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.

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