The start of the calendar year is an enchanting time to visit local brewpubs. With the holidays slowly fading from memory and the days gradually becoming longer, visitors enjoy a more laid-back experience—one where brewers experiment with new and special releases, beertenders have more time to chat up the ale or lager you just ordered, and you can sip your new favorite beers in quieter environments.
For Corvallis-based Block 15 Brewing Co., the start of the year is also a good time to attract pub goers with Bourbon Month - a celebration of all things bourbon, with tastings and events throughout February.
All month long, the popular brewery will offer tastings of rare and prized bourbons and whiskeys, release specialty beers aged in bourbon barrels, and host beer- and spirit-focused events at its three outposts around Corvallis.
Alex Goodwin, mixologist and general manager at the brewery’s downtown pub, says the slow pace of the season lends itself to bourbon tasting. “I feel like it’s a spirit you can sit with, sip slowly, and enjoy so you can relax and immerse yourself in it a little bit,” she says. “People get excited to sit down, taste it, see what they get out of it, and connect with it that way.”
As Bourbon Month approaches, here’s a rundown of what to expect—with details on events, month-long tasting opportunities, and more.
Bourbon Month is as old as Block 15 - a mainstay since the brewery’s beginning in 2008.
Goodwin says January and February comprise the slowest time of the year in the hospitality industry and that a month-long event gets people into the pub, brings them together with friends and loved ones, and offers a new twist on typical brewpub offerings. Not just that, but Bourbon Month festivities provide an opportunity to familiarize guests with the popular spirit.
Goodwin says the event showcases rare, specialty, and hard-to-find bourbons - as well as new releases from up-and-coming distilleries - all chosen to make the spirit more approachable for those new to bourbon and enticing for enthusiasts alike. “It’s just a great way to explore how different each distillery is and to enjoy the uniqueness and the artistry that goes into making bourbon,” she says. “Everyone has their closely guarded recipes, their secrets, their tips and tricks for making something fantastic - so you can kind of see how each different distillery is doing it.”
It doesn’t hurt that Bourbon Month acts as a salve against the dog days of winter, either. “It’s been our way to bring a little bit of fun, happiness, and cheer to dreary Oregon winter months,” she says.
Whether you don’t know the first thing about bourbon or have a curated collection at home, Block 15 is putting on a variety of beer- and bourbon-oriented events all February long. Here are just a few of the many events designed to showcase the popular spirit.
Bourbon Passport: Block 15 will make 17 bourbons available for tasting throughout the month. Visitors can pick up a passport-like stamp book where they can keep track of each bourbon they try. Anyone who tries at least 13 of the 17 offerings will get to enjoy a party and a prize.
Jan. 31, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Downtown Pub: Friday Night Brewer's Dinner - Enjoy an evening learning about how Block 15's bourbon-barrel-aged beers were made from Brewery Director Matt Williams over a six-course pairing experience by Executive Chef Sarah. Your ticket includes an allotment of bottles. Learn more and get tickets.
Feb. 1, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Southtown Tap Room: Guided Pairings with Bottle Pre-Order Opportunity - During this guided experience, you’ll learn how the beers were made from our Brewery staff while enjoying thoughtful pairings by our Executive Chef, Sarah, to enhance the tasting notes of each beer. Ticket includes a bottle pre-order opportunity. Learn more and get tickets.
Feb. 1, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Downtown Pub: Saturday Night Brewer's Dinner - Enjoy an evening learning about how Block 15's bourbon-barrel-aged beers were made from Co-Owner, Nick Arzner over a six-course pairing experience by Executive Chef Sarah. Your ticket includes an allotment of bottles. Learn more and get tickets.
Feb. 1, Downtown Pub and Southtown Tap Room: Kick Off & General Bottle Release - Bottles will be available for sale at each location during regular business hours starting February 1st. Limits will be in effect, and bottles will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Stamp Books will be available at all locations.
Feb. 4, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Southtown Tap Room: Bourbon Trivia - Join Block 15 for a Bourbon-themed trivia event hosted by Ian at the Southtown Tap Room. Teams of up to six people are allowed, with tables available on a first-come, first-serve basis. More details to come.
Feb. 11, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Downtown Pub: 4 Spirits Tasting & Dine Out - Representatives from 4 Spirits Distillery in Corvallis will be on-site for a special bourbon tasting. Two cocktail specials using their bourbon and barrel-aged gin will be on the menu. In addition, a portion of the day's food sales from both Block 15 locations will be donated to the 4 Spirits Foundation.
Feb. 18, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Caves Corvallis: Bourbon Dinner at Caves - Join Caves for an exclusive curated Bourbon Dinner. Crafted by Executive Chef Sarah and Caves General Manager Aidan, this six-course dinner will taste you through a night of Bourbon-inspired refreshments that complement NW meets European Fare. Sign up for the Block 15 newsletter or the Caves newsletter to be notified when tickets go on sale.
Feb. 25, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Southtown Tap Room: Strong Water Beverages Highlight - Join Block 15 for an evening with Strong Water Beverages as they sample out some of the bourbons from their extensive line-up as well as other standout selections.
Note that some events are ticketed and open first to subscribers of the Block 15 email newsletter (free registration required). Learn more with the Bourbon Month landing page.
Super Nebula (12.96%): Imperial stout matured in bourbon barrels with cocoa nibs. This year's annual Imperial Stout release was matured in Basil Hayden Toast bourbon barrels and then conditioned on organic, direct-trade Tanzanian cocoa nibs specially selected to complement its decadent character.
Super Nebula Breakfast with Hayden (12.96%): Imperial stout matured in bourbon barrels with cocoa nibs, coffee bBeans, and maple. Block 15's yearly Super Nebula "Breakfast Edition" features Basil Hayden Toast bourbon barrel matured Imperial Stout, conditioned with fresh-roasted coffee beans, maple, and organic, direct-trade Tanzanian cocoa nibs.
Super Nebula Ceylon Praline (12.96%): Imperial stout matured in bourbon barrels with pecans, Ceylon cinnamon, cocoa nibs, and salt. This unique small-batch blend of Super Nebula and Ceylon Praline integrates toasted pecans, Ceylon cinnamon, and salt with the rich base of bourbon barrel and cocoa nib imperial stout base.
Kriek (7.40%): Oud Bruin matured in bourbon barrels with cherries. Spontaneously fermented in Block 15's wild cellar, Kriek is their Oud Bruin matured over two winters on locally farmed tart Montmorency cherries in second-run bourbon barrels, first used to mature Super Nebula, their Imperial Stout.
Article by Matthew Wastradowski. Updates by Marci Sischo. Photos by Reed Lane Photography or courtesy of Block 15. Keep up with Corvallis news, events and happenings by signing up for our email newsletter.
