Internal Brewsletter - December 21, 2022
GENERAL
EMPLOYEE ONLY Fluffhead Sale
These are Fluffhead cans that have our original artwork on it. The beer is in date and tasting great, we just want to clear this inventory out in time for the Holidays.
To purchase, you simply purchase it as you would any other 4 pack or cans from either location -- Downtown at the Pub or from the Tap Room.
Cans are being sold for $1 each plus deposit. You could take home a whole case for $24+deposit!!
These cans are being sold first come first serve, so get your while you can. Reminder this discount does not apply to our new printed 4 packs. Get them while they last!!
Holiday Hours
Closing at 4pm on Christmas Eve
Closed all day on Christmas
Open regular hours December 26th
UPCOMING PACKAGED BEER RELEASES - CANS
Releasing Friday
Squirrel Stash // Brown Ale An artistic brown ale brewed with a host of specialty malts and English yeast. Soft body and a malt profile with hints of toasted nuts, baker’s chocolate, and coffee with a dry finish. // 4.60% ABV
Takeaways: A classic style that was once on every craft brewery's tap list. It's just a comforting beer to drink.
Tasting Notes: Spun Sugar. Toasted Biscuit. Classic.
Crisp Start // Winter Wheat Ale with Cranberry and Orange Zest In celebration of new beginnings, we collaborated with Willamette Valley Pink Boots to brew this bright yet robust dark wheat. Cranberry and orange zest balance this cozy malt-forward concoction. // 6.50% ABV
Takeaways: The Pink Boots Society is a non-profit which aims to assist, inspire and encourage women and non-binary individuals in the fermented/alcoholic beverage industry to advance their careers through education.
The Willamette Valley Chapter launched this summer and encompasses the greater valley area between McMinnville down to Eugene. Our very own brewer, J, is chapter co-leader!
Proceeds from this beer will be donated to Pink Boots to help support their overall goals and to support our local chapter’s initiatives
Tasting Notes: Molasses. Baking Spice. Jammy.
COMING UP ON DRAFT
Squirrel Stash // Brown Ale
Crisp Start // Winter Wheat Ale with Cranberry and Orange Zest
UPCOMING / IN PROCESS BEERS
*This list is subject to change based on the brewing schedule, so please keep that in mind!
Prophecies // Belgian-style Quadrupel Ale
Hypnosis // Barley Wine Matured in Cognac Barrels
CROWLER/PACKAGE SALE
Crowler Sale - Ol’ Saint Nick $8/$16. SATURDAY ONLY
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 101
What are malts?
Malted Barley is one of the key ingredients in beer production. Seeds harvested from the cereal grass barley plants undergo an in-depth process where they are converted from a raw state to a malted form by commercial maltsters. Some malts are further processed to create more decadent flavors like biscuit, caramel, chocolate, or coffee. These become specialty malts and are used in relatively small quantities.
Base Malts make up the bulk of the grain bill for brewing. These have less flavor, but more enzymatic activity that helps convert the starches into sugar. Pilsner malt is a popular base malt and refers to a wide range of malts from different maltsters that share similar characteristics, such as a light color, delicate sweetness, and the ability to improve the body of lighter beers.
Many of the most sought-after pilsner malts are made in Europe, but recent supply chain issues, as well as increasing concern about the sustainability of importing malt from Europe, has driven maltsters in the U.S. to develop new variations of pilsner malt that more closely resemble the high-quality European malts than the pilsner malts that dominate in the U.S., which have been mainly developed to create cheap, but consistent malt for large scale production of Premium and light lagers.
Block 15 has almost completely switched to domestic pilsner malt and is finishing up trials to determine a variety that we can buy in bulk, to fill our soon-to-arrive second malt silo. We have been highly critical of the quality, looking for the best ingredient, but also focused on finding a product that is grown and malted regionally to further reduce our carbon footprint.
If you want to learn more about alts, read here: https://beerandbrewing.com/dictionary/F2MrmKVUZK/
Further reading on pilsner malts in particular: https://beerandbrewing.com/dictionary/7Idnq9wJOm/
PUB UPDATES
We will be running an eggnog special on Friday and Saturday leading up to the holiday! Check in with your manager on Friday morning for further details!
TAP ROOM UPDATES
Everyone is doing an amazing job at cutting bodies as soon as we don’t need them. Keep it up! And remember during our slower times to jump out to tables and give amazing hospitality!
Makayla is our new Plant Guru! She will be primarily taking care of all of our beautiful plants moving forward. Please check in with her before moving or watering anything.
Let’s make sure to always keep the rockers outside when we are open to avoid it being too crammed in the front entryway.
CAVES UPDATES
Caves will be open for brunch only on Christmas Eve, closed Sunday, and open regular hours for dinner on Monday.
We have 3 new winter-inspired cocktails! Come in and give them a try!
Eggnog is back at Caves for a limited time! Caves Eggnog is made in house with spiced rum and brandy & it’s delicious! We’ll have our Eggnog available through the Holiday and for the next week or so.
We’ll have a new Warm Kale Salad hitting the menu this weekend!
Look forward to a new warm dessert or two coming up soon!
MARKETING
You may have noticed that our beers are being categorized into series and we wanted to take a second to explain a little of what these mean. You can typically find this designation on our one sheets and beer labels.
Perpetual
Beers that are made year-round
Example: Gloria!
Perennial
Beers which return seasonally each year
Example: Hoppy New Year
Emerging
New and/or one-off releases that may or may not return
Example: Carpathians
Orbital
Beers that rotate through variants (Sticky Hands, DAB Lab, etc)
Example: Sticky Hands: Greatest Hits Vol. 2
Synergy
Collaboration series where we partner with other brands
Example: Crisp Start
EVENTS
Check back next week!
HIGH FIVE SECTION
Chris Martushev - He’s always killing it and is a great trainer. He’s a great source of information and everyone feels comfortable coming to him with questions.
Tyler Lenz - Tyler deserves a shout of every single week. Not only is he an extremely hard worker, but he is an absolute kind soul and is SO amazing at his job! You rock it, Tyler!
Seth Bowman - Seth always has great energy at work!
Madeline Fernandez - Always comes in with a positive attitude and kills it consistently.
STAFF SECTION!
Welcome to the team to the following folks!
Georgia Mason (Caves FOH)
Scott Dolsen (Distro)
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!