Avery Dobson, marketing director for Lazy Days Brewing, listens to Ryan Still during a recent interview.

Ex Novo might have sold its downtown Beaverton pub, but the pizza and beer aren’t going anywhere.

Lazy Days Brewing is celebrating its grand opening from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, saying goodbye to Dry January with samples, raffles and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Founded by four longtime friends, Lazy Days took over Ex Novo’s Oregon properties in late December — including the pizzeria at 4505 S.W. Watson Ave. in Beaverton.

“We’ve thought about trying something for a long time,” said co-owner Ryan Still. “And at the end of the day, it just was never the right thing at the right time.” 

Coming as a surprise to many in the local beer community, Ex Novo announced plans to sell its Portland and Beaverton pubs in March 2023 as operations shifted to New Mexico.

The Beaverton brewpub opened in March 2019. The pub had also planned to expand into the new Main Street Commons in Hillsboro, but backed out to focus on “The Land of Enchantment.”

After the fate of the locations sat in limbo for months, Still learned about the vacancy through a text and decided to cold call Ex Novo owner Joel Gregory.

“I hit him up on LinkedIn, actually — then he gave me his number,” Still recalled. “We just started a conversation and started getting more serious with those conversations.”

Momentum quickly grew, with Still’s friends jumping on board. The next few months saw the owners register as a Limited Liability Company, craft the vision of their business and finally close a deal right before the holidays.

“It’s been a bit of a roller coaster. But way more good than not,” Still said. “We’re working with friends; it’s really cool. It’s been thrilling through the whole experience.”

Still is no stranger to the area, attending Aloha High School and snagging his first job at the Target a few blocks away. 

“I couldn’t be more firmly rooted in this community, so it’s really great,” he said.

Despite sitting in the spot for over a month, the new brewery still has changes to make: hanging new art, touching up the walls and replacing the old Ex Novo signs.

But Lazy Days doesn’t plan on leaving its predecessor completely in the past.

The new business hired multiple former staff members who worked at the location, and under a contractual agreement, Lazy Days will continue to brew Ex Novo beers for customers to still enjoy in Oregon.

“For us to make it up here and distribute where they were founded speaks to that legacy,” Still said. “It’s good for them; it’s good for us.”

As for original brews, Lazy Days has made nine beers so far, with a couple of them still “trickling through the system.”

Hop enthusiasts can explore the fruity, aromatic notes in drinks like “Willakenzie” and “Trillium.” On the lighter side, “Interlude”— a collaboration with Ex Novo — offers refreshing, floral flavors.

Detroit-style pizza remains as a menu staple, and patrons will be able to indulge in quiche, biscuits and morning cocktails when the spot launches its weekend brunch service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Saturday, Feb. 10.

“We’re hoping to get feedback from people — this is a community place, and we have to listen to what people want,” Still said.

After kicking things off with its grand opening, the brewery is slated to see some major construction in the following months.

Lazy Days plans on punching a hole through its back wall to expand seating and kitchen space, and the brewery just received a $25,000 grant from the city of Beaverton for a project to renovate its outdoor area.

“At the end of the day, things like beer and food are what bring people together; it’s how we have fun and unwind. So that’s really what we want to create,” Spill said.

To learn more, check out www.lazydaysbrewing.com.