Highland Brewing Releases King MacAlpin

Highland Brewing Company has a new Warrior series, which they describe as  having "... bold aromas and flavors, often high gravity, styles will vary widely and will be released a few times per year in limited quantities of kegs and 12-ounce four packs."

This release is called King MacAlpin; named after Scotland's first king.

It's a double dry-hopped IPA with Chinook, Amarillo, Simcoe, and Centennial hops and I understand that some Mosaic may have even been added to the bill. ABV is 10% but the alcohol is so well balanced that it's deceptive. You'll want to tread carefully with this one.

Leah has a lot to smile about, this is an exceptional beer.

CEO Leah Wong Ashburn described it to me as a "lemon hop bomb" and I certainly agree, tho I would also say that, especially in the nose, pineapple notes have taken up residence as well.

In the fermenter is an early version of King MacAlpin.

This is Hollie Stephenson's best beer yet, imho, in her role as Head Brewer.

I was able to sample it a bit earlier in the week (it was released on Friday, July 17th) at a special event, which was a very rewarding experience. Not so rewarding was not being able to take any home since it not yet been released! Still waiting for it to hit the Greenville shops but, you know, it'd be worth driving back up to Asheville to have some more before it's all gone. It's that kind of beer.


Some photos of fellow craft beer lovers at the event:

David Zoll on guitar, adding to the festivities.

Geoff Alexander (from l-r), Mark Conti, Mark Janes.

From left: Emily Trimnal, Ashevilleblog.com; Mark Janes, Appalachian lIquors;  Leah, host.

The smiles say it all. Good beer lovers (from l-r) Molly McQuillan, Hollie, Highland Brewing; Emily Trimnal, Paige Brown, Matt Wunder, Ashevilleblog.com.

Hollie graciously took a moment away from work so I could avoid a selfie.

My thanks to Molly for the invite.

Cheers.

Meet Hollie, Highland Brewing's New Head Brewer

Very enjoyable interview today at Highland Brewing Company with Hollie Stephenson, new Head Brewer, discussing the origins of her special Birthday DIPA brewed for this Saturday's 21st Birthday Party. Still editing comments and photos but will post them on my blog by tomorrow morning. My thanks to Hollie for stepping away from the brewing chores to talk with me.

She's standing beside the fermenter that holds the only existing barrels of a specially-brewed DIPA for Highland's upcoming 21st Birthday party for Scotty, their logo icon.

Had a sip, not carbonated yet, but it was delicious, a true West Coast style IPA, with Chinook hops for bittering and equal amounts of Amarillo, Centennial, and Simcoe hops in the whirlpool. A taste sensation for a hophead like me. Eager to try it when finished.
The first keg will be tapped on April 11 at the big birthday bash. It won't last long is my prediction.

Happy National Beer Day and I hope you had a good one.

Cheers

Boojum Brewing Joins Waynesville, NC, Brewing Scene

At the recent Winter Warmer beer festival in Asheville, I had the pleasure of tasting brews from new breweries and chatting with the owner/brewmasters. 
One of these was BooJum from Waynesville, so when I saw this article I read it and I think now you should too, assuming you like local success stories in the craft beer industry.

http://mountainx.com/food/beer-scout-boojum-brewing-debuting-new-pub/

Cheers!

Asheville's Newest Brewery - One World

Saturday night, in Asheville, visited One World Brewing,10 Patton Ave, for the first time. Opens at 4 pm each day, and was packed by 4:45. In fact, we had to wait at the door for people to leave. They take the capacity limits seriously. But once inside, down two flights of stairs, the fun began. Impressive selection of beers offered, so of course we ordered a flight of six.
We had, l to r in photo, the Imperial Red IPA, 8% abv; the Vortex Coffee Stout, 6% abv; the Imperial Dark Strong, 8.5% abv; English Brown Ale, 6.2% abv; Whale of a Tale Pale, 6.2% abv; and Expedition Double IPA, 9.5% abv.
In our group, the Red IPA and the English Brown were the overall faves; we liked them all and I would have added the Expedition to the list. You can read the descriptions on their website. Great addition to the Asheville beer community and I'll be back!

 Cheers, y'all.