Ol’ Republic Roadhouse in the works

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING “ALE TALES” for a brewery in our area goes to ol’ Republic Brewery of Nevada City and owners-brewers Jim Harte and Simon Olney.

In its short five year history, ol’ Republic has quadrupled production, begun bottling its beer, started selling kegs in the Bay Area, and won a prestigious “Best of Show” award at the California State Fair for its “Dead Canary” German-style lager.

“Ol’ Republic is a gold nugget in Northern California,” said Mike Moore, lead State Fair judge. “You won’t find a nicer, more passionate group of people anywhere.”

Now ol’ Republic is kicking it up a notch — it is buying the historic Old Five Mile House east of Nevada City on State Hwy. 20. The ol’ Republic Roadhouse & Brewery marks another milestone in the stellar growth of this brewery.

The brewpub is the latest example of the boom in the foothills’ craft beer business, which includes Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co. in historic Nevada City and two new breweries that are in the works in Grass Valley: Grass Valley Brewing Co. and 1849 Brewing Co.

Ol’ Republic plans to open a brewpub at 18851 State Hwy. 20 later this year.

Plans call for a “pilot” brewery (producing small batches), a beer garden, bocce ball court, a children’s playground, a meeting place for beer club members, and a restaurant.

Ol’ Republic has tapped a chef and a baker with impressive credentials at restaurants such as the Hog’s Apothecary, a popular American-style beer hall in Oakland.

An imaginative menu is in the works. Items being discussed include homemade pizza from a top-of-the- line pizza oven, snacks such as homemade Bavarian pretzels, steamed mussels, burgers, wings, mac ‘n’ cheese, homemade sausages, seasonal barbecue, and fresh salads—all with culinary flair at reasonable prices.

A take-out menu also is in the works, geared toward picnicking and camping in the surrounding area, including Scotts Flat Lake. The area has a new mountain bike path too. The historic building — dating back to 1890 — includes a 5,500 sq.-ft. ground floor restaurant and kitchen. The indoor area seats up to 145 people, and the patio can seat 90 more. We have no doubt the brewpub will become popular with locals and visitors, just like Three Forks Brewing and LBB Gastropub in Loomis.

(Photo: Jim Beckett)