Developed with regional ingredients and aided by solar power, Block 15 Brewing announces the "Lagered by the Sun" program. A unique release showcasing sustainable brewing practices.
Press Release
On July 25th, Block 15 Brewing, announces their Lagered By the Sun program. Each lager offered by Block 15 Brewery now displays a Lagered by The Sun icon which proudly represents that the lager in the can has been cold stored using energy generated from the breweries’ solar panels and carefully crafted with regional malt, hops, and Willamette Valley water.
About Lagered by the Sun
Lagered by the Sun represents the company’s commitment to sustainable brewing practices. The program focuses on brewing with local and regional ingredients and utilizing solar energy in the lagering process. “Lagered by The Sun has been a project several years in the making, and we’re proud that the result encompasses many of our efforts to brew sustainably while creating unique craft beer that genuinely represents our place in the PNW,” says founding Brewer Nick Arzner.
Solar Energy
In December of 2021, with the help of Oregon Clean Power Cooperative and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, 98kW of solar panels were installed at the Southtown Brewery and Taproom. This provides the facility with 40% of the building’s needs, more than enough to power the breweries’ glycol cooling system that cold stores their lagers beers to peak maturity. To this date, the solar panels have provided 185.57MWh of power. To see live tracking of the energy being produced, head HERE.
Regionally Sourced Malt & Hops
Inspired by historical European and international lagers that emerged regionally, Block 15 focuses on working with ingredients close to home without diminishing the quality of the beer. By reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation, these partnerships support farmers in the Pacific Northwest while giving their brewers greater control over the beers’ character. Recently, Block 15 installed an additional silo that is exclusively filled with Pacific Northwest Pilsner malt.
“A brewery sourcing regional materials means they critically examine their impact on the environment and community. It matters because, as an industry, brewers need to be good stewards of our planet’s natural resources. Breweries need high-quality water, grain, and hops to make their products, so anything we can do to reduce our impact on the environment contributes to better-growing environ ments for the crops we need and less impact on the watersheds we count on for our water. Locally sourcing our materials has the added benefit of supporting local economies and helping keep jobs in our communities.” Brewery Operations Manager Matt Williams explains.
About Block 15 Brewing Company
Established in 2008, Block 15 aims to elevate excellence in the craft beer and beverage experience, measured by endless passion, curiosity, and drive for accessible brilliance. Our family includes our Corvallis Downtown Brewpub, South Corvallis Production Brewery, Winery, and Taproom, Caves Restaurant, and craft distribution through the Pacific NW. To read more about Lagered by the Sun, head HERE.
