MicroBrewr 024: Real ale in the mountain bike capital of the Northwest

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Ted Sobel quit his high-paying job as a software engineer and took a couple years off to walk around the United Kingdom. When he was done walking, he opened Brewers Union Local 180 in Oakridge, Oregon.

Although they get calls about unionized labor, it’s just a clever name. Brewers Union focuses first on providing a traditional English “public house.” It’s a “third place,” a place other than home and work. It’s the local.

They make English-style cask conditioned ales, and they have guest beers on tap to support the locals and the many passersby who come to Oakridge for mountain biking and other outdoor recreation.

Ted says that the biggest mistake he made was working too hard. This month marks their 6th year in business and Ted looks forward to finally taking a vacation. He recommends starting with more money and hiring staff.

In this episode, Ted advises to:

Follow your vision, even when others tell you to do otherwise
Take time to drink the beer you make

Listener question:

From Hayden Little: What is your least favorite beer that you produce? Why do you keep producing it?

Book recommendation:

Cellarmanship by Patrick O’Neill

Check out the entire list of recommended books, click here.

An upcoming beer style:

Session beer

Other resources:

What is Cask Ale? by CASK!
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)
Oakridge: Mountain bike capital of the Northwest by Laura Rillos, KVAL News, May 12, 2009.
Craft Beer Industry’s Game Plan: Decrease The Booze to Increase The Fun by Kim Bellware, Huffington Post, August 15, 2014.

You can reach Ted Sobel and Brewers Union Local 180 at:

NOTE 7/28/2020: Brewers Union Local 180 us under new ownership and is now called The 3 Legged Crane Pub and Brewhouse.

Brewers Union Local 180:

The 3 Legged Crane Pub and Brewhouse:

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