2014 Carolina Brewhaha Update

Time to collect my notes and photos and describe the fun-filled and educational day I spent at the Carolina BrewHaHa yesterday. This one, the Second Annual, had more breweries so it took me a bit longer to cover them, mingling with the happy sippers and trying to get the best photo angle. Where else can you work in such pleasant conditions (heat not withstanding) with a beer in your hand?! Well, outside of a brewery anyway.

My apologies to any I missed, see ya next year?

Sierra Nevada, Revisited.

Made a return trip to Sierra Nevada, Mills River, yesterday to check on construction progress. They are brewing like crazy but the retail/restaurant side is still crawling with construction folks. No specific date yet on official opening, but from the looks of things, not for another month.
Meanwhile I can report that the Pale Ale is as good (and fresh!) as ever.

More details soon.

Hot Time at the Brewhaha in Anderson, SC

Despite the heat, the Carolina BrewHaHa in Anderson was really fun today. Several new beers/breweries to try, ran into friends and made some new ones, plus a hamburger made with Quest Brewing Company Kaldi Stout and coleslow infused with Centennial hops for lunch!! Details and more pix to come, after I have recovered!

 Cheers.

Stone Mocha Morning

Sort of sounds like a Kristopherson song, doesn't it.

Getting the details ready to post about my recent beer adventures in and around Canton, GA. In the meantime, I'm thinking of Mocha Stout:


http://www.stonebrewing.com/collab/Xocoveza/

Cicerone Certified Server

Hey, did I mention that I am now an official Cicerone Certified Server?

It's true. Passed the test on Friday.  Here's proof:

From the Cicerone website:

"Knowledge Area Responsibilities - The Certified Beer Server requires competent knowledge of beer storage and service issues as well as modest knowledge of beer styles and culture and basic familiarity with beer tasting and flavors and basic knowledge about brewing process and ingredients."

Tasting @Southern Growl, Greer, SC

Ok, left to right, in the photo:
Thirsty Dog Ankle Biter (4.4%abv)
Green Flash Citra Session IPA (4.5% abv)
Green Flash Hop Head Double IPA (8.1% abv)
Lazy Magnolia Timber Beast Rye (8.9% abv)
Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break Stout (11.5%) Brewed at Westbrook in Charleston.

Our fave for this tasting was the Timber Beast, hands down. Spicy, great mouth feel and body, well balanced bitter finish.

Lazy Magnolia is in Mississippi and I understand that it's the only brewery in the state.

The Southern Growl is a special place for beer tasting and I recommend it. You can bring you own food in, too!

Saluda Wet Hopped IPA Released by Quest Brewing

Here's the star of the show (Saluda Wet Hop), in a taster size. I liked it, a crisp, dry IPA, not quite the hop bomb you might expect with Cascade hops (hello, Sierra Nevada!), good balance and the yeast from SouthYeast Labs adds a bit of flavor too. Good job for a first timer. 

Two other cask versions are available tonight as well, one with blueberries and one with peppers. I liked the pepper one best, but I'm always a fan of pepper/IPA combinations. These cask versions are the only ones in existence. Don Richardson, Quest Brewmaster, tells me that one or both might be reproduced in the future. Sort of depends on the publics response. 

I know what mine is!

Two other cask versions are available tonight as well, one with blueberries and one with peppers. I liked the pepper one best, but I'm always a fan of pepper/IPA combinations.

Cheers!!