Standing Stone Brewing Company

News On Tap

By in Brewery & Beer, Community, Pints for a Purpose, Uncategorized 0

Last Call– Pints for a Purpose 2015/2016 application period ending soon!

Pints for a Purpose

Well it’s hard to believe, but Summertime is coming to an end. If you’re anything like us, you’re probably scratching your head and wondering where the heck the past few months went. While we’re scrambling to get those last minute camping trips in and hold on to our totally awesome Chaco tans, ready or not, Fall is upon us!

Kicking off the season at Standing Stone is the closing of the Pints for a Purpose application period (October 1st). All summer long we’ve had some incredible Southern Oregon non-profit groups send in their applications in hopes of being a Pints for a Purpose recipient for the 2016/2017 season.

The first week of October, we’ll have our amazing staff of over 70 employees choose which tPrintop five groups they would like to see become the next Pints for a Purpose beneficiaries. The recipients will each be given a dedicated benefit evening sometime Nov-March in which $2 from every pint of beer sold from 5-10pm will be donated to their group. It’s a great opportunity for members of the community to meet and celebrate the hard working and dedicated people behind our local nonprofits. It’s also a great opportunity to drink beer for a good cause. What more of a reason could you possibly need to be excited for Pints for a Purpose??

These are some of the amazing groups we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past few years: Sanctuary One, Rogue Climate, CASA of Jackson County, Bee Girl, Friends of the Animal Shelter, Rogue Valley Farm to School, No LNG Campaign and Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County. Last season alone we raised over $2,000!

There is still time to tell your favorite local non profit group to submit an application! Applicants must be locally based, grassroots organizations with 501c3 status. The form is available online here along with more information about the program.

Stay tuned– we’ll announce the 2016/2017 Pints for a Purpose recipients mid-October. We’re hoping to have a record-breaking season this year and we can’t do it without you all.

Cheers to community and to drinking good beer for a good cause!

RVFARM

PINTS5

PINTS#

By in Community, Events, Uncategorized 0

Harvest Dinner on Oak Street

Harvest Dinner September 18, 2016

You are invited to join us for a special evening dining under the stars. “Harvest Dinner on Oak Street” is a community event benefiting Rogue Valley Farm to School. Some of the best chefs in the Rogue Valley will collaborate together to create a farm to table meal celebrating our local farmers and the bounty of our region.

We will be closing down Oak Street and transforming it for the evening into a beautiful, communal dining space. The chefs joining us will be Damon Jones and Franco Console of Larks Restaurant, Neil Clooney of Smithfields Restaurant and Bar, Javier Cruz of Standing Stone Brewing Co, and Coral Console of Luna Cafe + Mercantile.

Local craft beer, wine and cider will be poured throughout the evening along with live music from local favorites The Brothers Reed and DJ Veach. A silent auction will take place throughout the evening with some amazing packages donated from businesses all over the valley.

This will be a night you don’t want to miss! Join us for a fantastic evening of incredible food, drink and company and help us raise proceeds for a great cause. Tickets are limited and selling quickly. They can be purchased at Standing Stone Brewing Co. or online (click here). Please call 541.482.8334 if you have any questions.

When: Sunday, September 18th, 2016 6pm-10pm

Where: On Oak Street in Ashland (between Main Street and Lithia Way)

$75 per person (gratuity not included)- all proceeds donated to Rogue Valley Farm to School

Rogue Valley Farm to School educates children about our food system through hands-on farm and garden programs, and by increasing local foods served in school meals. RVF2S inspires an appreciation of local agriculture that improves the economy and environment of our community and the health of its members.

Harvest_Dinner2

By in Ashland Oregon, Community 1

Life is Brew-tiful

Ashland is a town of great diversity, and our local beer haunts pay homage to that diversity. Considering we have three breweries in a 6.6 square mileage area, there’s more than enough options to go around. While we love our brews here at Standing Stone, we too like to branch out. Here are a few favorites that highlight the best of summer.

courtesy of www.gilsofashland.com

courtesy of www.gilsofashland.com

Just a stones throw (pun intended) away from our brewpub, is Gils. The sister restaurant to Ruby’s (all hail their great burritos!) they have over a dozen beers on tap from around Oregon as well as our border states. If you’re looking for a grapefruit forward beer similar to our Summer Squeeze, try the North Coast Belgium Golden (7.0% ABV.) One of the stronger ales on this list, it will make your mouth pucker at first with a sweet tang that finishes smoothly. Gils’ patio is perfect for savoring the crisp hops of this brew while viewing the mountains.

Down the hill on Hersey street is the hidden gem known as Swing Tree. Established only a couple years ago, this converted garage is making a name for itself; chief among their current brews is the Diablo Rojo (4.8% ABV.) Despite its daunting name, this is a smooth, Amber of an ale that beckons the far away flavor of fall apples, while still maintaining a fresh and light flavor to gulp in this latter era of summer. If you’re a die-hard Pilsner fan, this devil will make you reconsider your allegiance.

swing tree

photo courtesy of Katie Butler

Back into the downtown crawl, is the mecca of impossible drink choices: The Growler Guys. Talk about endless opportunities with over fifty beers on tap. Yet even with all those options, there’s one that took home the gold for us, the Wizard Island from Mazama Brewing Co. (4.8% ABV.) Similar to a Widmer, this citrusy ale delights the taste buds with a burst of lemon but finishes with the backbone of a strong Amber.

Wherever your drinking travels take you, enjoy the bounty that comes from long days and the promise of a cold one to kick off happy hour.

Cheers!

written by Katie Butler

By in Ashland Oregon, cocktails, Other Good Stuff, Uncategorized 0

Shake It Up

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Oregon Orange Oasis

In the thirty seconds between picking your favorite bar stool and the bartender noticing you, it’s a frantic scramble in your brain to come up with an exotic and fun cocktail. For those that want to try something fresh but aren’t sure where to start, we here at Standing Stone created several new specialties to delight your taste buds.

Our lineup begins with the Wild Roots Marion Drop, invented by the charismatic Jacob Nunes. One of the best qualities about this martini is its simplicity; Wild Roots Marionberry vodka, fresh lemon and pineapple juice, and garnished with a lemon for zest. The pineapple doesn’t overpower the marion berry and the tropical undertone sets the mood for a flirty and fun drink.

One of the concoctions that took me completely by surprise, was the Oregon Orange Oasis, also created by Jacob. More complicated than the Marion Drop, it’s a charming blend of Immortal Spirits State of Jefferson Rum, house made Orange Soda, Cointreau and a wheel of orange. The first taste is likened to a Creamsicle before transitioning to a smooth finish as the whisky rounds off the sweetness. Overall, the kid in you that yearns to hear the nostalgic jingle of the ice cream truck, will rejoice as the bar tender hands you the mature beverage masquerading as summertime bliss.

Craving the taste of Sangria? Put down the Carlo Rossi and sprite for a more elevated and sophisticated feel with our select wines on tap, fresh fruit and brandy. The brandy adds a solid backbone to the tangy wine, lifting our beverage beyond its vineyard origins.

If mint is your thing (and I’m sure you know where I’m going with this) never fear: the classic Mojito is now available created by the talented Gina. A blend of Four Spirits Spiced Rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and mint from our rooftop garden, the hit of this drink is the slight spice from the rum that packs a punch without taking away from the crisp flavor of the MIMGP9246_edited-2ojito.

Deviating away from our cocktails, I must pay tribute to the newcomer available on tap: the Summer Squeeze which derives from the ingenuity of our faithful brewer Larry. Tangy with a dash of sweetness, it’s the perfect refresher for a hot day when the AC breaks down and you’re feeling defeated by the sun’s rays. What makes this sour so unique is the amount of grapefruit involved: one pound of grapefruit is added to every gallon of the mixture.

Whether you fancy one of our exotic newcomers, or want to stick with our tried and true favorites, stop into Standing Stone this week to see what our mixologists can shake up for ya.

–Written by Katie Butler

By in Ashland Oregon, Community, Events, Music, Other Good Stuff, Uncategorized 0

Summertime Fun in the Rogue Valley

britt

Photo by Josh Morell

There are a couple things us Southern Oregonians think of when it comes to summer: The Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Britt Fest. OSF and Britt provide opportunities to draw out our classy nature and enjoy shows and concerts beneath dark pines that scrape the stars. Together, they form a gateway of performance glamour in our quaint town of wayward travelers and inquisitive locals. In time though, I began to peel back the gloss that Ashland prides itself on to discover summertime jamming that flirts at the edges of stage life. With the official start of summer this week, it’s time to reveal some of the lesser known gems of the Rogue Valley.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Allen Elizabethan Theatre. Featured is the set of OSF's 2013 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

Photo by T. Charles Erickson

Just up the street from the trio of theatrical siblings in the shell of an abandoned church, is a performance space where fine dining and musicals of bygone eras come to life: the Cabaret Theater. While the directors like to showcase lesser known shows such as the ongoing 9 to 5 which concludes on July third, its successor, Chicago, is sure to be a provocative experience, as the ambience of the building’s stained glass windows draw you in the moment you step across the threshold. While dinner reservations typify the dining experience of the Cabaret, it’s just as fun (and a lot less pricey) to simply order appetizers and desserts.

Beyond the streets, it’s no secret the Rogue valley is ripe with countless wineries beckoning folks in from the heat and humidity. Beyond the tantalizing aromas of fermented fruit, lies summer concert series spanning a range of musical genres. If you want to bask in a secret garden-esque patio while listening to valley favorites such as the Brothers Reed– then South Stage Stage Cellars is the place to be every Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 pm. Got a hankering for some food trucks as well? Swing by Del Rio Winery every Friday from 6-9 until September 23rd  for a range of food including BBQ and Peruvian cuisine and a spectrum of music from soft rock to bluegrass.

One more overlooked event that can’t be missed, is the Rogue Poetry Slam. A participatory event that occurs the third Tuesday of every month, aspiring poets read their original work during three rounds of a competition. If you don’t fancy yourself a writer, it’s just as much fun to be a judge: just make sure you stick around until the final round. Admission is $5 and sign ups begin at 7:30, and I guarantee you’ll laugh, cry, or be inspired during this event.

This is only a taste of the summertime events, but it’s a start in what’s sure to be a remarkable season of unbridled joy that only the Rogue Valley can bring. Cheers!

—

written by Katie Butler

By in Ashland Oregon, Community, Other Good Stuff, Uncategorized 0

All in favor of beer say “I”…

Two things you should never talk about at a bar: Religion and Politics.oak st2

Well, this isn’t a bar and we aren’t going to talk about religion. *Spoiler Alert* We are going to talk about politics.

In a time where the American political world seems like one big giant WWF matchup-it’s good to know that behind the scenes, Republicans and Democrats in the U.S House of Representatives can still agree on one thing- Beer.

The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (H.R. 2903) is now officially supported by the house majority of U.S. Representatives.

The bill seeks to “reform burdensome laws regulating America’s brewers and beer importers and recalibrate the current federal excise tax structure for the nation’s brewers, fostering economic development and innovation in the industry (B.A).”

“Beer is as bipartisan as it gets,” said Bob Pease, president and CEO, Brewers Association. “Brewers large and small stand together in support of this critical legislation, Democrats and Republicans have shown the same unity. We’re grateful for the degree of support behind this bill, which will have a profound impact on the breweries in this country that are actively contributing to our culture and economy (B.A).”

Let’s talk about how exactly the American beer industry contributes to our economy.

1.75 million people employed

$79 billion in wages and benefits

$253 billion generated for the U.S. economy

Those are some pretty outstanding numbers. No really, nice work America!

We want to personally thank the Brewers Association and Beer Institute who are continuing to work to pass the bill into effect. Also, thank you to our Oregon Representatives who have signed in support:

Suzanne Bonamici- 1st District Oregon Rep.

Greg Walden- 2nd District Oregon Rep. (our local representative!)

Earl Blumenauer- 3rd District Oregon Rep.

Peter Defazio- 4th District Oregon Rep.

Kurt Shrader- 5th District Oregon Rep

And finally a big THANK YOU to Senator Wyden, who was a primary Senate sponsor of this bill.

This is just one of the many reasons that we love beer- it brings people together. Do you feel those warm fuzzies? We sure do.

Let’s raise a pint to our local Government, and to Representatives all around the country for supporting U.S. Craft Beer!

The Brewers Association (2016). The Majority of House Representatives support Beer Tax Reform. [Press Release] 

Brewers Association

By in Uncategorized 0

American Craft Beer Week! (May 16-22, 2016)

American Craft Beer Week is here again! Each May, independent craft brewers and beer fans unite to honor and enjoy this wonderful beverage and all it brings to our communities.

Breweries across the nation take part in the festivities, and we’re doing our part to ensure Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley isn’t left out.  To #MakeSmallBeerBig during the celebratory week, the Biggest Small Beer Ever Made was produced by brewers in all 50 states using the same ingredients and recipe. Our brewer, Larry Chase, took on the challenge to brew the porter-style recipe. Standing Stone’s version will be on tap and highlighted when Ashland City Council Chair Rich Rosenthal will read a Proclamation in support of the event, and we’ll tap the Biggest Small Beer Ever Made in honor of the occasion!

Every Day

  • Enjoy the Biggest Small Beer Ever Made (on tap from 5/17)
  • Chef Javier Cruz has designed food specials to pair with various beers.

Daily Special Happenings

  • Monday, May 16th, 7 PM -$10:  Off Flavor Sensory Training Brewer Larry Chase will guide us through the world off off flavor compounds, why they occur and how they can be avoided.  Perfect for the homebrewer! Get Tickets Here!
  • Wednesday, May 18, 7:30 PM: Specialty beer tapping (the Biggest Small Beer Ever Made) and reading of  ACBW Proclamation by Ashland City Council Chair, Rich Rosenthal
  • Sunday, May 22, 3pm – $10: Brewery Led Tasting.  Brewer Larry Chase will lead a class covering the basics of brewing and beer tasting 101.Get Tickets Here!

As we know, beer is much more than a simple libation. It’s the hub of conversation and community, as well as an economic engine that creates jobs, boosts allied supply and distribution industries, and supports communities. We’re proud to offer jobs to more than 50 employees in our extended family, support local food producers and suppliers, and give back to our community, thanks to customer support. We also love how each day gives us the the opportunity to engage with friends and neighbors, while getting to know new folks and providing hospitality to travelers.Stout

We’re grateful and proud to be a part of this growing movement, and appreciate all those, near and far, who have helped it grow. Join us for American Craft Beer Week – it’s your party, too!

For more information on Standing Stone’s events visit our event calendar. If you’re not in the Rogue Valley and want to find events elsewhere, or if you’re looking for more information on American Craft Beer Week, see the ACBW website and calendar.

By in Brewery & Beer, Uncategorized 0

Now on Tap: Oak Street Wheat

We love beer. We love Oak street. We love drinking beer on Oak street.oak st wheat

Introducing, Oak Street Wheat- our newest specialty beer, now on tap.

This Wheat Pale Ale, a style brewed up by Larry Chase himself, is a creative twist on the standard Wheat. Brewed with Pilsner Malt and Wheat, this beer has the light body that you would expect from this style, but with a bit of a citrus, hoppy kick. We used a brand new varietal of hops, Belma, grown exclusively on Puterbaugh Farms in the Yakima Valley, which gives it a clean, citrusy punch and fruity aroma.

About the Beer

ABV: 5.3%
IBU: 30 (estimate)
OG: 12.9 Plato

It pours a hazy bright golden color with a thick white foamy head. Grassy and fruity in the nose (we smell peaches and stone fruits) with a palate of dry, grainy malts and hints of citrus; it finishes with a clean and lingering hop finish.

Malthps2

Organic Pilsner
Organic Wheat
Acidulation

Hops

Flavor/Aroma: Belma, Liberty

Stop on by and give the Oak Street Wheat a try. Or even better- pack up those growlers (check out our Hydroflasks) and bring them by for a fill. It’s that time of year again to enjoy craft beer in the sunshine and beautiful outdoors.

By in Ashland Oregon, Brewery & Beer, Uncategorized 0

Ales vs. Lagers

yeast

Top Fermenting Yeast-Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Have you ever wondered what exactly is the difference between an Ale and a Lager? Let’s chat about it.

There are two different categories of beer- “Ales” and “Lagers.” Within these two categories are hundreds of different styles that can vary widely in taste, bitterness, color etc. Ales are brewed with a top-fermenting yeast, while Lagers are brewed with a bottom-fermenting yeast. What does this mean to you? Hold on for a minute while we geek out just a bit.

Top-Fermenting yeast or Saccharomyces cerevisiae as we like to call it, is the most common yeast out there. Chances are, you consume it on a daily basis. This is the type of yeast that is common in bread making, wine making and beer making. Pretty good stuff, right? The reason we say it is top-fermenting is because as the fermentation process happens, the yeast cells circulate throughout the beer, magically converting the wort (sugary water) into alcohol and C02. As the process finishes, the yeast rises to the top creating a thick Krausen and if not removed, will drop to the bottom of the fermentation vessel. Ale yeast ferments at a warmer temperature (between 60F-75F), and because of this, reaches attenuation at a faster pace than Lagers.

larry

Our brewer Larry checking on the yeast culture.

Saccharomyces uvarum (Bottom-Fermenting) yeast cells work from the bottom up, at a slower pace and a colder temperature (46F-59F). The term “lager” comes from the German word “lagern” which means “to store.” The discovery of lager yeast is believed to have been made in the Middle-Ages when Bavarian brewers fermented and stored their beers in ice caves over the winter. Because of the longer, colder fermentation process, Lagers are generally very crisp and clean tasting.

Did any of that make sense? We hope so, but let’s be honest, at the end of the day- Ales or Lagers, we love them all!

Want to learn more about Yeast and the process of fermentation? Check out this video!

By in Ashland Oregon, Food, Restaurant & Menu, Standing Stone Farm, Sustainability, Uncategorized 0

Our One Mile Farm – As Local As It Gets!

Farm Entry

 

At Standing Stone, we are all proud of our commitment to local, organically grown and raised foods.  We especially appreciate the hard work of all the local farmers who provide the raw ingredients for much of our fare. Whether it’s hops from Alpha Beta Hop Farm  going into our handmade ales, or veggies from Fry Family Farms finding their way into one of Chef Javier’s awesome specials, we nurture relationships with like-minded food producers throughout the Rogue Valley.

When Standing Stone moved to make sourcing even more local by raising our own beef, we were especially excited and proud to work with Dave Westerberg of Valley View Farms . For years, Dave has used holistic, organic and sustainable farming practices raising cattle here in Ashland.  These practices are better for the cattle, the environment and consumers, and Dave’s farm presented the model we wanted to follow raising our own beef

Dave has brought his expertise and care to our One Mile Farm, 265 acres of pasture just down the street, where Standing Stone produces ALL of the beef products served in our restaurant, along with almost all of our lamb as well (Not to mention our buzzing bees producing honey used in our ales and sauces). The 50 or so cattle and 30 plus ewes we’re raising graze freely on open pasture using a management-intensive rotational system that helps rejuvenate the grass and soil, with the herds moved from one section to another sequentially.

One Mile Cow

The land and the cattle are chemical free – no fertilizers, antibiotics or hormones are used. This means that we only serve a very full-flavored grass-fed beef that’s humanely raised and free of chemicals. Not only does our grass-fed beef have health benefits such as higher Omega 3’s and key vitamins, it also contains lower saturated fat and cholesterol versus conventional beef.  On the environmental side, pastured beef systems have lower carbon emissions than feedlot-raised cattle, and help sequester carbon.

When it is time to take the cattle to slaughter, we bring the meat back to the restaurant in halves and quarters. Our trained kitchen staff performs all the butchering in house. It takes a full day of two or three chefs working around the clock to properly cut the beef. The burgers are fresh-ground and the steaks are specially cut.

So the next time you come down to the Standing Stone for a refreshing ale and dinner, and see the specialty steak of the day on the specials board, you can dine assured that the cut is freshly prepared and the meat came straight from a sustainable, humane farm right next door.

 

 

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