Local Business Spotlight: Trap Door Brewing
One of the things I love about living and working in the Camas-Washougal area is the people and businesses that make our communities feel like home.
When I started thinking about who I wanted to feature in a new Local Business Spotlight series, Trap Door Brewing immediately came to mind.
I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Brian Shull through the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, where we served together on the board. Over the years, I’ve also had the chance to see firsthand how much Trap Door has become a part of the Washougal community.
And that’s really what I want to highlight.
Trap Door isn’t just a place to grab a beer. It’s a place where people gather.
A Building With a Story
The Washougal location at 1834 Main Street has a story of its own. The roughly century-old building has been part of Washougal’s brewing history for more than a decade. It was home to Amnesia Brewing beginning in 2013, followed by Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, before Trap Door moved into the space in 2022.
I love that kind of local history. A building that has already been a place for people to gather gets a new chapter, while still carrying a little bit of the history that came before it.
Trap Door brought its brewery and kitchen to the space, creating another downtown gathering spot for the Washougal community.
And while Trap Door is certainly known for its beer, the food deserves some attention too. Their kitchen offers pizza, salads, sandwiches and appetizers, making it a great spot to meet friends, grab dinner or just hang out for a while.
Showing Up for the Community
But for me, what really makes Trap Door stand out is how they show up for the community.
Trap Door has been a longtime participant in Trick or Treat on Main, a Washougal Halloween event that brings families downtown for an afternoon of trick-or-treating, activities and fun. They’re one of the local businesses that consistently helps make the event such a fun part of the community.
They’ve also hosted networking events and other gatherings, providing a place for local business owners and community members to connect.
Those things matter.
When we talk about what makes a community a great place to live, we often talk about homes, neighborhoods, parks and schools. But I think the local businesses deserve some credit too.
They’re the places where we run into our neighbors.
They’re where we meet friends.
They’re where local organizations gather, businesses network, and families make memories.
They’re part of what gives a community its personality.
More Than a Brewery
Trap Door has also made a name for itself in the Pacific Northwest craft beer scene, earning recognition at competitions including the Great American Beer Festival and Washington Beer Awards.
But you don’t have to be a craft beer aficionado to enjoy what they’ve created in Washougal.
Sometimes it’s just about meeting a friend for dinner.
Sometimes it’s grabbing a drink after work.
Sometimes it’s sitting around a table with a group of people and realizing that you’ve just spent a couple of hours catching up, laughing and enjoying being part of your community.
And I think that’s what local businesses like Trap Door are really about.
They’re creating places for people to connect.
So, if you haven’t been to Trap Door in Washougal yet, consider this your reminder to check it out.
Grab some food. Try a beer. Meet a friend. Sit for a while.
And while you’re there, take a minute to appreciate the local businesses that invest their time, energy and resources into making our community a little better.
Because that’s what makes a place feel like home.
Trap Door Brewing + Kitchen
1834 Main Street
Washougal, WA 98671
