Today would have been the 67th birthday of Alan Sprints, but unfortunately Alan passed away earlier this year in late July. Alan was the founder of Hair of the Dog Brewery in Portland, Oregon. Alan made some of the most unique and wonderful beers, not just in Portland, but anywhere, all the more impressive because he brewed out of an old Campbell’s soup kettle. A few years ago he relocated the brewery, now with a tasting room, to a new location on S.E. Yamhill in Portland. And a couple of years back, he came over to our home and brewed a version of his wonderful Doggie Claws with my son Porter on his brew sculpture. Alan was simply one of the best brewers anywhere and one of my favorite people in the industry. Sadly, he just closed down his brewery although he continued to do some limited releases and collaborations, but on July 20 after a battle with bladder cancer passed away. Join me in drinking a toast to Alan’s memory today.
