Seven Silverton-area brides could have superior weddings as the vision of their fathers infuses their community.
In February the first retail bottles of Seven Brides Brewing beer hit shelves at Roth’s Fresh Markets, with more stores to come. On March 1, more good news came. The Silverton City Council approved a $50,000 grant, courtesy of the city’s Urban Renewal District fund, that will be used toward a $330,000 building remodel for the new Seven Brides Brewing Tap Room, which may open this spring.
This expansion gives the company an opportunity to mass-produce something that even two years ago was simply a treat for friends and family. It also gives outsiders a chance to taste and buy a craft beer that hasn’t reached mainstream markets … yet.
The name Seven Brides is part of the allure to many. Although none of the seven daughters of the five owners have current plans to don bridal gowns, much of the profit from sales will pay for their weddings.
It all started as a hobby with the desire to create consumable art.
“The draw is the ability to make your own product,” said Kelley, the brewery’s general manager. “It’s an art form like anything else. It’s also a great social way to spend a day and end up with something tangible in the end.”
The Knoll brothers, Phill and Karl, are the head brewers and beer designers. The brothers have learned how to create recipes based on requests or individual palates. Although each of the owners have different tastes in beer, they know the basic qualities each variety should possess.
They also have become master note takers, making sure every known variable in the beers they make are carefully documented. The size and type of grain, water temperature, sugar content, yeast type and other factors are recorded so they can be precisely recreated later.
Like many, the hobby and its expenses grew. Friends would ask the five if they could provide beer for special events or weddings. As the requests expanded, so did the need to brew in larger batches.
“We thought, ‘what if we could do more than five or ten gallons at a time?’” Jeff DeSantis said. “What if we could do 20? At some point it becomes more than a hobby.”
The “hobby” led them to a temporary Silverton location before the decision to open a tap room.
“It really has been very rewarding,” Kelley said. “When you get positive feedback from your great aunt or your mother it’s one thing. When you get positive feedback from total strangers, it really encourages you to move forward.”
