Mills River Brewery (actually in Arden)

Anyone on an Asheville beer pilgrimage would be advised to give Mills River Brewery a visit. Enticing variety of styles including this new NE style IPA, Lily Belle. And just added, a collab with Ecusta Brewing Company, Clam Bake, another NE IPA. There’s also a Rye IPA I like.
Go find a fave for yourself.

Cheers!

New Brew Saturday- In Four Parts

t appears that the rain has stopped so it's time to wring out the keyboard and get back to delivering beer news.
So, this past weekend was New Brew Saturday so a group of fellow enthusiasts and I headed to NC with a modest agenda: two new breweries. Didn't quite work out that way, as you'll see.
First stop, Columbus, NC, where the only brewery in Polk County is located, Winding Creek Brewing Co; Les Potter, Brewmaster, explained that his first introduction to home brewing came while attending some Scottish games, which might explain why his Heather Hearth Scottish Ale is one of their signature brews. A traditional styled ale with an abv of 6.5%, our entire group liked the beer (we tasted flights of all beers on tap, which come in assorted airplane shapes) and would have it again, the true test. Another Scottish ale on tap was Animal Pancakes Maple; not sweet but nicely flavored, well balanced; the group liked this one as well. As you can see from the menu photo, there is quite a range of styles available. Side note: the building was once a recording studio so the audio baffling along the ceiling helps with the sound when weekly live music is performed there. Well worth the visit, just east of I-26.
(Next post features our second stop)
http://wcbrewco.com/

 New Brew Saturday, second stop.
A Google search by Jason turned up this new brewery, Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery in Chimney Rock, not so far off our planned route, so we headed out.
What a location! Right beside the Broad River, with decking that goes down to the water, mountains and Chimney Rock providing a backdrop of natural beauty, perfect for relaxing with a cool pint. Made for lingering, I might add. Of the offerings that day (check the menu photo) the Nitro Stout and the Merritime Barley Wine were hits with the group. The beer lineup changes frequently I was told, but there will always be a couple of guest beers and ciders on tap.

 New Brew Saturday, third stop:
One of our original destinations was this brewery, Whistle Hop Brewing Company located in Fairview. Part of the excitement for me, being an unabashed train nut with my own Lionel set, was the setting: a caboose and boxcar perched atop a small hill, easily seen from the road and offering great views of the surrounding valley. Oh,.... the beers.
Well, we hit the rail on the head (pun?) on this stop. Along with the free peanuts, we liked all three of their beers (see menu, theirs are circled in pink chalk) and were very fortunate that they tapped a Honey Fig Saison just after we arrived. Full of flavor, saison style, not sweet but definite fruit notes, a satisfying beer. I found a new friend in the Pale by Rail Pale, an abv of 5.2% making it almost sessionable. Fun spot, the tap room is a very compact end of the caboose and the cupola seats are made for sipping a beer while enjoying the view. I can't recommend this place highly enough. It was also here that we learned the location of our fourth stop, coming up.

Turgua Brewing. Never heard of it? We were in the same boat until a fortuitous tip from a beertender at Hickory Gorge led us to ask at Whistle Hop about it's location. Turns out, not far away at all, so continuing the crawl we were on our way. Not an easy place to find even tho we had good directions. When we hit the dirt road, we knew we were about to find it. And what a find it was. Basically Phil Desenne, owner and head brewer, is brewing (legally) out of a garage on a gorgeous property, beside a large garden and meadow. A singular discovery along the NC beer trails. On to the beers, which are mostly named after birds. More about that later.
My and Kay Bingner's flight was the Firefly, Towhee, Frayzon and Waxwing. I also tasted the Sapsucker which was so good I had a pint of it. Adding some bread and cheese to the mix, we stayed there the longest, listening to some live music, thoroughly enjoying the surroundings and agreeing that this place was the perfect spot to end our New Brew Saturday. We'll be back and I encourage any and all to do the same. You won't regret it.
Oh, Turgua is a term meaning "Valley of the Birds" in Venezuela, where Phil is from. See the connection now?
http://www.turguabrewing.com/

Where's our next New Brew Saturday? Stay tuned to find out.
Cheers.

Love Them Lagers!

Being Monday, our thoughts naturally turn to lagers. Or more specifically, lagers I had Saturday at Hi-Wire Brewing's Lagerfest and Crawfest Boil. Full disclosure: I don't drink a lot of lagers anymore, being a card-carrying member of the Hophead Herd, so this opportunity to sample some of the new style offerings was irresistible. My good buddy and bottle share enthusiast, Bob Muller joined me on the trek up the hill to Asheville. As the beer lineup shows, there was a significant range of flavors offered within the style (and one porter ringer). With mostly ABVs in the low 5s and low 4s (Brown Truck had a 3.8% lager!) these beers were easy to drink and paired nicely with the enormous quantities of crawfish being consumed outside.
Some standouts for me were the Munich Dunkel from Brevard Brewing; rich flavors, light body but typical dark color.
The James Jack Pilsner from Olde Mecklenburg was a classic example of the style with a balanced profile and a crisp finish.
Hi-Wire and Holy City brewed a collab Black Rye Lager which was dark, roasty and spicy in the finish. Very drinkable.
Epic Brewing's (from Utah) Los Locos Mexican Style Lager with lime and sea salt was probably the best "lawnmower" beer there, very refreshing and balanced, definitely sessionable.
The oddest brew offered (imho) was the Holy City BB aged Pils. The light color gave no clue as to the flavor intensity from the barrels, but it was surprisingly balanced, remaining close to the style in drinkability.
This event showcased just how varied the lager style can be and just dismissing them offhand (which I have been guilty of) only serves to miss out on some excellent brews, never a good thing.
Some photos of the event, tho mostly about the beer, not being a big crawfish fan myself.
https://www.facebook.com/HiWireBrewing/

Cheers!
 

Oscar Wong Likes It! Southern Sixer.

Enjoyed talking with Highland Brewery founder, Oscar Wong and noted craft beer journalist, Tony Kiss at Highland Brewing Company's Southern Sixer release party yesterday. I consider this a very special beer with a hop bill of six different varieties, well balanced to deliver the final hoppalicious flavor. At the moment it's a seasonal, hopefully with enough response, Hollie will make it again. Grab some while you can.

Cheers!!

 

Craft Beer in 2017 - Some Predictions

As many of you know, Upstate Craft Beer had a one year anniversary party last night. Extremely well attended (and I have the photos to prove it) and during the revelry while the band played on, I shot some video interviews, getting folks' predictions for the craft beer scene in 2017. One of those is from my friend, fellow Cicerone Server and well know beer slinger, Harvin Bedenbaugh.

 

And then, there was this guy named Jack (actually Jack Ryan MacDonald's father), who offered this:

 

Next, someone who works at a brewery and has very specific wishes for 2017:

Shelby Durham likes the community, even if it stretches to the next state!

And now, for a musicians take on the brewing scene, and playing for them. George Colyer is one half of My Girl, My Whiskey, and Me. Good pickin, singin and tempos.

Quest Brewing is one of the older breweries in Greenville, opened just after I moved here. Don Richardson, co-owner and brewmaster, has been responsible for some fine beer drinking moments. What happens in 2017? Here's what he had to say:

Just when you thought it was safe, another interview comes along.
So, how do you look at the new year if you've have many hurdles in your path to opening your very own brewery, even tho you've been home brewing for years? Here's someone who remains not only optimistic, but downright fired up! Fireforge Crafted Beer

At Upstate Craft Beer Co.'s First Anniversary party, the occasion for these videos, Jack Ryan McDonald offered his thoughts for 2017; partner/brewer Chris Hardin was busy busing tables! (I mentioned it was very well attended). We'll get him later.

As anyone who has ever had to show an ID to get a wrist band knows, there is a legal component to craft beer and one of the most knowledgeable alcoholic beverage law attorneys in SC is Brook Bristow. Thus, a few comments about 2017 from that perspective:

Ok, I hear you say, "what about beer distributors?"  After all, they can spell the success or failure for a craft brewer, especially one just starting expand. And speaking of starting to expand, have you been following the cider trends? Cynthia thinks it's gonna get bigger:

Will Cooley, from nearby RJ Rockers Brewing in Spartanburg, stopped by to offer his perspective on the upcoming year:

Stay tuned, more to come!

Cheers.

Highland Brewing President, Leah Wong Ashburn Brings New Tastes to Town

Plans for the day:
Recover from last night's Hopoholic frenzy.
Begin research for upcoming visit to Raleigh, NC
Show up at 5:30 at The Community Tap for the Highland Brewing Company tasting. Remind Leah Wong Ashburn, President of HBC, that my first ever taste of Cold Mountain happened while interviewing her, back in 2014. This year's Cold Mountain has not been released yet (releases Nov 10) but I have a surprise for Leah. Highland has released several new beers so far this year and I anticipate most of them will be at the Tap for this tasting. Some photos from that interview, including my first glass of Cold Mountain. Ahhh, fond memories!

Cheers!

An Art and Beer Filled Asheville Saturday

Yesterday's adventure in Asheville was as expected, a fun and beer filled day.

Met artist Nat Dickinson who merged the two beautifully, offering his own homemade beer to sip while admiring his artwork. Tried his Pale Ale, very impressed with the flavor and hop/malt balance. Not a beginner's beer by any means. His gallery is located inside the Riverside Studios building.

While driving down Riverside, caught a view of New Belgium's new as-yet not open facility. Quick photo shoot, of a view not often seen.















Next, off to Riverview Station where nearly 60 artists work, just down Lyman from the central River Arts District. 

In among all of the appealing art works on display, I found a lady painting with beer! Another timely marriage. Her name is Nadine Charlsen, who works in watercolor (and dark beer), and she was busily adding to her inventory but gladly stopped to pose for a pic. I complemented her on her choice of stouts and offered to take any leftovers off her hands.
See her work at 310art.com.
 

Went back up the road for a sorely needed pint at Wedge Brewing, which was very busy with a crowd that seemed more beer oriented than art. Watched a real train go by while sipping an Iron Rail IPA and snacking on peanuts. Was there ever a better way to end a day?
 

But end it we did out Pour in West Asheville where we got our hi-tech bracelets and began

sampling from the myriad of taps available. Fantastic way to sample new brews, paying by the ounce. 

With 30 taps or so, one can spend a lot of time there (and money too if you're not careful). Highlight (of many) for me was that both Prairie Christmas Bomb and Yeti Imperial Stout were in the lineup! 

Met our good friends Jason and Mairr Uhrinek there who had earlier joined the celebrationsat Wicked Weed and Twin Leaf. Great spot for hanging out with friends, great city for craft beer lovers and another memorable day entered into the blog.
 

Cheers!