Standing Stone's Alex Amarotico

Inspired by DA’s recent Beer Around Town post about Southern Oregon brews article, we have decided to do this little ditty about one of our favorite breweries, Standing Stone.  Alex Amarotico is the owner of the Ashland brewery whose commitment to sustainable practices has not only earned them the respect of their community, but recognition from the State of Oregon. Amarotico, a former Ashland city councilor, has set his sites on “net-zero” energy, a practice that attempts to produce only the amount of on-site energy that the facility utilizes. In additional to this philosophy and practice, Amarotico and company have made great attempts at minimizing waste and reducing carbon emissions.  The tidy downtown brewpub focuses on locally grown, organic foods, and employing sustainable practices whenever possible. Aside from these consciencious strides to thinking globally through local action, Standing Stone produces some of the most flavorful brews in the Pacific Northwest.  Their colorful sampler tray is a work of art that accentuates the clean and personable atmosphere of the brick-walled historical setting.

Amarotico reveals some of his favorite beers in our dessert/desert island thingamajig.

What sparked your interest in craft beer?

AA: The Flavor, and the fact that it was possible to make oneself

In what capacity do you work with beer?

AA: Brewpub, 500 BBLS/Year

If trapped on a desert/dessert island with just one tap line, what beer would you choose to drink (yeah that’s a tough one)?

AA: Double IPA (maybe Stone Ruination)

Similarly, if you could have just one last beer, what would that be?

AA: Same

Name five of your favorite brews (won’t hold you to these).

AA: Standing Stone Double IPA

Stone Ruination

Lagunitas IPA Maximus

Bear Republic’s Racer 5

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

Are there any beers out there that you would like to try that you haven’t yet?

AA: Too many to list.

Name one or more of your favorite food pairings?

AA: Cheese and Beer

For more information on Standing Stone, visit www.standingstonebrewing.com