Friday Profile: Courtney Pici, Champion of Breweries

Well, more accurately, Courtney champions breweries that she represents as Divisional Sales Manager (Southeast) for Global Brewers Guild, a position she just recently took on.

So far in this profile series, we've met both the people who brew the beer and the folks putting it in your glass, whether at a bar/taproom, growler station or a favorite dining establishment. Getting the beer between those points is what Courtney facilitates for her brewery clients, no small feat these days when you consider the competition for tap space at most beer sellers. And also for shelf space, since more and more breweries are adding cans to their bottle selections.

I've known Courtney nearly as long as I have lived here and I can say without reservation that the lady knows beer. From her start at a Taco Mac in GA, with it's 100 taps, to serving at Barleys and the Growler Station (RIP) here in Greenville, she has always been seriously interested in craft beer.

She was one of the first servers in Greenville to achieve the Cicerone Certified Server certification and has begun the examination process for the next level, Certified Cicerone. I took one of the preparatory classes with her, so I've seen first hand her determination to become a genuine beer authority.




Fortunately Courtney doesn't mind travel cause she's on the road a lot. One of her new clients, 21st Amendment Brewing in San Francisco, has just been allowed to distribute in South Carolina so to better learn about their beers (among my favorites, I should add) she hopped a plane (no pun) to join in the festivities there as 21st opened a new production facility across the Bay in San Leandro, the site of the former home of Kellogg's Pop Tart bakery. More about that later.











Back here a more typical day would see her out with a distributor representative visiting pubs, restaurants or even retail outlets, to educate people about new beer releases they might want to add to their inventory or just to massage an existing relationship. Obviously this kind of work requires someone who enjoys meeting people and talking knowledgeably about beer. That's Courtney!

Mike Okupinski gets to sample the special 21st Amendment release.

Educating craft beer enthusiasts keeps Courtney very busy.

Another way she helps her brewery clients, pouring at beer fests.

She's also likely to be seen at one of our local "bottle share" events, adding some new choices to the mix (and finding personal favorites as well). She has told me that her "go to" brews are Session IPAs and Ciders that are light, dry and crisp. No shortage of either of those these days.

She also appreciates being part of the increasing population of women working in the industry, in all of the various ways. This year she joined with some of those women as members of the Pink Boots Society to celebrate International Women's Collaboration Brew Day  to brew a special ale at Quest Brewing. And once she completes the final portion of the Cicerone Certification exam, she will join a small but very influential group of beer experts.




Oh, remember my Kellogg's Pop Tart reference? Well, as a tribute to the former tenant, 21st Amendment released this very special Red IPA (a very limited release) which Courtney graciously shared with a few of us. It will be on the shelves locally soon, thanks to her hard work, so when you see it, buy it - you'll like it.

Toaster Pastry tribute to Kelloggs. Great beer, btw.

I always learn something from her each time we chat about the craft beer scene and I think you might too, so if you cross paths with her, take a moment to say hi and chat about beer. She'll have a lot to say.

Cheers, Courtney. 

Swamp Rabbit Brewing and Taproom Septembrew Cont'd

Some additional photos from yesterday's Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom Septembrew Fest. Over 400 beer lovers showed up to enjoy new and old favorite beers in a festive, friendly environment. There were pretzel eaters, dancing girls (when they weren't pouring), even a couple celebrating the second day of their engagement. Music, food, sun, smiles and, of course, beer - that's a never fail recipe for a good time. Cheers!!

Women's Soccer Champs and Brewery85

Four games in a row at Brewery85, here in Greenville: Four victories, including the big one tonight!! Big thanks to Will, Jeremy and the crew for hosting this fun time. Some photos, pre and after the game:

And one more, Will getting the crowd ready for a photo which he published on his Facebook page:

Congrats to the winning ladies of the World Champion Soccer Team and cheers to all!

My Five Favorites From Barley's Beer Fest

Reflecting on yesterday's Biggest Little Beer Fest at Barley's Greenville, I thought I'd try to sum up my impressions and list the beers that made the strongest impression on me ( a very difficult task in any such undertaking). Not calling these "best" only that they were memorable and made me glad I tried them.

First up, a Gose from Creature Comforts: Cucumber Lime Tritonia.

 This was a total surprise, a cucumber lime flavored brew that was refreshing, sort of tart with a well balanced finish, no one flavor overpowered the others. At 4.2% abv, this would be the perfect summer brew. Good palate cleanser as well. Very memorable.
Their Tropicalia IPA was good too, passion fruit and citrus hoppy flavored, very drinkable IPA.



Next, a much bigger beer from Anderson Valley Brewing, their Huge Arker , a Russian Imperial Stout aged for a year in Wild Turkey bourbon barrels. At 13.5% abv, this was one of the strongest beers at the Fest, the only one stronger was the Dog Fish Head Olde School Barley Wine at 15%. As you might expect, very smooth, flavors well balanced, alcohol hidden. Big sipper.

Todd, aka Steinber Chucklehead, offers a small glass of a huge beer!

Golden colored cream ale.

A big change of pace was the Left Hand Brewing's Jalapeño Cream Ale. I like the roasted pepper flavor which was immediate on the palate although the honey malts seemed to keep the heat at bay. More malt in the finish, less pepper, very light hop presence.Very drinkable and conforting at 6.2% abv.










Heading back into high gravity country, I came across the Evil Twin table where Molotov Simcoe was on tap. This is a triple IPA at a whopping 13% abv. Very intense hoppiness (surprise!) with the expected dry finish, but balanced enough that the beer is very drinkable, tho caution is required. I liked it a lot, being the hophead I am. It also showcased the Simcoe hop quality, adding citrusy notes in the nose and finish. I've gotten to be a big fan of this hop.









Despite having no idea what the name meant, I tried the Terrapin Phlux Capacitor, 2012 version, another high gravity Strong Ale. Very smooth, deceptive, well-balanced brew with no alcohol heat. Glad I had the chance to try it.

And thanks to Jennifer Davis, Marketing Rep for Terrapin, for cluing me in on Terrapin's brews.  That's the Phlux she's holding in the pic.









So that comprises the five beers that stood out, tho everything one I tried was a winner. Fun time was had by all (see photo below) and my only regret is that the event only happens once a year. And I plan on being there!!

Cheers!