Internal Brewsletter - October 4th, 2023
General
Employee Provision
This week’s Employee Provision will be brought to you by the Block 15 Vaults! Swing by the Pub this Thursday for the Hawaiian Burger, which is made with a house burger patty on a Hawaiian bun, topped with spam and pineapple grilled in Korean BBQ sauce, and a slice of white American cheese.
If that inspires you, we’re always looking for more submissions, so send in those ideas!
UPCOMING PACKAGED BEER RELEASES - cans
RELEASING Friday 10/6
SunSchein // Helles is a study in precision, subtlety, and balance. Built around NW craft malts and hops, SunSchein is our expression of this style in the PNW - a crispy, delicately malty, and floral hopped pint of liquid gold. // 5.00% ABV
Takeaways: Spunding is the process of using a water-lock pressure relief valve to capture natural CO2 from fermentation and allow it to carbonate the beer, while still off-gassing. It is a traditional German lager-making practice that we have replicated, the result is a finer mouthfeel on the carbonation.
Tasting Notes: Fresh Sourdough. Wildflower Honey. Quaffable.
Series: Emerging
Animal Cookies // Brewed for the hop-loving animal inside of you, this can is packed with sticky, pungent hops. Unleash a swirling circus of pineapple, tangerine, mango, pine, and dank herb hop characters. // 7.00% ABV
Takeaways: The return of a classic Block 15 IPA. Hazy IPA done the Block 15 way.
Tasting Notes: Ripe Papaya. Navel Orange. Equitorial.
Series: Perennial
RELEASING Tuesday 10/10
Cheers to the Land. // A contemporary West Coast take on the classic American Pale Ale. This beer features Oregon Promise malt, a Salmon-Safe variety from the OSU barley breeding program that was malted by Mainstem Malt, and Cascade hops from B&D Farms in St. Paul, Oregon. // 5.40% ABV
Takeaways: The second-annual ‘Cheers to the Land’ campaign is a collaborative effort between Oregon’s great breweries, cideries, farmers, and Oregon Agricultural Trust (OAT) to help OAT permanently protect Oregon farmland from development and transition it to future generations. This year’s campaign features 17 breweries and cideries across Oregon, in partnership with Goschie Farms of Silverton and Gold Rush Malt of Baker City. Check out cheerstotheland.com for more information and events.
Tasting Notes: Jasmine. Lemon Zest. Terroir
Series: Synergy - Collaboration with Oregon Agricultural Trust
COMING UP ON DRAFT
RELEASING Friday 10/6
SunSchein // Helles Lager
Animal Cookies // Hazy IPA
RELEASING Tuesday 10/10
Cheers to the Land // Pale Ale made in collaboration with Oregon Agricultural Trust
CROWLER/PACKAGE SALE
Crowler Sale: Nebula and Paddle Season
UPCOMING / IN PROCESS BEERS
*This list is subject to change based on the brewing schedule, so please keep that in mind!
Specular Reflections // Belgian Dubbel
College // Cream Ale
Something Big and Resinous // Imperial IPA
Ol’ St Nick // Winter Warmer
Space Candy // Hazy IPA
Hair of the Peach // Barleywine Ale Matured in Bourbon Barrels with Peaches and Apricots, collaboration with Hair of the Dog
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
The Harvest Spritz will be replacing Call Me Maybe on Friday. It features Aperol, Pear Brandy, Lemon, a Clove Simple Syrup, and Prosecco
New Menu Item! Wednesday 10/11 we will be bringing back meatloaf! It will replace the pimento BLT! We will also be running the porkstrami out and it will likely run out around the same time.
Scratch-made pork & beef meatloaf, served with bread and butter pickles, melted Tillamook Swiss cheese, sweet glazed onions, and brown mustard aioli on toasted house-baked ciabatta bread. $17.99
This Friday-Sunday we will run a slightly limited food menu in the pub for Bloktoberfest business! We will remove chicken wings, hummus, and the chickpea shawarma salad.
TAP ROOM UPDATES
We are switching to our Winter hours next Monday 10/9! We will be open Mon-Thurs 3-8pm and Fri-Sun 11:30am-8pm.
Please be aware of how many napkins you are taking with meals! We should only be grabbing 1 per entree, it is a big waste we can help minimize!
Continue being flexible with guests and not getting caught up in “rules”. Go above and beyond with the hospitality and make a customer's day if you can!
Make sure you know what our hours are for this weekend with Bloktoberfest happening and talk it up with customers! It is going to be a blast!
Menu Changes! Wednesday 10/11 we will be replacing the piquillo chicken sandwich with the Alabama Slammer!
Smoked & pulled chicken, house dill pickles, banana peppers and our Alabama White BBQ sauce on a toasted Bread Stop brioche pub bun. $17.99
Happy Hour Changes! Wednesday 10/11 the spicy cucumbers on the HH menu will be replaced with chips and salsa AND the clam dip will be replaced with a mini pretzel!
Caves UPDATES
Congratulations to Aidan for stepping into a management position at Caves! We are excited to see him in this role and look forward to his leadership within the team!
This Saturday we are replacing the Dress to Impress with a new brunch spritz cocktail: Sweater Weather which will feature Apple Cider, Allspice Dram, Lemon, and Cava for a nice fall-forward brunch offering.
Once we run through the Watermelon + Lime Culture Pop, we will switch to Wild Berries + Lime for the season.
Events
Bloktoberfest 2023
Employees working the event, please check out this packet: Bloktoberfest 2023 Event Information.pdf
If you are not working the event, but at the pub, here are a couple of specifics you will want to be aware of:
Entrance wristband is $5 and is good for both days, 12 and under are free (minors welcome until 8pm)
Those wearing Lederhosen or Dirndl costumes receive free entrance.
The main entrance is on the South (Block 15) side of the street, towards the east end of the tent (near the pub entrance).
All Caves & Block 15 employees will receive entrance for free. When you show your ID at the entrance to get your wristband, you will have your name marked off the list.
Lost & Found – There will be a tub at the entrance area. Please direct customers there to try to find their lost items. If the item is not present, please direct them to email Bloktoberfest@block15.com
No outside food will be allowed in the tent. This includes take-out food from the Pub or Caves.
Guests CAN bring mugs from previous years into the event.
Mugs are intended to be used in the tent only, and therefore if customers come into the restaurant and wish to use their mug please offer them a pint instead. If someone pours their beer from a pint into their mug, that is okay; this rule is about tracking mugs at the bar and logistics of getting the right mug to the right person.
Visit the Bloktoberfest Hub for all the deets on the event.
HIGH FIVE SECTION
Makayla Karnowski - For being so amazing! I super appreciate your willingness to take new things on and be eager to grow and learn! You are kick ass!
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!
Max Spears (BOH)
SAFETY TIPS
Back, neck and shoulder sprains are common occurrences in the food service industry, don’t attempt to carry too much at once or bend at odd angles to place trays on stands or tables.
THE PEOPLE’S PINT / CHEERS FOR CHARITY / DINE OUT
Check back next week.
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!