Ol’ Republic Brewery to roll out bottled beer
DESPITE THE “ZOMBIE ECONOMY” OF 2011, three foothill craft breweries were born within months of each other: Berryessa Brewing Co. in Winters, Loomis Basin Brewing Co. and ol’ Republic Brewery in Nevada City.
All of them are on a roll. Ol’ Republic has launched an expansion that will more than quadruple its production, which now stands at about 650 barrels annually.
As early as November, ol’ Republic plans to begin bottling its award-winning beer. The brew will come in 22-oz. bottles and a 750 ml. champagne-style bottle with a cork and wire bail. It’s fit for your dinner table, like a bottle of fine wine.
The 22-oz. bottled beer is expected to include a California Lager (rich amber with German Noble hops); a Dortmunder lager called Dead Canary (straw colored, light and crisp); an English IPA (superbly balanced with generous portions of English hops); and Resolute, “a robust full bodied English-style stout that’s as black as Davy Jones’ locker,” the beer label reads with humor.
The champagne-style bottles will contain ol’ Republic’s premium Project X Series beers, including Cello (a stout flavored with cocoa shells from Cello Chocolate of Nevada City).
Ol’ Republic plans to sell the beer at SPD Markets and BriarPatch Co-op, among others. Ol’ Republic’s brewery and taproom in Nevada City is worth a trip. You can order food from visiting vendors (An Honest Pie on Thursdays or Horn of the Bull Taqueria on Fridays) or bring a picnic. Enjoy a beer garden and a flat-screen TV for football.
124 Argall Way, Nevada City 264-7263 OlRepublicBrewery.com
Pints & Punts
Here’s where to drink a pint and watch your football team on television:
JERNIGAN’S TAP HOUSE & GRILL
Seventeen beers on tap. Delicious home-made food and sports on big screen TVs. Sunday brunch during football season. NC JernigansGrill.com
TOFANELLI’S GOLD COUNTRY BISTRO
Six beers on tap, full bar. Flat-screen TV for 49ers faithful. Co-owner is a former San Francisco sports columnist. GV Tofanellis.com
LEFTY’S GRILL
Four flat-screen TVs. Twelve beers on tap. View of Deer Creek. NC LeftysGrill.com
SMILEY GUYS SMOKEHOUSE
Seventeen beers on tap. Three big-screen TVs. Also a pool table and dart boards. GV SmileyGuysSmokeHouse.com
KANE’S FAMILY RESTAURANT
Seven HDTVs. Monday Night Football includes $5 appetizer specials. Ten beers on tap (at 42 degrees) and full bar. GV KanesRestaurant.com
MARIA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Six flat-screen TVs. Drink specials. Beer on tap and full bar. Outdoor patio has two large HDTVs. GV
MariasGrassValley.com
(photos: ol’ Republic Brewery)