Portland Welcomes World’s First Nonprofit Brewery

Monday, September 01, 2014

Byron Beck, Features Editor

Ex Novo

Ex Novo Brewing, photo by Laura Guimond

Portland has more breweries than any other city in the world (55 and counting), but this handcrafted brewski-loving hamlet has never had a nonprofit brewery.

Until now, that is.

North Portland’s Ex Novo Brewing Company is not only the first nonprofit brewery in Portland, it also holds that title for the entire world.

Ex Novo translates to “from scratch,” and this 10-barrel nonprofit brewery donates 100 percent of its net “scratch” to organizations effecting social change.

That’s right; they give their money away. Ex Novo is passionate about social justice and helping others, both locally and globally.

As they say themselves: “we make money from food and beer…and then give it away. It’s that simple.”

After covering costs and building a small reserve fund, Ex Novo distribute all of their net profits evenly amongst their partner organizations. Once they’ve reached their commitment to the partners they will reassess and potentially add new ones.

Partners include Impact NW, MercyCorps, Friends of the Children and International Justice Mission.

Although they have yet to can or bottle any of their beer, and have only recently begun supplying their good stuff to area tap houses and restaurants, they do brew a wide variety of beer styles and flavors. Ex Novo pours Session Pale Ale, Eliot IPA, Scottish Red and Down and Stout.

Future plans including barrel-aged and sour beers to their menu. Speaking of menus, this is one of the only places in town that offers “bacon for the table” for only eight bucks. Other basics include cheese and charcuterie, creamy cous-cous, potato wedges and beer-braised beef brisket.

Beer and brisket? It doesn’t get much better than that. And better yet, it’s all going to great causes. It doesn't get much more "Portland" than that.

Ex Novo Brewing Co.,. 2326 N. Flint Ave., exnovobrew.com

Homepage Photo Credit: David W Oliver via Compfight cc