Continued from Page 9
Following a two year break due to the pan-
demic, getting together with the community to
celebrate another anniversary of brewing beer
on the Long Beach Peninsula feels wonderful to
North Jetty owners and co-founders Michelle and
Erik Svendsen. “It seems like forever but it also
seems like it fl ew by,” Michelle Svendsen said,
“we had so much support and we’re still here.”
The Seaview, Washington, brewery has
become a cornerstone of the peninsula com-
munity since it opened its doors and taps eight
years ago. A former home brewer Erik Svend-
sen handed over the brewing reins to Kirk Hurd at
North Jetty’s two year mark.
Bentley is taking over at North Jetty from
Hurd at a time when the brewery is adding a 20
barrel tank, expanding its capacity by some 30%
to produce 1,200 barrels a year. “We’ve had a
hard time keeping up with demand,” Michelle
Svendsen said. North Jetty now uses three com-
panies to distribute its product up and down the
West Coast, from Tillamook to Seattle as well as
on the peninsula. An additional boost in canning
capacity will allow North Jetty to both satisfy the
growing demand and do more lagering, a time
consuming process.
Bentley got his brewing start at a Fort Collins,
Colorado, family owned Horse & Dragon Brew-
ing Co. , comparable in size to North Jetty. After
he and his partner, now wife, moved to the Oregon
coast, he joined the team at Buoy Beer Co. and
later Fort George Brewery before stumbling upon
the brewer opening at North Jetty over an after
work beer. It was a chance encounter with Erik
Svendsen’s stepmother, who suggested he apply.
“It was too good of an opportunity to pass up,”
Bentley said. “It’s a small, intimate setting where
I’ll get to interact and hang out with customers.
And I’m stepping into an established and expand-
ing brewery,” he added.
Bentley plans to ensure the consistency of
North Jetty’s beer quality and maintain its rotation
of both fl agship and seasonal brews. He also plans
to explore barrel aging in order to expand the
brewery’s 15 strong tap list. “Our fi rst eight years
has been great,” Erik Svendsen said, “our second
eight years is going to be great.”
The family owned and operated brewery
hosts a number of events that bring the commu-
nity together, including trivia nights and fundrais-
ers, at its taproom and adjacent, recently updated
patio. ”Our community, they support us so well
we want to make sure we support them,” Michelle
Svendsen said.
ABOVE: Michelle
Svendsen, left,
enjoys North Jetty’s
outdoor patio with
customer Gregor
Pierce, right. LEFT:
New head brewer
Titus Bentley
has ambitious
plans for North
Jetty’s future.
RIGHT: North Jetty
Brewing co-owners
Erik and Michelle
Svendsen.
Photos by
Peter Korchnak
DISCOVER CRMM through New Tours of the Exhibits
Self-Guided Audio & Tactile Tour now available. iPods and earbuds for free rental - no registration needed. Included with Museum admission.
Virtual Verbal Description Tour Friday April 22 4-5PM - Registration Required.
Visit crmm.org/accessibility for details.
3D Theater • Museum Store • Model Boat Pond
OPEN DAILY 9:30 TO 5:00 • 1792 Marine Drive, Astoria, OR • 503.325.2323 • www.crmm.org
10 // COASTWEEKEND.COM
C G R M:
V D T