Alan Sprints, a pioneering figure in the American craft beer movement and the visionary founder of Hair of the Dog Brewing Company, passed away at the age of 65 after a courageous battle with metastatic stage 4 bladder cancer. Sprints was widely celebrated for his innovative approach to brewing, particularly his mastery of strong ales and his instrumental role in popularizing the concept of the highly sought-after, limited-edition "white whale" beer. His passing marks a profound loss for the brewing community, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional beers and an enduring inspiration for brewers and enthusiasts alike.
A Legacy Forged in Bold Flavors and Cult Following
Sprints first garnered significant attention for his potent, four-letter named ales, which quickly became cult favorites among discerning beer drinkers. At Hair of the Dog, the brewery he established in Portland, Oregon, Sprints didn’t just brew beer; he crafted experiences. His most celebrated creation, "Adam," was a direct homage to the historical German strong ale Adambier, a style documented by the esteemed beer writer Michael Jackson in his seminal work, Beer Companion. Released in 1994, Adam was a formidable 10% ABV Old Ale characterized by a robust bitterness of 60 International Bitterness Units (IBUs). Its remarkable aging potential allowed it to develop complex, nuanced flavors over time, making it exceptionally desirable. At a time when the American craft beer landscape was still nascent, Sprints’ willingness to produce a beer of such intensity and complexity was groundbreaking, setting a precedent for what was possible in the realm of craft brewing.
The success of Adam paved the way for further innovation. In 1997, Sprints introduced "Fred," a beer named in honor of Fred Eckhardt, another legendary figure in the craft and homebrew world and a respected Portland-based beer historian. Inspired by the Belgian Golden Strong Ale style, Fred was a dark gold, 10% ABV brew that quickly surpassed Adam in its coveted status. The scarcity and exceptional quality of these early releases from Hair of the Dog established Sprints as a master of creating beers that were not only delicious but also intensely collectible, inadvertently forging the "white whale" phenomenon that would later define a significant segment of the craft beer market.
Recollections of a Generous Spirit and an Infectious Passion
Those who knew Sprints recall his unwavering passion for the craft and his remarkable generosity. Amahl Turczyn, a writer for Zymurgy, shared a vivid memory of visiting Hair of the Dog in the mid-1990s with Fred Eckhardt and former Zymurgy editor Jim Parker. Turczyn recounted being awestruck by the brewery’s imposing, chalice-like steam-jacketed brew kettle, a testament to Sprints’ ambitious brewing scale. "Sprints wanted us to sample old bottles of everything, and he was always so generous with his pours—his enthusiasm for the craft was infectious," Turczyn wrote. "Finding his beers at the Burlingame Market and enjoying them at the famous Horse Brass were highlights of any visit to the heady, burgeoning 90s Portland craft beer scene."
Drew Beechum, a Founding Board member of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) and an author, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Sprints’ deep roots as a homebrewer. "He was a homebrewer at heart—always super generous with his time and enthusiasm (and his cellar)," Beechum stated. Beechum’s recollections painted a picture of Sprints’ early brewery as a somewhat rustic, yet charming, operation. "The original Hair of the Dog location was in this weird old half broken down warehouse along the river and the train tracks in Portland," he described. "And every year before Oregon Brewers’ Fest he would host a private party at the brewery. I found out about it and as an eager, super-new brewer. I wandered around until I stumbled across the brewery (this was before Google Maps, cellphones and a public taproom!). Despite not knowing me from Adam, Sprints welcomed me to his party and to his giant feast. He handled my enthusiastic babble, proudly showed off his 4-barrel steam jacketed kettle that had been used by Campbell’s to boil peas (I think—it was definitely Campbell’s). The amusing part was that his beers were so ‘large’ that he had a malt silo sitting right by the pot that absolutely dwarfed the kettle. He laughed at the observation and handed me a glass of the fabled Dave from a secret Golden Gate keg hanging out in the corner."
Beechum also shared an anecdote from a visit to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Sprints surprised his local homebrew club, the Falcons, with a generous gift. "One year the Falcons were in San Francisco celebrating our win as Anchor’s California Homebrew Club of the Year and ended our weekend at the Celebrator Beer News Party at Trumer Brewery in Berkeley," Beechum recounted. "We had a big table and were having a blast when Alan shows up and drops two magnums of Doggie Claws Barleywine as a ‘congratulations’ gift. But what made it epically funny is that every time we drained a bottle, Alan was suddenly back like a mischievously grinning Santa Claus with another pair of magnums." These personal accounts underscore Sprints’ genuine passion for sharing his craft and celebrating the achievements of others within the brewing community.
From Aerospace and Music to the Heart of Craft Brewing
Sprints’ journey into the world of brewing was a multifaceted one. Originally hailing from the Los Angeles area, his early career interests spanned aerospace and music before he found his true calling in the culinary arts, working as a chef. His passion for homebrewing eventually led him to the professional brewing world. In 1991, he secured a position at Widmer Brothers in Portland, a pivotal step in his brewing career. During this time, Sprints was an active participant in his local homebrew club, the Oregon Brew Crew, even holding the esteemed position of club president. After accumulating three years of experience as a chef and two years as a professional brewer, Sprints felt ready to embark on his own venture. In 1993, Hair of the Dog Brewing Company officially opened its doors in an industrial district of southeast Portland.
Pioneering Barrel Aging and Refining Classic Styles
Beyond his skill in recreating historical beer styles, Sprints was a vanguard in the adoption and refinement of barrel-aging techniques in American craft brewing. This innovative approach garnered significant accolades from publications such as Beer Advocate and Whiskey Advocate, recognizing his ability to imbue beers with unique characteristics through extended aging in wooden barrels. Matt Simpson, founder of The Beer Sommelier, paid tribute to Sprints’ impact on beer quality and innovation: "Alan Sprints didn’t create the barleywine style—he perfected it. He didn’t invent barrel-aged beers—he curated and melded them like nobody at the time could or would." This statement highlights Sprints’ profound influence on elevating the perception and execution of complex beer styles.
Broader Impact and Enduring Legacy
The impact of Alan Sprints extends far beyond the walls of Hair of the Dog. He was instrumental in demonstrating the viability and desirability of producing high-alcohol, complex beers that could age gracefully and develop profound depth of flavor. This philosophy not only challenged the prevailing brewing norms of the time but also inspired a generation of brewers to explore the outer limits of beer production. His dedication to quality, innovation, and the art of brewing has left an indelible mark on the craft beer landscape.
The concept of the "white whale" beer, while sometimes leading to obsessive consumer behavior, also reflects a consumer desire for unique, high-quality, and limited-production offerings. Sprints’ early success in creating such beers at Hair of the Dog helped pave the way for breweries to experiment with and release special, infrequent batches that became highly anticipated by dedicated fans. This created a market for artisanal, carefully crafted beers that prioritized flavor and experience over mass production.
A Cherished Member of the Community
Sprints’ passing has elicited widespread grief and tributes from across the brewing spectrum. "Seriously, we lost a hell of a beer lover and educator," commented Drew Beechum, encapsulating the sentiment of many. Alan Sprints will be deeply missed by his family, his extensive network of friends, and the vibrant homebrewing and craft brewing communities he so profoundly enriched. His legacy will continue to be celebrated through the enduring quality of his beers and the inspiration he provided to countless brewers who follow in his pioneering footsteps.
The timeline of Sprints’ brewing career can be broadly outlined:
- Pre-1991: Involvement in aerospace, music, and culinary arts; passionate homebrewer.
- 1991: Began professional brewing career at Widmer Brothers in Portland, Oregon.
- Early 1990s: Active participation and leadership (club president) in the Oregon Brew Crew homebrew club.
- 1993: Founded Hair of the Dog Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon.
- 1994: Released "Adam," a groundbreaking strong Old Ale inspired by Adambier.
- 1997: Introduced "Fred," a highly coveted Belgian Golden Strong Ale-inspired beer.
- Throughout the 1990s and 2000s: Pioneered barrel-aging techniques and explored historical and complex beer styles.
- Post-Hair of the Dog Closure: Continued to influence the brewing world through his knowledge and passion.
- Recent Years: Battled metastatic stage 4 bladder cancer.
- Present: Passing at age 65, leaving a significant void in the craft beer community.
