Alan Sprints, the founder of Hair of the Dog Brewing Company and one of Portland's most influential craft brewers, died Sunday, July 19, at age 66 after a battle with bladder cancer.

Hair of the Dog Brewing confirmed Sprints' death in an Instagram post, calling him "a true pioneer in the American craft brewing movement" who introduced "an old-world approach to beer making and creating uniquely complex, barrel-aged, and high-gravity beers that challenged and redefined the industry."

Sprints founded Hair of the Dog in 1993 after leaving a professional brewing job at Widmer Brothers. His first commercial release, "Adam," a dark 10% ABV old-world strong ale, won Beer of the Year from Whisky Advocate magazine in 1995. His 1997 release "Fred," named after Portland beer historian Fred Eckhardt, was later described by beer writer Jeff Alworth as evidence of "a major new voice in the burgeoning microbrew movement."

Then came "Dave," an ice-distilled barleywine at 29% ABV, reported at the time to be the strongest beer in the world. A single bottle sold at auction in 2014 for $2,000.

Sprints started at a rickety production site near SE Holgate Boulevard and 26th Avenue, where fans lined up for hours at yearly "garage sales" to buy cases of unlabeled beer sold at a discount. In 2008, he purchased a building at 61 SE Yamhill St. near the Morrison Bridge and moved operations there. The Portland Business Journal described that pub as a required stop on Portland's beer tourism circuit, anchoring a stretch of Southeast Portland alongside Cargo, Bunk Bar, and Water Avenue Coffee.

Over nearly 29 years, Sprints produced roughly 4,000 batches on a 4-barrel brewhouse. His barrel-aged "from the wood" ales placed Hair of the Dog alongside Goose Island and Founders as early adopters of the barrel-aging movement that now dominates craft beer.

Sprints chose to close Hair of the Dog rather than sell it. Hair of the Dog's closure preceded a broader contraction in Oregon's craft beer market: the state's brewery count dropped 3% in 2025 to 297, the lowest since 2018, according to The Oregonian.

He continued collaborating after retirement, releasing a smoked and barrel-aged barleywine called "Hunter" with Redmond, Washington's Black Raven Brewing in 2025. In his final months, he handmade a stained glass window for the Horse Brass Pub's new Pony Room, unveiled during the pub's 50th anniversary celebration in July 2026.

Sprints is survived by his wife of 36 years, Eliana Temkin, and their three sons, Elijah, Isaac, and Gabriel. The family said a public celebration of life will be planned. Donations in Sprints' memory may be made to New Avenues for Youth.