As the pass opens, we begin to welcome our westside visitors to the valley. The highway was open this year in time for 49ers weekend, a favorite event for both visitors and locals ...it kicks off our summer season and gets us in the mood for lots of summer fun. Memorial Day weekend was off-the-charts for us, a thankful surprise as we sold more beer than ever that weekend .... up more than 70% over last year. Luckily with our new fermentation tanks and added capacity, we have enough beer this summer to keep our taps flowing. Part of our success has been with all the beer awards that we've been enjoying again this year: First awards this year were from the Denver International Beer Competition where OSB took the gold medal for Ruud Awakening IPA and the silver for Imperial IPA. On to Bellingham Brewfest where we won Judge's Choice for our Imperial Stout. Then came the Untapped Blues and Brews festival in Kennewick where we won the People's Choice for Favorite Brewery. Here's a pic from the Untapped event ... our beautiful OSB beer wenches were on hand to help at this event!

Our new summer menu is out as well. We've changed it around a bit, trying to slide in some more healthy options while maintaining the typical pub choices. Our favorites are back ... Alaskan halibut and chips, Casey's Masterpiece Burger, Alaska Fish Taco Wrap, Methow Appetizer, No Cheese Left Behind Nachos, five delicious salads ... two new ones as well.. An Emmer Farro salad made from locally grown grains, and a crispy River's Wedge topped with avocado, bacon, cherry tomatoes, and a new homemade yogurt-bluecheese dressing. Yum. We're making more of our own sauces and adding our special spices and touches to these meals. For the hearty appetite, we have a Double Burger Tower on the menu ... two patties, onion rings, spicy speciality mustard made by Rockinghourse Bakery and using our beer, lettuce, tomato, onion! Almost too big to eat. Plus, Stephanie has gone wild with the music scene this summer. I believe we have the summer pretty book already and she's working on the fall date now. The Log Jam, our riverside stage, is a perfect blend of amazing acoustics and ambiance. Who gets to listen to world-class music, dance on the patio, steps from the Chewuch River ... all while drinking a cold, award-winning brew. Not a bad way to spend the summer. Hope to see you there!

Best Adventure Bars in the U.S. | Switchback Travel

Best Adventure Bars in the U.S. | Switchback Travel

Here we go!

Spring is in the air and that means summer is just around the corner.  We are all feeling the pressure here at Old Schoolhouse Brewery, but it is also very exciting.  Blaze is hitting the tanks pretty hard and brewing more than ever; we've got to keep the taps flowing this summer.  Laura and Vicki (our new kitchen manager) have been busy preparing our new menu that will debut in May.  I have been doing a lot too (hard to believe, I know); hiring lots of new staff and booking a ton of ridiculously good music.  It's interesting to me how much credit I get for having good taste in music, but I can't take any credit from the talented musicians that rock our house, Old Schoolhouse that is.  If you've ever been to an epic night of music here at Old Schoolhouse you know that I am usually there.  How can I stay away?!  If I can, I try to get out of Winthrop and catch some shows in Seattle (usually), but I have to say, I never have as much fun as I do when I'm at OSB.  When I'm here it's just feels good, I am with really cool people listening to really cool music drinking really cool beer.  Can it get any better than that?  I often tell Laura, "we sure do know how to throw a party!"  If anyone wants to thank me for booking great music, they should also thank Laura for letting me run with it, she really trust me.  I don't always hit the mark with every band, but it's pretty close most of the time.  Here are some names you should look out for this summer: Eternal Fair May 26 and 27, The Chis Eger Band June 15 and 16, Fiasco June 22nd, Massy Ferguson Band June 30th,  The True Spokes July 20 and 21, Con Brio July 27, Ayron Jones and the Way August 11, and what kind of summer would it be without our good friends Cody Beebe and the Crooks August 31st.  That's all for now, but more to come.  You can find our entire music schedule at Old Schoolhouse Brewery.

-Stephanie

Good things

Good things are happening here at the brewery, good beer, good food and good music.  These days I am drinking the "big beers," that's what Blaze would say, who recently tapped the 2011 Barley Wine and 2010 Imperial Stout.  They are both so good but we have a very limited supply of it, so I have to get it while I can.  The food is really hitting the spot too, Ivan's smoked salmon chowder is served on Saturday and I look forward to this all week.  It's become such a big hit and we've been running out well before the kitchen closes, so this is also something you have to show up early for and...get it while you can.  I know that I talk a lot about the great music we've been having here this winter, but I can't help it.  Last night was an epic night of music, I was amazed by these musicians, I feel so lucky to be able to see world class musicians right here where I work.  Redwood Son www.redwooodson.com and Tim Snider http://www.timsnidermusic.com/ put on one of the best shows I have ever seen.  Keep an eye on these guys, they have something really special going on.  Besides that, we had Kendl and Joe from the Blackberry Bushes do a duo gig here and gosh they're good.  They both have these beautiful unique voices that you can't help but fall in love with.  Next month is going to be good too.  A few shows I wont miss will be the Blackberry Bushes http://www.theblackberrybushes.com/on the 10th and 11th, Tommy Simmons http://www.euphoria-tea.com/tommysimmons/index.htm on the 17th, and Spoonshine http://www.spoonshine.com/ on the 18th and 19th.  I hope you enjoy all the links I gave you, they're definitely worth you time.

See you at OSB,
Stephanie