Portland State Magazine Fall 2013

FALL 2013 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 23 being passionate is important, but you really have to know where your first bottle is going to be sold. And it can’t be just to your friends.” Medoff is a founding member of the Oregon Distillers Guild. In 2003, he and a partner started House Spirits Distill- ery, specializing in gin and vodka. Their Aviation Gin became a quick hit, but Medoff was more interested in distilling dark spirits. He left House Spirits to found Bull Run in 2010. CRAFT BREWING has exploded since its early days, especially in Portland. Out of 137 breweries operating in Oregon, a full 51 are located in Portland, and dozens more are in planning stages. Of 46 distilleries, 14 operate in Portland. The total industry, including related businesses like hops and malt producers, adds about $3 billion each year to the state’s economy and employs around 30,000 people. Initially, Pullman and her colleagues intended to offer just one section of business courses, but demand for the program has far exceeded expectations. With available seats filling up for fall, a spring section was added, and there are plans to offer a third section in June 2014. Students are enrolling from as far away as Germany and Spain. However, it is the program’s answer to a local—and national—industry need that has Pullman most proud. A recent $8 million private gift to the School of Business Administration—home to the new program—reflects the community’s interest in this kind of innovative education, says Pullman. The gift and a $40 million bond approved in June by the Oregon Legislature will help the business school create more space for its collaborative, industry-responsive programs. “At Portland State, we’re definitely in a highly innovative phase. We have to be. We have to figure out what topics are going to meet the needs of our region,” says Pullman. “Obvi- ously, the craft brewing business is one of these.”  See the Portland State of Mind craft brewing events on page 14. Left: Professor Mellie Pullman, director of the new Business of Craft Brewing program, brings her former brewmaster experience to students. Top right: The successful, but relatively new Migration Brewing Company in southeast Portland, will share its story with students in the new Business of Craft Brewing program. Bottom right: Sara Lynn pours from the seven Migration Brewing craft beers on tap at its Laurelhurst neighborhood pub.