Whale Meets Wooden Robot - Greenville Cheers!

If you made it over to The Whale today for the Wooden Robot Brewery event, featuring four of their most popular brews, you could have joined me in welcoming Mikey Foster, Sales Rep, to the beer-appreciating GVL community and tasted some very special brewery-only beers that he conveniently brought along: Aww Fudge, a fudge stout was just velvet on the palate and no hint of the 12.8% Abv. A "Bring me my slippers, I'll be here awhile" type of sipper.

Also a Saison, Alternating Currents (guess the fruit) that was so fresh and fruity that I could have it morning, noon and night. And with an ABV of 4%, why not? Yummers.
 
Despite the occasional power outage, it was an evening of treats and we were told that starting next week, we will see a lot more Wooden Robot kegs available!
Love good news, don't you?
Cheers!

New Brew Saturday Success

Following up on the New Brew Saturday visit to Zillicoah Beer Company, here are the beers we, as a group, enjoyed and got excited about.
Their Pilsner was classic in style with very balanced flavors and a treat to the palate. Refreshing and dry.

Their Session Breakfast Porter was simply amazing; never knew you could even brew a porter with 3.8% abv. Chocolate and coffee notes up front, the lactose adding a very creamy mouth feel, clean finish. Certainly could have had more than one... but I was working, you know. 

I liked their IPA (surprise) cause among other things I am a fan of Mosaic and Galaxy hops, which this beer served up abundantly. Very drinkable.

My last taste was of the Imperial Stout, a big one at 10% ABV and equally big in body and flavor. Excellent mouth feel and lingering finish all contributed to making this a good Winter weather choice for sipping slowly, preferably with a friend (or friends) in front of the fire.
 
They have chosen to specialize in open-fermented farmhouse ales and lagers (check out their special lager glass tankard) and with Jonathan and Jeremy's brewing backgrounds combined with the satisfying beers we tasted, look for big things from this new venue.
Located on the French Broad River, they have a perfect location for next year's warm weather season. 

A note of caution tho: the entrance can be a little challenging so keep a sharp out for oncoming traffic when you turn downhill into the brewery. Some additional pics now, showing Jonathan working some yeast and Jeremy busily pouring as the crowd began to wander in.

Cheers!
 

Brewery 85 Turns Three

Big and I mean big, turnout for Brewery 85's 3rd Birthday bash. The usual good beers and one by Taylor Lamm, previously a brewer at 85 but who now has his own brewery, Oconee Brewing, a jalapeño pale that was just too drinkable. Probably all gone by now, but quite the special beer for those, like me, who enjoy the additional pepper flavor without overpowering heat. Perfect balance here. More details and photos later, I gotta sit down for awhile.