The brothers grew up in Portland. Mike learned the ins-and-outs of the restaurant business while working at a sub shop as a student at Oregon State University. After a series of failed restaurant ventures in the Portland area, the brothers began establishing pubs throughout the metropolitan area. In 1985 they created the first post-Prohibition brewpub in Oregon after the brewing industry in Oregon — including the McMenamins — sucessfully lobbyied the state legislature to change liquor laws to make such an establishment legal. Since then, the chain has grown tremendously, throughout Oregon and into Washington.
When it comes to beer and food, McMenamins brewpubs seem to carefully straddle two worlds. As they've grown, they replicate core elements of their menu, establishing a consistency that contributes to broad popularity pursued by most chainss or franchisess, (such as fellow local chain Burgerville, USA). Yet most locations still retain a sense of individualism, with frequent experiments with new beers (promoted within the company through an annual competition amongst its brewmasters) and, to a lesser degree, with its food. The decor seems to follow a similar straddling path.
Most in Portland consider the chain to be a high-profile component of Portland culture since the 1980s. Their respectful renovation and rehabilitation of historical locations throughout the city, their contributions to the popularity of a microbrew culture, and the Grateful Dead-inspired artwork scattered throughout many of their pubs make them almost a required part of any visitor's tour. The brothers have faced some criticism, mainly from some who feel that the business uses a vertical integration model that could easily be co-opted by large commercial breweries. Others feel that the company's many locations may be pushing out smaller microbreweries.