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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Haggen adds Ashland store to list of closures ... Attacker's no-show at sentencing leaves victim without closure ... Monical sentenced to 32 years in federal bank robbery case ... Haggen adds Ashland store to list of closures ... Attacker's no-show at sentencing leaves victim without closure ... Monical sentenced to 32 years in federal bank robbery case ... BEER Fermentation Fest highlights Southern Oregon growth in craft brewing Breweries putting the region on the state's beer map Comment By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 25, 2015 at 5:52 PM By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 25, 2015 at 5:52 PM » Social News In a state known for its beer, certain cities stand out. Over the past 20 years, Portland, Bend and Eugene have riden a growing national wave of innovation as one-time home brewers turned the industry on its head. On Saturday, participants in the first Rogue Valley Fermentation Festival, held at Harry & David Field in Medford, made their case for a developing craft-beer boom in Southern Oregon. Numerous smaller regional and local breweries found space at the Medford event alongside industry heavyweights that included Ninkasi, Deschutes and California-based Lagunitas as visitors wandered between booths, tasting glasses in hand. Tim Ensign, who heads sales and distribution for Fort George Brewery in Astoria, said the company has its beers in cans and on tap at numerous Medford-area establishments for several years, but there hasn't been a central destination in the local market for craft beer. That's starting to change. Pouring tastes of beer for customers, Jon Donehower, assistant brewer for Ashland-based Standing Stone Brewing Company, said one of the oldest breweries in the area is expanding its operations after more than 18 years in operation. Standing Stone recently signed a lease agreement with Lithia Motors for the use of the Monarch building on East Fifth Street in Medford, slated to become home to Common Block Brewing Co. later this summer. Donehower said the local popularity of craft beer is reflective of the industry's trade overall. "We're basically back up to pre-Prohibition levels," he said, referring to the 1920 law's destruction of the beer industry. Paul Woolley was also busy handing out tastes to visitors across the way at the Rusty Bucket Brewing tent. Woolley, who said he's been brewing beer for about six years, has been licensed for a year and started out as a home brewer like many in the industry today. Now, his beers are available on tap in Medford at the Growler King inside Quality Market on Jackson Street and at the Old 99 Wine Shop on Stewart Avenue. "We're currently seeking taproom space," Woolley said, explaining that he's looking for 1,500 to 2,000 feet of space for eight to 10 taps, all of which would be Rusty Bucket brews. Woolley said the area is primed for its own local beer renaissance, pointing to the number of brewing-related business ventures in recent years. "You just watch," he said. "There were seven new brewery applications (locally) last year. That's not including mine." Among the other Southern Oregon breweries represented at the event were Bricktowne Brewing and Gold Rush Brewing, both of Medford, and Klamath Basin Brewing of Klamath Falls. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471, or by email at [email protected] . Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty . By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 25, 2015 at 5:52 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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