Exhibit 6.43Exhibit
10.43

January 24, 2004

Jerome Chicvara, Chief
Executive OfficerFred Bowman, PresidentPortland Brewing Company2730 NW
31st Avenue Portland, Oregon 97210

Re: Commitment to Lend to
Portland Brewing Company (the Company)

Dear Jerome and Fred:

In
connection with the potential asset purchase transaction between the Company and Pyramid
Breweries Inc. and an acquisition subsidiary and a concurrent going private transaction
(the Potential Transactions) the individuals and entities listed below (the
MacTarnahan Parties) commit to lend money to the Company according to the
terms and conditions set forth in this letter agreement. This commitment is binding and
non-cancelable. The parties agree to execute definitive documents consistent with the
terms of this letter agreement within 30 days after the date of execution of the Asset
Purchase Agreement in connection with the Potential Transactions.

# RECITALS

A.              The
Company intends to enter into an Asset Purchase Agreement           (APA)
in connection with the Potential Transactions.

B.              As
a condition to the execution of the APA, the Company has requested some
          assurance that the MacTarnahan Parties will provide the Company with certain
          sums to fund working capital needs for the Companys continuing operations
          and to pay expenses and fees and other going private amounts associated with
the           Potential Transactions.

C.              The
MacTarnahan Parties wish to enter into this letter agreement to provide such
          assurances to the Company.

# AGREEMENT

1.    Amount
of Loan. Upon request of the Company, the MacTarnahan Parties will           make one
or more loans to the Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed           $650,000.

2.    Term
of Commitment.This commitment to lend will continue from the date           of this
letter agreement until the last scheduled Earn-Out Payment in 2009 or,           if
earlier, the date on which the Company is dissolved.

3.    Use
of Proceeds.The proceeds of any such loan will be used solely to:           (a) pay
amounts associated with the Potential Transactions, including           without
limitation, going private amounts and expenses, expenses associated with
          maintaining public company status until taken private, fees paid to third-party
          professional service providers, D&O insurance premiums, and other uses to
be           agreed upon by the parties; (b) to fund the Companys working
capital           and liquidity requirements after the closing of the Potential
Transactions,           including, without limitation, bank debt relating to Harco
Products, Inc., and           any cash losses until dissolution; and (c) to fund any
loan fees, costs           and/or interest relating to the loans.

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4.    Interest
Rate.Any loan made under this letter agreement will bear           interest at a
floating per annum rate equal to the prime rate published in the           Wall Street
Journal (Western Edition) plus 300 basis points.

5.    Repayment.The Company will repay amounts under this commitment with the           Earn Out
Payments received under the APA, any proceeds realized upon the           Companys
disposition of PMID stock acquired in connection with the APA and           any proceeds
received from the sale or collection of Excluded Assets (as defined           in the
APA). Payments on the loan will be due within 5 business days of the           Companys
receipt of such amounts.

6.    Security
Interest.To secure the loan described in this letter agreement,           the
Company will grant a security interest in the proceeds of the Earn Out
          Payments, any amounts paid out to the Company from the Indemnity Escrow and
          Purchase Price Adjustment Holdback, PMID stock, the Excluded Assets and any
          other assets of the Company and the proceeds thereon, including after acquired
          assets. The parties will execute any documents required to allow the
MacTarnahan           Parties to perfect such a security interest.

7.    Loan
Fee.The Company will pay an annual loan fee in the amount of           $30,000,
payable monthly at the rate of $2500 as of the last day of each month.

8.    Loan
Costs.The Company will pay all of the lenders costs in           originating
and administering the loan, and in perfecting the security,           including legal
fees, filing fees and similar costs.

Please
countersign this letter agreement to evidence the Companys and the MacTarnahan
Parties agreement with the terms outlined above.

Very Truly Yours,

/s/ ROBERT M. MACTARNAHANRobert M. MacTarnahan On behalf of MacTarnahan
Limited Partnership,Harmer Mill & Logging Co., Robert M. MacTarnahan

/s/ R. SCOTT MACTARNAHANR. Scott MacTarnahan On behalf of MacTarnahan
Limited Partnership,Harmer Mill & Logging Co., R. Scott MacTarnahan

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Acknowledged:

Portland Brewing Company

/s/ JEROME CHICVARAName:
Jerome ChicvaraTitle: Chief Executive Officer of Portland Brewing Company

cc: Portland Brewing
Company Special Committee

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