Hollie Stephenson, Head Brewer for Highland Brewing, Asheville, NC., Interview

As I mentioned in a previous post, spent some time this week with Hollie Stephenson, recently arrived Head Brewer at Highland Brewing. She comes from a three year stint with Stone (San Diego county) and, I'm pleased to say, shares my hop-centric taste for beer.

Her timing was good because Highland is about to celebrate a 21st Birthday (April 11), so she was given the opportunity to mark the event by brewing up a special beer for the occasion, one that reflects what she likes in beer (hops) and also to complement the already outstanding lineup of existing brews there (Cold Mountain, anyone?).

So, what was the beer she brewed for the big bash?  Here in her own words is what to expect this Saturday when the kegs are first tapped:

Since this is a small batch (3bbl system) we suspect that the beer might be gone by the end of the evening (2-10pm). If it receives a very favorable response (and mine certainly was, from the taste fresh from the fermenter, even without CO2) there is a possibility of brewing again in their new 100bbl pilot system, which is part of their new expansion.

Sensing that I was taking her away from some important brewing chores (there seemed to be a steady stream of fellow workers walking by our taproom table and giving us looks) I wrapped the conversation with the inevitable question about women in the craft beer industry (I know, it's become a cliché, but I can be as lazy a reporter as anyone else in the media). I was impressed with her answer. She looks forward to the time when discussing a beer, the qualities of the beer are what matter, not the gender of the brewer.

I'll drink to that.

Cheers.

Beer Drinking Classes?

Good story about the need for more Brewing Science programs across the country. I like the part that says a new brewery opens every day here in good ol' USA.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2015/04/08/396860667/aspiring-craft-brewers-hit-the-books-to-get-science-chops?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news

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

Beers For Easter

My Easter beers turned out to be Westbrook Brewing Company​'s One Claw Rye IPA, Terrapin Beer Co.​'s Mosaic and Epic Brewing's Escape to Colorado IPA. Sensing a trend here, time to restrain the taste-buds assault and move in a new direction, say, something that goes with Cadbury Chocolate Easter eggs, like that bomber of Sexual Chocolate I've been saving.

Hope your Easter was equally fun.

Cheers!

Sister Doris, A Beer-Brewing Nun

I found this to be an interesting story. We all know about the Trappist Monks and their beer making history, but this is new to me:


http://draftmag.com/sister-doris-beer-nun/

Finally Made A Brewery Crawl in Columbis, SC

Just back from my excursion into the Columbia Brewing scene: Conquest Brewing Co., Inc., Swamp Cabbage Brewing Company, River Rat Brewery and @Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Ale House. Lots of photos and commentary to edit, but here's a quick look at some of the places I went (I'll explain about the blueberry pizza too):

Conquest was crowded, inside and out.

 

 

Logan leads a tour at River Rat.

This is what yeast does... it's now beginning to be beer.

 

Samplers. 4 oz pours of fresh goodness.

Sarah rocks likes her work!

Cheers!!

Stone Brewing's New IRS - Imperial Russian Stout

Since I've been a Stone Brewing fan forever, it seems, always heartened to hear of a new release, even if it's a stout instead of an IPA, for which they are justly famous.
Stone has just released this video explaining about the latest version, released on March 23.

https://youtu.be/tfbwfBhLlY8

Making me thirsty watching it being made!

Cheers.