Winter Warmer Coming to FireForge Brewing

Stopped by for some Ponderosa Farms eggs... decided to have a beer (since I’m here) and there was Brian Cendrowski up to his elbows in wild persimmons. I think there’s a special Winter Warmer Auld (Old) Ale in our future.

Cheers!

Cucumber Salt & Pepper Gose

I was fortunate this past Sunday to get to sample a collab between Fire Forge and Adam Cribbs, called a Salty Cucumber Gose. Every thing about this beer says "drink me all Summer," it's that refreshing. Alas, only the keg at their release party is left and that may have kicked shortly after I left. Another reason I like doing this job is such an opportunity to try a new, possibly one-off brew, the result of creative brewing attempts. Some pix of the people enjoying the party and of course, a picture of the brewers.


https://www.facebook.com/events/464765683867089/472561829754141/?notif_t=admin_plan_mall_activity&notif_id=1497036614665551

Cheers and thanks to Adam, Brian and Nicolle for the invite!!

Party Time With Fireforge Brewing

Had a fun and entertaining time this afternoon, chez Harvin Bedenbaugh, where we drank Fireforge Crafted Beer and huddled around the fire pits. Managed to get one game of bocce in before being rained out (sort of). Winter Warmer, aka Griffen from Fireforge was a much appreciated, spicy bock... the chili helped warm the innards too.
Thanks Harvin and Fireforge for hosting the event.


Some representative pix:

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.

Quest Brewing's 3rd Anniversary Bash Goes On, Despite Heat!

So, to summarize, despite the near-record setting temps yesterday, fun and frolic was not be be deterred at Quest Brewing Company's 3rd Anniv. bash and so the party went on. Music, dogs, food, kids and dads with hula hoops (Mike Okupinski comes to mind), Painter-Tots and of course, new beers to try. Lucky you if you chose to try the Nitro Pepper Pale cause it was a delight to drink. Hope that stays around. Conveniently posted near the inside bar, a schedule of releases throughout the day meant one had to work hard, doing research of course, to keep up. Alas, schedule obligations kept from staying to the end, but I'm hoping that tomorrow's Yoga class will be rewarded with some of the same beers on tap. Congrats again to Don, Andrew and the entire Quest crew for such a successful (and award winning) three years.
Some pix to document the occasion:

Cheers to all and best wishes for another successful three years!!

Upstate Craft Beer Co Comes Through For #GCBW

I know it's only Tuesday, but the ‪#‎Greenvillecraftbeerweek‬ event at ‪#‎Upstatecraftbeer‬ has to rank as one of the top events that local beer brewers/lovers have enjoyed so far. This was the big collaboration night that was so highly anticipated.

13 breweries, active or about to be, were represented by their efforts in making this collaboration history. Looking around I saw practically all of the Greenville brewing heavy weights gathered on one spot for some true appreciation of what each was capable of, with the assistance of Chris Hardin, Upstate brewmaster, and Jack McDonald, co-owner. 

I'll get into the brews that caught my attention later (there were several) but for now, a few fotos that hopefully capture the spirit of the event. Btw, the muffin tins you see in abundance are a link to the history of the building that houses Upstate, the Clausen Bakery. Drop by the brewery and Chris or Jack will be happy to give you the details that fueled this inspired tribute.

Cheers and on to the next event!!!
 

First Farm to Forge Event: Fabulous Time

Just back from the Inaugural Farm-to-Forge Dinner and Beer Tasting with Fireforge Crafted Beer at Greenbrier Farms. Very memorable affair with consistently good beers, wood fired oven pizzas, lively music from My Girl, My Whiskey and Me, and to top it off, Smores from the fire pit! Since this was the first ever ‪#‎FarmtoForge‬ event, and my first visit to the farm, I wasn't sure what to expect but I can unhesitatingly say that it is one of the best affairs I've attended in recent years and if there's another next year, I'm gonna be there. 

Beers available (all mid-6% abvs) were a Fires of Helles Helles Boch; Napoleon Passion Imperial Florida Weisse, a sour German wheat with lots of passion fruit and pomegranate that was just so deliciously tart; Spirito Santo, a grapefruit and orange IPA that brought out the Pacific Jade hops; and The Fixer, a smoked baltic porter that was perfect with the Smores! 

Great beer, great food and of course, great people, all part of our exemplary craft beer community (Mike Okupinski was there helping pour, taking time away from the The Community Tap). Glad to be a part of it. Some photos to whet your appetite for the next one.... don't miss it!

http://www.greenbrierfarms.com/

Brian and Nicole welcoming crowd, while band tunes up.

Part of the lucky, sold-out crowd.

Kristina Mayberry serving that smoked baltic porter.

Brian announces dinner time in an old school way.

Fresh out of the oven pizzas went fast, but good beer makes waiting just fine.

Line for the pizza. Two ovens kept it moving along nicely.

Now that's fresh pizza!!

Travis tasting one of the FireForge beers, Danny photobombs.

Mike Okupinski took time out from pouring to enjoy some pizza and porter.

S'mores were the dessert, an ideal pairing with the smoked porter.

My Girl, My Whiskey and Me performed their remarkable medley of styles and speeds!

 Cheers!