Internal Brewsletter - January 21st, 2026
General
Employee Provision - Submissions Needed!
A weekly special served at the Pub, with ideas sourced from Block 15 employees.
This week’s Employee Provision will be brought to you by Dave! Swing by the Pub this Thursday for Larb!
We’re always looking for more submissions, so send in those ideas! Remember, if your provision gets selected, you can order one for free!
-This Week’s Releases-
Love Potion #9 // Stout with Chocolate and Raspberries // 7.00%
Brewed with an irresistible blend of dark malts, rich chocolate, and raspberries, this potion offers velvety notes of chocolate ganache and fresh, juicy berries.
What are some highlights or changes for this beer?
This beer gets chocolate character from four directions. Cacao Nibs and Husks, chocolate extract, dark roasted chocolate malt, and red raspberry lend color, flavor, aroma, and to this delectable Valentine's stout.
Tasting Notes:
Chocolate Ganache • Raspberry Syrup • Entrancing
Availability: On draft and cans to-go + Distributed to our network in Oregon & SW Washington
Series: Orbital
This beer will be around for a month or less
What is a Stout with Adjuncts?
An adjunct is an ingredient added to a beer outside of malt, yeast, hops, and water. These can include, but are not limited to: Unmalted grains, fruits, sugars, herbs, and spices. These ingredients are added to affect flavor, body, mouthfeel, color, efficiency, and cost. Adjunct stout is a style of beer brewed to serve as a palate for the adjuncts added. Light in typical roast barley character stout is famous for, these beers allow the adjunct ingredient to shine. Common adjunct stouts utilize vanilla, berries, baking spices, and cocoa.
Gold Can Stay // Hoppy Golden Strong Ale // 10.00%
Made to showcase the beauty of this traditional style, with a modern, creative philosophy. This beer is an amazing confluence of classic flavors and nuevo hops.
What are some highlights or changes for this beer?
We made this beer at ColdFire as part of their 10th-year anniversary collaboration series.
Tasting Notes:
Floral Citrus • Pink Peppercorn • Honeydew • Tropical Fruit
Availability: On draft only
Series: Synergy
This beer was made in collaboration with our friends at ColdFire Brewing in Eugene, Oregon.
Upcoming Releases
*This list is subject to change based on the production schedule. Please keep that in mind!
Super Nebula // Imperial Stout Matured in Bourbon Barrels with Cocoa Nibs
Series: Cellars
Releases: January 30th on draft, January 31st in bottles
Availability: On draft and bottles to-go + Distributed to our network in Oregon & SW Washington in a limited capacity
Super Nebula: Valhalla // Imperial Stout Matured in Bourbon Barrels with Cocoa Nibs, Cardamom, Star Anise, and Juniper
Series: Cellars
Releases: January 30th on draft, January 31st in bottles
Availability: On draft and bottles to-go + Distributed to our network in Oregon & SW Washington in a limited capacity
Kriek // Oud Bruin Matured in Bourbon Marrels with Cherries
Series: Cellars
Releases: January 30th on draft, January 31st in bottles
Availability: On draft and bottles to-go + Distributed to our network in Oregon & SW Washington in a limited capacity
Zero Lux // West Coast IPA
Series: Orbital
Releases: January 30th
Availability: On draft and cans to-go + Distributed to our network in Oregon & SW Washington
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(s) is/are:
Pub: Hoppy Holidays
Tap Room: Hoppy Holidays & Ol’ Saint Nick
Beer Education
Barrel Room Roundtable - Thursdays at 4 pm
This week’s topic: triple away team BJCP
Heads up, on the 29th of this month, BRRR will be at the pub
BEER 101
By Garrison Schmidt, Head Brewer
Bourbon Month Beers and Super Nebula, [VALHALLA]
It’s almost February, which we all know means that it’s almost bourbon month. I won’t restate a bunch of stuff that you’ve already read in 50 places, but I do want to take a minute to talk about this year's S’Neb variant and what makes it so special.
Super Nebula, [VALHALLA] is unlike any beer that we’ve ever made. Variants are usually adjunct-heavy and themed after a treat like cookies, candies, or desserts. This year, we designed a Nordic Stout, also called an Icelandic stout. Valhalla has the same amount of Cocoa nib character as the rest of Super Nebula, but is also treated with white pepper, cardamom, juniper, Madagascar vanilla, and just a pinch of star anise. These ingredients lend a depth of complexity that reflects our fanbase’s maturing palate. Craft beer fans’ tastes have become more sophisticated as the years have gone by, and this beer showcases the best ingredients for customers who are ready and willing to try something completely new. You’ve likely not tried a beer that tastes exactly like this one, and that’s a very good thing. Once upon a time, we were trying new things almost every day. This one is just a level up. I encourage you all to try Valhalla and discover what about it is most interesting and attractive to you, as you will be the ones selling it and need to be able to tell folks what YOU love about it. Let me know what you think!
Marketing Updates
By Holly Amlin, Marketing & Creative Manager
Check back next week !
Events
Bourbon Month
It’s almost here! Next Friday, we kick off Bourbon Month. Everything is coming together for this to be a very special year - between the Bourbons we snagged, the beers we made, and the food specials we’ve crafted. If you saw the shirts we shared last week, those will be available to you this week if you would like to purchase one ahead of the kick-off.
In terms of events, we’re almost sold out of the Guided Pairing tickets, and our Brewer’s Dinner ticket lottery went well! If folks would still like to join us for a dinner, the Caves Bourbon Dinner still has tickets available - and is an awesome pairing experience! Find tickets on our website.
I hope you’re all as excited as we are to share this annual tradition with our guests.
Events List:
Official Launch Friday, Jan 30th @ all locations - Beers release on draft, Stamp Books Released, Bourbon menu launch at Pub
Brewer's Dinner Friday, Jan 30th @ the Pub
Guided Pairings Saturday, Jan 31st @ the TR
Brewer's Dinner Saturday, Jan 31st @ the Pub
Bottle Release Saturday, Jan 31st @ Both
4 Spirits Tasting 6-8 pm @ Pub + Dine Out for 4 Spirits Foundation, Wednesday, Feb 11th @ Both
Bourbon Dinner - Tuesday, Feb 17th @ Caves
From the Executive Chef
By Sarah Farey, Executive Chef
February monthly specials at the pub will go live next Wednesday, 1/28 so they are up and running for the launch of bourbon month!
Maple Bourbon Bacon Burger-Pairs with Super Nebula
NW hand spanked beef patty, crisp bacon, grilled onions, smoked cheddar, and rosemary aioli. Finished with our bourbon maple glazed and served on a toasted brioche bun. $19.99
Smoked Gouda Croquettes-Pairs with Super Nebula Valhalla
Fluffy potato & smoked gouda croquettes, breaded and fried, served with sweet & savory date mustard sauce $11.99
Southern Fried Oysters-Pairs with Kriek
Yaquina Bay oysters, cornmeal breaded and fried & served with cherry-chipotle remoulade $16.99
Cajun Red Beans & Rice-Pairs with Super Nebula
Slow cooked red beans with Cajun spices, tomato, green bell pepper, ham, bacon and Pepper Tree Sausage House andouille sausage, served with steamed rice and fresh scallions.$16.99
- We will be running a toasted ravioli special at the pub this weekend!
Bakery
Notes from Lindsey Henriksen, Bakery Manager
Check back next week !
Pub Updates
By Kira Sciarrotta, General Manager
Shout out to our new Lead Servers: Maggie, Sophia K., and Kylie! Congratulate these awesome Block Stars next time you see them!
Education meetings are happening this week and next! Please be diligent about completing that additional quiz and if you’re left with any questions please reach out!
Tap Room Updates
Shifts may look a little bit longer for the foreseeable future with a couple scheduling adjustments coming up. If you have any questions about phasing or shift length adjustments, check in with a manager– we want this to be as smooth as possible for everyone, but also welcome any feedback!
Caves Updates
By Aidan Welch, General Manager
Check back next week !
High Fives
Kim Smith- Kim stayed after being phased out to assist with a surprise 20 top, not only to help with the party, but to bus and clean up as well. Thank you Kim!
Kelly and Spencer- These two people are smart, hardworking, and just really really really really cool. I appreciate your willingness to learn new skills and expand your knowledge of what it takes to keep Block 15 running smoothly in the back of back of house. I'll miss you guys <3
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
Please welcome the following folks to the team:
Darren Durando - Caves Bartender
Sydney Malcolm - Caves Host
Charitable Programs
Dine Out! on January 28th for Benton County Historical Society
Next Wednesday, we’ll be hosting a Dine Out! to support our local arts and culture institutions. On January 28th, at both Block 15 locations, a portion of the day’s food sales will be donated to the Benton County Historical Society, which curates and operates the Philomath and Corvallis Museums! They’re celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, no small milestone.
I met with Benton County Historical Society this week, and they are beyond grateful for the support. Their funding was heavily impacted this last year, and every dollar helps them out. Read more about them below!
What will our donation go toward?
Our donation will go directly toward fundraising for the Horner 100 Campaign, which celebrates the collective memory of Benton County. For many Corvallis residents, the Horner Museum was their first museum experience. Opened in 1925 and closed in the late 1990’s, all the artifacts have been saved and are managed by the Benton County Historical Society. They’re celebrating 100 years of preserving our local history and the stories that make up our community. They are celebrating the legacy the Horner Museum built and the progress the Benton County Historical Society has made, especially as they introduce exciting new exhibits at the Corvallis Museum and revitalize the richness of our historic Philomath Museum.
In addition to the Horner 100 campaign, funds go toward: Collections, Research, Exhibits, Education, Cultural Programming, Events, Building Maintenance, and more!
About Benton County Historical Society
Their mission is to connect their community by preserving and sharing its diverse, evolving stories through history, culture, and art. They are a center of the community, fostering dialogue and ideas that catalyze an inclusive understanding of our past and culture, and consideration of the shared future they hope to create.