Internal Brewsletter - May 17th, 2023
General
Friday we will phase out Cuatros Leches cake for the season and bring back the Carrot Cake Bell! This will be on at both locations.
Decadent carrot cake with a fluffy cream cheese filling. This update to a childhood classic is then topped with a classic swirl and candied walnuts.
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 Tyler! Swing by the Pub this Thursday for Chicken Fried Steak.
If that inspires you, we’re always looking for more submissions, so send in those ideas!
UPCOMING PACKAGED BEER RELEASES - cans
RELEASING Friday 5/19
The Beer Walker // Brewed for our longtime friend and first customer, Gary, "The Beer Walker." We loaded this West-Coast IPA with vibrant Simcoe, Strata, and Centennial hops, paired with a lush malt base that balances with a pleasant dryness. // 7.30% ABV
Takeaways: Small updates, pushing big flavor with new advanced hop products. We pulled the Simcoe CO2 extract that used to be in this beer in favor of CTZ Salvo that we have been loving, we also blended in some Strata CGX with the regular Strata to really push that character.
Tasting Notes: Kumquat. Pine resin. Straight-Laced.
UPCOMING PACKAGED BEER RELEASES - Bottles
RELEASING Friday 5/19
TC Bing PX // Turbulent Consequence is our turbid mashed, extended boiled, lambic-style ale spontaneously fermented and matured in our underground wild cellars. Bing PX 2022 features a blend of 2.5-5 year old barrels matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry and French oak barrels, conditioned on locally farmed Bing cherries. // 6.30% ABV
Takeaways: This blend consists of barrels of Turbulent Consequence aged on Bing cherries for different lengths of time. The use of sweet cherries and Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels balances the acidity of TC.
Tasting Notes: Tart Cherry, Dates, Almond
COMING UP ON DRAFT
RELEASING Friday 5/19
The Beer Walker // India Pale Ale
TC Bing PX // Lambic Ale Matured in Sherry and Oak Barrels with Cherries
CROWLER/PACKAGE SALE
Crowler Sale: Joy
UPCOMING / IN PROCESS BEERS
*This list is subject to change based on the brewing schedule, so please keep that in mind!
Oregona // India Pale Ale
Queen of Spices // Tropical Export Stout w/ Cardamom
Tipping Point // India Pale Ale w/ Spruce Tips
Tropicolor // 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
Drip system will be ready for the hanging baskets above the 100’s and the Corral plants by Thursday morning! Once the big planters get repotted, we will need to make sure that those are getting watered in the morning and at night (hosts, this will be on your list). As you are working outside, it never hurts to check the plants in the Corral to make sure the soil is moist as we fine tune the watering system.
We are phasing out the Crimson Bliss cider and will be replacing it with 2 Towns Pacific Pineapple.
Sun’s out, dogs out! With the nice weather, we’re seeing all of the cutest pups! Please remember to offer a water bowl for those that have their sweet angels at an outside table, and don’t forget to bus/remove them after the party has left. This should be part of our floor checks as we are resetting tables, but they can be easy to miss!
TAP ROOM UPDATES
Starting this Friday and ongoing we will be doing Band Tee Friday at the Taproom! Any employee is welcome to wear their band of choice (as long as it is appropriate for work)! It should be a fun way to be casual, start conversations about music, and just be fun! So dig out all your cool Band Tees and wear them this Friday!!
We have a lot of beautiful new flowers planted around the Tap Room. Some of these are on an automatic drip system and some of them we will need to hand water a couple times a day(while it is super hot). I have made a plant watering guide/checklist and it lives on the host stand. Please be diligent about filling this out twice a day and make sure all of our new plants stay super healthy! For the time being, Makayla will still take care of all the indoor plants.
We have an awesome new duster! This is the time of year that the spiders are super busy and like to set up cobwebs all around the outside of the building, specifically in the grass area to the North. Once a day(in the afternoon when we are slow) grab the duster and do a walkthrough and knock out any webs that you see!
MARKETING
Beach Clean-up & Beer Collaboration for World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day is on the horizon (June 8th, to be exact), and to celebrate this day, we are teaming up with Sunriver Brewing and Buoy Beer Co to host a beach clean-up and a collaboration brew! This project came together when Buoy Beer contacted us about our connections with Ocean Blue Project. The inspiration behind this project is that “All rivers lead to the sea”, with all three breweries located by a major river and Buoy by both river and sea.
Our collab Beach clean up will be in Newport on June 24th from 1-4pm, so mark your calendars if you want to get involved.
More details to come with our partnership with Ocean Blue for the whole month of June!
Reach out to kelsea@block15.com if you have any questions!
EVENTS
Block 15 Softball Team - May-August
Stop by and cheer on the team! Game dates are subject to change, but as of right now:
5/23 6:10pm @ Rene Moye West, 5/30 7:30pm @ Pioneer Park, 6/6 7:30pm @ Rene Moye West, 6/13 7:30pm @ Pioneer Park, 6/20 6:10pm @ Rene Moye West, 6/27 7:30pm @ Rene Moye West, 7/11 7:30pm @ Rene Moye West, 7/18 8:45pm @ Pioneer Park, 7/25 7:30pm @ Rene Moye West, 8/1 6:10pm @ Rene Moye West.
Mt. Angel Maifest - May 19th-21st
Where: Mt. Angel, OR
Deep Seek and Gloria! will be pouring from Block 15 as part of the festival!
Block 15 Distro Tap Takeover - May 23-28th
Where: Beergarden, Eugene, OR
Kick off 7-9pm on Tuesday 5/23. Beer tastings & swag giveways Friday 5/26 from 5-8pm.
Portland Beer Week - June 16th-25th
Where: Various locations around PDX
We’ll be participating in a few events this year, as well as hosting our own. Check back later for dates/locations!
Beach Clean Up - June 24th 1-4pm
Where: Nye Beach, Newport, OR
Come help us clean up the beach for World Oceans Day! We’re partnering with Buoy Beer Co, Sunriver Brewing, and Ocean Blue for a collaborative clean-up effort. More info in the Marketing section above.
HIGH FIVE SECTION
Paul Van Handel - Thanks for keeping everyone smiling and doing 7 jobs at a time! Always a rockstar line at the pub , y’all rock
Garrison - Thanks for always having the teams back, working to resolve and troubleshoot issues, and proving brewers can have a sense of style.
James Whitney Lakin - Whit is always an absolute pleasure to work with. He’s a hard worker, a good friend, and he has good cats. p.s. shouts out Elton and Mr. Business
STAFF SECTION!
Welcome to the team to the following folks!
Tayler Jones (FOH)
Briley Heller (FOH)
SAFETY TIPS
Always make sure that you know how to use tools or machinery correctly. If you are not comfortable with any equipment do not operate it until you have further training! Accidents can quickly happen when something is not a familiar item.
THE PEOPLE’S PINT / CHEERS FOR CHARITY / DINE OUT
Dine Out for Franklin K-8 School: May 23rd
On May 23rd, a portion of sales from both Block 15 locations will be donated to help support equitable access to academic and enrichment activities for each of Franklin K-8 School's 320 students. This financial support helps them continue in their mission to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for every child.
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!