The Willamette Valley is ripe with breweries, and one that doesn’t get enough recognition is Springfield, Oregon’s Plank Town Brewing. With former Block 15 Brewing head brewer Steve Van Rossem heading up brewing operations since day one, Plank Town has been a fixture of the tight-knit and remarkable craft beer and homebrewing community of Eugene and greater Lane County for the last decade. To mark Plank Town’s 10-year anniversary as a pivotal business in downtown Springfield, the brewpub is hosting its annual strong ale festival on Feb 25-26, 2023. The fest will feature Plank Town’s anniversary beer, Springtucky Strong Ale, as well as high-test ales from six of our local brewery friends and a cask of ale from the 3 Legged Crane. 

Tickets are available now at Plank Town or online at our website, and come in two tiers. A Standard Pass ($10) includes four 4oz. tasters and a commemorative glass. The VIP Pass ($50) includes early admittance, a commemorative glass, t-shirt, ten 4oz. tasters, and a bottle of Springtucky Strong Ale. More beer details below.

When Plank Town opened in early 2013, Springfield was on the cusp of revitalization. The new brewpub brought residents back to the historic downtown area, acting as an economic catalyst and paving the way for numerous locally-owned businesses to open along Main Street. Defying skeptics, local business owner Bart Caridio forged ahead with his plans for a brewery. 

“The appeal was this beautiful building in the heart of downtown Springfield, along with the lack of anything else here. All the businesses I’ve owned have been about bringing a neighborhood up. The city was very welcoming and supportive. Also, that underdog thing has an appeal for me. It was the way Eugene looked down its nose at Springfield. I wanted to help counter that, and I saw a challenge and an opportunity.”

Caridio recruited veteran brewer Steve van Rossem from Block 15 and Curtis Phillips, whose varied resume included opening Pike Brewing’s Seattle brewpub. John Crane, a homebrewer and craftsman, worked as assistant brewer until 2020, when he purchased the Brewers Union Local 180 in Oakridge (and renamed it the 3 Legged Crane). 

Van Rossem scoured the state for the 10-barrel brewing system, and began brewing Plank Town’s early recipes―including an ESB and a smoked porter called Foggy Scotsman―at Block 15. “John and I brewed that beer after the Sasquatch Brew Fest Brewer’s Dinner,” says van Rossem. “That’s where the foggy part came from.”

Another early brew, Bart’s Best Bitter, was awarded first place as the people’s choice at the McKenzie Cider & Craft Beer Festival. Van Rossem also brought his legendary Hobbit’s Habit, a luscious, strong, dark ale, back to life; it remains a staple brew and a local favorite. 

The anniversary celebration takes place on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 25-26, and offers folks the opportunity to taste three versions - regular, cask conditioned, and wood-aged - of Springtucky Strong Ale. At a nice, hefty 10% abv, Springtucky is intensely flavored and chewy. The beer has layers of rich caramel malt flavors from Simpson’s Malt (see what we did there?), citrusy and piny American hops, and a candied-fruit expression of our house ale yeast. The wood-aged version, conditioned on toasted oak staves, adds a mellowing layer of vanilla and a cocktail-like feel.

Plank Town will also be participating in Zwickelmania on Feb. 25th, which makes the fest an added bonus (and good starting point) for those who enjoy the annual holiday of brewery tours.

Other beers featured at the fest are:

Alesong Brewing & Blending - Cellar Season

Imperial Brown ale aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels

This winter sipper was inspired by a collaboration we made last year with our friends at Deschutes Brewery.  It began its journey as a massive brown ale before being matured in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels for the better part of a year, picking up vanilla and bourbon notes that accent the rich caramel and nutty flavors of the base beer. 13.5% abv

Block 15 Brewing - Super Nebula

This year's annual imperial stout release was matured in Evan Williams bourbon barrels and then conditioned on wild harvest, fair trade Bolivian cocoa nibs, specially selected to complement its decadent character. 12.3% abv

Coast Fork Brewing - Biere d'Abbaye de Noel

Belgian Abbey ale with orange peel added to the kettle, and Ecuadorian cacao nibs added to the fermenter.  Brewed in March of 2022 and cellared until December 2022. 10% ABV, 20 IBU.

Covered Bridge Brewery - Joe's Garage IIPA

A double IPA heavily hopped with Zappa hops. Named after the legendary Frank Zappa, these Neomexicanus hops have developed their own rebellious flavor and unique aroma characteristics such as passionfruit, mint, and Fruity Pebbles. It's all backed up by a solid base of English Maris Otter and crystal malts. 10.0% ABV  100+ IBU

Oakshire - Hellshire XII

Imperial Stout aged in Elijah Craig 12 Year Bourbon Barrels. 13.5% abv

The Wheel Apizza - Single Malt Barleywine

Brewed with dry-farmed Genie Vienna malt, aged two years in Thinking Tree Spirits Bourbon Barrels. Notes of maple, vanilla, rich malt, oak tannin, and lingering warmth. 11.8% abv