The craft beer world is mourning the loss of Alan Sprints, a visionary brewer whose innovative spirit and dedication to pushing the boundaries of beer styles left an indelible mark on the industry. Sprints, the founder of Portland, Oregon’s renowned Hair of the Dog Brewing Company, passed away at the age of 65 after a courageous battle with metastatic stage 4 bladder cancer. His passing marks the end of an era for many in the homebrewing and craft beer communities who admired his artistry and generosity.
Sprints was most widely recognized for his creation of "white whale" beers—highly sought-after, limited-edition brews that became legendary among enthusiasts. Among his most celebrated creations was "Adam," a beer that essentially defined the cult-favorite status for rare and exceptional brews. Introduced in 1994, Adam was a bold 10% ABV Old Ale, deeply inspired by the historical German strong ale of the same name, which had been documented by renowned beer writer Michael Jackson in his seminal work, Beer Companion. With a formidable bitterness of 60 International Bitterness Units (IBUs), Adam possessed a remarkable aging potential, developing complex flavors that made it a coveted rarity. At a time when most breweries focused on more conventional styles, Sprints’ commitment to recreating and elevating historical and experimental beers set him apart.
Following the success of Adam, Sprints introduced "Fred" in 1997. Named in honor of Fred Eckhardt, a respected Portland-based beer historian and a significant figure in the craft and homebrew movements, Fred was a Belgian Golden Strong Ale-inspired brew. This dark gold, 10% ABV beer quickly surpassed Adam in desirability, with bottles becoming even more elusive and prized by collectors and connoisseurs. These beers, along with others like "Doggie Claws" Barleywine, solidified Sprints’ reputation as a brewer capable of producing beers of exceptional depth, complexity, and longevity.
A Legacy Forged in Passion and Innovation
Born in the Los Angeles area, Sprints initially pursued careers in aerospace and music before finding his true calling in the culinary arts. His journey into brewing began as a passionate homebrewer. This personal passion soon translated into a professional endeavor when he joined Widmer Brothers Brewing Company in Portland in 1991. During his time there, Sprints was an active and influential member of the local homebrewing scene, serving as president of the Oregon Brew Crew. His professional experience, combined with his extensive homebrewing knowledge, provided the foundation for his entrepreneurial vision.
In 1993, after three years as a chef and two as a professional brewer, Sprints took a significant leap by establishing Hair of the Dog Brewing Company. Located in an industrial district of southeast Portland, the brewery became a hub for innovation and a testament to Sprints’ dedication to his craft. Beyond his work with historical styles, Sprints was also an early adopter and master of barrel-aging techniques. This experimental approach, which involved aging beers in various spirit barrels, allowed for the development of profound and nuanced flavor profiles. His mastery of this technique earned him accolades from prominent publications like Beer Advocate and Whiskey Advocate, recognizing his ability to meld and curate flavors in a manner few others could replicate at the time.
Matt Simpson, founder of The Beer Sommelier, reflected on Sprints’ impact, stating on Facebook, "He 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 sentiment highlights Sprints’ unique ability to not just follow trends but to define and elevate them.
Personal Anecdotes: A Generous Spirit and Infectious Enthusiasm
The impact of Alan Sprints extended far beyond the beers he brewed. He was widely remembered for his generosity, passion, and willingness to share his knowledge and his cellar with others.
Amahl Turczyn, the author of the original article, recalls visiting Sprints at Hair of the Dog in the mid-1990s with fellow beer luminaries Fred Eckhardt and Jim Parker. Turczyn remembers being impressed by the brewery’s imposing, steam-jacketed brew kettle, a piece of equipment that symbolized the scale of Sprints’ ambition. "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. The experience of discovering and enjoying his beers at Portland establishments like Burlingame Market and the Horse Brass was a highlight of the burgeoning 1990s Portland craft beer scene.
Drew Beechum, a Founding Board member of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) and an author, echoed these sentiments, describing Sprints as "a homebrewer at heart—always super generous with his time and enthusiasm (and his cellar)." Beechum shared a vivid recollection of his first encounter with Sprints and Hair of the Dog.
A Glimpse into the Early Days of Hair of the Dog
Beechum’s memory paints a picture of the early, raw charm of the original Hair of the Dog location: "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 recalled. "And every year before Oregon Brewers’ Fest he would host a private party at the brewery." As an eager, new homebrewer, Beechum stumbled upon the brewery without the aid of modern navigation tools. "Despite not knowing me from Adam, Sprints welcomed me to his party and to his giant feast," Beechum stated.
During this visit, Sprints proudly showcased his 4-barrel steam-jacketed kettle, which had an intriguing backstory: it was previously used by Campbell’s to boil peas. The contrast between this modest piece of equipment and the sheer scale of Sprints’ brewing ambitions was striking. Beechum noted, "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." This anecdote highlights Sprints’ approachable nature and his commitment to sharing his creations, even with those he had just met.
A Memorable Encounter in the Bay Area
Beechum also recounted a memorable surprise encounter in the Bay Area. During a celebration for his homebrew club, the Falcons, being named Anchor Brewing’s California Homebrew Club of the Year, Sprints made an unexpected appearance. "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," Beechum said. The generosity continued in a humorous fashion: "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." This story illustrates Sprints’ flair for the dramatic and his deep-seated desire to celebrate and share the joy of great beer.
Broader Impact and Industry Significance
Alan Sprints’ influence extended beyond his personal interactions. His pioneering work with limited-edition, high-ABV, and barrel-aged beers created a blueprint for countless craft breweries that followed. He demonstrated that there was a significant market for complex, challenging, and collectible beers, shifting consumer expectations and inspiring brewers to explore new frontiers. The concept of the "white whale" beer, while not entirely invented by Sprints, was undoubtedly popularized and refined through his creations, contributing to the ongoing fascination with rare and sought-after brews.
His commitment to historical styles also played a crucial role in educating consumers and brewers alike about the rich tapestry of beer history. By reviving and reinterpreting these older traditions, Sprints provided a vital link to the past, enriching the present understanding and appreciation of brewing heritage.
The news of his passing has elicited widespread tributes from across the beer community. Charlie Papazian, founder of the Brewers Association and a foundational figure in American craft brewing, is known to have had a close relationship with Sprints, as depicted in a photograph from Homebrew Con 2018 with Sprints and his son, Isaac. While Papazian has not issued a formal public statement at this time, his long-standing advocacy for brewers like Sprints underscores the profound respect he held for his contributions.
A Lasting Tribute
Alan Sprints leaves behind a legacy of innovation, generosity, and unparalleled brewing artistry. His passing is a profound loss for his family, friends, and the entire craft beer community, both in the United States and internationally. He will be remembered not only for the exceptional beers he crafted but also for the passion and spirit he embodied, which inspired so many to explore the vast and exciting world of beer. As Drew Beechum poignantly stated, "Seriously, we lost a hell of a beer lover and educator." The echoes of his contributions will continue to resonate, inspiring future generations of brewers to push the boundaries and celebrate the art of beer making.
