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The return of football means the return of one of my favorite columns… FRIDAY DRANKIN’! tomorrow night I will be parked somewhere in the H Lot with a cooler full of beer. My old Hillenbrand roommate is expected to stop by, as well as some podcasters for Oregon State that had me on their show last week. It is good to feel alive again.
As usual, Friday Drankin’ focuses on a microbrewery in the city of our opponent. We’re starting to run out of places for our Big Ten West brethren and Indiana, but non-conference games open the door for new avenues. At the suggestion of the Belligerent Beavs podcast, I have selected Block 15 Brewing in Corvallis.
300 SW Jefferson Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97333
I have only been to Oregon once, way back in 1995, and I was nowhere near Corvallis at the time, but it seems like Block 15 is a “bookmark for Purdue’s return trip in 2024. They boast that they are hop-forward, but they also have a wide variety of wild & sour ales. They have been open since 2008 and now have three locations.
Stucky Hands IPA – 8.1% ABV – This was the strongest recommendation from the Belligerent Beavs guys. It is described as, “this Hop Experience Ale features ample additions of sticky, lupulin-packed hops, grown in the Pacific Northwest. The result is an aromatic blast of citrus, tropical fruit, and dank herb that transitions into resinous hop flavor and a delightfully balanced finish.
Ridgeback Red – 5.5% ABV – Not enough breweries make crisp red ales, which is one of my favorite styles. Ridgeback Red offers a balanced blend of rustic malt character and NW hops. Brewed with Vienna, Munich, and Crystal malts, it offers grist notes of caramel and toasted nuts that subtly transition into layers of piney and citrusy hop flavor.
Wandlepad – 6.5% ABV – This is listed on their seasonals and specialties, but Belgians are good because they pack a punch without the “shotgun full of hops to the face” of IPAs. Inspired by one of the finest Trappist beers we sampled in our travels through Belgium, this blonde ale was brewed with imported Belgian malts, Oregon-grown hops, and Trappist yeast. Crisp, complex, and refreshing, the result is a classic Belgian balance of fruity esters, rustic grist character, and a zesty hop finish.
Joy – 5.6% ABV - Joy blends a pillowy-soft malt profile with a trifecta of tropical, citrus, and orchard fruit hop character. This nuanced, modern-day pale ale is brewed often, canned fresh, and designed to be enjoyed year-round. Drink your Joy!
Block 15 looks like they have a lot of IPAs even under their specialties, so it is the perfect place if that is your thing. They have a couple of other styles, including an English Porter on their specialties page that looks very interesting. Check them out!