Quest Brewing Celebrates 3 Exciting Years Today

Hard to believe that 3 years have gone by so quickly, but it's true! Look for me at Quest this afternoon. Ponce, anyone?


https://www.facebook.com/events/494256337427737/?notif_t=plan_reminder&notif_id=1468076359142760

Opening day, July, 2013.

 Congrats and Cheers to Quest Brewing.

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!

Friday Profile: Upstate Craft Beer Company

It's Friday, so let's do a profile, an about-to-open brewery in this case. Upstate Craft Beer Co. to be exact. Seems like just yesterday, Jack McDonald and Chris Hardin were putting up the first sign (actually it was October) on their new facility. Construction since has been on schedule, lots of boxes have been opened and permits and licenses obtained.


So, the big opening? Jack tells me that December 26 (a Saturday) is the day to let the crowds in. I'm not sure when the BIY (brew it yourself) component will be in operation, but I can tell you I plan to be among the first to use Chris' recipes and brew a keg for myself. (Still working on a beer name, stay tuned).
 
My first impression upon entering the bright orange door was that, despite some continuing construction, the place is stunning with the shiny steel and warm wood greeting you. The pictures tell the story so I have posted a lot of them.
With the addition of Loose Reed down the street on Augusta, craft beer lovers will soon have a happening new neighborhood in which to indulge their (and my) passion.

Action central: kitchen pass-thru, taps and cooler.

A brewery on wheels!

Part of the retail section, malts and grain bins.

I expect the seats will all be taken in the near future.

Jack on the "hot side" of things. Two of the brewing carts will be in use.

Best of luck to Jack and Chris and welcome to Upstate Craft Beer Company to the Greenville beer drinking/making world.

Cheers!

Quest's Erin Gregory Handles the Events - Friday Profile

 From the day Quest opened, Erin Gregory's smiling face has caught my attention. So I decided to subject her to my Profile Questionnaire (actually done in person) in order to find out why she always appears to be really enjoying herself.







 If you've been to any of the many musical or fund raising events at Quest (and who hasn't?), you've most often seen her behind the bar, slinging those pints to an eager crowd, or taking the time to describe the various beer styles currently on tap.

 

Working at Quest was her first exposure to the craft beer world, up until that time she confesses to have been just a beer drinker.

These days, while still taking her shifts pouring to customers or leading tours, she is the official Events Coordinator, responsible for the excellent music acts that hit the stage on Thursday nights as well as working with local community groups in fund-raising efforts and outreach programs.

One special event in which she participated earlier this year was a Bottle Share to benefit Greenville Craft Beer Week, held upstairs at Barleys,  which also coincided with the birthday of Brook Bristow, Esquire, known to most South Carolinians as the Craft Beer Legal Whiz Kid (that's another story entirely), an event I happily attended. Beers were shared, chocolate cake was eaten and hilarity ensued. Got the pix to prove it!

Chocolate cake courtesy of Bunny Bishop

The birthday boy himself, Brook Bristow, Esq.

 

And I have spotted her several times representing Quest at the many craft beer festivals in the area, including Asheville. She's always happy to pour you a sample and to very capably describe the beer as well. She admits to not being a brewer but really enjoying  meeting people and the camaraderie, the "friendly competition" found in the industry, on both sides of the bar.

Which is not to say she doesn't have brewing experience.  As her contribution to the Pink Boots Society's International Women's Collaboration Brew Day, Erin joined with some local ladies associated with the industry to brew this year's special recipe, a Red Ale.

(l-r) Caitlin Pierson, Keats Wineland, Courtney Pici, Erin,
Kathy Roberts, Harvin Bedenbaugh

I asked her what advice she would give anyone, especially women, considering
working in the craft beer industry.
"Don't be afraid to try something new.... go for it" was part of her answer. She also cautioned that a newcomer at a startup brewery should expect to wear many hats and help wherever needed, just like she does.






Here's the video clip with the quote:

We'll have lots of opportunities in the coming months to catch Erin at work based on her calendar of upcoming Quest events which include their Third Bottle Release party on Oct. 30 which also fits into the Halloween festivities, a Black Beer Friday on the day after Thanksgiving when all the taps will feature Stouts and Porters, a Kaldi vertical tasting and even some plans for a New Years Eve event, tentatively titled "Brew Years Eve" and still in the planning stages. That'll keep her busy. And us busy, trying out all the one-offs and special cask night beers coming our way. I'm happy to say that I look forward to all that research I'm required to do!


Thanks to Erin for her time, she's a busy lady.

Cheers.

Friday Profile: Andrew Myers, Greenville, SC

Today I'm profiling a member of the Greenville Craft Beer community, someone I've known almost as long as I've lived here (all of two years, so far):

When I first met Andrew Myers in 2013, he was a owner/partner (with Leroy DuBré) at the Greenville Hop House, a retail store for all things brewing, home or otherwise. It was one of only two places in town where home brewers, trying to perfect their existing beer recipes or creating new ones, could get the malts, hops and other necessities to practice their hobby. 

When I stopped by the store, Andrew was very generous with his time as well as with his inventory - he donated some cocoa nibs for a beer project that I was about to be involved with.

 

Andrew conducting a seminar at the first Greenville Beer Festival at Fluor Field.

Andrew was well qualified to help home brewers with their needs since he had been brewing with his father as far back as 1999 when they brewed their first beer, an Irish Stout. And his family background in the Appalachian Mountain communities involved home brewing, tho not necessarily just beer....

As I mentioned, there was a second outlet for brewing supplies in town, Thomas Creek Brewery, the city's oldest. 

Severing his partnership with Leroy, Andrew joined the TC team and combined their operations to offer the most complete inventory of brewing supplies available. He also managed to find time to pour samples and speak at various brew festivals in the area.

In Spring of this year, Andrew made his most recent move, to assist Ben Pierson, Owner/Brewmaster, at Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom, in Travelers Rest, SC.

Whether working as a tour guide at RJ Rockers Brewing in Spartanburg or brewing up the latest batch of Red Whitey at Swamp ( a Belgian white ale with raspberries, a Gold-Medal winner), Andrew has been and continues to be an interesting, experienced member of the Upstate Craft Beer community.

And when asked about advice he gives newcomers to the craft, he'll tell them to visit a brewery, learn to appreciate the freshest beer, be willing to try new, unknown beers to find a style that they really enjoy. And then drink lots of it!

With all the breweries we have in the area, I don't think that will be a problem.

Cheers!

Happy 2nd to Quest Brewing

Yesterday was the day to celebrate two successful years of brewing at Quest. They tapped a new keg everyhour until 8:15 pm. I was there for three of them. Loved the Watermelon Wit and the Cherry Saison, plus their old standby, Calumet. Hot weather just made the beer that much more enjoyable. Some pics of the event:

 

Cheers!!