Community Tap's VIBE

 So, The Community Tap's VIBE event is now but a memory, but what a memory that is. The Very Important Beer Event had been postponed from it's original date back in the Spring. You know the villainous reason why... I want to take a few moments (keystrokes?) to recognize the fact that Mike Okupinski, Anna Evans Okupinski, Ed Buffington and the entire Tap Crew pulled off a stellar event, even with (or perhaps because of) the familiar restrictions.

From the line at the entrance over which Mike monitored, to the temp checks and reading of our Miranda rights before being handed our first taster (Zwick'L lager), to the escorting to our tables, all was done with masked crew members and social distance awareness.

The idea of being seated and having the beers delivered to your table was inspired and prevented what is usually a bottleneck of sorts with folks lining up at a tap table for their samples, which in this case would have been unthinkable.

The Community Tap and The Community Tap - Trailside (the site of this event) have hosted many an event since the troubles began earlier but this one, at least for me, will rank as one of the best ever. No need tell you the many reasons why. I had 35 of them. Cheers.

A few moments captured for viewing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foeder Joins the BFS Flock

And speaking of BFS (and we just were) there's a new member of the flock....a brand new 50-bbl Foeder(Fr: Foudre). I had a brief, socially-distanced and masked meeting with Shawn Johnson who filled me in on the important details(prior to the beer filling, starting Friday).
What's a Foeder, you ask? Well, Churchkey, I'm glad you asked.
Details will be soon forthcoming and all will be revealed. For the moment, enjoy a few photos while I attempt to decipher my notes! Cheers.

 Birds Fly South Ale Project

Birds Fly South 4th Anniversary

 As many of you know, yesterday was the 4th Anniversary celebration at Birds Fly South Ale Project and even with the Covid restrictions in place, it was a much appreciated and fun event. 

I'll post some of the photos I took yesterday, but first, maybe you'd like to see what the 1st Anniversary party looked like before BFS looked like it does today. Take a look!

 

 And now, for the 4th Anniversary Party:

https://goodwordbrewing.com/     https://www.orpheusbrewing.com/

Birds' Big Win

Shawn Johnson is shown celebrating something; could be the news that his brewery was voted 2020’s Best of the Upstate... or maybe he just likes drinking beer while wearing weird hats!

Dumping Beer - Unimaginable Yet Happening

Dumping beer. What a horrible thought! But as Liability Brewing Co. explained this week, it can be the only option especially in a state with antiquated alcohol laws. Brook Bristow is very familiar with this issue.
That said, I found this article about how breweries in other states are reacting to weak sales interesting (and sad at the same time).

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/dining/drinks/craft-beer-coronavirus.html?campaign_id=2&emc=edit_th_200429&instance_id=18053&nl=todaysheadlines&regi_id=44737403&segment_id=26188&user_id=eba2316d48f2b01b8e2fb55d63af3c5b&fbclid=IwAR26U9abujLE2LEBgfAZyINTcLNe4GydChGanHCXLja38q5AbXB33P3IB6s

Cheers, sort of.

Newest Foodie/Beer Hangout Opens

For those who were not able to attend the opening of Gather GVL today (open till 9pm), here's a representative look at what Bob Muller and I saw at lunch time. Before the rain!

See ya there! Cheers.

Spilt Mu Pils Collaboration

After grabbing my bottle of Valentine Hunny Bunny Raspberry Wit from Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom (you got yours too, right?) I stopped by Liability Brewing Co. on a tip that a serious collaboration was taking place. Yep, that's what was happening. Long time friend and even longer time brewer, Zach Newton from Newgrass Brewing Company in Shelby, NC, joined Liability's CJ and Jared to brew a Pils, "Spilt My Pils." Just as I arrived they were pitching Amarillo Hop Hash hops into the whirlpool. So, in a couple weeks or so, a new dry-hopped Pils will be available (at both venues I suspect) and I for one am eager to try it.
Stay tuned, when I learn of the release date, I'll let you know.
In the photo:
Dustin Harward, Jeremy Cody, CJ Golobish, Jared Tuttle (top), Zach Newton, Paul Engster, Nick Schotte.
Not in the photo: Bob Muller

Cheers!