Wednesday, October 13, 2021

New Realm Brewing Comes To Greenville

 

The word has spread quickly about Atlanta-based brewery, New Realm's plans to convert the old Cigar Store in the West End here in Greenville into their newest (and #5) location. Lots of excitement, especially for me, because of two words: Mitch Steele.
 
If you're a long time fan of CA's Stone Brewing, then you've enjoyed to results of his brewing skills. Co-founder and brewmaster he literally wrote the book on IPAs. Being a very enthusiastic fan of them, I found his book informative, useful for determining why exactly I did like the style so much, rather technical at its base but where else you gonna learn about the Burtonizing of water or find the original recipe for Ruination, the world's first regularly bottled Double IPA? Well worth reading for brewers or non-brewers.
 
After leaving Stone in 2017, he and two partners formed New Realm in Atlanta. I became a fan of Hoplandia IPA immediately, described by Mitch thusly: "It’s got a deep golden color, a lot of hops, some lemon and peach, pine resin. And a little bit of dankness – you’ll know it when you smell it." Works for me!
 
Looks like we'll have to wait till late next year to welcome them to town and enjoy their brews locally, but of course, there will delights from our existing brewing community to keep us quaffing till then.
A link and a few photos just below:
 
 

Mitch Steel at a Community Tap VIBE event in 2019.


 

Monday, October 4, 2021

Two Saturdays: Two New Breweries!

 

Two Saturdays, two new breweries open in the Upstate!!
 
Saturday, 9/25, Magnetic South in Anderson opens the doors. After several delays Adam Willier (Cuz) finally gets his own brewery to showcase his brewing skills, developed after years of brewing experience, while at Thomas Creek and after many collaborations with other breweries. Magnetic South's building is spacious, filled with amusement opportunities (adult and child), has a kitchen with a menu created by a James Beard award candidate (try the Muffaletta sandwich) and, of course, excellent beers. See some action pix below.
 
 









 

Saturday, 10/2, Silos, in something of a surprise, welcomed craft beer lovers into their amazing location in Easley. With the beer recipes by Kenny Driggers (of Double Stamp, Southernside, Five Forks fame) I knew that excellent brews awaited. What I didn't know was just how impressive the actual structure is. The scale of the interior is difficult to convey in words, you really need to be there and after grabbing your brew choice, look up. And up. I actually used the word "awesome" cause it really is in this case. I tried three of the IPA's on tap, each one spot on. I recommend the Continental, described as a juicy IPA which it was but also struck me as a fine example of a West Coast style. My companion in quaffing, Bob Muller also tried the porter which he really liked and described as having lots of dark chocolate flavor as it warmed. Yum.
Silos is part of a development that will soon include several food outlets including an Indian street food restaurant, located in one of the railroad boxcars on site and pizza coming soon. You can already get a doughnut and soon an ice cream too! Got my favorite food groups covered.
Don't take my word for it, go visit these establishments yourself. Anderson and Easley, two names that will attract more and more attention. Pics below although I can attest that capturing the essence of the silos at Silos can be a photographic challenge. Cheers!
 
 
 










 If the opportunity permits, I highly recommend you visit these two new craft beer venues and decide for yourself.
Cheers!