In 2008, Nick and Kristen Arzner opened Block 15 Brewing in the 1926 Gazette-Times newspaper building, just blocks away from Oregon State University and its prestigious Fermentation Science program. The Arzners took full advantage of Willamette Valley’s agricultural abundance, which, of course, includes hops. Block 15 built a reputation for first-rate IPAs and other hop-forward ales, rock-solid renditions of classic recipes from around the world and a dazzling variety of Belgian-style brews, including cask-conditioned specialties featuring wild yeasts and exotic flavors. Today, Peaks & Pints presents an in-house flight of Block 15 craft beer that we call Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Block 15.

Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Block 15

Block 15 Ridgeback Red

5.5% ABV, draft

Formally an in-house exclusive at Block 15’s two Corvallis taprooms, Ridgeback Red features a blend of rustic malts with zesty hops grown in the Pacific Northwest. Balancing flavors of caramel and toasted nuts with pine, lemon and grapefruit hop character, it finishes delightfully crisp for a malt-forward beer.

Block 15 That’s The Badger

5.4% ABV, can

In England, “That’s the badger” expression means “that’s exactly it.” In the Pacific Northwest, That’s The Badger is an extra special bitter brewed by Block 15. True to the tradition of English pub beers, this classic style balances complex malt notes of toasted nuts and caramel with a mellow hop bitterness and a gentle, spicy hop flavor. The carbonation, body, sweetness, and bitterness are on the lighter side.

Block 15 Nebula

6% ABV, draft

A nebula is an enormous cloud of dust and gas occupying the space between stars and acting as a nursery for new stars. The roots of the word come from Latin nebula, which means a “mist, vapor, fog, smoke, exhalation.” Nebulae are made up of dust, basic elements such as hydrogen and other ionized gases. Block 15’s Nebula is a stout brewed with rolled oats and European pale, caramel, chocolate, and brown malts, and then gently hopped with English Fuggle for rich notes of roast, chocolate ganache, cold brew, and caramel softened by a smooth oat body.

Block 15 Tipping Point

6.5% ABV, can

Each spring, spruce trees begin to sprout new needles. These are the tips, and they are soft and pliable and a brighter shade of green than the existing needles. If left on the tree, they will eventually harden into the needles we’re more accustomed to with the tree. Spruce tips can either be used to bitter and flavor a beer in place of hops, or as a flavorful ingredient in addition to hops adding a delightful combination of pine, citrus, woodsy, green, and even wine grape, or red berry. Block 15 tossed freshly foraged, sticky spruce tips into their Tipping Point IPA with layers of cryogenic, super-critical hop extracts. It all comes together with dank and fruity notes layered with a lingering, resinous finish.

Block 15 Cosmic Cold Brew

7% ABV

Working alongside their south Corvallis neighbors, Bespoken Coffee Roasters, Block 15 elevated their classic Nebula Stout with a 24-hour cold extraction on freshly roasted coffee beans. Cosmic Cold Brew is exactly what you want from a coffee stout. It’s dry, complex, balanced, and delicious with flavors of coffee, chocolate, dark fruit, and pepper. On the nose, expect spice, coffee, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, well-aged fruit cake, and cinnamon.

LINK: Peaks & Pints cooler inventory