained about the size of the development, which was to include an arcade, ice cream shop and several vacation rental units. The brewery still owns that property.
The new scaled-back project, to be named Steeplejack on the Coast, involved remodeling a 1,584-square-foot house built in the 1930s that had housed several restaurants.
Some interior walls were removed to open up the interior. Bathrooms were updated, the outside deck refurbished and a brick chimney that was leaning ominously was torn down and replaced with windows.
“We just wrapped up construction,” Day said in late January, noting that hiring was about to start. A soft opening was slated for early March.
The pub’s menu will feature burgers and sandwiches to start. There will be seating for 80 to 100 guests, including the deck. The brewery is also adding a game room.
Steeplejack is known for its creative lagers and lower-alcohol ales. Day said brewers are making a signature beer seasoned with sea salt to mark the coastal pub’s opening.
It’ll be called Manzanita Lager.
