Beer Named After College Friend Who Passed Away

CORVALLIS, Ore.–  For Alonso Corral developing a beer for his dear friend Michelle Casey was a no brainer.  Michelle tragically lost her life in Manzanita this passed Spring when she fell from a scenic area on Neahkahnie Mountain.  Alonso was devastated.  Michelle always encouraged him and told him she thought he should apply for a fermentation internship with Block 15 through Oregon State University.  He was accepted into the internship program after Michelle had passed.

Developing the beer was a way for him to deal with his grief .  He says, “I always knew I would use sunflower petals in my recipe because Michelle had blonde hair and brown eyes.”  The label for the beer  named Bella Sol was created in an evening by Alonso’s tattoo artist friend.  The tribute beer is available for purchase in Corvallis at 2 Block 15 locations.  Alonso will graduate from OSU in a year.  He hopes to develop Bella Sol even further.