Internal Brewsletter - April 5th, 2023
GENERAL
Employee Provision: This is 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 Rachel! Swing by the Pub this Thursday for Spicy Peanut Yakisoba, featuring plenty of fresh veggies like water chestnuts, broccoli, and snap peas.
If that inspires you, we’re always looking for more submissions, so send in those ideas!
UPCOMING PACKAGED BEER RELEASES - cans
RELEASING FRIDAY 4/7
Sol Fresco // Brewed for warm days in the sun and packaged fresh for your enjoyment. This golden-hued lager balances gentle corn sweetness, light hop bitterness, and aroma with a crisp, clean finish. // 4.70% ABV
Takeaways: Shifting seasons brings on our Mexican lager, light and refreshing with a gentle bitterness. Brewed with 100% domestic malt and 100% PNW hops.
Tasting Notes: Honey. Floral. Sunshine.
COMING UP ON DRAFT
RELEASING FRIDAY 4/7
Sol Fresco // Mexican Lager
Standing Sun: Blackberry // The summer solstice is still a ways off, but it's never too early to start celebrating the sun-drenched days soon to be. Light and juicy, this beer is designed for maximum refreshment. // 5.50% ABV
Takeaways: Our first trial of a new series of heavily fruited, but low abv beers for the Summer. Tart, light and refreshing these beers are designed to accompany adventures all Summer-long.
Tasting Notes: Juicy. Crisp. Spring Bloom.
CROWLER/PACKAGE SALE
Crowler Sale: Joy Pale Ale
UPCOMING / IN PROCESS BEERS
*This list is subject to change based on the brewing schedule, so please keep that in mind!
Crystal Ball // India Pale Ale, collaboration with The Bier Stein
The Past // Amber Ale, collaboration with Joel of Corvallis Brewing Supply
The Present // India Pale Ale, collaboration with Coldfire Brewing
The Future // Rice Lager, collaboration with OSU Fermentation Science Dept.
Revolve // Bier de Champagne aged in Peach Brandy barrels
Board Shorts // India Pale Ale
Nugg Hugg // India Pale Ale
That’s the Badger // ESB
Future Focus 3.0 // Thiolized Hazy IPA
BEER EDUCATION
Weekly Tastings of new releases and some classics is continuing:
Tuesdays at 2pm at the Taproom
Thursdays at 11am at the Pub
PUB UPDATES
While we are pretty light on notes for the Read & Sign this week, one aspect that we want to focus on is utilizing time properly when waiting for drinks to come up in the well, and waiting for a ticket to be told before traying it. While we want drinks to come up and go out quickly, we also want to avoid being in the well when drinks are not ready.
If you are waiting for a ticket, but the bartender is busy working on other tickets or helping customers, please loop around and see if there are tables that can be pre-bussed or cleaned, sani that can be changed, food that can be run, etc. If you are comfortable behind the bar and there is space, feel free to check in and pop back to help if needed. If you have been waiting for the ticket for a minute, feel free to check in to confirm that it printed/is being worked on.
Please wait until the entire drink ticket has been sold and all drinks are garnished before traying it. This helps to ensure that all items are accounted for and that we don’t miss or take out the wrong items. If you are unsure if a ticket is ready, feel free to ask the bartender if it’s good to take.
With the return of Sol Fresco this Friday, we will also be bringing back the Michelada on the cocktail menu. For those of you who are not familiar, a Michelada is kind of a beer “cocktail” typically consisting of a light beer combined with a mix that can vary greatly in its ingredients (tomato juice, lime, chiles, spices, etc.), but shares some similarities to a Bloody Mary or Red Beer. Our mix is spicy, savory, and a little smoky and comes served with a Tajin (chili-lime salt) rim. There is an option in Toast to add a half shot of tequila or mezcal (the best addition, IMO).
In the coming weeks we will be switching our rosé from the Airlie to the Anne Amie rosé which will be a lighter, more traditional offering that’ll be perfect for Spring & Summer. Stay tuned for details and tasting notes!
TAP ROOM UPDATES
This Friday, we will be switching our Pinot Gris back to Compton.
With the weather getting nicer outside and business in our outside sections increasing, please make sure that as closers and pre-closers,we are diligent about how we are leaving it outside overnight. Obviously, wiping off tables and picking up large debris. But also locking up or bringing in furniture and checking that the fire and all the heaters are turned off. Lets keep it looking snazzy!
New Sandwich! This Friday we will be replacing the bourbon patty melt with a new chicken sandwich!
Piquillo Pesto Chicken Sandwich
Tender sous vide chicken breast tossed in piquillo pepper-pepita pesto with fresh romaine, shaved parmesan & citrus aioli on a toasted brioche bun. $15.99
CAVES UPDATES
MARKETING
15th Anniversary
We are getting closer to the 15th Anniversary Fest! We will have posters and table tents going up with QR codes leading to our Anniversary Hub. We also have FAQ’s on there in case anyone has questions about the Fest. Take a look, read them and get a feel for what questions could be heading your way from our customers. If you have any additional questions, email us at Marketing@block15.com and we will help you out!
Corvallis Half Marathon - April 15th!
Where are my runners at!? We’re doing another year of sponsoring the Corvallis Half Marathon and Blair was kind enough to give us a voucher to run for free! This is for either a 5k or a half marathon!
There are some rules though… if you use the voucher, you HAVE to run or you will have to foot (Ha! Get it?) the bill. The second rule is to make sure you have planned ahead with your work schedule and make sure your time off is covered. Third rule is just have so good ‘ol fashion fun.
If you’re ready to lace up your shoes for April 15th, shoot Kelsea an email (kelsea@block15.com) with the subject line, “I’m Ready to Run!!” and I’ll give you a voucher for free entry.
EVENTS
Crystal Ball Release Event in Eugene - April 13th!
A couple of us are heading to The Bier Stein next Thursday (4/13) for the release of our anniversary collab with The Bier Stein! This beer is releasing next week and is a celebratory beer for our relationship with this amazing bottle shop. Find yourself heading to Eugene? Stop by and say hey! We will be there from 5 - 8 pm.
15th Anniversary Celebrations
2008 Throwback Party - April 20th
@ Downtown Pub
The 15th Anniversary: Past, Present, and Future Fest - April 22nd
@ Southtown Taproom
Distribution Tour - April 26th-29th
Wildwood Taphouse - Hillsboro - April 26th
PublicHouse - Springfield - April 27th
Bridge & Tunnel - Astoria - April 28th
Common Fields - Corvallis - April 28th
MayFly Bottle Shop & Taproom - Portland - April 29th
HIGH FIVE SECTION
Goody, Benny, Laura & The rest of the Downtown Pub Staff - Thanks so much for taking care of the folks that were here for the various 15th Anniversary Collabs! The folks from The Bier Stein & Coldfire Brewing were very impressed with the service and hospitality and were really stoked on the food! Nice work everyone! We really appreciate it!
Colin Yorke - Colin is always willing to help out if he's got an available hand, like putting away Sysco, closing the dish pit,and even cleaning bathrooms! We love having you in the prep crew Colin!
STAFF SECTION!
Welcome to the team to the following folks!
Matthew Rybarczyk (Caves BOH)
Matthew Sanchez (Pub BOH)
Tiva Ward (Pub (FOH)
SAFETY TIPS
Always be aware of your surroundings and be careful while using the stairs.
THE PEOPLE’S PINT / CHEERS FOR CHARITY / DINE OUT
Dine Out for Greenbelt Land Trust - April 11th
On April 11th, 10% of sales from both Block 15 locations will be donated to help their cause to protect and restore the lands and waters that you care about in the Willamette Valley, for a more resilient future for all.
Greenbelt Land Trust will be on site at Block 15's South Town Tap Room from 5-7pm. Stop by and say hello!
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!