Initiative Brewing “The Fortress”, Madras, Oregon

For years, the City of Madras, Oregon sought to entice a brewery to open a brew pub within its urban core as one of their primary urban renewal objectives. They found that partnership with Initiative Brewing. Initiative Brewing is owned and operated by Chris Brumley and Ryan Churchill, who have big ambitions and brew top-notch beers.

Located on Highway 97 Southbound, just before leaving Madras, the new brew pub will take the place of the former Jefferson County Health Building. Taking over the aging building offers the City a rehabilitation opportunity to avoid a blight on its landscape, while simultaneously offering Initiative Brewing an affordable space with high visibility.

This project went through many lives as Roadside Bonsai Architecture has worked with Initiative Brewing, C. Potterf Construction, and a multitude of jurisdictions to dial in the scope and budget to deliver a new place for residents of Madras to eat and drink.

After a substantial amount of “value engineered” cost estimating prior to construction, the first phase of the project, consisting of the restaurant, opened in November of 2024. The second phase of the project will include a brewery, canning, and expanded cooling space to accommodate increased production.