My Girl, My Whiskey, and My Beer

Hey, lest I forget, I want to mention how much I enjoyed My Girl, My Whiskey and Me's performance yesterday at Upstate Craft Beer Co. where not only did they do a farewell (for now) show but also premiered their collab brew, #50in52, a Whiskey Stave Aged Double IPA. One complemented the other, making for a grand afternoon as the crowds and smiles will attest. We'll welcome them back in the Fall; the beer is still on tap, so you still have time to enjoy it.

Cheers!

Upstate New Brew Thursday Release

(I'm a bit late on this post but I was at Upstate Craft Beer last night and the three beers were still on tap, but I'd get there soon cause their beers go quickly)


Another busy day doing critical research, this time Upstate Craft Beer Co., and their New Brew Thursday releases. Two IPAs and a Hefe, all described as "haze forward" and from the photo you can see the accuracy of that description. Aoraki DIPA, pure grapefruit creaminess; Haus Music Hefeweizen with yeast and grainy notes; Triple C's IPA with three popular hops, all starting with the letter C. All three beers very satisfying and true to their respective styles. Drink'em up, they won't last long, especially with hot weather approaching. Cheers!

 https://www.facebook.com/upstatecraftbeer/

Cheers.

Upstate Craft Brewing Co Announces New Co-Brewers

Here it comes again, a Thursday with so many beer enjoyment opportunities. One that is definitely on my calendar is the Upstate Craft Beer Co.'s newest release party, part of their "new brew Thursday" when each week new brewed-on-premises beers will be released, all done by Upstate's new brewing crew.


From their press release:
"Upstate Craft Beer Co is proud to announce a change to its brew team by introducing Travis Logan and Cameron Owen as UCBC’s Co-Brewers. Both brewers have been with UCBC since day one and are excited to be promoted to a head brewing role. Their focus will be on brewing beers with large flavor profiles with a haze forward appearance by using big, juicy hops and untraditional adjuncts." 

This week, two IPAs and a Brown Stout will be offered up on tap:
Citra Reload - Grapefruit Session IPA
No Advance - New England IPA
Worked So Hard, Forgot How To Vacation - Brown Ale w/ Vanilla & Cinnamon


I had a chance to taste the No Advance NE Style IPA as it made it's way to the keg from the fermenter and I was instantly a fan. This will be a big hit and certainly showcase Travis and Cameron's brewing skills. Look for me Thursday, I'll have a pint of this beer in my hand most of the evening.

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.

Good News for List Lovers!

And it's a big one;

https://beerandbrewing.com/4hu9l5fApqygCm6o6u4wGk/article/craft-beer-and-brewing-magazine-best-in-beer-2016-readers-choice-and

Cheers.

New Belgiums' 25th Birthday Bicycle

Upstate Craft Beer Co., in Greenville, was the sight for a New Belgium tap takeover and the raffling of a custom-made NB bicycle in honor of the occasion. 6 collaboration beers to try and each purchase got you a raffle ticket. And finally, at 7:30, the winning ticket was drawn and the winner, who just moved to Gville six days prior, claimed the bike for his own, adding a victory lap in the parking lot. Great time was had by all, aided of course by good beer, good music from The Passing Scene group and the fun ambiance that inhabits the Clausen Bakery Buildings latest incarnation, Upstate Craft Beer.

Some photos below attempting to capture all the festivities.

The beer menu for the tap takeover.

Tasting flight of 4 of 6. All collaborations.

Wes Gibson, New Belgium Beer Ranger, with the prize!!

Two of the six beers were outside only, the Sour and Belgian Pale.

The crowd starts to build outside; inside was packed.

Good music, many of it original but included Grateful Dead pleasing tunes.

The party carries on, despite heat and some threat of rain.

Calling the winning numbers.

Correct numbers??

The Winner!! "RW"  on his first visit to Upstate.

RW with his new bike. He just moved from Austin, quite a welcome present.

Jack, Wes and Chris ready the bike for the party.

 Happy 25th to New Belgium and cheers to all!!

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!!!
 

Citra Kollision On Tap

Great (and unbiased) news: the collaboration beer that I brewed with Jason Uhrinek, Citra Kollision, a session IPA with wicked amounts of Citra hops, is now on tap @Upstate Craft Beer Co. Come join me in this resiny wonder!!! Thanks again to Chris and Jack for making this possible.

It came in at 60 IBUs and 5.0 ABV. Perfect Session IPA. Bottle conditioning the bombers this week, bring'em home next week.
Cheers!

Brewday for Interstellar Pale

And at the end of a busy brewday, what do you get? In this case, two half-barrel fermenters full of Interstellar Pale ale, just needing couple weeks of fermentation, thus the air lock. Very educational day for me; learned to smash a yeast pack, what a hop-spider is and how to connect the pump for a sparge of the mash. A tiring and satisfying day, to be sure. I'll let everyone know when the keg(s) are tapped. Upstate Craft Beer Co.

Cheers.

More Upstate Adventures

Further adventures in the Greenville craft beer community:

Stopped by Upstate Craft Beer Co this afternoon to try and catch up with their 12 Days After Xmas beer selections (only one left, a Saison for tomorrow), sampled the three left on tap (they tend to empty the kegs quickly) and while sampling and taking notes, noticed that also enjoying some beers were Brian and Nicole from Iron Forge, joined by Beverage lawyer extraordinaire, Brook Bristow, Esq. This place has quickly become a neighborhood hangout for locals like me and other beer loving/making members of our community.

Cheers!