315: Alpha IPA

I hit up Block 15 Brewing in Corvallis on my way to the coast for a long weekend with my small family. We rented a small house in Yachats, a really endearing little coast town about 45 miles south of Newport (home of Rogue Brewing).

If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you know how enthusiastic I am about Block 15′s beers, and I got a chance to further the fandom with a tour of Block 15′s cellars and barrel rooms with Brewer/owner Nick Azner. I’ll write a bit more about that when I review the growler of Oud Bruin I have tucked away in my basement, but here’s a sneak preview: Block 15 is evolving rapidly.

I was effusive in my praise before, but it was the kind of praise that is more hopeful than substantive. You know, if you wish hard enough … ?

The barrel room 9 months ago was a kind of afterthought, tucked hopefully in the corner of the tiny basement. Today, that barrel room is nearly double the size, brightly lit and temp-controlled. Today, Nick talks about bacterium like a professor, no longer a first-year bio student. There’s some really fun stuff happening in Corvallis. Really, you should go.

Beer Name: Alpha IPA
Brewer: Block 15 Brewing
Price: $12.00/growler
Sampled: November 11, 2010
Rating: 4/5
Notes: Could have been Oud Bruin – broken growler lid leaving Corvallis! :( Big, citrusy aroma and great, fresh, hop flavor. Big, lingering, fruity hops. Solid, solid IPA. Reminiscent of Caldera, but fresher!
ABV: 6.8% abv
IBU: 70 ibu
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Growler.