Carolina BrewHaHa, V.4

As promised, some photo highlights of the Fourth BrewHaHa in Anderson. Accolades belong to Jake Grove for hosting another successful event while being featured by a BBC video crew... multi tasking indeed. Warm weather made the Saisons, Sours and Belgians especially refreshing, but there was a beer for every taste, I'm sure; just look at all the smiling faces!
And adding a mist station, brilliant!
http://www.carolinabrewhaha.com/home.html

September Good Anniversary Month

It just occurred to me that this month, September, seems filled with beer related anniversaries (and don't get me started on Oktoberfests) celebrations of varying ages. Good news all around, but keeping up with them can be a chore, tho I'm certainly working on it.
Here's one, for example, our friends over at The Southern Growl  just had their 2nd. Still editing photos and notes, but here's a quick preview:

Stay tuned, more to follow!

Cheers.

Birds Fly South's Big Opening Party, Finally

And what a swell party it was!! Birds Fly South Ale Project's big opening bash. Calling it a success is a serious understatement. I like all of Shawn's beers, but last night Blackberry D'Oro and Galaxie Saison were stand outs for me. Anytime someone tells you that they don't care for sours or saisons, tell them to try these two beers and accept that their lives will be changed forever. Well, allow me a tad of hyperbole but they are that good, in my estimation.
Below, please find some pics of the evening, in no particular order but they hopefully will convey some of the fun, energy and good will in evidence all evening.

Cheers!

King McAlpin DIPA Returns to Taps Everywhere!

Well, maybe not everywhere, but certainly in the Upstate, WNC vicinity.

This is the second release of this particular beer in Highland Brewing's Warrior Series. It was one of the first brews Brewmaster Hollie Stephenson originated in her new position and Highland's first Double IPA. And I can say from considerable experience, it's a hop head's delight and beautifully crafted. The 10% abv is obviously a factor to be considered when drinking this big ale, but it certainly isn't evident in the taste and finish. It won't be around too much longer, each of the Warrior series is available only for one quarter of the year, since there are four releases annually. Get it while you can.

The release party featured Hollie doing a very rare tour, highlighting some of the pilot system where each recipe is tested before being committed to brewing. The tour ended with the group enjoying several pitchers of said King McAlpin. Molly McQuillian was the generous pourer.

Some pics of the event:

Cheers!!

New Belgium Asheville Now Open For Tours

Got a sneak preview last week (h/t Susanne Hackett) of what the New Belgium tours will cover. Starting Sept 2, the free tours must be booked on line at their website NewBelgium.com/AshevilleBrewery.

Following Susanne's introduction of Bryan Simpson, PR Director and Alex Dwoinen, Brewing Manager, we set off across the bridge that spans the stream between the Brewery and the Liquid Center.

Later, we were joined by Tyler Foos, Liquid Center Manager, who gave us more details about the tour's content. It's a very impressive facility which is not only environmentally friendly but also reflects the local history of the site which has been a stock yard, a circus fairground and even an auto salvage yard. All of which is referenced in a brilliant use of the  letters from the Carolina Livestock Market original sign, now covered with photos. Look closely for an unusually frightening clown.

Not my plan to give away too much of the tour's info but here are some photos that give a general overview.

Bryan Simpson, PR Director, welcomes the group.

Susanne Hackett, New Belgium Communications Specialist, fills us in on what to expect.

Off we go!

Water reclamation and holding tanks. Keeps the hot liquor hot.

Lauter tun.

Alex Dwoinen, Brewing Manager, in the brew house, describes the wort's path around the room.

 

These are the original sign letters which now have historic photos attached.

Tyler Foos, Liquid Center Manager, offers background on the Bruges, Belgium beertje story.

Yeast house behind Alex.

Good day for bottling Fat Tire it would seem.

Some day, tubers on the river will be able to haul out and have a beer or three.

The Liquid Center where so much liquid is consumed!

Oh, and I should mention the slide. Used to quickly descend to a lower floor, I have been assured that tour particpants will be able to avail themselves of its speed!

Cheers!