Internal Brewsletter - July 31st, 2024
General
Chris King Visit - August 16th
This August, we will be releasing a collaboration beer with a company located in PDX called Chris King Precision Components. They manufacture bike components in PDX that are serviceable and last for years. This collaboration encompasses the craft of two very different products from companies who share the same audience and company vision of craft, sustainability and community.
Learn more about them: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
We hosted their team on the brew day of the beer two weeks ago, called Buzzworks NW Pilsner. They wanted to invite us to their location to get a tour from their team as well. We will be visiting on 8/16. Please reach out to me at kelsea@block15.com, if you have any questions or want to join!
Company Pic Nic - RSVP
You’re invited to the Block 15 Brewing Company BBQ! We want to thank you and your families for being a part of the Block 15 family and helping to make our dream a reality every day. This invitation is extended to your immediate family members or a significant other.
As in past years, this summer celebration is a family-friendly event. BBQ dinner, drinks, and good company provided.
Please RSVP using the Wufoo form no later than August 15th so we can have the appropriate amount of food from our BBQ caterer.
Date: Sunday, August 25th
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Park Walnut Barn
https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/parksrec/page/walnut-barn
Time: 4-8 pm. BBQ will be served at 6 pm.
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 Matt Williams! Swing by the Pub this Thursday for a Pastrami & Mushroom Sandwich!
We’re always looking for more submissions, so send in those ideas!
UPCOMING PACKAGED BEER RELEASES - Cans
Releasing Friday 8/2
Kumo //
Description: An incredibly dry, Japanese-inspired rice lager, Kumo features NW-grown Pilsner malt and vibrant Liberty hops. Crisp and easy-going, Kumo breezes through like a drifting cloud in the sky. // 4.50%
Key Takeaway: We're bringing this favorite back around. After a visit to Japan in 2023, Kumo was adjusted to bring out the light and dry attributes that are true to a Japanese Rice Lager. This time around, we're adding Liberty Hops.
Tasting Notes: Bread Crust • Lemon Rind • Super-Dry
Format: Draft and Cans
Series: Perennial
Beer Style: Japanese Rice Lager
Japanese rice lagers, also known as Japanese lagers or rice lagers, are light-bodied, light-colored beers with a dry finish. They are brewed with a large proportion of rice in addition to malted barley, up to a third of the grain bill. The rice provides fermentable sugars for the yeasts that produce alcohol while also adding crispness and a subtle sweetness to the beer. Japanese rice lagers often have higher carbonation and a delicate malt flavor with subtle hop notes.
COMING UP ON DRAFT
Releasing Friday 8/2
Kumo // Japanese Rice 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: Dark Surroundings & Fresh Flow
UPCOMING Releases
*This list is subject to change based on the production schedule, so please keep that in mind!
Eminent Point // American IPA
Series: Emerging
Releases: August 9th
Format: Draft and Cans
Description: We're reaching for new heights with this luxurious take on an American classic. Featuring notes of pine resin, dank herb and sweet citrus, it all balances with a soft and enticing malt backbone.
Alluvial // Pale Ale
Series: Pub Life
Releases: August 9th
Format: Draft Only
Description: Brewed in collaboration with the original breeder and owner of the Amarillo hop, Virgil Gamache Farms. Alluvial Pale Ale will first appear at the Hop Research Council's annual meet up hosted by Coleman Agriculture at Alluvial Hop Farm in Independence, Oregon.
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 Thursday, August 8th, at 4 pm!
Beer 101: Alluvial Pale
Written by Garrison Schmidt, Head Brewer
A few weeks ago, we brewed a pale ale in collaboration with Virgil Gamache Farms in Toppenish, Washington, the breeders and owners of the hop strain Amarillo. They asked for us by name, as they’re big fans of our brewery, and they thought we would represent their product well. The beer was brewed for the Hop Research Council’s annual Summer Meeting, which will be mostly held at OSU between August 5th and 7th. Alluvial is a hoppy pale that showcases Amarillo hops, grown at Virgil Gamache, with a touch of Chinook hops, grown by Indie Hops, as support. Those attending the meeting will be enjoying a dinner event at Coleman Agriculture’s Alluvial Hop Farm in Independence, Oregon, which happens to also be the place where we’re getting some of our fresh hops this year. It’s a really exciting project, and we’re honored to have been chosen by such an esteemed organization to represent their flagship product to their peers. Give it a try, and let me know what you think!
From the Executive Chef
August monthly specials will go live Wednesday, August 7th!
PUB
Sausage and Pepper Sausage Sandwich-Grilled peppertree sausage, roasted local onions and peppers, caper aioli and melted provolone.
Creamy Coconut Shrimp Salad w/ local grape tomatoes, red onion, apricots, jalapeno-coconut dressing and tortilla strips
Herb & Panko Fried Zucchini w/ Caper Aioli
TAP ROOM
Apricot Chicken Sandwich-Chicken tenders, jalapeno-apricot glaze, cilantro mayo, melted Swiss, greens and fresh tomato.
Elotes Hot Dog-All beef hot dog topped with roasted corn elotes, cilantro, tajin, queso fresco
PUB UPDATES
Please do not prop the back employee door open for an extended period of time (longer than a quick prop to take trashes or other items into/out of the restaurant). Leaving doors open causes the A/C to not work as efficiently and also lets in a lot of flies and mosquitos.
Pub Focus Points
ALL: Food Feedback Awareness!! Please engage with guests to get more food feedback whether it's positive or negative. Also be sure to communicate with the kitchen lead if & when we are needing to assess an item for quality standards and if we need to damage control be sure to also let your floating manager know the situation.
FOH: Window Cleaning Awareness! With the beautiful sunshine it's very easy to spot windows if they're not clean. Please take an extra moment after cleaning each table to check the cleanliness of the window & window sill. Let's also clean the brewbar window and front door windows frequently.
Line: Equipment Cleanliness and Upkeep Awareness! With our new chef base officially installed let's focus on keeping our kitchen equipment clean & in good working order!! Please be mindful of not slamming the doors and the drawers as this will help them last longer. Also cleaning around and under these items will aid a longer lasting equipment lifespan.
Prep: Double Checking When Looking for Items!Get a second set of eyes to double-check if you can't find something.
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 to wear eye and hand protection when changing out dishwasher chemical bottles. There are gloves in the kitchen and safety glasses in multiple locations in the brewery!
Brewery safety! We should not be walking through the large bay door when entering/leaving the brewery, as this is a safety hazard. Please use the regular sized door next to it for foot traffic. There are no exceptions to this.
Please only fill out the keg return log if someone is not picking up another keg and is looking for a deposit refund. If someone is just swapping out for another order, it does not need to be written on the sheet.
Please continue to keep up with ringing in items accurately and consistently in toast and properly discounting items when needed. Employee food tabs that are please pays should be voided, not done as a walkout!
Tap Room Focus Points
FOH: Labeling! When making lemonades, marg, smix/raz vanilla fifos, etc. please make sure we are properly labeling them and taking off any old labels to not cause confusion. Make sure it has the name of the contents, date it was made, and initial.
ALL: Everybody Love Everybody! Thank you all for your hard work, communication, positive attitudes, and being Blockstars. Keep it up!
Upcoming Events
Beer School August 22nd 5:30-7
Topic: Hops!
Cost: $10
Tickets will be on sale soon!
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
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 FIVEs
TR Peeps (everyone that works in the building, all departments)! Love you all, keep kicking butt!
Whole Brew Crew - I am so pumped about the sense of positivity and growth in the brewery right now. We're going to miss some folks soon, and are excited to get some new faces, but these folks work hard and play harder no matter what.
James Watts - He's a killer opener! How does he do it?!
If you have kudos or kind words to share anonymously in the Brewsletter, use the button below!
Human resources
STAFF SECTION
Please welcome the following folks to the team:
Elias Siltanen (FOH)
Maggie Speed (FOH)
Rowan DeLine (Caves FOH)
Brigham Bergstrom (Distro)
SAFETY TIPS
Be aware of the people working around you and follow one of the Golden Rules of safety, "work as safely with others as you would have them work with you."
Office Hours
Monday: Pub 10 am - 1 pm
Wednesday: Tap Room 10 am - 1 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!