Critical Research (Traveling during COVID)

Despite some inconveniences due to C-19 restrictions, research must continue so a recent road trip to BiloxiMS, with a side trip to New Orleans offered the opportunity to indulge.

The route took us through Montgomery, AL, which has an active downtown area near the river, important historical museums and civil rights monuments and, of course, a brewery, Common Bond Brewers. I can truthfully state that it's Montgomery's best brewery! Due to some signage issues and location glitches, it can be a little difficult to find, on the first try anyway. But find it we did, which led to some a tasting of several excellent beers, thanks to the headbrewer, Andrew McNally. Coming over to our table to chat (masked all the while) his passion and enjoyment of the brewing experience was quickly evident. Like many brewers these days who began as a home brewer, his interest in getting more beers out to more and more people led him to create this, his first, brick and mortar venue.  Side note: he knows Greenville well, having gotten a Chemical Engineering degree from Clemson and is familiar with some of our more recent breweries.

Here's a link to their beer lineup and also some research pix taken during the visit:

https://www.commonbondbrewers.com/beer

Next up, Biloxi area breweries!

Brewery Canning Line Scales Up!

 

So, you’re a successful brewery (so far) with demand for your beers such that your very busy canning line is about maxed out. Time to scale up.

Here’s a little device that might be just what you need. 1900-2200 cpm. Stunning, no? Made by Krones. You’re welcome.

Oh, this one pictured is joining a Cartersville, GA brewery. 

 

 https://www.krones.com/en/products/complete-solutions/filling-and-packaging-lines.php?fbclid=IwAR38c3-gl7kwz1LIo5WYOOY7G3cj63HnTJMKs7ZAuffNLuLqK-DMd5thYVk

 

 

GVL's Newest Brewery Opens: Southernside Brewing Co.

 

 

What you’re looking at is the beer list and drinks menu from the just-opened Southernside Brewing Co. (owner/manager Nate Tomforde behind bar). All their own beers, brewed by Kenny Driggers, and all that I and wingman

Bob Muller

tried were solid, well made, especially for being first runs. I’ll have more details about the beer and the food (yum) when I finish editing photos.

Oh, they officially open today at 4pm.

 

 https://www.facebook.com/Southernside-Brewing-Co-105717171395211/

 

Take a look, some location photos below.

Cheers! 

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/