Gary Geist is the co-owner and co-founder of Lucky Labrador Brewing in Portland Oregon. Along with lifelong friend Alex Stiles, the native Portlanders have created an unassuming, laid back brew pub that in some ways, functions more like a coffee shop than it does as a traditional brewery (at least during the day).
Founded in 1993, the Lucky Lab has built a strong following of loyal customers who stop in for a pint after a day of work, or in the middle of the day to relax while reading the paper or to play cards with friends. I stopped in recently to work on my laptop (undercover), and found the environment to be everything that Gary wants it to be:
The Lucky Labrador consists of pubs where people can come together, converse, and drink our great beer in an unpretentious atmosphere that is truly a Lucky Lab Portland experience. If you are looking for a sit down restaurant with table service and quick turnover, we are not for you.
During our conversation, Gary and I discuss:
- How he and childhood friend Alex dreamt up the idea of Lucky Lab while backpacking through Europe.
- How their customers helped turn the pub into one of the most dog-friendly locations on the West Coast.
- Seeing the growth of the Central Eastside Industrial area.
- The financial and environmental benefits of their solar roof.
- How they get feedback on their beers.
- His upcoming Western States 100 attempt (a brutal 100-mile endurance run in California).
- Some of his favorite Portland things.
And much more!
Join us on July 29th at Lucky Labrador ( Hawthrone location) for a 5K fun run that will give runners a lovely tour of the Central Eastside Industrial Area…which sounds like we’ll be running around old factories, but really, it’s adorable.
The Beer We Tried
Gary was kind enough to share three Lucky Lab beers with me that he felt best illustrated their beer style:
Super Dog IPA
“Its sort of an IPA, it’s a little bit darker than your standard IPA.”
They call this their, “#1 kick butt IPA with a pound of dry hops per barrel. ABV: 6.5% IBUs: 90+”
They have been making this one since around 2002. It’s got lots of “floral hop to it.” Not nearly as hoppy as the high IBU would lead you to believe.
The Kölsch
A top-fermented beer named after the German style ale brewed only in Cologne (technically it has to be brewed in Cologne, but pretty much everyone breaks the rules these days). It has a straw color, a malty golden flavor, a prominent Hallertauer hop finish, and comes in at 4.9% abv.
The Kolsch is a nice, lite beer, and (as I’m learning) my preferred beer to drink after a run or on a warm day.
Wag IPA
“It just makes you happy! So much that you wah your tail.”
It’s a Newfoundland IPA, and sort of a tongue in cheek homage to New England IPA’s. Much hoppier than the Super Dog. Classic Mosaic hops, with big florals. This has been popular, and Gary says some of their regulars who normally drink Super Dog and switching over.
Want to hear another Brewery related interview?
I am in the process of interviewing all of the brewers/owners of the breweries hosting our 5K runs this year. Colin Rath is co-owner at Migration, and we had a fun chat about how they are using their brewery to build community, much like Lucky Lab.
Since Gary is also a phenomenal endurance athlete, check out my chat with Gleb Velikanoc. He’s another serious endurance athlete who recently completed his fifth 50-mile ultramarathon.
Run With Us
Join us at Lucky Lab on July 29! The first five people who use promo code LuckLabFree will get one free entry. Or, save $5 when you use code LuckyLab5. See you there!
