News on Tap

Beer of the Day: Steel-Cut Stout

M. Nelson — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:09:55 +0000

American Craft Beer Week is entering its final weekend but not before we feature a few more of our speciality craft ales in our Beer of the Day series. Today we take a look at the dark side: Steel-Cut Oatmeal Stout.

Espresso-like and dark as a starless night on Grizzly Peak, stouts have a long history in the brewing world. The first “stout porters” were brewed in England in the early 18th century. At that time, stout was used to describe any beer that was strong or hearty. The term “stout porter” was later shortened to stout to describe the dark ales popular with street and river porters in London, and Guinness of Ireland began using the term in the early 1800s when it started exporting its first beers to England.

About the Beer

As the name implies, our Steel-Cut Oatmeal Stout is brewed with 100 pounds of oats to provide a silky smooth mouthfeel. Opaque black and nearly impenetrable by light, ours has notes of roasted coffee aroma followed by espresso and chocolate flavors. 5.1% abv, 30 ibu

Malt

Two-Row
Roasted Barley
Munich
Crystal-60
Chocolate
Carapils
Rolled Oats

Hops

Bittering=Nugget
Aroma=Golding

Food Pairing

Due to their malty sweetness and creamy nature, stouts complement a variety of foods. But they are bold enough to stand up to grilled foods like our lamb-pita or our own farm-raised steaks. And while stouts are dark (really dark!) they are “lighter” in body and even calories. Our Steel-Cut Stout makes a great lunchtime beer with an abv of just over 5 percent.

Stouts also make the perfect dessert beer. Try pairing one with chocolate to bring out the flavors of the beer, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and make a stout float! The creamy mouthfeel of the ice-cream and the stout are a match made in heaven!

Beer of the Day and American Craft Beer Week wrap up tomorrow with twist on this classic ale: Noble Stout.

Beer of the Day: Twin Plunge Double IPA

R. Koning — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:26:53 +0000

As we continue with our Beer of the Day series for American Craft Beer Week, we land on Standing Stone’s Twin Plunge Double IPA. This long-time customer favorite outsells all our other house beers, and for good reason! This ale is dry hopped twice with Cascade, Centennial and whole-leaf Amarillo hops, giving it fresh, citrusy hop flavor and aroma. While most Double IPAs are also extremely bitter, this IPA balances well with sweet maltiness and a full-bodied mouthfeel.

We want to commemorate this brewery staple with photos of the Twin Plunge Double IPA being enjoyed over the years. And we want to send a big “thank you” to all our customers and employees who faithfully return for this beloved beer over and over again.

Beer of the Day: Amber Ale

M. Nelson — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:24:18 +0000

In celebration of American Craft Beer Week, we continue our daily beer feature with a look at one of Standing Stone’s long-standing brews, Amber Ale. Our Amber is a customer and employee favorite, and what’s not to like about this approachable ale? It can be described as a “crowd-pleaser,” or a “middle of the road” beer which gets its name from the rich amber hue derived from crystal malt. Ambers are perfect for those looking for something not too heavy or full-bodied, yet who still want lots of flavor and some hops. And our customers aren’t the only ones who like this beer: our Amber won the bronze medal at the Lallemand Brain of Brewers Contest in 2010.

About the Beer

Ours is a medium bodied copper-colored ale with caramel-malt flavor, moderate hop bitterness and just a hint of fruit. 6.0% abv, 38 IBU

Malt

Organic Crystal-60
Two-Row
Munich
Crystal-15
Acidulated

Hops

Bittering=Nugget
Aroma=Cascade, Liberty

Food Pairings

Amber Ales are known for their ability to pair well with a wide range of foods, particularly grilled or spicy items. Have an amber when you are trying to tone down the heat in spicy foods like our Thai Curry or Ginger Teriyaki Ribs. The subtle maltiness and mild hop finish of our Amber Ale also make it the perfect pint with our wood fired pizzas.

So, while American Craft Beer Week is the perfect time to try a new specialty craft ale like Hop Night, it’s also a good time to rediscover the classics. Amber Ales have found a home in most Northwest brewpubs because they are not overpowering, complement a variety of foods, and are a great introduction to other craft ales.

Join others celebrating American Craft Beer Week around the country tonight at The Nationwide Toast! You can simutaneously raise a pint of your favorite ale with other craft beer lovers at 5PM Thursday right here at Standing Stone.

Beer of the Day: I Heart Oregon Ale

R. Koning — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:38:44 +0000

All week long, in honor of American Craft Beer Week, we’re highlighting a Standing Stone beer everyday. Today we pay tribute to I Heart Oregon Ale, a menu staple that made its appearance a few years ago when we were looking to create a replacement for our long-time IPA. This Pale Ale boasts a pleasant bitter finish with a lighter color and body, giving us a brew for hop heads and pale-beer lovers alike.

The I Heart Oregon Ale is named for the origin of all its ingredients! We’re fortunate to live in the Pacific Northwest where fresh hops are abundant, and Oregon specifically is home to lots of quality hop farms that focus on sustainable and organic growing practices. The hops in this beer come from both Alpha Beta Hop Farm right here in Ashland, Oregon, and Goschie Farms in Silverton. Goschie in particular was one of the first hop farms in the nation to be certified Salmon Safe, and we’re thrilled to source our ingredients from an operation with truly high standards for land management and harvesting.

About the Beer

Oregon-grown barley lends a golden color to this beer. Cascade hops from both Willamette and Rogue Valleys provide distinct citrus and floral aromas. Medium bitterness finishes with hints of lemon and grapefruit. 6.0% abv, 45 IBU

Malt

Oregon Select Two-Row

Hops

Bittering = Nugget
Aroma = Cascade
Dry = Cascade

Food Pairing Suggestions

This light bodied, slightly bitter ale pairs great with spicy foods. Anything with lemon will help highlight the finish of I Heart Oregon Ale. For a fun experiment, you can also try spiced desserts, like Carrot Cake or Spice Cake. Here are a few suggestions from our menu:

Fish Tacos
Red Thai Curry
Calamari
Tortilla Chicken Salad
Spicy BBQ Chicken Pizza

Finally, we think this beer pairs great with an afternoon on our patio. If you’re looking for hoppy flavor and aroma from a beer, but want a lighter body than a traditional IPA, I Heart Oregon Ale is your ticket to an enjoyable pint outdoors.

Tomorrow’s Beer of the Day: Amber Ale

Beer of the Day: Hop Night

R. Koning — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:38:11 +0000

In celebration of American Craft Beer Week, May 13th-19th, we’re highlighting a different Beer of the Day all week long, and Tuesday we honor Hop Night.

Hop Night vies with another one of our rotating specialty beers (Milk & Honey Ale) for the most requested brew of Standing Stone employees and loyal customers. Its dark, rich body, hoppy aroma and spicy mouthfeel make this one of the “bigger” beers we brew, and beer aficionados all over the Northwest love the Cascadian Dark Ale variety this beer is modeled for.

To celebrate this favorite brew during American Craft Beer Week, we asked a few of our coworkers what they love so much about Hop Night and other Cascadian Dark Ales:

“I love that it combines the earthy, malty notes of Stout with a nice hoppy, tropical fruit finish.” ~ Mike

“I wait all year for Hop Night. Its seriously the ONLY IPA I drink.” ~ Chelsea

“I love that I can pour my coworker (and FRIEND!), Chelsea, a proper pint post-shift, rather than watch her mix Steel-Cut Stout with I Heart Oregon Ale in an effort to create this favorite. Welcome back Hop Night!” ~ Gina

“It’s amazing with a Reuben, but it stands great on its own, too. That’s why its good to have two – one with and one without food.” ~ Rachel

Come in and decide for yourself what you think about this Black IPA. And when we’ve tapped out of the batch and it’s gone ‘til next time, consider trying a “Wolfhound.” It’s a customer creation (thanks, Fred) mixing half Steel-Cut Stout and half Twin Plunge Double IPA, to make a rich, malty, hoppy combo.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Beer of the Day: I Heart Oregon Ale.

Beer of the Day (and Latest Specialty): Hardtail Ale

R. Koning — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:19:59 +0000

Tune up your taste buds for our latest specialty beer, dedicated to Southern Oregon’s great mountain biking terrain, the annual Spring Thaw bike race, and this week’s Go By Bike Week celebration: Hardtail Ale.

Hardtail is a category of mountain bike that features front suspension and no rear suspension, as opposed to a dual or full suspension bike. With all the mountain biking enthusiasm in our brewpub (thank you, David Conley), we thought it would be appropriate to honor our patrons and friends with a namesake that credits their love of cycling outdoors.

This beer comes at an especially appropriate time as the annual Spring Thaw Mountain Bike Festival returns to Ashland next weekend, May 18th and 19th. The cross-country race on Saturday and downhill races on Sunday draw crowds from all over the Northwest. In it’s 22nd year, this festival is one of the longest-standing bike festivals in the state of Oregon, and we’re proud to be involved the last few years as a sponsor. For those of you signed up, check your packets for a $5 gift certificate to Standing Stone and grab a pint of the Hardtail to reward yourself after the race!

This week, we also celebrate Go By Bike Week, an event sponsored by goRogueValley. All week long, bike lovers can pledge to commute by bike for opportunities to win prizes and discounts, as well as join in the daily activities all around Southern Oregon. Tuesday, May 14th we’re hosting a “happy hour” for the occasion with free appetizers on the back patio from 4-6pm for anyone commuting by bicycle. There’s lots of parking on our large bike rack out front, so two-wheel over to socialize with other bike lovers and celebrate cycle opportunities in our community.

About the Beer

This light golden ale has mild spicy aroma and biscuit-like flavor. The light body and mouthfeel make this beer a refreshing finish to a day spent on the trails or simply relaxing outdoors. 4.5% abv, 18 IBU

Malt

Organic Two Row
Organic Munich
Acidulated

Hops

Bittering: Organic Magnum
Flavor/Aroma: Organic Sterling, Willamette Valley

Food Pairing Suggestions

This light bodied ale will pair great with seafood, breads or spicy foods. While hearty and heavy foods would overpower the lighter palate of this beer, dishes with citrus and fresh ingredients let this ale shine through. Here are our suggestions from our menu:

Fish Tacos with Salsa Trio
Calamari
Grilled Cheese with Stout Cheddar
Fish and Chips
Caesar Salad

Whether you’re an avid biking fan or lover of light-bodied ales, we hope to see you enjoying the Hardtail Ale while it lasts. And to all you Spring Thaw riders, we look forward to cheering you on next weekend!

Celebrating Craft Beer & Biking Events May 13th-19th

R. Koning — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:32:28 +0000

As we roll through the month of May we tap into several local, regional and nation-wide events that celebrate lots of the things we love! We already saw the kick-off of the Saturday Growers and Crafters Market in front of Standing Stone on Oak St. We now have our favorite local growers and producers just steps away every week through November. We also cheered a group of seven Standing Stone runners last weekend who participated in the Avenue of the Giants. It’s an annual race in Humbolt Redwoods National Park, with 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon events. Next week, we raise our glasses and celebrate two more events, American Craft Beer Week and Go By Bike Week, May 13-19th.

American Craft Beer Week is organized by the Brewer’s Association (BA) and encourages craft breweries, beer sellers and beer lovers around the country to join in festivities and promote our talented American microbreweries. Last year the BA saw record participation with all 50 states holding special events and 35,000 beer lovers following in the Facebook community. Every year we mix it up and participate in new ways – here’s what on deck for the 2013 celebration:

• We’ll highlight a new beer every day! We have five beers we keep on our menu year-round and two seasonal specialties on tap for the occasion. Ask for a free taste of the beer-of-the-day, and check out our specials board for flavorsome food and beer pairing ideas. We’ll also feature each beer-of-the-day on our blog, writing all about ingredients, flavors, pairings and more.

• We’re raising our glasses for the nation-wide toast on Thursday, May 16th at 5pm. Across the country, participating breweries and independent beer lovers are invited to take a moment to cheer our unified appreciation of craft beer. Join us with either a free sampler of beer or your own pint and show your dedication to quality American beer.

• Brewer Larry Chase will host three sessions of brewery tours and tastings on Saturday, May 18th. Come in for a walk-through of our brew deck and try a couple of our house-made beers on tap. Tours are scheduled for 12pm, 1pm and 2pm, and there’s no need to sign up – just jump in to the group.

We’re also supporting goRogueValley.org’s Go By Bike Week, a local celebration in the middle of the League of American Bicyclist’s National Bike Month. During Go By Bike Week, several local businesses in Southern Oregon are offering both early morning coffee and snacks, and “happy hour” free food gatherings for anyone commuting by bike. We’re setting aside the outside patio from 4-6pm on Tuesday, May 14th for all bike commuters and supplying appetizers for hungry appetites. We’ll have lots of Standing Stone employees joining in and riding their bikes to work all week. Visit goRogueValley.org for the full schedule of local events and pledge to ride for the opportunity to win discounts and prize drawings.

There are plenty of opportunities to join us in the fun this month, so mark your calendar with any of our upcoming events and celebrate craft beer, bike commuting and thriving communities in our valley and across the country.

Fresh Return of Saturday Growers & Crafters Market in Ashland

R. Koning — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:06:22 +0000

The arrival of May brings with it our beloved seasonal weekly neighbors, the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market. Every Saturday, the first weekend in May through the first weekend in November, from 9am-1pm we are fortunate to have fresh goods and produce right outside our front door on Oak St. in Ashland, OR!

Our menu and specials board highlight fresh and seasonal ingredients from local farms and suppliers this spring, and shopping out front on our street makes buying these goods even easier. Right now, we particularly love mushrooms and nettles from Mushrooms All Year, Rapini from Fry Family Farm and Radishes and Rutabaga from Barking Moon Farm. Also, we’re thrilled to see Standing Stone’s own Cameron Meeks at Myriad Mycology, offering education and products all about medicinal mushrooms.

According to the Rogue Valley Growers “In Season” webpage, here are some of the foods and goods you can expect to look forward to as the season progresses from late spring to early summer: radishes, peas, basil, strawberries, asparagus, honey, arugula, onions, lettuces and fresh-cut flowers. You’ll also find great wood-crafted and ceramic items to purchase for gifts or entertaining.

To celebrate the season we will be selling our own farm-fresh eggs on Saturday mornings starting in June. Already, we have more eggs from our pasture-raised hens than we can possibly use in the kitchen, and we’ve been selling crates to Mix Sweet Shop down the street so they can use free-range eggs from Ashland in their delicious desserts and pastries. We’re designing our own egg carton label and boxes are on their way, so expect to see eggs for purchase inside our front doors in the next few weeks.

With sunny mornings ahead, we encourage you to make a day of wandering outdoors and journey from the Growers and Crafter Market to the Lithia Artisans Market along the creek behind the plaza. Both outdoor events present plenty to browse and enjoy, offering a great overall taste of Southern Oregon. After you finish, be sure to stop by Standing Stone for a beer and food on the patio to take in the good weather and look over your new stash of irresistible market goods, and feel great knowing you’re supporting a vibrant and talented local community.

Two Summer Mixed Drink Recipes from Behind the Bar

R. Koning — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:15:41 +0000

We love when our behind-the-scenes gurus put together recipes and tips for us to share with our readers and customers. Bar manager and house mixologist, Gina Velando, created two great summer-season mixed drink recipes that we debuted with our new menu release last month. Here, Gina shares how to make these tasty libations at home and explains how fresh herbs can take center stage in more than just your food. Take it away, Gina:

‘Tis the season to tap into your garden!

With spring in full swing and summer around the corner we are out enjoying these sunny days and eager to bring a little taste of summer behind the bar. Fresh, seasonal herbs can find their way into your glass in many ways, via infusions, muddled concoctions or an aromatic garnish. Behind the bar at Standing Stone Brewing Company, our specialty cocktail list is reflecting the agricultural excitement of the season, and below we’re sharing a couple easy-to-prepare recipes for home to kick your spring and summer off!

Rosemary Cucumber Gin & Tonic:

Gin is a favorite spirit of ours as it accents herbaceous, spicy and organic flavors in fresh ingredients. We strongly recommend always starting with a high-quality gin, and for this version we’ve chosen Batch 206 Counter Gin from Seattle, Washington. This particular product tastes great on it’s own, and we looked to highlight what was already present in the bottle.

½ lime, cut into small wedges
3-4 slices cucumber
1 3/4oz Batch 206 Counter Gin
Splash(+) soda water
Splash tonic
Sprig of fresh rosemary

Start by muddling cucumber and lime in a bucket glass. Fill with ice, 1 3/4 oz. Counter Gin and top with sparkling water and a splash of tonic. Finish this drink with a freshly cut sprig of rosemary to add the final touch. With minimal prep, this refreshing libation looks just-picked from the garden and pairs oh-so-well with a table outdoors.

Basil Grapefruit Spritzer:

Again, starting with a high-quality spirit makes all the difference, and Superfly Vodka from Brookings, OR fits the bill. Distilled from potatoes rather than grain this product offers a smooth finish, and it’s made right here in Oregon! Beyond infusing spirits, don’t forget that you can create great tasting simple syrups at home as well.

1 3/4oz Superfly Vodka
1/2oz Basil Simple Syrup (instructions below)
Splash grapefruit juice
Splash soda water
Fresh basil

To build the Basil Grapefruit Spritzer you’ll first need to make Basil Simple Syrup: In a saucepan simmer 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 cup freshly picked basil. Simmer until sugar dissolves completely then strain into a clean container and cool. Fill your favorite cocktail glass with ice and top with 1 3/4 oz. Superfly Vodka and 1/2 oz. Basil Simple Syrup. Fill with equal parts Grapefruit Juice and Sparkling Water. Add a healthy basil leaf or two to top this one off and add great aroma.

Use these suggestions to get you started, and get creative with your own cocktail garden by planting herbs and berries at home. Or, if you’re in Southern Oregon, use the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market as a great resource for locally grown ingredients. Cheers!

Thanks for sharing, Gina! Be sure to come by and find Gina shaking it up behind the bar if you have questions, comments, or just want to try either of these drinks before diving in at home.

A Taste of Ashland & Oregon Garden Brewfest

R. Koning — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:44:44 +0000

Every April we are pleased to take part in A Taste of Ashland, the Ashland Gallery Association’s signature fundraising event of the year. Restaurants and wineries pair up at 17 art galleries in town for an all-weekend walking and tasting tour. This year’s event spans Saturday and Sunday, April 27th and 28th, from noon-4pm each day.

Last year we were thrilled to participate at Hanson Howard Gallery, just two doors down from the brewpub on Oak St. Our artistic neighbors moved into the renovated space in August 2011, after the Standing Stone crew revamped and restored the historic building. Now, we’re fortunate to have Hanson Howard, a longtime Ashland, OR gallery, on our block year-round and are eager to join with them for A Taste of Ashland again this year.

We are also happy to announce RoxyAnn Winery will join us in representing fine Southern Oregon flavor as our wine pairing partners. We have RoxyAnn Pinot Gris on our brewpub wine list full-time, and love their attention to quality. Look forward to their Viognier and Sky Hill Red, two excellent Rhone style wines. Our bite-sized pairing is still to-be-announced, so be sure to come taste for yourself and mark Hanson Howard on your list of stops if you’re fortunate enough to make it to this great yearly affair. Tickets can be purchased online, and this event is often sold out!

If you’re planning to be further north next weekend, we strongly urge you to make the Oregon Garden Brewfest a priority. Held in Silverton, Oregon April 26th-28th at the beautiful Oregon Garden, this festival hosts 62 breweries pouring 125 beers (yours truly included, bringing I Heart Oregon Ale). They’ll also feature live music, yummy food, tasting classes and a homebrew competition. Advance tickets available at the Oregon Garden Brewfest website.

If you jump into A Taste of Ashland next weekend, be sure to stop by Standing Stone for a bite to eat and place to rest between galleries. All the walking, tasting and socializing are bound to boost your appetite for a mid-day meal. And if you are lucky enough to attend the Oregon Garden Brewfest, stop by our table and enjoy the I Heart Oregon Ale. We wish you a weekend full of flavor wherever you end up!