Brian McMenamin (born 1957) is an American businessman in the state of Oregon. A native of the state, he and his older brother Mike McMenamin founded the McMenamins restaurant and brewpub chain in 1983. He serves as general manager and vice-president of the company which operates more than 50 locations that include music venues such as the Crystal Ballroom, movie theaters such as the Bagdad Theatre, historic buildings converted to brewpubs like the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, and several hotels.
Brian McMenamin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1957 (age 66–67) Portland, Oregon, US |
| Occupation | Co-founder of McMenamins |
| Website | Company biography |
Early life
editBrian McMenamin was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1957 to Robert W. and Pat McMenamin.[1] He was raised in Northeast Portland where he attended Catholic schools, including local Madeleine Grade School[1] and Jesuit High School in nearby Beaverton.[1] He then went to Oregon State University in Corvallis where he studied pre-law, as his father was an attorney.[1] McMenamin graduated from the school in 1980 with a degree in political science.[2][3] His older brother Mike was involved in several ventures involving taverns and pubs in the 1970s.[1] Brian worked for his brother at Produce Row Café in Southeast Portland, before the two partnered to start McMenamins Pub in Hillsdale, in 1980 with financial assistance from their father.[1] That pub is not part of the current company.[1]
McMenamins
editMike McMenamin purchased the Fat Little Rooster bar in Southeast Portland in 1983, starting the company.[4] He renamed it as the Barley Mill Pub and Brian soon joined the company.[4] The next year the brothers and several others lobbied the state legislature to change Oregon's law that prohibited those making alcohol from selling it on the premises, allowing for the establishment of brewpubs.[5][6] By 1991 the company had grown to 25 locations and $10 million in annual sales.[7] Brian serves as the vice-president and general manager of the company, which is the fourth largest chain of brewpubs in the United States.[3][8] He owns 30% of the brothers' share of the privately held company that grosses over $70 million annually.[9] The brothers own 75% of the company. Brian is considered the "numbers guy" of the company known for restoring historic properties.[2][10]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Hill, Jim (February 19, 1995). "Barons of Brew". The Oregonian. pp. F1.
- ^ a b Elder, Robert K. (January 28, 2004). "Preservation brotherhood; Oregon's Brian and Mike McMenamin rescue historic properties and give them a quirky twist". Chicago Tribune. pp. Tempo: 1.
- ^ a b Hall, Christopher (July 14, 2004). "A Pub Chain Where the Links Have Minds of Their Own". The New York Times. pp. F6.
- ^ a b Foyston, John (June 21, 2008). "McMenamins marks 25 years of beer, frivolity". The Oregonian. pp. D1.
- ^ "McMenamin pub brewery chain continues to grow; Weekly Specialty & Import Beer Report". Modern Brewery Age. 55 (28): 2. July 12, 2004. ISSN 0026-7538.
- ^ Brinckman, Jonathan (June 27, 2004). "McMenamins Flavor". The Oregonian. pp. E1.
- ^ Carlin, Peter (May 5, 1991). "The Brews Brothers". The Oregonian. pp. L1.
- ^ Foyston, John (December 15, 2006). "Brewers bring mortuary to life". The Oregonian. pp. C1.
- ^ Lambert, Emily (August 15, 2005). "For Fun & (Minimal) Profit". Forbes. 176 (3): 61.
- ^ Papachan, Umah (October 12, 2003). "Beer-vana! (Malaysia)". New Straits Times. p. 36.
External links
edit- Past and repast mix it up for McMenamins – The Portland Tribune
- The Brews Brothers – Via magazine
- The Brews Brothers – Oregon Stater
- Craft Brewing Defines Oregon as U.S. "Beer Capital" – National Geographic