Alan Sprints remembered: tributes from the craft industry
Alan Sprints and his wife Eliana at Hair of the Dog Brewing (photo courtesy of Jana Daisy-Ensign)
On Sunday, July 19th we lost a true legend: Alan Sprints, Hair of the Dog Brewing founder and pioneer of aged beer, barrel-aged beer, food and beer pairings, and barleywine changed the craft beer world forever. In the New School’s obituary we traced Alan’s early years in southern California to culinary school in Oregon, to homebrewing, to an epic career creating some of the most iconic beers ever.
Today we turn to Alan’s colleagues in the craft beer community to share their own tributes, memories, and condolences.
Photo by Matt Wiater copyright PortlandBeer.org
Lisa Morrison, aka the Beer Goddess, co-founder of Fred Fest, and owner of Belmont Station:
“What can be said? From the first time I tried Adam at a festival (with a perfect bite of chocolate to go with it), I was always just a little in awe of Alan Sprints.
From those humble beginnings Alan never seemed to waver from his internal compass of what he wanted in his brewery. Always pushing limits in ABV and flavor, and always using beer as a way to connect with his community, Alan created what I have in my mind when I think of "boutique brewery" -- it wasn't for everybody but the fans were as loyal as they come. Alan is and always will be so rightly remembered for his generosity as a brewer and businessman. And his collaborations with brewers all around the world are a tribute to his steadfast friendships.
One example of Alan's generosity to his friends: my husband, Mark, and I, had a huge remodel done on our 1910 house many years ago and only discovered that subcontractors had guzzled all our cellared beers (despite them being hidden away in a part of the basement where the subcontactors didn't need to go AND us offering them a full fridge full of beers they could drink at the end of the day). We were devastated. Flash forward several weeks and we were hosting our house "rewarming" party for the remodel and in walks Alan with a couple of cases of super rare HotDog beers-- Adam and Fred 1, etc.- to seed our new beer cellar. He had heard of our misfortune and wanted to help us make it right.
Of course, so many great memories come from the decade-plus that Alan, Preston Weesner and I ran FredFest -- starting with Fred Eckhardt's 80th birthday. While things got a lot smoother and easier once we moved to the newer HotDog location where there was an actual kitchen and actual chefs, my favorite memories are of those first crazy years in the OG location. Alan always worked up an incredible menu of food to go with the rare beers being served. One constant for many years was his take on a green papaya salad. The morning of the first FredFest, Alan assigned me to make this salad. I had never even heard of a green papaya salad at that point, but Alan gave me a giant bowl and set me to task. And he would swing by at just the right time to tell me what to do next. After that first year, it became my job to make the green papaya salad. I still make it at home (albeit in drastically smaller proportions) and I always think of Alan. I think I need to make one this week.”
Trevor Rogers, co-owner/brewmaster of De Garde Brewing:
“I first tried Alan's beer when I was in college working part time as a cook. I'd take my portion of tips each day to a grocery store (that thankfully thought I was older than my 19 or so years) on my walk home, typically purchasing a bottle or two of more esoteric beer. Hair of the Dog was one of those beers on occasion, and they made an indelible impression. They were always an exciting and confounding little luxury, and helped broaden my palate and understanding of what beer was and what it could be.
Particularly in those days, there was nothing like what Alan was making. That never really changed I suppose.
I credit Belgian Lambic brewers as our biggest inspiration. They've inspired our methods and trajectory more than anyone else. But, Alan's work helped craft a space for weird, singular little breweries like ourselves. He helped pave the road through his creativity, and inspired so many people to rethink this beverage we make. Those of us fortunate enough to express our own creativity owe a massive debt of gratitude.
We're fortunate to have a collaborative blend with Hair of the Dog in process. Some of his last barrels of very strong beer, blended with some complementary barrels of our own. The blend is gorgeous, and I'm very excited to share it in the future, but that excitement is tempered by the timing and circumstances. I'm still so glad to have been able to work with a legend. It's hard to look at the blending tank we'll be packaging the beer from this week though. Hopefully, it will be a suitable tribute.
Alan was an original. That's the best compliment I can give.
He did things on his own terms. He created beautiful and original things, without any apparent consideration beyond the desire to craft. He left the industry voluntarily when he wanted to. He will be remembered for his great work, and celebrated by so many people.
We should all be so lucky.
Good boy.”
Sam Zermeno, founder of Brujos Brewing:
“I met Alan through Henok from Omnipollo after we brewed our maiden batch at Brujos in the winter of 2023. I remember someone had bashed the window of my little ford ranger during the night while I slept in the brewery during the long boil. I didn’t find out until the next afternoon as I was leaving to head to Alan’s house for the first time. We all had an incredible dinner at the Sprints that Alan had cooked for all of us. We shared stories and bottles of his barleywines from his reserve. It was a pretty magical evening that ended with Alan giving a toast to friendships, old and new, and ending it with “barleywine is life.”
Photo I [Tyler Brown] took of Shawn [Kelso] and Alan in 2010. We traded bottles and beer logo glasses with Alan that day. Alan and I talked food and restaurant business much more than we talked about beer.
Tyler Brown, owner of Barley Brown’s Brewing:
“I was looking back and here’s the message I sent Alan when I heard he was retiring:”
“Hi Alan, As if the world hasn’t been crazy enough the last 2 years, now I see that you’re retiring - for the most part. I’ve always held you the highest regards, love your beers, your brand, and your taproom. I truly appreciate that you invited me to be part of Fredfest, and I enjoyed those events. Long before I recall meeting you in person. I would purchase cases of your beer in Portland and haul them back to Baker City. Many bottles of Fred were consumed as I planned, schemed, and built our brewpub. Reading the side of your bottles inspired me to use more rye in the grist, and to not be fearful of bold flavors and high alcohol! Thank you very much for the inspiration, friendship, and excellent beers over the past 24 years I’ve been at this biz. Unfortunately the way Covid regulations have crushed my business, it looks like it will be quite some time before I can think of retiring… but having grandkids visit me at the brewery won’t be too bad. I wish you the best Alan, and look forward to having beer with you once the dust settles. Cheers! Tyler”
Dave Coyne, head brewer and co-founder of Obelisk Beer Co.:
“I think most brewers idolized him, were hugely inspired by him, and have a story about feeling star struck for the first time. I feel lucky I did get to meet him and hang out for a few special occasions. One moment I’ll never forget is hanging out at GABF and overhearing him drink one of my beers and say to Tim Ensign “Oohh wow, yeah, that’s real good”. I immediately texted my dad that Alan Sprints liked one of my beers and I got to follow him around, sampling beer together at different tables for a bit. As a new brewer that was heavily inspired by his work for years before entering the industry (Adam being especially pivotal for me), that was definitely a highlight of my early brewing career. Sometimes meeting a hero can be deflating, but he was just as warm and welcoming as he was infinitely creative and talented. I feel lucky to have lived in the right timeline to enjoy his beers and contribution to the industry.”
Matt Tarpey, head brewer and co-founder of The Veil Brewing:
“@hairofthedogbrewing has been one of the biggest inspirations to me as a brewer. Alan and his special beers helped shape our high gravity beer and spirit barrel aging program here @theveilbrewing both indirectly and directly. I didn’t know Alan personally for a long time, but I loved and cherished every beer I tried of his over the last 18ish years. When he agreed to participate and attend Forever Summer Fest in the summer of 2023, I was beyond honored. When he offered to brew a collaboration together and suggested brewing Adam, I was blown away. His openness, wisdom, years of experience, stories, and kindness will resonate with me forever. I’m lucky to have tried his beers and to have met him, but even luckier to call him a friend and a mentor. He will always be a legend to me and the imprint he left on the American craft beer industry will be remembered indefinitely.
Rest in Peace Alan. I’ll miss our conversations and your encouragement my friend.”
Alan Sprints at the annual “Beer Cider Love” pairing dinner at Hair of the Dog Brewing (photo by Jana Daisy-Ensign)
Gabe Fletcher, owner/brewer of Anchorage Brewing:
“We lost someone special today… Alan Sprints of Hair of the Dog Brewing in Oregon. One of the OG big beer brewers. Way ahead of his time in that sense. I had the pleasure of hosting Alan, Menno, Henok, and one of the brewers from Superstition Meadery to brew a black Barleywine for Omnipolloscope back in 2018. I also remember the first out of state beer fest I ever went to in was in Oregon back in 1999 and I some how ended up at the Hair of the dog Brewery. Alan was there and fed me way too much big beers😂 He will be missed in a big way. I’ll definitely be raising a glass of Barleywine to Alan tonight, I hope you will too.”
Michael Kora, owner/brewer of Montavilla Brew Works:
“We lost Alan today and he was a legend. RIP to him and all the best to his family and close friends. HOTD changed the world for me and many others and we will miss Alan dearly!”
Jerry Fechter, proprietor of the Horse Brass Pub and former owner of Lompoc Brewing:
“A true pioneer !! He did things his own way with his vision on what beer should be. We lost a maverick.
I was psyched he was able to be apart of the Horse Brass 50th anniversary pouring the last keg of Fred that we had . He also completed a stained glass piece for our banquet room before he passed. Alan will be missed.”
Tomme Arthur, founder/owner of The Lost Abbey:
“His beers shaped the future generations of brewers which is something I think we can all agree is impactful. His consumers were devout and their collections deep. I’m sure the cellars will open in the coming days and more great stories will pour forth.”
Devin Benware, co-owner of Ruse Brewing:
“I was honestly kinda starstruck when I first met him, such an awesome & humble guy. We did have a barleywine in the works with him but hadn’t gotten it brewed yet. We are working on our 10 year anniversary barelywine collab with John Harris later this week that we think we should make as a tribute to Alan and Hair of the Dog. Haven’t asked John on that yet but I’m sure he’s 100% down”
Shaun Kalis, co-owner of Ruse Brewing:
“I have been such a huge fan and just started to get to know him and his sons through Hood to Fuji.”
“He came by Ruse in August to work on the collab in works and brought some of his favorite cellar beers. It was mind blowing drinking beers older than some of our brew team! And still drinking great. Honestly he is the original line culture brewery. So damn good. I have had some shower Adams and Doggie Claws. Best shower beer ever.”
Ben Edmunds, brewmaster of Breakside Brewery:
“Thank you, Alan Sprints
Hair Of The Dog embodied the best of the Keep Portland Weird ethos, when it was still a proud rallying cry about our city’s eclecticism. The idea that the most world-renowned brewery in the city was producing barrel-aged strong ales and smoky re-creations of beers long-forgotten was exactly what made Portland so special in the early 2000s. Beer was more than bubbles, and Alan was the pied piper for all of this.
The fact that HOTD (and Cascade and Upright and so many others) were leading lights for the city’s beer scene, selling personal, creative beer rather than a standard ‘wheat-pale-amber-stout’ lineup inspired me to think that I could carve out a distinctive path for myself as a brewer here too.
Alan helped me get the first Bourbon barrels that Breakside ever used, invited us to FredFest early on, offered unvarnished takes on our beers (“not everything has to be experimental”), and encouraged me to use the brewery as a springboard for traveling, exploring the world, and making friends around the globe.
I have a copy of Michael Jackson's 1998 book Ultimate Beer in my living room, and on page 173, in the section on "Beers for After Dinner," there is Adam. An amazing inclusion for a brewery that was only a few years old when the book was published. "A beer of astonishing complexity" it says. It's more than apt for both the beer and its creator.
Alan marched to his own beat in the beer world, and he wanted others to march to theirs. Thank you for the inspiration.
Rest in peace, my friend. Til we taste again”
Charles Porter, brewmaster and co-owner of Little Beast Brewing:
“Alan has always been an inspiration. The first time I met Alan we were both standing in line for the brewer‘s bathroom at the 1996 Great American Beer Festival. We told each other where we were from, me at the time I was Brewing at Bloomington Brewing Co in Indiana, my first year running a brewery on my own. Alan immediately launched into telling me about this extinct beer style that he was making in Portland Oregon called Adam. He was very excited for me to come try his beer on the GABF floor. Then also told me about a batch of Adam that he had made, which he accidentally froze in the fermenter - Eve, and ice beer.
So, I took a break from serving beer at my booth and walked over to his booth at Hair of the Dog. While talking about his beers and his his passion for making beer, he quietly slipped me a bottle of Eve and told me to quickly pocket it so that the alcohol monitors wouldn’t confiscate it from me. I was so excited and ended up taking that bottle back to Indiana to share with my mentor in Brewing Russell Levitt.
Alan was always a gem, sharing knowledge and beer as freely as you can. A true craftsman and a gentleman.”
Alan Shapiro, owner of Cider Summit Seattle:
“I had the very great pleasure of inviting and hosting Alan Sprints & Eliana Temkin in Belgium for a collaboration brew in 2012. A hugely enjoyable time with both.
It later become an annual tradition to first stop at Hair of the Dog when coming to Portland to produce our annual festival. Alan was always a gracious host and we cherished those visits. Cheers to you my friend. The beer world and so many more will miss you.”