Internal Brewsletter - December 7, 2022
UPCOMING PACKAGED BEER RELEASES - CANS
Releasing Friday
Carpathians // Czech Dark Lager Inspired by the dark classic lager styles from Bohemia and crafted with Northwest pilsner and European dark specialty malts. Medium-bodied and smooth with notes of dates, toffee, and roast. // 5.20% ABV
Takeaways: Inspired by the other classic lager style form the czech republic. It's dark, with a touch of roast, but very smooth, medium body, and very drinkable.
Tasting Notes: Espresso. Molasses. Quaffable.
Hoppy New Year // Imperial IPA Kiss 2022 goodbye and welcome in 2023 with a bang of the finest NW-grown hops, a crisp body orchestrated by a dance of specialty malts, and a bubbly finish. Hoppy New Year from Block 15! // 8.80% ABV
Takeaways: Ring in the new year with an ipa that pairs the citrus character of Amarillo, citra and Bravo with the tropical and herbal character of Talus and Nelson Sauvin. Also featuring Craft pilsner malt from Linc Malt in Spokane.
Tasting Notes: Orange Peel. Herbaceous. Snappy.
COMING UP ON DRAFT
Carpathians // Czech Dark lager
Hoppy New Year // Imperial IPA
UPCOMING / IN PROCESS BEERS
*This list is subject to change based on the brewing schedule, so please keep that in mind!
Sticky Hands: GHV2 // Sticky Hands Variant
Prophecies // Belgian-style Quadrupel Ale
Holiday Friends // Wild Farmhouse Ale brewed with spruce tips and matured in neutral oak barrels
Hypnosis // Barley Wine Matured in Cognac Barrels
Crisp Start // Winter Wheat with cranberries and orange peel
Squirrel Stash // Brown Ale
MARKETING
Deep Seek Scavenger Hunt begins Friday!
QUICK HITS:
Customers can only sign up for the Scavenger Hunt from 5:00pm on 12/9 to 11:59pm on 12/11 by using the QR code at their table or on posters at our locations and BeerMongers in Portland.
These pages (where the QR code leads) will be the main source of information for participants (and you!) throughout the hunt:
Participants will be given a series of clues over the next several weeks, and will need to take a photo of a can of Deep Seek IPA to submit their answers on the pages above. This means they’ll need to buy Deep Seek cans on the way out!
The first clue is SUPER EASY. All they need to do is take a photo of a Deep Seek IPA can outside one of the three locations.
We’ll be running food specials at both our locations Friday & Saturday to celebrate!
Pub:
Oregon Fish Cake Sandwich- Oregon true cod fish cake, fried golden with jalapeno-lime shredded cabbage & old bay mayo on a toasted brioche bun. $16.99
Potted Shrimp-Wild Oregon shrimp, European butter, lemon, thyme, garlic & cayenne. Served warm with toasted artisan bread. $12.99
Smoked Salmon Chowder-Rich smoked salmon chowder with potatoes, sweet corn & peppers. Served with house crackers. Cup $5.99 Bowl $7.99
Tap Room
Shrimp Po Boy-Cornmeal fried Pacific NW shrimp, shredded lettuce, tomato & Cajun remoulade on a toasted brioche roll. $18.99
Oysters on half-Yaquina Bay oysters, served raw on the half shell with Deep Seek Mignonette $3.50 each
Seafood Chowder-Oregon clam, oyster and shrimp chowder with bacon & fennel. Served with house crackers. Cup $5.99 Bowl $7.99
CROWLER/PACKAGE SALE
Crowler Sale - None this weekend because of our Sunday closure
Sunday Package Discount - We will NOT offer Imagine, Imagine Joyous, Figgy Pudding, Framboise Claret, and Ol’St. Nick in the package sale on Sunday
BEER EDUCATION
Weekly Tastings of new releases and some classics is continuing:
Tuesdays at 2pm at the Taproom
Thursdays at 11am at the Pub
Beer Evaluation Classes
As a part of our ongoing program to promote staff education we will continue offering beer evaluation and off-flavor sensory classes. These are not required, but are encouraged for all staff who engage with our customers. The first classes will begin next Wednesday and will begin with a monthly offering from this point going forward.
When: Wednesday 12/14 at 10am or 2pm
RSVP Required by 12/13
PUB UPDATES
Be sure to review the Deep Seek Launch Party notes thoroughly and be prepared to get folks excited and answer any questions!
Once we run out of the Compton Family Wines Chardonnay, we will be switching to the Sweet Cheeks Chardonnay out of Eugene, OR. Find some information on this new selection below!
Sweet Cheeks 2017 Chardonnay 13.2% ABV
Dry farmed and practicing organic | South Willamette Valley
Estate grown and hand-harvested. Elevations range from 720 - 750 feet.
Fermented in stainless steel at low temperatures to preserve aromatics. At the end of fermentation the wine was transferred to barrels for aging & malolactic fermentation for 17 months in French oak. (43% new oak & 57% neutral oak.
Tasting notes of: cinnamon, Bosc pear, and a hint of lime zest.
In my opinion, this is a lighter and brighter Chardonnay and not what you’d typically expect. The rich and buttery notes that you can often find are much more subdued. Instead, this one has a little more brightness, acidity, and gentle fruit. It’s delicious!
We have a new wine fridge behind the bar specifically for our wines that we want to keep between around 55 degrees and no more than 65.
For each FOH person getting phased–please remember to check the bathrooms for stock of products and cleanliness as one of the last things you do before checking and clocking out. Floors should be free of debris, bathrooms should smell neutral, and all toilet paper, seat liners, paper towels, and soap should be stocked. Thank you!
TAP ROOM UPDATES
Let’s get in the habit of checking the temps on all fridges/freezers at night during your walkthrough. If you are unaware of what temperature something is supposed to be at, ask a FOH or BOH manager and we will be happy to assist!
Deep Seek launch party at the Tap Room this week! Make sure you know all your information and let’s get ready to slang some beers!
CAVES UPDATES
We’ll be closed this Sunday for brunch prior to the Employee Party
Reminder: We are open for brunch on Fridays! Please let people know this if they ask!
We will be having Egg Nog coming up next week! We’ll also be replacing the Autumn Almanac (but will still be able to make this if a customer asks), Endless Summer, and Lively Up cocktails soon- stay tuned!
Look forward to some new items coming from the kitchen as we head into winter!
GENERAL
Closed on at all locations Sunday for the Holiday Party!
New Menu Items coming next week!
Stout Beef Stroganoff Pot Pie (Special both locations!) Tender braised Painted Hills beef chuck, mushrooms & onions in a savory sour cream-stout sauce, topped with buttery puff pastry. $18.99
Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich (New Menu Item, Pub Only) Breaded & fried eggplant with creamy marinara, melted provolone & fresh basil on house toasted ciabatta. $15.99
EVENTS
Toy Drive - Ongoing through December 20th
In lieu of a Dine Out event, we’ll be hosting Cameron Merrill’s Legacy Holiday Toy Drive!
The near month-long drive will begin on Friday 11/25 and run through Tuesday 12/20.
Cameron Merrill passed away from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2013, at the young age of 2 years and 4 months old. In response to this devastating loss, his family established Cameron Merrill's Legacy to support children with serious illnesses, and their families. By gathering toys for these children, they hope to bring joy during very difficult times, while showing their families community support.
How people can get involved: Block 15 will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for kids of all ages. These gifts will be delivered to Doernbecher and Randall Children’s Hospital’s pediatric ICU in time for the holidays! Toys can be dropped off at either the Block 15 Downtown Pub or Southtown Tap Room locations during business hours.
Deep Seek Scavenger Hunt begins Friday! (see above for details)
HIGH FIVE SECTION
James B. - James is always willing to help out wherever he is needed and has killer work ethic. He leads by example and I am so grateful to be working with him when I get to!
STAFF SECTION!
Welcome to the team to the following folks!
Zackary Devos (Distro)
Brooks Rethwill (Distro)
Jerika Mutschler (Brewery)
Shondiin Redsteer (Caves BOH)
Kimberly Betts (Caves BOH)
THE PEOPLE’S PINT
Check back next month!
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!