USA, OR: North Forty Brewery launching in Roseburg soon

After a hard day’s work, a group of friends stop by a local brewery and enjoy an evening full of laughter with a cold beer in hand. At least, that’s the vision R.J. Mills and Arin Forrest have for their craft brewing company, North Forty, NRToday.com reported on August 4.

The two Roseburg, OR natives went to Joseph Lane Middle School and became best friends there. Later, as teenagers, the two envisioned becoming entrepreneurs and owning a small business.

When Mills turned 21, he started making his own beer at as a way to hang out with friends and as a personal hobby. Now the two brew together, and after 17 years of home-brewing, Mills and Forest turned their dreams of owning a brewery into a reality.

In 2014, the company went “pro,” which is when the duo decided to move away from Portland and take their business to the heart of downtown Roseburg, on 435 SE Jackson St.

“We grew up in Roseburg,” Mills said. “Roseburg’s identity has set with us for a long time. That individual spirit, hard work and outdoors atmosphere is a core concept of North Forty.”

The two saw an opportunity to start a business five years ago, wanting to create a brewery that identifies with the “down-to-earth” nature Roseburg is known for. Therefore, downtown seemed like a perfect spot for locals and out-of-towners to discover all that North Forty would soon have to offer.

Although the 4,000-square-foot building is merely brick and mortar, Mills and Forrest plan to add a bar where people can come and enjoy a frothy, cold pint of fresh craft beer.

The microbrewery will eventually have more than 10 different craft beers on tap. They will also sell wine, cider and growlers. Food trucks will be parked outside, so people can order food while enjoying their favorite brew.

North Forty’s signature colors, green and black, along with natural design elements such as wood and metal will be featured in the new venue, to resemble aspects of Oregon.

“We want it to be someplace that everybody feels comfortable and somewhere that reflects the area and history of the town,” Forrest said. “We want it to feel like a family. That’s very important to us.”

Although the company is still in the design and planning stage, it will be ready for business in about six months, according to Mills. Construction has yet to begin, but once the company is open, Mills and Forrest envision the building roaring with laughter.

Their advice to young, new entrepreneurs is to have a good plan, have plenty of experience and be prepared for pitfalls.

“Find where your strengths are and match your strengths to your expectations,” Mills said. “One of the key aspects of being an entrepreneur is having a good idea and a good overall perspective as you progress towards making the business happen.”

It has been a learning experience with lots of trial and error, but it is fun to see the business develop, the two said. To them, it is more than simply a business venture. It is a part of their lives.

“This isn’t just a business for us, it’s also a passion,” Forrest said. “We love doing this as much as everybody loves going there and we wanted to do something that adds to the community.”

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