Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bye-bye, Budge Brothers

Rick Bonino

Budge Brothers, which was the first in the new wave of Spokane craft breweries, is closing its doors after five years.

There will be a closeout sale of merchandise and other items on Saturday from 2 to 5, the brewery says in a Facebook post. It adds that the seven-barrel brewing system is “going into storage for a later day.”

There was no explanation for the closure, and a message seeking further comment has not been returned.

When it opened in May 2011 in former office space at 2018 E. Riverside, Budge became the first new Spokane brewery in more than 10 years.

It’s the second to close in the past year – following Ramblin’ Road last August – and the second to leave the area around Sprague and Napa, with Iron Goat moving downtown from its original location on East Mallon earlier this month. Bennidito’s Brewpub remains, at Sprague and Magnolia.

Brothers Brad and Bruce Budge left their jobs as restaurant cooks to pursue their dream of taking their homebrewing hobby commercial.

While there were limited distribution efforts over the years, they mainly focused on serving the loyal clientele at the cozy taproom, who drank their favorites out of plastic cups. Budge gained a reputation for discount-price growler fills and for its self-proclaimed best popcorn in town, made with browned Tillamook butter.