In 1925, during Prohibition, Floyd Whittle opened a one-story, fire resistant, reinforced concrete structure with matching concrete floors from which Sim Morris and Sons operated their garage and machine shop. Whittle built that building for $6,000. In 1997, the Amarotico brothers would retrofit the structure for over $500,000, keeping the original design in mind but updating it to meet ADA, seismic and other codes, so that the Standing Stone Brewing Company could become a reality.

On The Menu

Standing Stone is a family owned brewery and restaurant with an environmental mission. On the menu one can find breakfast, lunch and dinner ranging from pesto pasta frittata and Monterey calamari to quinoa nut burgers and lamb pitas. Standing Stone works to source as many ingredients as possible from local organic farms.

On tap, you'll likely find: Commuter Gold, a light, cracker-like beer; I Heart Oregon Ale, made from Oregon barley and containing hints of lemon and grapefruit; and several others, including specialty and seasonal beers. Beer prices tend to run $5 a pint, $3 a half-pint, $15 a pitcher and $5 for a sample tray, with to-go and keg options as well. As always, check out the website for the current listing of food, drinks and other options.

Every year grain and kitchen scraps are fed to the flock of chickens (the folks behind Standing Stone own their own farm, too), and it provides enough used vegetable oil to make about 50 gallons of biodiesel.

Waste Not

Standing Stone's environmental menu includes reducing energy use so much that the Oregon Department of Energy has named the business a leader in energy reduction among restaurants. This has been accomplished by reusing waste heat from the brewing process to cut back on heating costs, designing the building to absorb less heat in the summer, and using a smarter ventilation system.

Standing Stone also gives employees free bikes if they promise to ride them to work 45 times annually instead of commuting and by installing solar panels on the rooftop. The ultimate, long-term goal is to reduce net waste and energy use to zero.

The brewery also turns its waste into products and recyclables. Every year grain and kitchen scraps are fed to the flock of chickens (the folks behind Standing Stone own their own farm, too), and it provides enough used vegetable oil to make about 50 gallons of biodiesel.

The business even attempts to source what ingredients it can't raise or make from local, regional and organic farmers, especially those who engage in humane animal practices.

Taking Care Of Their Own

Standing Stone Brewing treats its employees well, too. In addition to the aforementioned free bike program, the brewery gives its employees plenty of opportunities for developing their unique talents by encouraging them to learn and provide for Standing Stone's other business needs like translations, graphic design and farm work.



Additionally, Standing Stone offers health insurance and 401(k) matching to its employees and the employees are able to go to yoga class for free. After attending 12 yoga sessions the employees are given a free yoga mat.

Brewing For Community

Standing Stone Brewing Company is also involved in nonprofits and events going on in the local community. In addition to donating part of the profits on certain specialty beers to nonprofit organizations, Standing Stone also sponsors several events in the area and helps out with several others.

One event that takes place in Ashland, Oregon, is the annual Shakespeare festival. If Shakespeare could enjoy a pint at Standing Stone Brewing Company, he would recite one of his own famous lines, "Sit down and feed and welcome to our table."