Deschutes Brewery is known for it's Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale ale.
The majority of their beers are made using the traditional ingredients, but they occasionally use cacao nibs, fruit purees, etc. The extra ingredients are always posted on the label, so that makes it very easy to identify.
They don't brew any beers with animals or insects, but they do brew milk stouts and a milkshake IPAs from time to time in their pub. Their pub is completely separate from their brewing facility.
They do share facilities, but only for collaboration brews. They don't brew or package for other breweries.
They do make a few beers that are aged in wine and one that actually uses grapes (Pinot Suave).
Their unflavored beers that are not aged in wine casks or brewed with grapes would be acceptable according to the Star K.
This blog is to obtain more information about beers around the country. This is by no means a stamp of approval from any kashrut agency. This is information that can be used to ask your local Rabbi.
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This blog started out as an email correspondence between a friend and myself on our quest to find more information about which craft beers m...
Revolution Brewing
I've seen Revolution Brewing in the store for a while now and decided to reach out to them.
While quick in their response, they were not very forthcoming with information. They would not share much information with me regarding their process. Since I could not get much information, I was unable to get an answer from the Star K if it would be acceptable.
Their status right now I would say is not recommended until they provide more information.
While quick in their response, they were not very forthcoming with information. They would not share much information with me regarding their process. Since I could not get much information, I was unable to get an answer from the Star K if it would be acceptable.
Their status right now I would say is not recommended until they provide more information.
New Holland Brewing
New Holland Brewing makes some delicious beers. I'm a huge fan of their Dragon's Milk and Porter.
They do make some brews with lactose or flavoring. Any flavoring is on the label, so it's easy to identify.
They do make some sour beers in old french wine casks, so that can be an issue for those beers.
They do not make any experimental beers or use wine yeast. They used to make a beer with champagne yeast, but that's fine.
They do share their lab with smaller breweries, but nothing from the lab is shared with their production line.
In conclusion, their unflavored beers are acceptable by Star K standards.
They do make some brews with lactose or flavoring. Any flavoring is on the label, so it's easy to identify.
They do make some sour beers in old french wine casks, so that can be an issue for those beers.
They do not make any experimental beers or use wine yeast. They used to make a beer with champagne yeast, but that's fine.
They do share their lab with smaller breweries, but nothing from the lab is shared with their production line.
In conclusion, their unflavored beers are acceptable by Star K standards.
Troeg's Brewery
Troeg's Brewery has some beers I've really wanted to try. The Troegenator, HopBack, and Dead Reckoning to name a few. This one took a while to get a hold of, but eventually I was able to get them to answer my questions.
They do not use any animal byproducts in their beer at all, but they do use fruit and coffee beans. They don't use any wine in their beers at the moment nor do they share facilities with anyone else.
Based on the info they gave me, their unflavored beer is acceptable according to the Star K .
They do not use any animal byproducts in their beer at all, but they do use fruit and coffee beans. They don't use any wine in their beers at the moment nor do they share facilities with anyone else.
Based on the info they gave me, their unflavored beer is acceptable according to the Star K .
Jester King Brewery
Jester King is based in Texas, but someone asked me to look into a few beers in that area, so I happily requested some information.
Jester King has some spiced brews which should be avoided, but they do not do any oyster or experimental beers.
They do age some beers in wine barrels, but never add wine to any of them.
They don't share facilities and production is completely separate from the pub/restaruant.
Based on their answers, the unflavored beer that is not aged in wine casks is acceptable by Star K standards.
Jester King has some spiced brews which should be avoided, but they do not do any oyster or experimental beers.
They do age some beers in wine barrels, but never add wine to any of them.
They don't share facilities and production is completely separate from the pub/restaruant.
Based on their answers, the unflavored beer that is not aged in wine casks is acceptable by Star K standards.
Kentucky Brewery
Kentucky Brewery is well known for their Kentucky Bourbon Barrel beer.
They have some brews that use flavoring (vanilla, coffee, peach, fruit, pumpkin butter). Those would be an issue without more investigation into the flavors themselves. They do not make any experimental beers with oysters. They only thing they experiment with is bourbon barrels.
They do use sherry and port wine casks for some beers, so that can be an issue depending on what you hold by. According to the Star K, you cannot use those without a hecksher.
They do not have a pub so there is no issue there.
Overall, their unflavored beers in bourbon casks are ok by Star K standards.
They have some brews that use flavoring (vanilla, coffee, peach, fruit, pumpkin butter). Those would be an issue without more investigation into the flavors themselves. They do not make any experimental beers with oysters. They only thing they experiment with is bourbon barrels.
They do use sherry and port wine casks for some beers, so that can be an issue depending on what you hold by. According to the Star K, you cannot use those without a hecksher.
They do not have a pub so there is no issue there.
Overall, their unflavored beers in bourbon casks are ok by Star K standards.
Jackie O's
Jackie O's was very helpful when it came to answering questions. They were extremely friendly and very open about their process. I haven't tried any of their stuff yet, but a friend said they make some really tasty brews. He recommended Mystic Mama IPA.
They make a ton of flavored beers and beers aged in wine casks. They never add actual wine to any beer. It seems like these are only used for their sour ales though and they are used in a separate room of the brewery even.
Regarding additives, here is what they said:
They make a ton of flavored beers and beers aged in wine casks. They never add actual wine to any beer. It seems like these are only used for their sour ales though and they are used in a separate room of the brewery even.
Regarding additives, here is what they said:
"The
only beers we brew that use animal products are those which contain
lactose sugar. Those specific brands are: Bourbon Barrel Black Maple,
Cool Beans, and Java the Stout. After processing these beers, all tanks
and equipment are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Outside of that and
honey, no other animal or insect based products are used in our beer."
They do add unpasteurized and unfiltered honey to their brown ale. Unpasteurized honey is usually considered fine, but since it's unfiltered, I'm not sure what the kashrut status of the honey would be.
Based on the information from them, their unflavored beer should be acceptable by Star K standards.
They do add unpasteurized and unfiltered honey to their brown ale. Unpasteurized honey is usually considered fine, but since it's unfiltered, I'm not sure what the kashrut status of the honey would be.
Based on the information from them, their unflavored beer should be acceptable by Star K standards.
Flying Dog
Flying Dog is one of the beers I was really curious to look into. They have a great IPA called Raging Bitch.
They do brew with spices, honey, fruit juices, lactose, and oyster. All of these are listed on the label. Their beers are sometimes aged in different casks which are, again, listed on the bottle. They also use champagne yeast for some of their beers. Specifically they use the champagne yeast in certain/one time release beers, but not of their reoccurring bottled beers.
They do occasionally share their facilities with other breweries.
The biggest issues here are that they do make an oyster ale and they share their facilities. Due to this, they do not meet the Star K's guidelines and are NOT recommended.
They do brew with spices, honey, fruit juices, lactose, and oyster. All of these are listed on the label. Their beers are sometimes aged in different casks which are, again, listed on the bottle. They also use champagne yeast for some of their beers. Specifically they use the champagne yeast in certain/one time release beers, but not of their reoccurring bottled beers.
They do occasionally share their facilities with other breweries.
The biggest issues here are that they do make an oyster ale and they share their facilities. Due to this, they do not meet the Star K's guidelines and are NOT recommended.
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