It is the oldest homebrew supply store in the country and helped nurture the vibrant Pacific Northwest craft-brewing scene.
[5][7] Originally located on 88 First Street in Portland, the store sold new and used brewing equipment like filters for soda and fruit juice, bottle fillers, crown caps, and labelers.
[2][1][12] However, people still made beer and moonshine during Prohibition out of raisins, rice, or potatoes; there were also 12 malt stores in Portland in that era.
[16][17][18] As demand for equipment for home use grew, the store began to sell items like a hydrometer, siphons, and primary or secondary fermenters.
James could often be found at the draft counter, sometimes multiple times a day, picking up supplies for his ever-growing list of clients.
“When I moved to Portland with what I thought was a solid foundation in draft knowledge, the people I met and things I learned within the Steinbart walls proved I was only at the start of my journey.
[26][12] Author and educator Fred Eckhardt purchased supplies and sold his books at the store; he was also a member of the Oregon Brew Crew.
[29] The interest in homebrewing resulted in the first microbrewery in Oregon after repeal, the Cartwright Brewing Company, which opened in Portland in 1980.
[30][31] In the years that followed, many commercial brewers in Oregon began as homebrewer customers who were introduced to the company by buying supplies there – the Widmers and McMenamins brothers were well-known store regulars.
[1][5] In addition to beer-making, they carry preparation and packaging equipment and special ingredients to help people make artisanal food products and beverages like kombucha, kefir, pickles, wine, mead, and cheese.