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!

 

Kenny Driggers Magnetic South Brewery Silos Brewing Co

 

 

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

Cheers!

Chili Cook-Off Helps Fend Off Cold Weather

So, if you judge an event's success b y the size of the attending crowd, then yesterday's Quest Chili Cook-Off was an over-the-top success; if you judge Chili Cook-Off's success by the quality of the entries, then judging for a winner gets more and more difficult; and if you show up an hour or more after the event opens, then you don't get any chili. Such was the case for Quest's 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off, yesterday.

(Note to myself: Next year, get there early!!) https://www.facebook.com/events/492337207788225/
Anyway, lots of people got their samples and voted and an overall winner was announced. I''ll just let the pix tell the story:

 Cheers! (please pass the Tums!)

New Brewery: New Groove, Boiling Springs, SC

Details, you want details? Ok, got some for you, about our (Brew Crew) first-ever visit to New Groove Artisan Brewery Saturday. Just recently opened (July 15 officially), brewers Josh Dodson and Jonathan Duke see this as the culmination of a journey that began back at the Spartanburg Brew Club where as home brewers, they met and became friends. Being only the third brewery in Spartanburg County, this location has lots going for it, not the least of which is the structure itself: a former Tornados convenience store. Roomy, industrial-comfy and plenty of space at the bar.

Four of their own beers were on tap (with more to come) for our tasting flights; a stout, a porter, a brown ale and a Berliner Weisse (which we all declared a winner and a highlight). Jonathan told us about a couple IPAs fermenting that we will certainly be back to try.
He also told us about their unique brewing system, a single vessel system in which the mash tun and kettle are the same. The grain container fits inside the kettle, the wort is circulated and filtered through until time for the mash out and boil, then an electric pulley lifts the grain out, the boil then starts in the remaining vessel. Very innovative and saves space and brewing time. Ask Jonathan or Josh about that system when you visit, they'll be more than happy to elaborate.

Everyone in our group agreed to come back when more NG beers are available. Thanks to Josh and Jonathan for taking time to talk with us and to April Dodson for handling the beer wrangling behind the bar while the boys were playing tour guides.
As you might expect, several photos were taken and I present most of them here (certainly the ones in focus anyway). Cheers.

 Cheers!!

Birthday Fun, Saturday Afternoon Style

So, how I spent my Saturday, in pictures. Many of you know that The Community Tap celebrated its 7th Birthday and they partnered with GVLtoday (celebrating their 1st) to make a most memorable party. Glad I was able to attend to witness the festivities first hand. If you missed it (boo!), you might want to put the date on next year's calendar. Just sayin. Photos phollow:
Mike Okupinski Anna Evans Okupinski Lindsay Kyle Johnson Katie Fricks Chris Hooper Bob Muller Mary Willson Ryan Heafy