Interview with Roots Brewing Company

Number 5 in my brewery interview series is with Craig Nicholls, one of two founders of Roots Organic Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon. They been around for 3 years and were Portland's first all-organic brewery. Craig took some time to answer some questions:

First off, how long have you been a brewery?
We are having our third year anniversary This weekend 3-15. So 3 yr. old

How did you get started?
Both My partner And I got started home brewing, me (Craig) about 22 years ago, Jason about 15 years ago. We both worked for big breweries. I did my intern at Rogue Brewery, worked Bridgeport , Opened Alameda brewing in 96, left in 99, worked for three other breweries until I opened up Roots in 2005. Jason worked for McMenamins for eight years.

Did you go into brewing with the goal to be organic or to market to that niche?
Yes, Organic has been the plan for the last 7 years.

Has it been difficult for you to be able to find organic grains and hops?
Partly because of what we’ve done, it has gotten easier because we’ve created more of a demand and the maltsters are making more for us and everyone. So no it has not been difficult to access grain. Hops on the other hand are a bit sketchy, but we’ve always contracted so it has not affected us to much.

What are some things you do at your brewery to be sustainable or minimize your environmental impact?

All our spent grain goes to the pig farmers or compost, we compost our entire food waist in the restaurant, we use green chemicals in the brewery and in the restaurant, we use all organic ingredients or all natural when available and we recycle everything possible.

I noticed you were involved with Center for Environmental Equity, what are some other causes you've been involved in?
The Leukemia Lymphoma society, Locks of Love

How has the response to your organic beer been? Do you think there's a high demand for organic craft beer? Where do you see the market for organic beer going?
The response has been overwhelming as we had expected it to be. This is the time of change and the demand for organics has never been greater. The market is the way of the future.

Where do you see your distribution headed?

Its already going big time. We’re in the whole state of Or. Wa., and Cal. , and on our way to Id. , Alaska , and Az.

I suggest you check out their website, http://www.rootsbrewing.com/. In addition to making great organic beer, they are also presenting the North American Organic Brewers Festival in Portland this summer June 27,28,29. They also are involved in some great causes through their brewery and hosting art shows at their brewpubs. Definitely taking on a social element that I would want to emulate if I ever started a similar operation.

Thanks to Craig for taking the time.

Salud!

The Bearded Brewer