Block 15 Collaborates with Hair of the Dog on Pick of the Litter Series
It appears that Hair of the Dog Brewing has not gone into complete slumber after its closure as the brewery’s founder, Alan Sprints, continues to work on collaboration projects with other breweries. Block 15 Brewing has recruited Sprints to collaborate on a new series of barrel-aged beers for the Corvallis based brewery, aptly named Pick of the Litter.
The first beer in the eight-beer series, Hair of the Peach, was released in 500mL bottles over the holiday weekend in Corvallis at both Block 15 Brewing locations. Hair of the Peach is also making its way out into distribution.
Pick of the Litter is a collaborative blend series using vintage barrels from Hair of the Dog and a fresh complementary blend from Block 15 Brewing. The idea behind the series was to encompass both breweries’ spirit, creativity, and uniqueness in each release. The series will begin in November of 2023 and run for two years, with a release each quarter.
“I am beyond excited to collaborate with a trailblazing brewmaster like Alan Sprints,” says Block 15 Brewing Production Manager Garrison Schmidt. “In January 2023, we got the opportunity to personally taste through Hair of the Dog’s collection of remaining barrels and selected our favorites to bring home and design complimentary brews. I’m looking forward to the upcoming projects and releases and what we have to share with our fans of Hair of the Dog and Block 15 Brewing.”
Hair of the Peach is a 10.4% blend of 2015 Peach Fred stored in bourbon barrels from Hair of the Dog and fresh Block 15 Brewing barleywine and then re-fermented in the summer of 2023 on Willamette Valley apricots from EZ orchards. The brewery’s tasting notes state that the beer offers layers of peach leather, almond pits, and apricot flesh, with malt complexity.
The next release in the Pick of the Litter series will take place in February 2024 during Block 15 Brewing’s Bourbon Month. The beer will be Super Nebula: Cherry Dog, an Imperial Stout Matured in Bourbon Barrels with Cocoa Nibs and Cherry.
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.