Welcome Home, Hank!
There’s over 160 years of Oregon beer history packed into this can. It all started way back in 1856, when a young German named Henry Weinhard opened the first brewery on the West Coast, and chose Portland, Oregon for its home location. In doing this, Henry helped lay the groundwork for generations of brewers to come, and has since grown to achieve legendary status as a household name with beer lovers throughout the West.
Hop Valley is proud to carry on the Henry Weinhard’s legacy by bringing what was once one of the most celebrated beers in the Northwest back to its Oregon roots. Private Reserve is brewed exclusively in Oregon, using 100% Cascade hops. Just as the original recipe called for.
Cheers to you, Hank.
The Beer
Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve is brewed with the Pacific Northwest’s finest ingredients, making every effort to follow traditional methods as practiced by Henry Weinhard. We offer this beer with the same pride Henry had in the beer that he served over a century ago.
Hops: Cascade hops
Malts: North American Select Pale Malt
ABV: 4.7%
Available in 18pk 12oz cans
2000 World Beer Cup® Gold Award
American-Style Premium Lager
2004 World Beer Cup® Silver Award
American-Style Premium Lager
2002 World Beer Cup® Silver Award
American-Style Premium Lager
2006 World Beer Cup® Bronze Award
American-Style Premium Lager
2008 Great American Beer Festival® Bronze Medal
American-Style Lager or Premium Lager
2002 Great American Beer Festival® Bronze Medal
European-Style Pilsner
1999 Great American Beer Festival® Bronze Medal
American-Style Premium Lager
A Legendary History
1856 - A Brewer Sets Sail
Henry WeinhardA 26-year-old Henry Weinhard leaves Germany with the desire to make good beer readily available for anyone that wanted it. Which was fortunate, because we needed good beer. Badly.
1860s - A Hotel Too Far
Henry wanted all his friends to be able to enjoy his beers with no qualms, so he decided to build a hotel in Portland to keep the night alive and his friends safe.
1862 - Brew West, Young Man
After working for a number of brewers across the country, Henry drew a line in the suds and built a brewery of his very own in Portland, Oregon.
1870s - Another Bar for Me and My Friends
Economic downturns are nothing new. Neither are bailouts for that matter. So when a series of bars around town started going south, Henry generously purchased them to help keep them in business. And for the sake of the beer drinkers of Portland, it’s a good thing he did.
1887 - A Fountain Full of Suds
One time when the city of Portland unveiled a public fountain, Henry offered to pump beer through it. The city declined citing a fear of rowdy horses. They always blame the horses.
1891 - The Ultimate Work Perk
What can you say about a man who believed so strongly in sharing good beer that he gave it to his employees for free? Because that’s exactly what Henry did.
1892 - Thanks, But No Thanks
A consortium tried to buy Henry out for the tidy sum of $1,175,000 dollars, an enormous amount of money in that day (today too, now that we think about it.) While his exact reply is not fit for print, let’s just say his answer was no.
1894 - Bankrolling the Banks
During the bank panic of 1894, fearing a total collapse, people were lining up to withdraw their money. Never one to go along with the crowd, Henry strode to the front of line and made a massive deposit. The crowd, figuring if it was secure enough for Henry, it was secure enough for them, soon dispersed.
1904 - A living Legend No More
Even great men must eventually meet their maker. So it was at age 74, Henry Weinhard shared his last beer. The entire city of Portland raised a glass in his honor. And in the capable hands of his two sons-in-law, the beer lived on. After all, it’s what he would have wanted.
1914 - Good Beer Made Hard
Lasting 19 years, Prohibition was a difficult time for beer lovers nationwide. The brewery survived by producing premium sodas, syrups and non-alcoholic beers. And while we’re proud to say our root beer and cream soda were so popular they’re still around today, we have to admit we were glad to get back to brewing our beloved beer.
1956 - A Century of Sharing
Back in business and doing what we do best, a wave of innovations and awards usher in the Baby Boomers years, including being named the oldest continuously operating brewery in the West.
1976 - Private Reserve a Modern Classic
Lasting 19 years, Prohibition was a difficult time for beer lovers nationwide. The brewery survived by producing premium sodas, syrups and non-alcoholic beers. And while we’re proud to say our root beer and cream soda were so popular they’re still around today, we have to admit we were glad to get back to brewing our beloved beer.
2006 - Sesquicentenarian Is Our New Favorite Word
The brewery turns 150 years old, and Henry Weinhard’s officially becomes a sesquicentenarian. But even more important, we get to say the word sesquicentenarian to anyone who asks.
2022 - Hop Valley Brings Hank Home to Oregon
Hop Valley is proud to carry on the Henry Weinhard’s legacy by bringing what was once one of the most celebrated beers in the Northwest back to its Oregon roots. Private Reserve is brewed exclusively in Oregon, using 100% Cascade hops. Just as the original recipe called for.
An Oregon Original is Back!
