Standing Stone Brewing Co. kicks-off the Ashland, OR celebration for American Craft Beer Week(ACBW) on Monday, May 16, with lots on our trays to serve up some fun! Mark your calendars and join us for a week of great craft beer, food and friends.

ACBW celebrates the culture and community of craft beer, recognizes the many contributions independent breweries make to our economy and community, and gives us the opportunity to connect with the other beer lovers.

All 50 states are hosting celebrations in this “Mother of All Beer Weeks.”  Here are some fun facts about craft brewing to whet your appetite for the festivities:

• Beer makers in the U.S. produce 6.1 billion gallons of beer annually
• Over 95% of breweries in the U.S. are small and independent
• The majority of all Americans live within 10 miles of a craft brewery
• Oregon is the second largest producer of craft beer in the U.S.
• Oregon breweries employ more than 4,700 employees

Standing Stone has lots on tap for the big week, including beer-centered specials, food pairings, events and more:

All week

Beer Tastings: During dinner, we’ll offer samples of our beer of the day, along with a small bite to entice the palate.

Food Pairings: We’ll feature special menu items that pair perfectly pair with our beer of the day. Feel free to ask your server for additional suggestions.

Sign the Declaration of Beer Independence: Express your support for independent breweries and great microbrews!

Daily specials

5/16, 5pm, Milk & Honey specialty beer tapping & Mayoral Proclamation: Our well-received specialty beer, Milk and Honey Ale, returns!  This ale offers a polished copper color, silky smooth medium body and nuances of honey.  The honey flavor comes from a proprietary honey malt. We add lactose, an unfermentable sugar, to provide body and slight residual sweetness.  It’s about 5.5% abv.  Get more details on  Milk and Honey Ale here. Ashland, OR Mayor, John Stromberg, will also read a Proclamation in support of American Craft Beer Week.

5/16, 2-3 PM and 6-7 PM Women’s Tour with the Brewer. We’re partnering with Women Enjoying Beer (WEB) to offer free brewery tours for women. Ginger Johnson of WEB and our Brewmaster, Larry Chase, will enlighten you about the process of craft beer making. Sign up on WEB’s events page.

5/19, Guest Beer Tapping: Corey Zschoche from Klamath Basin Brewing joins us to offer their Crystal Springs IPA.

5/21, 1 pm, Bike Ride: Saddle up for a 6-mile round trip bike ride to Alpha Beta Hop Farm to tour the beautiful vines that flavor our favorite beverage. Afterwards, relax with us back at Standing Stone for snacks, beer and socializing.

5/22, Evening, Guest Beer: Scott Saulsbury from Southern Oregon Brewing will  tap their Na Zdravi’ Pilsner microbrew for all to enjoy.

5/22, 3:30 PM, Women’s Ingredients and Tasting Seminar: We’re teaming up with WEB for another great event! Brewmaster Larry Chase and, WEB founder and beer specialist Ginger Johnson, will co-host this seminar, featuring a flight of beer samples and a take-home tasting glass. Women can sign up at WEB’s website.

Please join us if you’re in Southern Oregon. If not, don’t despair – breweries all over the country are celebrating in unique and creative ways! From beer dinners to cask tappings, beer makers and beer lovers are showing their support and dedication to the American craft beer community. Visit the Brewer’s Association website to see what’s happening at craft breweries near you, and join the fun by raising a pint for American Craft Beer Week.