Internal Brewsletter - August 9th, 2023
General
See you this Sunday at the company BBQ!
Both Block 15 locations will be closed. Caves will be open for Brunch but closed for Dinner.
Employee Provision:
This week’s Employee Provision will be brought to you by Brandyn! Swing by the Pub this Thursday for a Caribbean Pork sandwich. This is a take on an old monthly special sandwich we used to run! Citrus marinated and smoked pork loin, jerk grilled onions, citrus aioli, cilantro, and jalapenos on a toasted bun!
We’re looking for more submissions, so send in those ideas!
UPCOMING PACKAGED BEER RELEASES - cans
RELEASING Friday 8/11
Stoke Coast // Get stoked on the West Coast as we cram in as many summer trips as possible. This West Coast Pilsner is crisp, bright, and hop forward like the pines that grow along the salty cliffs of HWY 101. // 5.00% ABV
Takeaways: Small additions of pale and Munich malts add gentleness to an otherwise crisp malt base. Complimented by citrusy, floral, and gently tropical hops. Utilizing our combined experience in brewing to create a more balanced and drinkable hop-forward lager.
Tasting Notes: Lime. Papaya. On Board.
Series: Emerging
Peach Punch! (You in the Eye) // Great Notion and Block 15 have teamed up again, blending techniques and ideas from both breweries to brew this luscious, fruit-forward IPA. Fermented with peaches and apricots, before being heavily dry-hopped. // 7.00% ABV
Takeaways: MANY PEACHES AND APRICOTS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS BEER.
Tasting Notes: Peachieos. Pineapple. Juiced up.
Series: Synergy
COMING UP ON DRAFT
RELEASING Friday 8/11
Low Voltage // We packed all the flavor of a witbier into a lighter package, designed to be low-abv this beer is a great option for those looking for a more conscientious decision on what to drink. // 3.25% ABV
Takeaways: A classic Wit with a modern-Low abv twist. We pooled our collective experiences and brewing knowledge to experiment with this light and refreshing wit. Low ABV and Low calorie, it delivers a normal beer drinking experience with less guilt.
Tasting Notes: Lemon peel. Baking spice. Low-Hazard.
Series: Emerging
Standing Sun: Tangerine & Pink Guava // Celebrate the sun-drenched days of summer with the next variation in our series of fruited sour ales. Light and juicy, this beer is designed for maximum refreshment and features Tangerine and Pink Guava. // 5.20% ABV
Takeaways: Our next 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: Creamsicle. Orange Rind. Cool Down.
Series: Emerging
Stoke Coast // West Coast Pilsner
Peach Punch! (You in the Eye) // Hazy IPA with Peaches and Apricots, collaboration with Great Notion Brewing
CROWLER/PACKAGE SALE
Crowler Sale: Topwire No. 2
UPCOMING / IN PROCESS BEERS
*This list is subject to change based on the brewing schedule, so please keep that in mind!
TopWire IPA No. 03 // India Pale Ale
Peche 2023 // Lambic-style ale aged on Elberta peaches
Flicker // West Coast IPA
Bloktoberfest // Märzen Lager
Bill Breathes // Imperial 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
Beer 101: Low ABV
Written by Ted O’Hanlan, Head Brewer
Light beer has existed for at least a century, the definition of which changes from place to place. In the United States, light beer is a style that “has a significantly lower amount of calories than a comparable full-calorie version.” Alcohol and residual sugar are the primary influences of calories and carbohydrates in beer, so these beers are usually lower in abv, but also finish dryer in order to keep the carbohydrates in check. The result is, more often than not, a very thin and watery product without as much flavor as a normal beer.
The world of light beer has almost exclusively been a marketplace for macro breweries, but some craft breweries have jumped in with health-conscious products, both low abv and non-alcoholic. This market segment is growing as more and more consumers make health considerations around their relationship with alcohol. A recent study has predicted an annual growth rate of 4.1% in this sector through 2027. There is certainly room for more competition, but there is also a lot of room for experimentation.
When you think of light beers you think of thin, watery, and lacking flavor, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Craft breweries have an advantage over macro producers because we already strive to create premium products with everything we make, and don’t need to be as concerned about making beer as cheaply as possible. That said, we can experiment in the low abv/low-calorie beer market with products that still have full flavor and body while maintaining a product for health-conscious consumers.
Low Voltage is our first attempt at an ultra-low abv beer, clocking just over 3% we are working toward creating even lower beers that still maintain all the flavor and body of a normal beer. Using techniques that lock a higher percentage of unfermentable sugars in the beer, we create balance by bending longstanding rules and assumptions about how to compose the grain bill of a beer. Also, combining our collective experience with using hops we are working to create a balance in flavor and bitterness that is rare in these types of beers. Low Voltage is the first of what may become a series of low-abv beers and we continue to push our understanding of brewing to create something unique.
Further Reading:
PUB UPDATES
The 2020 Lumos Pinot Noir will soon be replaced by their 2021 vintage (which is all downstairs in the server restock area). Please do not pull the new vintage until a manager tells you, so that we know when we are on the newest one.
We may temporarily run out of Mutantis Helles as they are between batches, but it will be back sometime next week if we do run out.
Spiders are busy little buddies this time of year, and are making webs quickly. Please make sure we are mindful of the special cleaning projects at close and are very detailed in hitting these webs all along the outside of the building.
TAP ROOM UPDATES
We are switching up our seasonal lemonade flavor to white peach guava this Friday! We will run through what we have of passionfruit and passionfruit Marg alongside if needed.
Make sure we are rinsing out the smix pitchers before washing them as the seeds like to stick around.
With warm weather on the horizon for a while make sure we are watering the plants twice a day! Don’t forget about the little table succulents too (water them twice a week)
If you see anything break, need fixing, seems off, etc. write it in the maintenance log and let Madie know so it gets addressed ASAP!
Caves UPDATES
James Rahn Pinot Gris and the Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc will be back this week!
Two beers on the horizon! Check the Newsletter below for details.
More info on the Corvallis Beer Week Caves events will also be in this week’s newsletter. Be sure to thoroughly read it!
Lagered by the Sun updates!
Both displays are now up at the Tap Room and Pub. Take a second to check them out!
For a quick hit list to remember what Lagered by the Sun means, just remember:
Solar Powered
Local and Regional ingredients
Sustainable Brewing
Community Focused
MARKETING
Check back next week!
EVENTS
Bloktoberfest - October 6th-7th
Save the date!
HIGH FIVE SECTION
Garrison Schmidt - Day in, day out he comes in and crushes it. He brings a lot of positive vibes day to day and a certain Je ne sais quoi to the company that keeps things rolling along.
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If you have kudos or kind words you want to share anonymously in the Brewsletter, use the button below!
STAFF SECTION!
Welcome the following folks to the team!
Sam Hickok (BOH)
Adrianna Gabaldon (BOH)
SAFETY TIPS
Flu season typically starts in September and goes all the way through March. If you’re interested in Flu vaccine information and recommendations, Regence sent out some information in the link!
THE PEOPLE’S PINT / CHEERS FOR CHARITY / DINE OUT
Dine Out! for Hunters of Color - August 15th
On August 15th, a portion of sales from both Block 15 locations will be donated to help support equitable access to outdoor recreation, hunting, fishing, and conservation for the Hunters of Color community in Oregon. This financial support helps us further our mission of making 'The Outdoors for Everyone' by engaging and empowering community members in outdoor recreation and conservation work.
Representatives from Hunters of Color - Oregon will be on-site at our Southtown Tap Room from 5-7 pm, providing more information about our organization. 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!