Craft brew pioneer Pacific Coast Brewery to close

Twenty-nine years after it opened in Oakland, a craft brewery is closing, company officials announced on Facebook.

Pacific Coast Brewery at 906 Washington St. in the Old Oakland neighborhood will shut its doors in early November.

Company officials said they are making the announcement now to allow their staff the opportunity to find new jobs.

The brewery is closing because of the uncertainty of its current lease and the rapid changes taking place in the Bay Area’s restaurant industry.

During the final two months, company officials will bring back some popular dishes from the past three decades and host some events, highlighted by a Last Anniversary Celebration Oct. 19-22.

Guests will also be able to order from the regular menu. Company officials said more information about its farewell menu and events will be posted on its social media pages and website.

The brewery opened in October 1988 and was one of the pioneers of craft brewing in the Bay Area, according to company officials.

Founders Steve Wolff, Don Gortemiller and Barry Lazarus fell in love with the neighborhood and the restored 1886 Arlington building where they opened the pub and restaurant and where the brewery is now.

Old Oakland is made up of 10 restored buildings, which date back to the 1860s. Old Oakland is located in downtown Oakland, just west of BART’s 12th Street station.

Pacific Coast Brewing won numerous awards over the years including a dozen medals at the Great American Beer Festival.

Wolff and his wife Laura expressed thanks to their loyal guests who made owning “The Coast” a joy.