Bear's Lair Taps Experimental Talent of Local Microbrewery

Frequenters of the Bear's Lair Brewpub will be able to enjoy drinks from one of the country's best microbreweries now that Drake's Brewing Company was sold Monday to Berkeley's Triple Rock Brewery and Alehouse.

John Martin, co-owner of Triple Rock Brewery and Alehouse, and Roy Kirkorian, co-owner of the Bear's Lair Brewpub, said they purchased Drake's after its owner, UC Berkeley alumnus Pete Rogers, decided to concentrate on expanding his coffee business. The cost of the sale was not disclosed.

Rogers has owned Drake's since the 1990s and Rogers Family Company, a coffee bean manufacturer, since 1979. The two are located next to each other in San Leandro, but Rogers said he recently decided to move the latter to Lincoln, Calif., and to sell the former because it was getting difficult to manage both.

"It's disappointing to have to sell Drake's," Rogers said. "Unfortunately, it's a chapter of our history we'll have to close and remember fondly."

Martin said it was logical for Triple Rock to purchase Drake's because the owners have a close history, adding that the sale was not because Drake's was losing money.

"We go way back with Drake's," he said. "We're happy to buy a well-known, local company."

Martin, who also owns Jupiter on Shattuck Avenue, said he has been looking for a way to increase production capacity for his beers, which are currently sold at Jupiter and Triple Rock.

"Martin has inherited the craft brewery of Drake's, so now he has his own brewery and can brew his own beer," said Shaun O'Sullivan, brewmaster and co-owner of 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco. "There's a lot of conglomeration going on in the brewing industry right now. By no means is this connected ... this was a friendly arrangement."

No changes will be made to Drake's beer because Kirkorian and Martin purchased all of Drake's labels, names, assets and inventory, Kirkorian said. As a result of the deal, the Bear's Lair will have better access to Drake's products, he said.

"For Cal beer drinkers at the Bear's Lair, it's great news," said William Brand, a beer columnist for the Oakland Tribune. "They have some really outrageous beer, some really interesting stuff."

Drake's beer is unique because of its bottling conditions and aging process, Brand said. Drake's ages its beer in brandy and wine barrels, producing drinks that range from chocolate milk ales to "after-dinner liquors." Its process of leaving the yeast unfiltered also allows it to mature like a wine or champagne.

"It's a win-win situation," Brand said. "Martin has a great reputation, this deal will be really good for the Bay Area."

UC Berkeley students will soon get a taste of these unusual, experimental beers at the Bear's Lair, Kirkorian said.

"I like to believe that we'll keep the Drake's tradition and continue to market Drake's Ale," he said. "Generally, it's a very neat deal for the Bear's Lair Pub and its customers."

Tags: BEER, TRIPLE ROCK