OREGON, USA — Over the weekend, a pillar in Oregon's brewery community and co-founder of the Oregon Brewers Festival passed away at the age of 80.
Art Larrance was known for his dedication to elevating and influencing craft beer in Oregon. Larrance was also behind the popular Oregon Brewers Festival and helped to pass Oregon's brewpub law. He co-founded one of the state's first microbreweries, Portland Brewing and was behind Cascade Brewing, a pioneer of the Northwest sour beer movement.
The Oregon Brewers Festival, which was founded in 1988, was named one of the top beer festivals in the U.S., according to organizers.
In a post to social media on Sunday, the Oregon Brewers Festival announced the impactful beer mogul's death.
"We are heartbroken today as we share this news: Art Larrance, co-founder of the Oregon Brewers Festival and one of the most influential people behind Oregon’s craft beer movement, passed away this morning at the age of 80. Art dedicated his life to elevating craft beer in Oregon, co-founding Portland Brewing Company and Cascade Brewing, and helping to pass Oregon’s brewpub law. His legacy lives on in every brewpub, and every bottle and can and pint of Oregon beer.
As Art loved to say, “With beer brings friendship.” So gather your friends and raise a pint to Art with us as we honor his legacy and remember with love the friend, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who we dearly miss."
In a comment under a social post from the Oregon Brewers Festival, Larrance's son, Tim Larrance reflects on his passing.
"I miss you dad. I will love you always. I know right now you are enjoying a pint or a dram of whiskey. Or maybe both. ❤️"