Beloved husband, father, brother and visionary brewer Alan Sprints, z”l, passed away Sunday, July 19, following a difficult battle with bladder cancer. He was 66 years old.

Alan was born on Sept. 7, 1959, in Culver City, Calif., to Lila Entis, z”l, and Martin Sprints, z”l. In 1988, following his passion for the culinary arts, Alan relocated to Portland, Oregon, to attend the Western Culinary Institute. After honing his craft for several years in the food and beverage industry, Alan took a bold leap in 1993 by founding the Hair of the Dog Brewing Company. Over the next three decades, he built a legendary business celebrated by beer enthusiasts worldwide. Alan was a true pioneer in the American craft brewing movement, introducing an old-world approach to beer making and creating uniquely complex, barrel-aged, and high-gravity beers that challenged and redefined the industry.

Beyond the brewery, Alan was a man of diverse talents and boundless curiosity. He was an avid gardener, a skilled stained-glass artist, a ceramicist, and a tinkerer extraordinaire who found joy in creating things with his hands and nurturing the world around him. Alan’s greatest devotion was to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Eliana Temkin, and their three sons, Elijah, Isaac, and Gabriel Sprints.  He also leaves behind his sister, Wendy Sprints (Dan Kaempff); sister-in-law, Dina Temkin (Dominic Green); in-laws Dvora Temkin and Howard Temkin, aunt and uncle, Judie and Michael Rickus; step-motherstepmother, Madeline Sprints as well as a close-knit circle of nieces, cousins, extended family, and lifelong friends.

A private burial service was held this morning. The family will be holding shiva minyans at their home Thursday, July 23, Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28. The home will open at 6:30 pm, with Minyan at 7:30pm. Friends of Alan and Eliana are welcome to visit Sunday, July 26 from 1-5 pm. Please contact Shiva Coordinator Sharon Pollin with questions and offers of help at 503.781.0483 or [email protected]. Donations may be made in Alan’s memory to New Avenues for Youth, an organization close to his heart.