Portland's love affair with beer is growing. One of Oregon's most popular and largest breweries is expanding heading from Bend to the Rose City.

Deschutes Brewery plans to mix hops with history to make a huge dent in the Pearl District, in a building where dents were once removed.

Portland is the company's strongest market. After looking at other locations in Portland, the Pearl District became the obvious choice.

KGW

"This is called the brewery blocks for a reason." according to Kevin Peck, the new general manger of what will be the Deschutes Brewery and Public House.

"We are trying to bring as much of the atmosphere and feel of Bend and the pub in Bend and the company here to Portland." Peck said.

The brew pub will sit at the corner of 11th and NW Davis Street. It just across the street from the new Gerding Theatre and two blocks from Powell's bookstore.

The site is the former home of the Jim Stevens Armory Autoworks. It opened here 90 years ago.

Deschutes will spend $5 million to renovate the property.

Turning the building from an auto repair shop into a brewery is presenting challenges for Stuart Emmons with Emmons Architects. He says it a delicate balancing act to preserve the past while upgrading for today's needs.

"We've kept as much of the industrial character as possible," Emmons said.

Old photos of actuall Scottish pubs are the inspiration for the breweries interior. The wood beams removed will be reclaimed for use as the bar top and tables. Some are being carved depicting Oregon's wildlife and landscapes.

"We have made a Scottish pub on steroids." Emmons said.

Tanks from North Carolina are in place. Workers are putting the finishing touches on the installation. The first brew should be out of the tanks next month.

Brewer Cam O'Connor says he's preparing some special designed just for the Portland market.

"It's going to be challenging, and great and the beer's going to be excellent," O'Connor said.

The grand opening is scheduled for May 2nd.