North Richland brewery opens in new digs

A Tri-City brewery has reopened in a new location after months spent building an expanded space.

White Bluffs Brewing’s new building is just a block away from its former space in the Richland strip mall off Highway 240 near the Horn Rapids Golf Course.

Owner Mike Sutherland said the award-winning brewery was in desperate need of more room as it sought to focus on getting his beer distributed further outside the Tri-Cities.

He specializes in French and Belgian-style ales, as well as those from German traditions, and West Coast-style IPAs.

His new 10,000-square-foot location at 2034 Logston Boulevard is five times as big. Along with room for more production, the brewery’s new taproom is twice as big and can seat 94 customers. There’s also more than 1,000 square feet of outdoor seating.

The move didn’t come without its headaches, Sutherland said. All of White Bluffs’ old equipment had to be sold, and it had to cease operations for a short time in order to comply with state liquor control rules and inspections.

“Moving a brewery obviously is a huge ordeal,” Sutherland said.

But White Bluffs can offer permanent lunches and dinners.

Paul Brookes and Tom Wietsema previously catered special events at White Bluffs and now will sell burgers and fries, cubano sandwiches, poutine, nachos and other items from a next door trailer.

Reaction from the first customers to the new space has been great, Sutherland said.

“We’re starting now to see more people from around the Tri-Cities,” he said, adding that they are still relatively under the radar in the area.

But one of the main goals of the expansion was increasing production.

Sutherland is aiming for 800 to 1,200 barrels of beer this year — more than double what was produced in 2015. Its brews will be distributed to bars and restaurants throughout more of Eastern Washington. And by the end of the year he wants to begin bottling, as well.

Hours are from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Pints are $4.50, but you can also grab a growler for $14.

Food is available all days except Tuesdays.

This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "North Richland brewery opens in new digs."