Brewpub to locate in downtown Camas

Two co-workers at Plexsys Interface Products, Inc., in Camas, expect to open a brewpub in the downtown core by next summer.

Mark Zech, of Washougal, and Kurt Williams, of Battle Ground, are among the owners of Mill City Brew Werks, which will be located at 339 N.E. Cedar St. Zech’s wife, Francisca, and Williams’ wife, Susan, will also be involved in the venture.

Previous occupants of the space have included Momo’s Wholesale Designer Clothes and Stewart Title. A Mill City Brew Werks silent partner is in the process of purchasing the building from Sandi Fischer. The purchase is expected to be completed in November.

Terms of the transaction are not being released. The building includes tenants Edward Jones and Kop Chai — both of which will remain open in their current locations.

Greg Goforth, a commercial real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial, Jenkins & Associates, is representing the buyer.

Zech said the brewpub should open by June 2013. It will include a brewery (approximately 5,000 square feet) in the basement.

Zech and Williams anticipate hiring 15 to 20 employees, for the areas of food, brewing and service.

Washougal Brewing Co. LLC started in March with a two-barrel pilot system at the Zechs’ home in Washougal.

“The city of Camas asked us to name the pub something other than Washougal Brewing Co.,” Mark said. “We came up with Mill City Brew Werks to honor the heritage of Camas.

“We initially were looking at LaCamas Brewing that was started by John Nagal in 1885, but settled on Mill City Brew Werks to identify with Camas,” he added. “Washougal Brewing Co. LLC still exists and could potentially be part of our 10-year plan to expand.”

The beers currently being brewed include Fire Axe Cherry Wood Smoked Porter, Milk Stout, German Hefeweizen, Whiskey Barrel Aged Porter, Winter Ale, Mill City Blonde Ale, Dragonfly CDA and Mill City IPA.

“My car is ready for me to get out of the garage,” Zech said.