Internal Brewsletter - July 3rd, 2024
General
Block 15 Sponsored Softball Team
Come watch one of their last games!
Tuesday, 7/9 @ 8:50 pm at Rene Moye East field
Tuesday, 7/16 @ 7:30 pm at Pioneer Park field
Tuesday, 7/23 @ 5:45 pm at Porter
Employee Provision
A weekly special served at the Pub, the idea of which comes primarily from Block 15 employees.
This week’s Employee Provision will be brought to you by Sarah F! Swing by the Pub this Thursday for Watermelon & Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho!
We’re always looking for more submissions, so send in those ideas!
UPCOMING PACKAGED BEER RELEASES - Cans
Releasing Friday 7/5
Sticky Hands: Tropical Slam //
Description: Tropical Slam is back! Brewed with copious amounts of Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado, CTZ, Bru-1, and Nectaron, Tropical Slam delivers a bushel of citrus and tropical fruit to your day. // 8.10%
Key Takeaway: Sticky Hands base recipe brewed with hops that are very expressive in tropical fruit character, including Dynaboost and Citra Cryo LupuLN2 from Yakima Chief Hops, both created to enhance aroma without adding as much bitterness as traditional hop products.
Tasting Notes: Mango • Resin • Fresh Squeezed
Format: Draft & Cans
Series: Sticky Hands
Beer Style: Double IPA
Green Truck //
Description: Our take on the classic American Light Lager, brewed always with the best Pacific Northwest grain, hops, and water. Work hard, drink easy, this beer is crafted for the crew. // 4.00%
Key Takeaway: Block 15's new classic! Our new light lager, brewed with craft in mind.
Tasting Notes: Crisp • Clean • Classic
Format: Draft & Cans
Series: Emerging
Beer Style: American Light Lager
See Garrison’s Beer 101 for more information on this style!
COMING UP ON DRAFT
Releasing Friday 7/5
Sticky Hands: Tropical Slam // Hop Experience Ale
Green Truck // American Light Lager
CROWLER/PACKAGE SALE for Sippin’ Sunday
20% off all packaged beer to-go, $5 Crowlers and $10 Growler fills all-day Sunday of a specific beer.
This week’s beer is: R&D 2156
UPCOMING Releases
*This list is subject to change based on the production schedule, so please keep that in mind!
DAB Lab: SubZero // West Coast IPA
Series: DAB Lab
Releases: July 12th
Format: Draft & Cans
Description: The DAB Lab series focuses on fresh, vibrant, and experimental IPAs featuring cutting-edge hop products. SubZero Hop Kief ®️, the only cryogenic dry hopping liquid, is made from New Zealand-grown Rakau hops.
Willie Nelson // West Coast Pale Ale
Series: Emerging
Releases: July 12th
Format: Draft Only
Description: This bright, clean West Coast Pale Ale was inspired by our favorite capital 'O', Outlaw, Willie Nelson. Featuring New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops, this pale ale shines with white wine grape character and will always be on your mind.
Clouded Coast // Belgian Wit
Series: Emerging
Releases: July 12th
Format: Draft Only
Description: As refreshing as a cool summer day at the beach, this Belgian Wit is light yet complex, with notes of citrus and slight clove. Brewed for those who don't compromise flavor, Clouded Coast Wit is an easy drinking option for any sunny occasion.
BEER EDUCATION
2:30 pm Tuesdays @ the Tap Room
Join us at the Tap Room every week for an educational session where you can taste and learn about the week’s releases. All are welcome!
4:00 Pm Every other Thursday @ the Pub
Join us every other Thursday in the Game Room at the Pub to taste through beers, discuss our beers, brewing, or any other related topics you have questions about. This is a casual session anyone is welcome to attend. If you have an interesting bottle of beer you would like to taste/share with the group, bring it in. Your first beer is on us if you attend. The next tasting is this Thursday, July 11th at 4 pm!
Beer 101: Green Truck!
Written by Garrison Schmidt, Head Brewer
This week, we’re dropping Green Truck, and I’m really excited about it!
Green Truck is our take on a classic style here in The States, American Light Lager! If you’ve ever worked front of house and had a patron ask, “What do you have that’s similar to ***** Lite?” Now you have a really good answer. Green Truck is light, easy-drinking, 4% ABV, and only 132 calories in a pint. It’s a really exciting addition to our lineup, and depending on how it’s received, we’re hoping it will be around for a long time. It’s coming out just in time for the Holiday weekend, and I’d appreciate it if you’d all help get the word out and really push this one hard.
I want everybody to keep in mind that while the style is familiar to us, this is a version brewed with craft at heart. We still use only the best Pacific Northwest hops, malt, and water, and treat this beer with the same amount of love and care that we treat all of our offerings. It should drink like the best damned light lager that you’ve ever had.
Named after Ol’ Stinky, our geriatric green forklift, this beer is available at a lower price point and should open us up to an entirely new market. I know that the macro light beer fans out there can be frustrating to an employee of a craft brewery, but it’s important to me that we don’t alienate folks with different tastes and have a solid offering for anyone who comes through our doors. Light lager is a truly American contribution and has been the preferred beverage of the working class for all of our lives. When it comes down to it, that’s who we are, and I’m proud to be brewing Green Truck. Work hard, drink easy, this one’s crafted for you.
From the Executive Chef
Monthly Specials
Monthly Specials go live TODAY! Check out the info sheets linked below!
We are keeping the Summer Berry Salad on our static menu for the season!
More Summer Menu Updates
Next week we continue with our summer menu updates!
TAPROOM
Orzo Salad with zucchini, grape tomatoes, roasted chickpeas, red onion, fresh herbs, basil-citrus vinaigrette and queso fresco (Replaces sesame salad)
This will be the last static menu change at the taproom for the season!
PUB
Crispy Seafood Sandwich (replaces GTC)
Oregon Pesto Pasta (Replaces chipotle chicken pasta)
And a thank you…
Special thanks for everyone's flexibility with the quick menu shifts we have had to make over the past week or so with the broken burners at the pub! The new one is slated to be installed Thursday morning! I will keep everyone updated with how it goes, but for now the plan is to KEEP the baked mac and cheese and bring back the chicken chipotle pasta this Friday and run it until next Wednesday. If we do in fact keep the baked mac and cheese, I will also have an update on what will replace kids mac and HH mac! Keep an eye out on sling for all these handy dandy updates. 💛
PUB UPDATES
Within the next week we will be adjusting the way we start tabs and identify tables when the Corral or Game Room are operating as “Order at the Bar” spaces. See below for details!
When the GR or Corral is not staffed by a server, we will have table tents that are color coordinated with each section, and have either numbers or letters to indicate where the guest is. Corral tents will have a yellow border and letters for each card. The Game Room tents will be blue and will have numbers on each card.
When starting a tab for guests, please grab the corresponding card and let them know to place the card in a visible area at the end of the table. If they choose to move from the Game Room to the Corral, they can let us know, but they should still keep that card since it will be associated with their tab. We can relay to the kitchen and food runners that the food will be delivered to a different section.
As you start the tab, follow this template so that we have all of the info we need: Section / Number or Letter / Guest Name (or last name if easier)--should also shorthand the Game Room (GR) and Corral (CL). Example: CL / E / Goodwin. The colors will be used as easy identifiers if someone moves from one section to the other without checking in.
As you deliver food or beverages, only take the card if they are done ordering or no longer expecting items to come out.
Mutantis Gluten-Free beer will be out until next week since they are currently between batches. Once the new batch of Hop Trifecta is ready, we’ll snag it from Portland and it will be back in stock!
Heat wave! Make sure you are staying hydrated and cooling off when you’re feeling toasty. If you’re feeling woozy or overheated, please check in so we can get you taken care of. There are electrolyte packets in the first aid area, so make sure to pop those in some water!
Plants also get thirsty in the hot weather–this weekend, let’s make sure we are hitting the planters in the morning, afternoon, and evening (sundown) and watering thoroughly (several pitchers in each, each time).
Pub Focus Points
ALL: Take Out Order Accuracy Awareness!! Let’s be extra diligent when bagging up Take Out orders. Anyone bagging orders must double check the ticket to ensure the side options, protein add-ons, AND the requested sauces are in the bag. Use the screen to mark as you go, and use that as a guide for each & every To Go ticket. Kitchen, please be sure to label all entree boxes, sauce bags, AND the soup bowls of protein with ticket numbers–this helps FOH verify what needs to be bagged to match the ticket. When bagging please slow down to double check inside the containers as well to verify what you’re grabbing is correct. Staple the ticket to the bag, mark if multiple bags are used on the ticket taped to the bar, and place it on the counter by the soups/specials board (unless the guest is in house waiting). When giving the guest their order, always check the ticket for any beverages and to see that they’ve PAID. As a reminder, salads such as the Mesa have their proteins on the side in a soup bowl.
FOH: Beer restocking is very important to us! Each night it's a requirement of staff to restock the bar cooler with CANS & BOTTLES. Everything must be properly rotated by the DATE listed on the bottom of the can (oldest in front, newer date in the back). New cans should NEVER be put in front of current stock unless they are all the same date. We should always make sure the label is front facing with the can on the front left (of the 4 pack) listing the NAME, and the can on the right showing the actual LABEL (special exception would be cans like Fresh Flow that do not have the side label). Because we would like to see an improvement on this task, it is now a REQUIREMENT for whoever completes the restock to have a manager check the cooler before the task is marked off as complete. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
Line: Protein Portioning Awareness! Let's keep a scale on the grill side–everyone who is on grill will weigh a percentage of protein drops to ensure we are giving customers an adequate amount of chicken/pork on their entree.
Prep: New Menu Items Awareness!Make sure you read the recipes through before beginning, and check in with the prep lead if you have questions.
Pub Company Direction Objectives
Consistently promote and encourage teamwork and strengthen the ties within our team–we are our most successful when we work together and support/understand each other.
Promote ongoing education on all things Block 15 through monthly "Deep Dives" on items from the kitchen, and from the brewery/bar. Each month (roughly) Sarah and myself will send out our information on respective Deep Dives on menu items. Food & Beverage Discovery 5/15/24
Demonstrate to every guest that we are happy they have joined us. Make connections and show genuine interest and excitement!
TAP ROOM UPDATES
Please make sure we are regularly cleaning out the dishwasher to avoid food/smix residue on glasses. If you notice any racks not coming out 100% clean, please clean out the dishwasher (drain completely, rinse off filter, refill) and re-wash the last rack. This is also applicable to any broken glass--the dishwasher HAS to be completely emptied and cleaned to avoid chips or cuts (tiny pieces of glass will scratch the glasses)
When doing pre-bus laps, checking in with tables, etc. please don’t forget about the tables in the grass and the High bar out front!
Please continue to make sure we are accurately ringing everything in, waste logging when needed, and pouring drinks properly!
Just a reminder: We take reservations for groups of 12 or more Mon-Thurs (no Wednesday evenings through July due to Tunes N Brews). Must be done through email at taproom@block15.com at least 24 hours in advance. Currently, we are only reserving the outside grassy tables, everything else is first come first serve.
With the extreme weather heading our way this weekend, make sure to stay hydrated and take a break in the walk-in if you need to cool off! We have hydration packets up in the break room and behind the bar.
Please make sure all the plants get extra water this weekend as well so they don’t get fried!
Tap Room Focus Points
ALL: New specials! Make sure you are in the know about the new specials and obtain feedback both personal and customers!
FOH: Dishwasher awareness! Please make sure to check glassware after washing, if they still look spotty or dirty, please empty the dishwasher, rinse off the filter, refill and re-run the rack. If any glasses break in the dishwasher, the entire thing must be drained, cleaned out, and re-filled!
Upcoming Events
Tunes, Brews & BBQ!
First 4 Wednesdays of July! Live music and bomb.com BBQ specials! The first one is Wednesday, July 3rd 6 - 9 pm
BBQ Special: Memphis Style Baby Back Ribs, Mac & Cheese, Jalapeno cornbread & Honey Butter, watermelon
Popsicle: Strawberry Watermelon
Band: Summer of Love
Piroshky Piroshky pickup!
July 18th 4-6pm!
They will be set up in the parking lot for order pick-up. If you want to place an order head to this link! https://piroshkybakery.com/events/corvallis_or_07_18_24/
2024 Objectives
Elevate engagement through impactful community-centered opportunities and events
Enhance the visibility of the Block 15 Bakery and unique Taproom menu items
Amplify the customer convenience factor
Bakery Highlight: Bier Bread Pretzel
The bier pretzel recipe comes to us from our fearless leader Nick Arzner! He researched pretzel recipes and made test batches at home before handing it off to our fledgling little bakery back in the early days. Blocktoberfest 2009 spurred the idea, and the resulting product was kept on the menu at Caves when she originally opened in 2011. To quote the recipe, in regards to shaping the dough, "Every pretzel should have a smile".
Pretzels have a rich history in the beer world, originating in south Germany in the 6th or 7th century. Here is a good article about the history of the beer pretzel!
When the taproom opened in 2015, since we moved our bakery operations from the pub to the new space, we thought the pretzel would be a wonderful addition to the menu as a quick fire taproom item and as a way to really highlight the bakery! And then it quickly hopped onto the menu at the pub!
Pretzel is a fantastic vegetarian option, but it does contain butter so it is not a vegan offering.
Try to highlight and/or suggest this item to 3 different customers per shift you work!
Caves Updates
2024 Caves Direction Objectives:
Deliver elevated consistency through the Caves experience
Hit our service and food standards every single time! Show our guests why we should be their regular spot and what sets us apart with our elevated experience.
Keep eyes up and out and move through the restaurant rather than just behind the bar when making loops. Offer to grab another beverage, refill waters, or pre-bus tables, even if they aren’t yours.
Amplify education and enthusiasm within our food and beverage programs
Through elevated and thorough education on new menu items and revisiting tried and true classics, or beverages with more history and information.
HIGH FIVE SECTION
Bre - being a dog
BreAnna Rae - Shoutout to BreAnna Rae for kicking ass and taking names! You’ve been a great support throughout the last couple weeks and I’ve appreciated the attention to detail that you bring whether you’re floating, on bar, and beyond. Keep it up!
Sarah G - She's so friendly and I appreciate her welcoming vibes!
Brewer Bryce - The king of rolling with the punches and the Mr. Gets-shit-done that we all need. Thanks for slaying, Bryce.
Tyler Lenz - Is consistently going the extra mile to set team members up for success. Really has an eye for seeing where he can make a big impact on improving somebodies day.
Griffin - Welcome back! We missed you.
If you have kudos or kind words to share anonymously in the Brewsletter, use the button below!
Human resources
STAFF SECTION
Check back next week
SAFETY TIPS
It’s supposed to be hot this weekend, make sure to take the necessary precautions to avoid overheating such as staying hydrated, avoiding dehydrating liquids, wearing protective clothing and pacing yourself.
Office Hours *Starting in July*
Monday: Pub 10 am - 1 pm
Wednesday: Tap Room 1-4 pm
Thursday: Tap Room 9:30 am-12:30 pm, Pub 1-4 pm
THE PEOPLE’S PINT / CHEERS FOR CHARITY / DINE OUT
Check back next week!
WHAT’S UP ON INSTA??
FEEDBACK
Hey friends! If you find yourself sitting at home, or out and about and something pops into your mind that you would like to pass along to the team, feel free to use this form! Please be mindful of keeping feedback or suggestions constructive and positively worded!