Today Brewpublic continued south on a quest to visit some of Northern California’s best breweries.  Four brewpubs were visited - three of which had “river” in the name.

Six Rivers Brewpub

Six Rivers Brewpub

According to former Green Dragon minority owner, brewer, and publican, Lorren “LoLo” Lancaster, he has registered a name for his next venture.  Not letting the setback of losing his beloved pub, Lancaster said today that he plans to dub his next venture “Civil Disobedience.”  He also says he has registered the name and will not sell this dream to anyone.

Sometimes it is amazing to thing of how vast Oregon is.  In land area, the Beaver State is the ninth largest in the country, stretching 295 miles north to south, and 395 miles east to west.  In all, Oregon covers more than 98,000 square miles of diverse landscape.  For the beer traveler, journeying from places like Beer Valley in Ontario to Standing Stone in Ashland is impossible in a twenty-four hour period.

Wild River Pizza in Brookings, OR

Today we visited Oregon’s southernmost microbrew destination.  Wild River Pizza in Brookings, Oregon resides a hair north of the California border along the scenic coast. Driving south from Gold Beach to Brookings, the rough terrain of the Siskyou mountains settles into a misty, magestic coast dispersed with countless breathtaking monoliths.  Wild River Pizza of Brookings is one of the company’s five locations, all in Southeastern corner of the state.  Two breweries reside in Grants Pass and Cave Junction.  Along with the Brookings location, ale houses can be found in Medford and another location in Grants Pass.

One Nation Under Rogue.

Rogue:

The papers have been signed.  Rogue has purchased what was the Green Dragon pub and bistro.  Lorren “LoLo” Lancaster says “Ed offered me a fair shake and when we went in to talk to the Rogue guys, he caved.” Lancaster, a minority owner in the original Green Dragon undertaking says of majority owner Ed Schwartz: “He never truly cared about this business.  This culture we built here, he didn’t build it.”   Lancaster says that Schwartz told him “‘If you put leans against your house I accept your conditions.’ He got nervous about a bunch of stuff.”  Lancaster said that Brett Joyce of Rogue disallowed the idea of more time to work out a deal with others to keep the Green Dragon a non-corporate enterprise.  Lancaster says Joyce kept with “If it goes two more days this offer doesn’t stand (conditions).  They had (Schwartz) him over a barrel.”  According to Lancaster, Schwartz “said one thing and did another.  (Saying studdering) ‘this is my only way out’”  So what now?  Lancaster feels disappointed, but not deflated.   After papers were signed before him, Lancaster told friends and employees back at the Green Dragon.  “In fear of there jobs, they were really bummed out” says Lancaster.  ” I have been fighting as hard as I can.  This is our house.   We built it.”  He also says that prominent people approached him with offers to save it .  “If they really have it, we are going to open our own place and (utilize) all the artwork available.”

From the Eco Dudes at Hopworks Urban Brewery:

Chainsaw Stout

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An American Style Stout brewed for two American originals, the Ramones and Timber Jim.  The Ramones were, by many accounts, the first punk band and “Chainsaw” is track 5 on their seminal self-titled album “Ramones”.  Timber Jim is the chainsaw wielding mascot of the Portland Timbers, who retired last season.  Hopworks will broadcast the complete Portland Timbers season when it begins in April.

Chainsaw Stout has a roasty, chocolately and caramelly aroma with a hint of citrus and floral hops.  It features a medium body followed by roasted dryness.

14.5 Plato              5.9% ABV               45 IBUS

Cascade Brewing's Ron Gansberg

Brewer and imagineer Ron Gansberg of Cascade Brewing just informed us that he will feature a public bottle tasting at the Raccoon Lodge.  The event will take place this coming Saturday between noon and 4PM.  Says Gansberg , the tasting will feature Cascade’s “Kriek, Blackberry, Cuvee as well as this year’s KriekGABF Bronze Medal winner and “Shekar”, the sour spiced Strong Blond fermented with the grapes.  The P’Quad is blended and in the tank as well.”  that we think is heads and shoulders above last year’s

Gansberg’s recent creations are some of the most spectacular Lambic available this side of Belgium.  It is almost surprising that so much hype is given to other breweries when considering the art that goes into the making of these beers and the divine flavor complexities that come out.

You’ve seen the sign at pubs everywhere, but one pub is coming through.  On Wednesday November 19, Saraveza, the latest greatest pub and bottle shop in Portland, Oregon will be giving out free tastes of Ninkasi.  Brewmeister Jamie Floyd will be on hand to sign autographs and pour bottle samples of Oatis Oatmeal Stout to customers.  The seasonal release will also be available on tap alongside Saraveza’s killer tap line-up.  Last time we went to Saraveza, we were happy to discover Russian River’s Pliny the Elder and Caldera’s Brown Ale pouring.  Whatever else Sarah has up her sleeve, I’m sure it will be grand. beer.  To make things better, rock star brewmeister,

Saraveza

In all, Saraveza will feature three parties in ten days.  The others are as follows:

Beer Northwest Magazine announced in its first newsletter that it will be offering subscriptions to its newly found “Beer Club.”  Beginning in January, this club is a collaborative effort with the magazine and Liquid Gratitude, an online wine and beer company based in Battle Ground, Washington.  For $99 (plus a one-time shipping fee) people will be sent three gift-wrapped 22-ounce bottles of “hard to find” beer every four times a year (12 in total with subscription).

According to Beer Northwest sales and marketing director, Katie Brown, the first shipment will include Ninkasi Oatis oatmeal stout, Pike Auld Acquaintance old ale, and, Laughing Dog Dogzilla black IPA.  Brown adds “For (people in the Northwest) these are beers that aren’t that hard to get.  Naturally since this is our first shipment, we’re in test mode to gauge the level of interest in the club, and plan on going after harder-to-get beers as time goes on and we get more established.  Also, we’re functioning on the basis that the club would be a great gift idea for friends and family members that live in other areas of the U.S.”  That still sounds like a pretty good deal, especially if you live in Alabama or Mississippi! People can sign up on Beer Northwest and Liquid Gratitude’s web sites, or at the Beer Northwest booth at the Holiday Ale Festival.

I just received a call from Lorren “LoLo” Lancanster, who is still as I type these words, a one-third owner of the Green Dragon Pub and Bistro.  In protest to majority owner Ed Schwartz’s intent to sell the business to Rogue, Lancaster has responded to Rogue’s Declaration of Independence with the following Declaration of War:

Here is post number 100 of hopefully many many more.

Today Brewpublic hit the highway southbound to experience more beer.  As I type this we are in Gold Beach, Oregon, about 45 minutes drive from the California border and six hours from Portland.  A beautiful ocean view outside of my hotel window is almost compensation for a dearth of craft beer.  Luckily the trunk is packed with Oregon and Washington micros to be shared with friends old and new along the way.  Today, we made a pit stop in Eugene at two of our favorite beer spots.