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FoodFood and DiningTaste Of the Town

Family-Owned Brewery Crafts Seasonal Sips

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Blissful Brews & Bites

Taste of the Town: Barsideous Brewing
By Angie Helvey, Active Media | Photos by MJ Media Productions, Active Media

With a name like Barsideous Brewing, visitors expect a unique experience, and this family-owned brewery and restaurant does not disappoint! Featuring a creative compilation of artisanal beers with locally sourced Pacific Northwest flavors and delicious food pairings, this eclectic venue is the perfect spot to embark on a journey through handcrafted beer bliss in a historical building that’s the essence of small-town nostalgia.

Barsideous is owned by brothers Bill and Joel Bartman and their nephew Brian Franks. The name comes from Bill’s 30-year teaching career when his colleagues nicknamed him ‘Barsideous,’ based on his impressive powers of persuasion and a catchy combination of his last name with Darth Sidious from Star Wars. Previously a home brewer, Bill and the family teamed up in 2017 and found the most captivating place for their brewery — Lebanon’s former movie theater. With a fascinating history dating back to 1910, the building was originally the Empire Theater, then the Kuhn and finally the Gem before becoming Barsideous. Nowadays, it has three distinct areas: the front half, which houses the kitchen and restaurant; the middle, which was converted into a state-of-the-art small-batch craft brewery; and the back, an enchanting entertainment venue with a stage for live shows. The space is allegedly haunted, so watch out for wayward spirits!

Bill and his crew intimately coax the beers at Barsideous into existence and then give them a life of their own. “We brew for the enjoyment of drinking and the spirit of the moment,” says Bill. “I like to take an intuitive approach, a holistic sense of how the individual parts will add up and interact to form a beautiful and balanced beer.”

Fresh, local ingredients and seasonal pairings are constant inspirations, like in Sweet Georgia Brown, an American brown ale brewed with toasted pecans and maple syrup that calls to mind marshmallow roasts around a blazing bonfire. S’aint Misbehavin,’ a holiday brew available through winter, is a strong Scottish ale with cherries, cinnamon sticks, maple syrup and vanilla beans. Several of their year-round taps started as seasonals but were added to the permanent list due to their popularity, like the Chocolate Casanova — a chocolate stout made with locally-sourced chocolate and rumored to have aphrodisiac qualities. It earned the brewery a silver medal at the 2020 Oregon Beer Awards.

Besides beer, Barsideous also brews seasonal hard seltzers that feature refreshing, fruity flavors like peach, cherry and lemon-lime. When one flavor runs out, a customer poll decides the next creation. Various wines are also available, and local ciders from 2 Towns and Bauman’s are on tap.

There’s no such thing as ‘just stopping in for a beer’ at Barsideous. Every visit is an experience, and pairing their mouth-watering pub-style cuisine with the exceptional flavors of their brews is a culinary odyssey you don’t want to miss! The hand-tossed pizzas are a guest favorite, with spent grains from the brewing process used in the pizza dough for an extraordinary flavor combination. Giant ½ pound burgers are cooked to order and loaded with fresh toppings, and their delectable Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich, which also comes in pizza form, is, according to Bill, “what keeps them on the map.” But the secret is that the creative cooks at Barsideous will work to satisfy any craving they can accommodate — you just have to ask. The brewery is also family-friendly, and a selection of children’s entrees are listed on the regular menu. Happy Hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, with food specials and discounted brews, including $12 Growler fills and four-packs on Thirsty Thursdays.

Barsideous identifies as a “bridge brewpub” that works to bridge connections in the community, and their many local collaborations are a true testament to that mission. The owner of Cafe Rock, another local business, uses the brews to make luscious beer-themed desserts like Sweet Georgia Brown brownies or S’aint Misbehavin’ cupcakes. They’re served exclusively at Barsideous, so keep an eye out because they go fast. The brewery also does literary collaborations with local authors and in the past co-designed beer with Conversion Brewing.

At Barsideous, they believe beer has the power to bring people together, and the vintage venue in the back is the perfect place to gather with friends and family to simply celebrate the art of living. The stage welcomes local live music, comedy nights once a month, and the brewery hosts private parties by reservation. This sensational spot is just waiting to take you on a gastronomic adventure, indulging in handcrafted beer paradise!

Barsideous Brewing is located at 644 S Main St in Lebanon. Please give them a call at (541) 570-1789 or visit their website at barsideousbrewing.com.

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