Aerial view of Meanwhile Brewing Co. building with large parking lot, surrounded by trees, at sunset.

Meanwhile Brewing

  • Founder and Brewmaster Will Jaquiss cut his teeth in the beer business at the notable Breakside Brewery in Portland before he and Director of Brewing Operations Nao Ohdera took their talents to Austin, Texas. It is there—at Meanwhile Brewing—where a pint means more than a pour. At Meanwhile, it’s all about community.

    As the project’s development consultant, Owen Gabbert, LLC worked in conjunction with OPA Design Studio to imagine a thoughtfully designed space that would prioritize inclusivity. Complete with a stage for live music, a soccer field, and children’s play area, Meanwhile Brewing certainly manifests its self-described ethos: “We’re beer-people. But we’re also people-people.”

    Jaquiss is the kind of guy who cares deeply about ensuring all details are carefully considered. And it shows. When Owen Gabbert, LLC joined the team, he had diligently worked to develop the brewery’s budget, all while managing the design process and meeting contractors. But a brewery is not just a building, and a business is more than a property. Using our expertise in both, we helped build out a comprehensive real estate budget, and multiple financial models to evaluate the pros and cons of conventional financing versus an SBA loan. The models functioned as an educational tool for Jaquiss, as well as the basis of our efforts to present and review options with a variety of potential lenders, ultimately helping us to secure the financing for him. Concurrently, we managed the contractor selection process, including RFP solicitation, estimate review, and interviews, while ensuring the schematic design would align with the financing parameters, leaving the Meanwhile team free to focus on the fun—like beer, of course, but also the finishes.

    With materials like live-edge Pecan complementing its modern-day, Art Deco vibe with classy, curved banquettes, rich hues, and ornate ceiling tiles, Meanwhile Brewing’s interiors—much like the entire site—truly makes it easy to stay for a while.

  • Architect: OPA Design Studio
    General Contractor: IE2 Construction
    Developer: Owen Gabbert, LLC

  • Read more about the project on Eater Austin, The New School, and The Oregonian.

Exterior view of Meanwhile Brewing Co. with illuminated neon signs on brick wall and decorative lights.
Exterior view of a large, modern building with a sign reading 'Meanwhile Brewing Co.' at dusk, surrounded by parking lots and trees.
Outdoor seating area with people sitting at picnic tables on a lawn near a stage and industrial building.
Exterior of Meanwhile Brewing Co building with logo on a blue facade and wooden structure in front.
Stainless steel fermentation tanks and wooden barrels in a brewery
MEANWHILE BREWING
Cozy restaurant booth with leather seating and wooden table, pendant lighting and green wall.
Meanwhile Brewing Co. building exterior with large sign on brick wall and metal paneling above.
Outdoor stage with a slanted roof, surrounded by scattered tables and benches on a grassy area. String lights are overhead, and trees are in the background.