Internal Brewsletter - September 17th, 2025
General
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 Lindsey! Swing by the Pub this Thursday for Pimento Smash burger Sliders!
We’re always looking for more submissions, so send in those ideas!
This Week’s Releases
Releasing Friday, September 19th
Flicker // 7.00%
Description: Inspired by Autumn's warm days and crisp nights, Flicker was designed to inspire conversation and community while delivering an engaging hop profile with notes of Lychee, Stonefruit, and Pine.
Key Takeaway: Bolder bodied IPA for autumn's cooling weather
Tasting Notes: Stonefruit • Pine • Changing Seasons
Format: Draft & Cans
Series: Perennial
Beer Style: West Coast IPA
Releasing Tuesday, September 23rd at the Tap Room Only
Fresh² - Fresh-Hopped & Fresh-Kilned // 6.70%
Description: We’ve made two beers for a hop sensory experiment with OSU and Coleman Agriculture, one with fresh Strata hops and one with freshly-kilned Strata hops from the same farm lot. Both recipes are identical, with the fresh hop additions made on the hot side of the brewing process. Each was dry-hopped with Cascade and Strata hops during fermentation.
Key Takeaway: Conducted by Dr. Tom Shellhammer at Oregon State University and supported by Coleman Agriculture and Celebrate Oregon Beer, a new study happening this harvest season will look into the chemical and sensory elements of fresh hops. Since most beers use dried hops, scientists haven’t conducted extensive research into the distinct flavors and aromas of fresh hops. With this new research, they’ll have some of the first answers.
Tasting Notes: N/A
Format: Draft Only at the Tap Room
Series: Fresh Hop
Beer Style: West Coast IPA
Upcoming Releases
*This list is subject to change based on the production schedule. Please keep that in mind!
Squirrel Stash // Brown Ale
Series: Perennial
Releases: September 26th
Format: Draft & Cans
Description: An artistic brown ale brewed with a host of specialty malts and English yeast. Soft body and a malt profile with notes of toasted nuts, baker’s chocolate, and coffee with a dry finish.
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 beers are:
Pub: Buzzworks
Tap Room: Loyal to the Block
Beer Education
4:00 pm Every Other Thursday @ the Pub
The next Happy Hour is Thursday, 9/18.
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, and 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.
Marketing Updates
By Holly Amlin, Marketing & Creative Manager
OSU Focus!
$5 Gift Cards for Incoming Students - During the next several days, I’ve asked that our front-of-house staff hand out printed $5 gift cards to folks who look like incoming students. These are valid from October to December, so people have to come back to use them. Let’s surprise people with this little token of hospitality!
Student Survival Kit Coupons - We’ve advertised in the Student Survival Kit this year, with some aggressive coupons for people to use. These will be sent in the mail to off-campus students and on-campus residents on September 22nd, and are valid at both locations. (see below for what the coupons will look like)
Events
Drink Beer for Science - September 23rd (TR Only)
Conducted by Dr. Tom Shellhammer at Oregon State University and supported by Coleman Agriculture and Celebrate Oregon Beer, a new study happening this harvest season will look into the chemical and sensory elements of fresh hops. Since most beers use dried hops, scientists haven’t conducted extensive research into the distinct flavors and aromas of fresh hops. With this new research, they’ll have some of the first answers. We've made two beers for this hop sensory experiment, one with fresh Strata hops and one with freshly-kilned Strata hops from the same farm lot. Both recipes are identical, with the fresh hop additions made on the hot side of the brewing process. Each was dry-hopped with Cascade and Strata hops during fermentation. These 6.7% West Coast IPAs are called "Fresh² - Fresh-Hopped" and "Fresh² - Fresh-Kilned".
Starting September 23rd, we'll be pouring both beers side-by-side at our Southtown Tap Room only. Participation is free, and the only ask is that folks fill out a survey for each beer to aid in research. OSU will be providing QR codes for people to use, and gave us stickers to hand out.
Learn about the program here: https://celebrateoregonbeer.com/science/
Read about the event on our website
Bloktoberfest - October 17th - 18th
Stein Pre-Orders launched Monday! If anyone is interested, the QR Codes on our posters and table tents lead to the Bloktoberfest page, where people can place orders.
The Flash Tattoo Event was also marketed this week, where folks can get free entry to the festival when they book, and a free pretzel dog if they get a pretzel dog tattoo. Studio Lumos will release flash designs on their Instagram as the event gets closer.
Event details on our website: https://block15.com/bloktoberfest
Bloktoberfest Merch Pre-Order - Purchase by 9/30
When placing your order, use code BLOCK20 to get your 20% off employee discount, and choose In-Store Pick Up to avoid shipping fees. I'll be snagging our order prior to the fest and can hand off to you. Merch pre-orders close September 30th.
https://corvalliscustom.com/swag-store/local-businesses/block-15.html
This year, one of our Bloktoberfest sponsors, Corvallis Custom, is providing us with an online merch store. They’re printing a few pieces of custom merch for us with regular Block 15 branding, as well as some fun Bloktoberfest-themed shirts.
Aside from this pre-order store, a limited number of Bloktoberfest logo shirts will be available for purchase at the festival, along with fedora hats featuring Bloktoberfest-themed buttons.
From the Executive Chef
By Sarah Farey, Executive Chef
October Specials will go live at the pub Oct. 1st!
Pork Schnitzel Thinly pounded Carlton Farms pork cutlet, breaded and fried. Drizzled with brown butter pan sauce and served with apple compote and warm, house made German potato salad. $17.99
Pear & Hazelnut Melt Local pears, Queen Bee Honey, Hazelnut butter and melted muenster cheese on house baked artisan bread. $15.99
Bacon & Cambazola Burger NW beef patty, melted cambazola cheese, crisp bacon, sliced local apple, crisp lettuce, sweet onion & maple-stoneground mustard sauce . $18.99
Butternut Squash & Three Cheese Tortellini Three cheese tortellini in a brown butter cream sauce with roasted butternut squash, crushed hazelnuts & fried sage. $12.99
Move-In Week Menus
This Thursday-Sunday we will be running a limited menu for OSU move in week! Please see the Pub Menu Update in the sling newsfeed for more details.
Bakery
Notes from Lindsey Henriksen, Bakery Manager
New sundae at the tappy! Salted Caramel Peanut Sundae, replaces the berry cheesecake sundae. Made with our nebula stout caramel sauce, crushed roasted peanuts and maldon sea salt. Be on the lookout for an SOP by Friday.
If you haven’t already, try our new Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies at the TR, they are awesome!
Pub Updates
By Kira Sciarrotta, General Manager
We’re going to switch up our coffee flavor from Flame On to Backstitch, please let me know any feedback you gather from yourself or from guests as we try out this new roast. Thanks!
Tap Room Updates
If you are cross-trained at the TR/Pub/Caves, please make sure you are sending your scheduling availability to both Bre AND Katie so they are on the same page.
Thank you all for continuing to roll with the punches and kick ass!
Caves Updates
By Aidan Welch, General Manager
High Fives
Nico - You're always smiling and helping the Distro team wherever needed even after a full workday, thanks man!
Breee - Shoutout to Bre for always being diligent especially floating. I always appreciated the super flow and smoothness throughout all parts of the restaurant even if we’re super busy. You’re an icon!
Danny & Matt - One of our tap drains at the taproom was clogged and these two were super helpful. We were stumped and they stopped what they were doing and both came to save the day. We appreciate you guys!
Sophia - Sophia goes the extra mile to help out others! It’s great!
Donlon - A good times not far, when Donlon’s working the bar. This block 15 hall of famer stacks cash like an atm, and still has time to help the rest of the team. Sing him a song if you see him in the halls!
Kenzie - Always willing to help out and prioritizes being diligent in downtime!
Tilly - Tilly is an amazing server and coworker. She always shows up with a smile (and some sick outfits and jewelry) ready to kick ass in her own special way. She's super patient and willing to step in and help, but also is so nonchalantly hilarious, making a great presence on the floor. We're happy to have you on our team Tilly <3
Pauly - Pauly’s always the man and brings back and front of house together. His appreciation and advocation for the team is as always admirable. Thank you Pauly for all you do <3
Bre - Bre has been doing great with adjusting to scheduling and has been super communicative! thanks!
If you have kudos or kind words you want to share about your co-worker anonymously in the Brewsletter, use the button below!
Staff Section
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Charitable Programs
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