Barsideous Brewing: “Hazed & Confused”

DeliveryRank chats with Bill Bartman, a former music teacher of 33 years, who turned his passion for homebrewing into a mission to revitalize his hometown of Lebanon, Oregon. Drawing inspiration from his love of creativity and community, Bartman co-founded Barsideous Brewing with family and friends, transforming the historic Gem Theater into a vibrant brewpub. Known for his intuitive and experimental brewing style, Bartman crafts bold, boundary-pushing beers that celebrate flavor and foster connections, all while honoring the rich history of the space.

Barsideous Brewing creates unique seasonal beers, like Strawberry Fields, made with local Oregon strawberries to celebrate the community’s Strawberry Festival. What motivates you to incorporate regional ingredients and themes into your beers, and how do these choices strengthen your connection with the community?  

Sourcing locally not only strengthens small businesses within our community and state but also fosters meaningful collaborations. We frequently partner with local and statewide creators, such as Elizabeth Martin, the owner of a rare books bookstore; Larry Jordan, a local sci-fi author; Bierstead Brewing, a small home brewery; and over 30 brewers in the Oregon Brewer’s Guild through the “State of Excitement” quarterly collaboration brews. Each of our specialty beers reflects these connections and has its own unique story:

• Strawberry Fields: Brewed to celebrate Lebanon’s Strawberry Harvest Festival, this beer embodies the lazy, hazy, strawberry-crazy days of summer.
• Purple Rain: A blueberry ale inspired by local bookstore owner Elizabeth Martin, who loves blueberries and Prince. Brewed in July, National Blueberry Month, with 42 lbs of Oregon blueberries per barrel, this beer offers delightful aromatics and subtle fruit flavors.
• Sweet Georgia Brown: This American brown ale with toasted pecans and maple pays homage to the historic Gem Theater, where it was brewed. Drawing from the history and mystery of the haunted venue, it ties in the classic song “Sweet Georgia Brown” for a rich, seasonal fall beer.
• S’Aint Misbehavin’: A winter seasonal Strong Scottish Ale brewed with Mt. Hood tart cherries, cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla. At nearly 9% ABV, it offers a festive warmth perfect for cozying up by the fire, blending the spirit of St. Nick with the mischievous allure of Krampus.
• Goldilocks: Our Belgian golden strong ale, a spring seasonal, delights with layered citrus and orange flavors. This beer invites drinkers into a whimsical fairy tale experience, as if gazing into its golden depths reveals a magical story.

Each beer is crafted with creativity, collaboration, and a deep appreciation for our community and its rich history.

The Barsideous Brewing Mug Club provides members with personalized mugs, event discounts, and early access to specialty beers. How does this program foster customer loyalty and create a deeper connection between the brewery and its patrons? 

It personalizes every encounter. 

Craft brewing often involves a balance between traditional techniques and innovative flavor combinations. How does Barsideous Brewing navigate this balance, particularly in your lineup of seasonal and barrel-aged beers?

Good question! Our process begins with deciding on the type of beer we want to create, ensuring the flavor is well-balanced with any specialty ingredients or additives. Once the base beer is crafted, it becomes our canvas for experimentation, allowing us to incorporate other ingredients to achieve the envisioned flavor profile. It often takes multiple attempts to perfect the beer, with careful tasting at every stage, from concept to the final pour. Only when it meets our standards do we release it.

Barsideous Brewing participates in community events like the Lebanon Brew Fest and hosts in-house activities such as comedy shows. How do these events align with your brewery's identity, and what impact do they have on your relationship with the local community?

Events at our venue bring the community together to experience our distinctive atmosphere, creative approach to craft beer, and hearty pub fare. Additionally, we host events that make a direct impact on the local community, such as fundraisers for organizations like Darla’s Angels, Knotty Creek Animal Rescue, and local cat rescues. Beyond fundraising, we organize engaging activities like Kitten Kuddles and Pints for Paws, which combine social gatherings with pet adoption opportunities.

With the craft beer industry continuing to expand, how do you envision the future of Barsideous Brewing? Are there plans to grow your offerings, deepen community ties, or innovate further in your brewing techniques? 

We are constantly seeking opportunities to engage with our community and deepen our connections. A key goal is to continually learn, expand our knowledge, and evolve. This commitment drives us to consistently introduce new beers, collaborate with others, and broaden our understanding of the craft we love.

If you would like to find out more about Bill Bartman, please visit https://barsideousbrewing.com/