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The Osprey calls it quits in the brewing business Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Medford�s Osprey Brew Pub is getting out of the brewing business and will focus on selling other brewers� microbrews. In exchange, customers like Kathy and Michael Mensik will see an expanded menu and a redesigned interior. Main street pub to offer up last-ever keg in farewell-to-the-brewery party By Bill Varble Microbrew lovers won�t have Osprey Kiltlifter and other familiar flavors to kick around anymore. The Osprey Brew Pub quit brewing beer in Medford two weeks ago. Jake Rockwell, the owner of the popular pub on Main Street, says the Osprey will continue as the Osprey and will offer a wide selection of microbrews, import and domestic labels, plus expanded food service. "But it�s good-bye to the brewery and Osprey beer," he says. A farewell-to-the-brewery party is planned for Friday. The party gets rolling at 4 p.m. Rockwell plans to put his last-ever keg of Osprey Kiltlifter on the bar. The suds lover who gets the last pint wins $100 in cash. Items to be raffled off include beer tap handles, an Osprey beer keg, Osprey banners and T-shirts. Rockwell says the problems trying to maintain a constant selection of the same brews on tap at a consistent level of quality prompted the changes. "It became a service issue," he says. The interior of the historic building has already been remodeled, including fresh paint, new pool tables and a renovated game room with new pool tables. A new kitchen is going in downstairs where the brewing equipment used to be. "We�re creating a more inviting atmosphere," Rockwell says. The Osprey�s menu is expanding to include pizza, sandwiches, wraps, soups, appetizers, fish and chips, shrimp baskets and more. Rockwell and a partner bought the Osprey from the previous owners in March of 1998. Neither was a master brewer. Osprey founder Gary Thompson remains a partner. Rockwell says the Osprey had a couple brewers over the past couple of years. "It didn�t work out," he says. "We had to make a decision whether to keep bringing in brewers or outsource the brewing." Already gone from the brewing area are three 200-gallon tanks, four 100-gallon tanks, a 200-gallon kettle and other stuff. Some was sold to Walkabout, a Central Point microbrewery, and some to a private party. The Osprey was known for boutique brews such as Kiltlifter, a full-bodied Scottish ale, Jackson Creek Gold, a light ale with a hint of sweetness, and Thielsen Thunder, a very rich stout. Rockwell says he plans to concentrate on products from small breweries such as Lost Coast Brewery, in Eureka, Calif., Walkabout Brewery of Central Point and Caldera of Ashland. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA