Bad beer. Who is responsible?

My closest friends, Facebook and Twitter followers know I love and use the popular beer app called Untappd. It's a great app as it allows breweries to see what people are saying about their beer.  It also allows establishments to track who is drinking what in their location provided the consumer is syncing their post to Facebook, Twitter and/or Foursquare.  I use the app to keep up with what I've had and where as well as to make notes on the beer I've had. 

Recently I was in an establishment and Anchor Steam was on the tap rotation.  I've been a fan of Anchor Steam for years but never had one on draft.  I ordered one and was not happy with the flavor.  It tasted very yeasty and bread like and I asked the bar tender if the keg had just been put in.  At times when a keg is changed out it gets jostled around and any sediment can mix with the beer.  I was told that it had been up for a day or two.  Needless to say I just wasn't impressed with this beer and was slightly disappointed because I have enjoyed it for years in bottles.  I posted on Untappd with the comment "Either a bad keg or I prefer it in a bottle."  I finished the beer and ordered a different one next.  I spent a little more time in the establishment chatting with other patrons and had forgot all about my post.  As I was leaving one of the owners of the establishment approached me and said if I ever posted about bad beer in their establishment then I would be banned from coming back in.  This shocked me for a few reasons.  One, I am pretty regular in visiting this place and the owners know me as a beer snob. Two, I would never publicly insinuate that any establishment was selling bad beer on purpose.  Three, it happened in front of other customers that may or may not have heard the exchange. 

I have had bad beer in the past at various locations and I would usually mention to the bar tender, manager or owner that they may have an issue with a keg.  Usually the problem is researched and if proven to be a bad keg it is removed from the line.  I've never said a beer was bad based on the fact I didn't like the taste.  If that were the case then every bar or restaurant I ever entered would be getting complaints on the Budweiser and Miller/Coors products.  I know the difference between a beer I don't like and a beer that has some quality control issues. 

Getting a bad beer isn't necessarily the fault of the establishment.  I think it's the responsibility of the establishment to remove a bad beer from the line though.  I have been in an establishment that knew it had a bad keg and had the keg replaced by the distributor but they still left the bad keg on their line. 

Also this week I was in a grocery store mulling over the beer selection and picked up a 6 pack that was a full month out of date.  In this case it is the fault of the establishment and the distributor. 

As consumers we should be obligated to alert the establishment regarding a potential problem with a product.  Any good establishment will have a Cicerone, BJCP Judge or a few trust worthy customers that can all verify if there is a problem with a specific beer.  Simply ignoring the problem won't make it go away and could lead customers to believe that the establishment does not care about the quality of their product. 

I'd be interested to hear comments on this subject.

Cheers!

Big Boss

 

Big Boss is well known here in NC and I was looking forward to a visit.  Due to my scheduling I wasn't able to visit on a tour day.  They only give tours on the 2nd Saturday of the month and I'm sure it's well worth it.  My visit only included the tap room but I must say I was taken back and impressed all at the same time.  Big Boss isn't the only brewery located in an industrial location so that didn't suprise me as much as the pure size of the brewery.  This place seems huge.  

The vintage military vehicle outside grabbed the attention of this writer and his ride along and we had to pose for a photo op.  

  

Once inside you are greeted by a narrow and steep set of stairs to get to the tap room                                                                            

Once in the tap room there are a few rooms with various games, seating and ambiance that reminds you that you're in an uncommon place.  With my aviation background I was especially impressed with the "nose art" that depicts the various brews that Big Boss has either had in the past or continue to brew now.

The bar itself is typical for many breweries we've been into over the years you are able to purchase a flight or a pint of your favorite brew.  You can also buy sixpacks and growlers to take home.

I had Angry Angel, Sacktime, Night Knight Bourbon Barrel Aged and High Roller.  The Night Knight Bourbon Barrel Aged is not available anywhere but in the Taproom and is well worth a trip to Raleigh and a trek up the stairs to drink this impeccable black IPA.

All in all I was not disappointed in my trip to Big Boss and I hope one day to take another trip to tour the brewery. 

Cheers!!!!
http://bigbossbrewing.com/

White Street Brewing Co.

Located in Wake Forest home of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary the White Street Brewing Company is Wake County's best kept secret.  Nestled in a 100 year old building, investor and visionary Dino Radosta has created one of the most unique breweries this writer has ever been in.  The tour actually starts out with the history of the building and how Dino came to start White Street and his vision in creating an eclectic atmosphere for folks to enjoy good beer.  Another interesting aspect is that Dino was not a home-brewer.  Most breweries are started by guy's and gals that have brewed in their kitchens for a few years and then decide to share their craft.  Dino actually learned how to brew on the 10BBL system that he bought for the brewery.  He realized quickly that while he could brew good beer he needed consistency and hired Chris Bivens as brew-master.  You will see Chris at brew-fest pouring White Street beer and Chris has the personality and know how to be a huge asset to WSBC.  Dino recently brought GABF Gold Medal winner Ian VanGundy on board as Director of Brewing Operations.  WSBC is planning an expansion to a 50BBL system in a production facility soon but will keep the current and original location open as a tap room and brewers play ground.  Ian will have his hands full but with his experience, passion and knowledge he is very capable of the task at hand.

The beer is excellent and the personality of Dino and Chris come out with each style.  One very interesting fact is they actually change the water profile of each beer they brew by adjusting PH and minerals.  I live in Rockingham County and we have Miller/Coors here.  I've had the opportunity to go through Miller/Coors and speak with their brewers and other employees and this is a task that Miller/Coors does not do.  You are guaranteed a good beer from White Street based on the attention to detail they put in their water, grains, hops and yeast.

Distribution is handled through Jeffries Distributing and WSBC is expanding the market so it won't be long before everyone in NC will be able to enjoy these beers.

White Street Kolsch-style Ale pours an old-gold with a fine, white head. A subtle fruitiness aroma extends to the palate with hints of pear and melon. Crisp and refreshing.

White Street Imperial Pale Ale: A blend of West Coast hops and crystal malts give this beer a unique citrus undertone on the palate while a generous dry hop delivers a huge aroma. Bold and refreshing.

White Street Scottish Ale Pours deep mahogany, produceing a tight tan head that gives way to a complex maltiness. Herbal and spicy notes play nicely in a caramel essence to produce a beautifully sessionable beer.

White Street Black IPA is ruby black with a frothy mocha lingering head offering the full punch of spicy, citrusy hops. A wonderment of toffee, deep plums and peppercorn, it finishes with a dance of roastiness and hop bitters. This is my "go to" beer.

White Street Belgian Singel: Floral with hints of apricot, pear and crisp green apple, this light gold beer finishes with a balance of hops and Belgian yeast. Complex and intriguing.

Cheers!!!
http://www.whitestreetbrewing.com/

Trophy Brewing Co.

Trophy is the smallest brewpub ever but has a huge heart and passion for good beer.  They are a 3 barrel nano brewery with 3 single batch and 2 double batch fermenters in downtown Raleigh featuring a full bar and growlers to go. Their beer is something, often unique, and always tasty. The bar is comfortable and staff is well versed in the way of zymurgy, small talk and making you feel at home.

Trophy Brewing Co. represents Chris Powers and David “Woody” Lockwood’s long-held dream of having their own brewery. A place where they can take ideas about and for beers, scratched down on napkins over late night drinking sessions, and turn them into a reality. Les Stewart, the head brewer, shares the vision that Chis and Woody have for beer. His passionate but playful approach to crafting beer returns a glass that surprises most beer drinkers. As the brewer’s assistant Josh Wing rounds out the trophy brewing team. Bringing the curiosity and excitement about beer that you should expect from this brewery,
 

Best in show
American Saison 
This beer is a bright and easy drinking farmhouse ale that they give you a simple syrup to mix with it.  The day I was there the flavor was blackberry but they change the flavors often.  Not typically my style but this one was good and very drinkable. ABV 6.5% 

Biggest Flirt 
Belgian IPA My "go to" beer for this brewery. Hazy & floral with a tropical aroma ABV 7%

I also had the Quiz Wiz Belgian Wit and the Participant Berlinerwiess and while neither was repulsive I'm just not a fan of those styles and unfortunately I didn't make any notes on them.  If you're a fan of wheat in your beer then give them a shot.
 

http://trophybrewing.com/

Boylan Bridge Brewpub

 

Architect Andrew Leager has been operating a cabinet shop in downtown Raleigh since 1997. This business is called Special Projects LLC, and is located in the lower floors of the building that houses the Boylan Bridge Brewpub. 

Andrew has been brewing, bottling, and enjoying his own beer for the past ten years. His experience is the basis for taking on the operation of a brewpub.

The Boylan Bridge Brewpub has a bright and open atmosphere conducive to conversation, business, and social interaction. The architectural millwork and cabinetwork built downstairs in the shop has made the Bridge a beautiful, durable facility using fine woods, ceramic tile, and canvas covered tackboard on the walls.

The brewing operation is visible from the bar through glass doors, offering an industrial connection with stainless steel tanks and copper piping throughout.

The most popular feature of the place is the outdoor deck. It offers an expansive view of the downtown Raleigh skyline. A wood post and beam pergola structure enclose the space and provides mottled shade without trapping sound, making conversation easy.

Andrew says he doesn't care about recipes or the Reinheitsgebot but about defacto simple beer.  And simple it is with a complexity of flavors and good beer.  Boylan Bridge coddles their beer on a short line and when you get a beer from the bar it is coming straight out of the bright tanks located just below.  Andrew used his architectural skills when laying the brewery out and no space is wasted and every space is used to it's potential.  While on a 7BBL system now he is looking to expand the brewery operation into the space he currently uses as his cabinet shop and begin distributing beer.  He plans on self distribution so he can keep the control of his fine craft.

Boylan Bridge should be on everyone's list of places to stop for a pint when in Raleigh. 

Gantlet Golden Ale
This American golden has a light body and a strong hop presence. Strong bittering hops give way to citric and piney notes with a quick, clean finish. 6%ABV

Bruno Bitter
Our Bruno Bitter is an easy drinking copper colored English ale. The light use of hops balances biscuit and toffee malt flavor with an undercurrent of bitterness. 6% ABV

Endless Summer Ale
This light colored English Summer ale balances biscuity malt and bright hop flavors with a strong yeast presence reminiscent of wheat beers. 6% ABV

We Support Public Transportation By Rail Pale Ale
Our American Pale ale is generously hopped with Pacific Northwest Cascade hops. Toasty malt character fades quickly to reveal bright herbaceous hops with a crisp, dry finish. 6% ABV

Pullman Porter
This chocolaty porter straddles the line between sweet and robust. Chocolate and coffee flavors combine with a rich mouth feel to create an exceptionally sessionable ale. This pairs quite salty savory dishes as well as desserts. 6%ABV

Southbound Stout
The stout is a rich, robust and complex ale good for every season. The darkness of color comes from black barley which also imparts an almost smoky character. This malt monster is great with meat and strong cheeses. It even makes for a great dessert all by itself. 6%ABV

Hopped Off the Tracks IPA
Our hoppiest offering is bittered with Millennium hops. The malt flavor is sweet, medium bodied and balanced with the flavor of Warrior hops. 7%ABV

http://boylanbridge.com/

The Rules of Beer

Stan Hieronymus Has Spoken!

Stan Hieronymus, "the" professional beer journalist, author, & brewer, has recently revealed his rules regarding beer.  After spending years in the craft beer business through writing, traveling, & (of course drinking), he's released standard guidelines for you & your palate.  Read these rules & take them seriously (but no more seriously than you take yourself).

Rule #1:  When you open a beer for a vertical tasting and there is rust under the cap it’s time to seriously lower your expectations for what’s inside the bottle.

 Rule #2:  A beer consumer should not be allowed to drink a beer with IBU higher than her or his IQ.

Rule #3:  You must drink at least two servings of a beer before you pass judgment on it.

Rule #4:   The god of beer is not consistency; Variation is not a flaw

Rule #5:  It is only beer

Rule #6:  The best beer WAS in the empty glass.

Rule #7:Beer is not the new wine.

Rule #8:  More beer, less analysis:  always take beer more seriously than yourself

Rule #9:  Shut up & drink your beer:  you can't ever know all there is to know about beer.

Rule #10:  Beer is food:  Beer is food for the thought & food for the soul.  

 

Gizmo Brew Works

Gizmo Brew Works is actually the former Roth Brewery that was saved from going the way of a number of other craft breweries in NC over the past 25 years.  Five guys and a girl that loved the beer pooled their money and resources together and bought the entire operation, changed the name and kept brewing beer.  Tyler from Foothills will be the head brew-master and I have all the confidence in the world that he will do a great job.

Most of the owners are tinker types so the name Gizmo just seemed to fit.  They are also home brewers so they know good beer.  On the day of our visit we met with Brian Shaw.  Brian gave the tour and kept it light and lively.  Brian is an Elementary School Librarian and while he isn't the "hot librarian" we all dreamed about he is owner/partner of a brewery and that makes him even better than the one every 7th grade male dreamed of.

Gizmo brews on a 2bbl system and has the smallest system for distributed beer in the state.  With 4bbl fermenters that means they must brew twice as much as any other brewery to just fill capacity.  They have ordered a larger system and will pass on the medal of smallest brewery to someone else.

They kept most of the Roth recipies since there was nothing wrong with Roth beer and lets face it... That's why the guys bought the brewery to begin with.  Gizmo like it's predecessor is more of a malt brewery and if your a hop head your just going to have to suck it up and enjoy malt for a bit while enjoying these brews.

Raleigh Red is the flagship beer for Gizmo Brew Works. This medium bodied amber ale has a distinct crisp, hoppy finish that lets you know what you are drinking but fades away to let you enjoy the sensation time and time again. This is a beer you will be back for.

Bee Keeper Honey Wheat Very crisp and clean. Brewing with orange blossom honey gives this beer a great citrus aroma and cleansing finish. Dry and only slight chill haze. Unfiltered and unadulterated. If you've read more than two of my writings you know that I am not a fan of Wheat Beer. However this one is very good and more than likely my "go to" beer for this brewery.

Dark Construct – Stout – 7.1% ABV
2013 Bronze Medal Carolina Championship of Beer
2012 Gold Medal Carolina Championship of Beer

Back to the tinker portion I mentioned earlier.  I was very impressed with the tap handles they have made.  It's well known that I am a welder by trade and a sub-par machinist by force so these handles made me smile.

Gizmo can be found all over the Triangle and now in select locations in the Triad.  As this brewery expands you will find them in more and more locations.  Stop in for a tour on Saturday and check Groupon for specials at times. 

Cheers!!!
http://gizmobrewworks.com/

Triangle Brewing Company

 I had been told that one of the best brewery tours in the state was at Triangle Brewing Company in Durham.  I've been to a lot of breweries and been through more than my fair share of tours and some of them are pretty good while others are less than desirable.  So I went with high hopes on this visit and I was not let down.  Triangle Brewing opens it's doors most every Saturday at 1:00pm and for the meager price of $3 you get in the door.  The razor-wire fence surrounding the brewery does not lend itself to a welcoming environment but hey even a brewery needs to protect it's assets.  With the quality of beer this brewery produces they should be protected like Fort Knox.

The tap room isn't air-conditioned but who cares when for $3 you get all the beer you want in an hour and a half to two hours.  Get there early as there will be a line and be prepared to show your ID.  It's illegal in North Carolina to drink beer without one and instead of belly aching to the very large door man just pull out the ID card and say "yes sir".  It's well worth it.

 

Triangle Brewing Company Tap Wall

 So you've arrived and tasted a pint or two then the tour starts.  On the say of this writers visit Eric the Assistant Brewer was giving the tour.  If you've been to any brew fest in NC with Triangle present you've seen Eric working the Triangle booth.  His personality is typical of the sarcastic yet witty brewer you typically find in a well run brew house.  His knowledge is spot on and he knows his stuff.  If Triangle isn't careful they could lose Eric to another brewery and while that would be good for the other brewery Triangle would lose a gem.  I don't see them parting ways anytime soon so tell him Hello from me when you arrive.

Eric atop the system.

They brew on an 8bbl system which is par for many micro breweries.  They are planning an expansion soon and will be moving about 100 yards from their current location just across the Rail Road tracks.  I hope they don't upset Rufus when they move or maybe Rufus will move with them.  More on Rufus in a bit.

I was able to chat with  Rick Tufts but Andy Miller wasn't around.  Rick is a neat guy and he summed up Triangle in a short sentence.  "We want to brew beer that doesn't suck."  Simple enough for me.  You won't find fancy names on their beers as they are what they are.  There is no pomp and circumstance in the name or the labeling.  Their pomp and circumstance comes the moment you put their product to your lips.  



 They produce flagship beers as well as seasonal and their beer is canned.  Their cans are produced not far from this writers home base here in Reidsville at the Ball Can Plant.  The Ball plant here in Reidsville was originally owned by Miller Brewing to produce cans for the Miller plant in Eden.  It was sold to Ball and Ball produces cans for many breweries and other beverage manufactures across the South East.

Their Flagship beers are:

Belgian Style Strong Golden Ale
This strong golden ale measures in at 8% & showcases a variety of the ingredients and brewing methods that help differentiate Triangle beers. The Strong Golden is fermented at a higher temperature than our other beers adding an undercurrent of fruitiness (although there is no fruit in the beer). Very lightly filtered, the Golden exhibits complex mouth-feel, strong malt flavors, a spicy hop presence and soothing alcohol warmth, followed by a clean, dry finish.


India Pale Ale
At request of hop heads, (like this writer) Triangle produced this IPA with a deep golden color, plenty of hop bitterness balanced out by an underlying malt backbone.  Because of the extensive dry hopping, there is a floral and citrus hop finish.  This beer has been specially dry hopped with 3 different hop varieties for a wonderful drinking experience.  (This IPA is also know as Revolution IPA, brewed by TBC for their restaurant.)

Belgian Style White Ale
A traditional Belgian wheat beer, Triangle White Ale is unique and truly refreshing. The style gets its name from the white, slightly cloudy appearance of this unfiltered wheat ale. Brewed with a generous amount of white and red wheat that is grown locally in Scotland Neck, NC, and our own special blend of organic spices, makes Triangle White Ale complex in flavor without being overpowering or cloying. Overall, it is a beer that is light, fruity and very drinkable during a hot summer day.

Then you have the Rufus Reserve beers as the seasonal selection. 
Rufus is the patron saint of Triangle Brewing Company. He was discovered tucked away in the clay part of our brewery’s basement during renovations. Due to his overall level of decomposition, his ethnicity was undetermined, and his death remains to this day unsolved by the Durham Police Department, so his story was theirs to create. After a few beers, with creativity and psychic abilities at its apex, we decided his name was Rufus.


They do not know how long Rufus had made his home at the Triangle Brewery Company, but it’s been at least since the invention of trash bags, as he was stored neatly in one (no chance of accidentally crawling in and tying it closed from the inside!). Rufus continues to haunt TBC to this day. He frequently moves things, is heard as faint whispers, and knocks darts out of the board. When the aforementioned happens, they recognize his displeasure and pour a little ale into the drain as a peace offering.

Rufus in Latin, means “Red”, so in honor of their first Rufus Reserve offering, they released an Imperial Amber, a full bodied Double Red with enough hop kick to wake the dead. Rufus continues to travel to festivals with them in spirit only, you may have seen and drank beer poured from his casket.

Rufus's casket on top of the grain room.

 The next time you visit a pub or establishment with good beer be sure to have a Triangle if you've never had one.  If you're ever in Durham on a Saturday the tour is well worth the $3 and very well may be the best tour in the State.

Prost!!!
http://trianglebrewery.com/

Atwater Brewery coming to Wilmington

Move over Asheville, Wilmington is attracting the next move to NC.  Wilmington only has two breweries as of now but in this writers opinion it could support quite a few more.  That may happen with Atwater Brewery, crafter of the Dirty Blonde, VJ Black, & the infamous Vanilla Java Porter, is looking to expand its booming business in Michigan.  In order to facilitate distribution & to expand their market reach, they're specifically looking at Wilmington as a desirable location for production.  Although plans for expansion are only in the early stages, the Detroit-based brewery seems very intrigued by & interested in all of Port City's incentives.  Next week, Atwater representatives are scheduled to visit the Port City to discuss expansion ideas with local distributors & the mayor.  

Lonerider

Probably one of the most recognizable breweries in the state as they are everywhere.  Most decent pubs, restaurants, bars and watering holes will either have one or more of Lonerider's beer either on tap or in a bottle.  No matter how they serve it you can bet it will be good.  This writer has been a fan of Lonerider ever since I had my first Sweet Josie a few years ago after finding it at my local grocery store. 

Started in early 2009 CEO/CDO (Chief Drinking Officer) & Founder Sumit Vohra has worked tirelessly to brew a quality beer and also get his beer into the mouths of as many people as he can.  Now 4 years later they hold approximately 17% of the craft beer market in North Carolina.  With close to 100 craft brewers in the state and with some long time names here this is truly an amazing accomplishment. 

In a basic looking building in an area of Raleigh that looks more like you'd find a plant producing corrugated boxes sits the quaint little brewery that brews big beers. The only give a way that it's a brewery other than the name posted on the building is the very nice tap room attached to the front. 

This writer lived in Texas for a number of years and the tap room here at Lonerider has the feel of many of the bars I visited while living there but mostly resembles a bar in Houston TX I visited frequently called The Firehouse.  Unlike many tap rooms that don't give the feel of the brand Lonerider put some thought and effort in theirs and it shows that not only do they care about the beer but they care about the experience of drinking their beer on location.

As you enter the tap room or what they call The Hideout you notice the laid back atmosphere where leashed dogs are allowed on the patio but your horse must remain outside.

 As you enter the staff is friendly and very attentive almost immediately.  They were fairly busy on my visit but I still was greeted as I walked up to the bar.  Like most small craft brewers their beers are right in front of you proudly displayed.  You will recognize the staples but will also see the ones you can't get anywhere else.  

The menu board is nothing more than a dry erase board that tells me there is a constant change in the seasonal and limited releases.  

You will find the flagships:

Shotgun Betty uses her sharpshooting skills to target those that show a weakness for wheat beer with a body that won’t quit. This German-style hefeweizen features a rich, banana-clove nose and refreshing dry finish. 5.8% ABV

Sweet Josie This American brown ale is a complex beer balancing a nice hop bitterness with a generous amount of chocolate and aromatic malts. 6.1% ABV

Peacemaker Pale This well-rounded west coast style pale ale uses several hop varieties and a special blend of malts for a unique and bountiful hop aroma with a balanced bitterness. 5.7% ABV

As of this writing there is:

True Britt Behind this well-mannered facade lies the heart of an outlaw. True Britt is an English-style session ale that combines spicy hop flavors with a bready, malt backbone. Always trying to stay one step ahead of the law, True Britt is never one to stick around town too long. So enjoy this pub favorite before it’s gone. 4.8% ABV

The Preacher This Belgian-style Saison is created with an American twist. A spicy, fruity ale with a bright citrus hop kick.7.7% ABV

McComas Weissenhop The only way to describe this beer is to tell you to get one.  For the longtime reader of this blog it is no secret that I am typically not a fan of Wheat in beer.  Usually I don't even give it a thumbs up or down.  However this one is truly a wheat I could find myself drinking.  It's the brain child of Brewer David McComas and this beer matches his personality.  I asked if this one would be distributed and was told probably not.  Just another reason to get over to Raleigh to drink a pint or two of this one.  With Peacemaker being my "go to" for this brewery if David has this one or another one it's well worth getting.

My overall take of this brewery is it's a first class operation.  Their space may be small but they have a system that works. The smell of the wort in the brewery sent my senses reeling.  A phenomenal smell permeated the air as we chatted with David and Sumit in the brewery.

 One other thing of note is I noticed the cleanliness.  Now all breweries I've been in have been impeccably clean so this is not a jab at any of the others.  However this one seemed a little cleaner and more organized than any of the others I've been in so far.  If you're a home brewer or know anything about brewing cleanliness is key in producing a quality product.  I've been in a large commercial brewery in the past and it wasn't as clean and neat as Lonerider. 

I also can't say enough about the staff.  These guys have helped other brewers in the Triangle area and they have no arrogance what so ever.  They also do a program called "Brew It Forward" which is a home brew competition / charity event.  Visit http://loneridershowdown.com/ for more information on this program.

A quote found on their website describes them perfectly:

“Effect change, don’t be an audience. Walk your own path, and instead of thinking outside the box imagine what if there was no box.”

Cheers partner!!!

http://www.loneriderbeer.com/

The Mash House

The Mash House in Fayetteville is a first class operation.  They spared no expense in creating this location.  They are one of the few "traditional" breweries I've been to.  Brewmaster Reuben Stocks is a force to be reckoned with in the brew world and the awards on the wall are proof.  The staff was nice and friendly and while Reuben wasn't there when I was his presence abounds in the beers he produces.

Natural Blonde is a beer for the masses.  If someone want's an American adjunct then this is the beer for them.  Not my style with only 8 IBU's but I could drink this with someone on a front porch.

Hefeweizen  Do I really need to write this?  (You already know) Not my style but you may like it. With 10 IBU's it's a drinkable Hefe.

Irish Red Malty sweet with a nice finish brewed with the Horizon Hops with nodes of liquorice or anise.  I enjoyed this beer as it gave a flavor not like any Irish Red I've ever had.  I wish it had more than 7 IBU's but hey I'm a "hop head" and this brewer concentrates on the malts and I don't have a problem with that.

Peach Hefe Once again I'm not a fruity wheat kinda guy but the peach flavor resonates but is not over powering.  Your girlfriend will like this one. 

Schwarz Very roasty and malty an easy and smooth drinking brew with earthy undertones.

Nut Brown Standard and true to the style.  I'd personally like a more nutty flavor but I'm not sure this beer would balance as well if it was.  Order one up and drink to enjoy.

Brown Porter This one drinks like a porter should drink.  Very smooth and drinkable year round.  It's on the malty side and that gives this porter a distinct flavor profile that is interesting but not overpowering.

Stout I like stouts but typically I have to be "in the mood" for one.  This is as close to the "holy grail" of stouts that I have ever had.  Very European style and pushed out of a nitrogen tap.  Creamy and smooth with Chocolate and Caramel malts that give this a light and refreshing taste.  I usually don't pick the stouts as my "go to" beers but this one was a game changer.  It's as close to a cask as you are going to get in Fayetteville and well worth ordering one or two.  I'm not sure if this one has won any awards but it should win every event it's placed in.  A damn good beer.

Apricot IPA Yes, I'm a fan of the apricot IPA's on the market and this one is just as good.This one has the hop bitterness I like with the hint of apricot to fill the nose.  A must try if you like this style.

IPA at 47 IBU's this is on the low side for an IPA for me but it's well balanced with a nice aroma and finish that carries a malty undertone.  An nice brew for the IPA and non-IPA drinker alike.

I2IPA a double IPA that will (pardon the description) knock your dick in the dirt.  I loved this one but it should be called a Barleywine IPA (if there is such a style) as the ABV (which i don't know) has got to be up there.  Be careful when ordering this one especially if you are driving home.  The high gravity combined with the hoppiness make this one hell of a double IPA.  This beer proves that even as a malt style brewer they are not afraid to toss in some hops and ferment the malt like hop heads. 

Cheers!!!
http://themashhouse.com/

Huske Hardware House

Huske Hardware House almost didn't make it on my list of breweries to visit.  I looked at the name and thought immediately that it was some type of bar or some guys with a hardware store that had a Sabco Homebrew system in the back.  I'm glad I did a little more research and decided to stop in Fayetteville for this one.  The restaurant / brewery simply went back to the original name of the first tenant in the 109 year old building.  It's a stunning place to visit and as a lover of antiquities and old buildings it made me feel warm and cozy just being in the establishment.  They also have Conch Fritters on the menu and I know this is a beer blog but I love Conch Fritters and I did place an order.  The Conch Fritters were just as good as the beers produced here and even though I'm not a food critic (or any type of critic) I'm giving them 6 Cheers for the Conch Fritters.

Enough about old buildings and a food you've never heard of you're here for beer.

Watermelon Wheat  While I'm not a fan of wheat beers and I've only had one Watermelon beer in the past that I was not impressed with at all I was leery to even place this one to my lips.  But hey even I've got to take one for the team on occasion.  I was thrown back at how good this one was.  Even though it is a wheat you can actually taste the watermelon in this.  If you like the fruity wheat beers you'll take a growler of this one home I'm sure.

Level-Headed German Blonde (Kolsch) An easy drinking Kolsch style ale with Hersbrucker hops that give this a light, dry and refreshing taste. Hersbrucker Hops is similar to the noble hop varieties with its low co-humulone level. It is a definitive aroma variety with an alpha acid rating of 2.0%-5.0%. Hersbrucker Hops is a versatile one used in a great number of German style beers. Its essential oils rest in balance within the cone, and bring a mix of fruit and spice mixed with floral character. It's medium bodied and what I refer to as a lawnmower beer. ABV 5%

Farmhouse Ale Using four different Franco-Belgian malts, and the floral Strisselspalt hops. Strisselspalt is very much an aroma variety with a 1:1 alpha beta ratio and alpha acid content ranging from 3.0%-5.0%. It has a low co-humulone content as well measuring at 20.0%-25.0%. All oils are moderate with the exception of farnesene oil which barely registers. The aroma is described as having a mild pleasant hoppy bouquet.  Full bodied and one of the most interesting and complex Farmhouse Ale's this beer drinker has ever tasted.  ABV:  6.7%

Kill a Man Irish Red  Malty and heavier than one you can find in a store and has a smooth finish.  Nutty start with caramel, the Goldings and Willamette hops round out the finish.  Medium bodied and a nice beer to drink with friends.  Just don't kill them.  ABV: 4.9%

Ale Yeah A Northwest style American Pale Ale The Cascade hops give it the citrus flavor that this blogger enjoys.  I can't say much about this one other than it is my "go to" beer for HHH. ABV: 6%

Sledgehammer Stout The name fits this one well, it's a sledgehammer but damn it's good. Flavors of roasted coffee and the Galena Hops make this beer not for the faint of heart. When non-beer drinkers say "I don't like dark beer" this is the beer they are talking about.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm a fan of the Galena Hops anyway so the spicy character they give this beer really helps with the malt that is a huge part of this beer. It has a creamy texture like that of an Irish Stout but I'd be stretching it if I called it an Irish Stout.  This is truly a Sledgehammer. ABV: 6%

Spring of Pearl A very light beer with the flavor and feel of an American Style Adjunct Lager.  Not my favorite but order one of these for your buddy, wife or girlfriend while you drink the aforementioned Sledgehammer Stout.

Jacks Honey Badger Oh my damn!!!!  This one is truly off the hook and fermented in Jack DanielsTM barrels.  I never thought I'd like the taste of Jack with beer especially after my college days but this robust Honey ale that hints of the flavor of Jack DanielsTM is a truly great seasonal. 

 Their taps are on the level.  I am liking what I've been seeing with the creativity of tap handles and HHH is no different with the creativity of their handles than they are with their beer.

 Cheers!!!
http://huskehardware.com/default.aspx

St. Baldricks

On June 8th your blogger will be letting go of his iconic Handlebar Moustach for St. Baldricks helping kids fight cancer.  This event will be at the Railhouse Brewery in Aberdeen My goal is to raise $1000 total.  $500 for my Moustache and $500 for team members.  So join my team and start raising funds and get a headshave for a good cause.  Click on the link to take you to my page.

http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/650486/2013

Cheers!!!

Front Street Brewery

Front Street is one of the oldest continual breweries in the State and located in a building rich in Wilmington history.  When they opened their doors they were the 9th craft brewery in the State and the only one in the South Eastern part of NC.  In July of 1994, plans were announced to launch Front Street Brewery - Wilmington's ONLY Microbrew Pub and Restaurant. The business formally opened in May 1995 and they have been brewing Wilmington’s freshest local microbrews and serving their famous Pulled Chicken Nachos ever since!

Coastal Kolsch This beer style is the favored beer of Cologne, Germany. Light bodied and golden in color. Unlike most German beers, Kolsch is an ale, not a lager. This ale is lightly hopped and has some fruity aromas.  I'm usually a fan of this style but this one seemed to be over carbonated. Ask for a sample before you order a pint just to be sure the carbonation is right.

Riptide Raspberry Wheat An American Wheat Ale with a raspberry flavor is one of their top sellers. Light bodied and delicately hopped, this aleis for the lover of fruity wheat beers but not at the top of this bloggers list of beers. 

Amberjack ESB A traditional English Ale.  The English’s idea of bitter is very different than ours.  This beer does not have much upfront bitterness.  It focuses more on hop flavor and aroma.  East Kent Goldings hops give this beer a nice earthy aroma and flavor.  English Crystal malt give this ale a nice amber color and a touch of caramel flavor. It's rare that I pick three "go to" beers but Front Street has three that stand out and this is one of them.  I'd love to have this out of a cask.

Low Country Biere Degarde A Sweet, coppery, old-fashioned French farmhouse ale with unique fruity and candy-like flavors. Malt-focused and very approachable but a punch in the mouth with it's complexity.  You will have fun drinking this one.

Ahtanum Amber (Single Hop Project Ale)  The name tells you the single hop that is used.  Ahtanum is an aroma/flavoring hop variety that is similar to Cascade or Amarillo. It has a citrus and floral character much like cascade with the addition of some piney or earth notes. Grapefruit quality is more forward in than in cascade as well. Alpha acids are lower than cascade at 4 to 6.5% AAU making Ahtanum a good choice for a flavor addition when you do not want to impart quite the bitterness of cascade or amarillo.  It's hoppy but not IPA hoppy.  This is another "go to" beer for me. 

Port City IPA I can't say anything about this beer other than it's a great IPA and is the third "go to" beer from this brewery.  Nicly hopped but not for the faint of heart or malt lover.  If you're a hophead sit down and have a few of these. 

Dream Tree Scottish Ale Very deep red in color and very lightly hopped. It is rich in flavor, yet not a heavy beer drinks like a good porter with it's touch of sweetness.
 
Spring Brew A deep golden beer with a smooth mouth feel and a complex malt flavor lightly hopped.  Worth a try.

Mutha Shucka Oyster Stout A collaboration with NoDa for NC Beer month this is the best Oyster Stout I've ever had.  It's subtle flavor is perfect for this style and I hope they continue to keep it going.  It seems like the perfect beer for a coastal brewery.

Tombrocker (Scottish Wee Heavy) Brewed once a year for Easter from a recipe the Assistant Brewer, Christopher perfected in seminary.  This unique and powerful heather ale is the unofficial beer of the Resurrection: full in body, vast in complexity, but gentle and smooth, with a deep maltiness.  Layers of richness unfold from kettle caramelization, bearing notes of clove, followed by the cool, floral sweetness of heather tips, and hints of roasted barley to dry out the finish.

Nobility  I had the honor of getting the last growler of this phenomenal brew.  Very creamy, smooth and easy to drink.  This single hop ale with a mix of two yeast give this beer a complex but refreshing flavor.

Next time you are in Wilmington a trip to Front Street is well worth the time.  Their beers and atmosphere proove that if you brew a good product and have a good attitude you can be sucessful and stick around.

Cheers!!!
http://frontstreetbrewery.com/

Lumina Winery and Brewery

*****UPDATE*****
We are sad to report that Lumina Winery and Brewery closed their doors on July 20, 2013.

*Original review is still posted below*

Lumina Brewing Company produces beer in small batches. They specialize in brewing German and Bohemian Style Beer. One of the few NC Breweries that brew in accordance with the Bavarian Brewing Tradition of “Reinheitsgebot”, the German beer purity law of 1516. This means that nothing is added to the beer except yeast, hops, water and grain. All of their Bavarian Style Beer contains malt and hops from Germany. The Brew masters have extensively traveled Germany and the Czech Republic and have visited many breweries to learn the art of old world style brewing.  A small location and they may or may not have all their beers when you arrive.  This was OK with me as I understand that when you brew that small and have a good product it's hard to keep up with demand. One must also remember they are a winery as well and while there are a number of wineries getting into craft beer they still have to keep their wine customers happy.

They only had two beers available for my trip and both were very nice and I recommend you try either one if you see them available somewhere.  The Whitetail Wheat is one of the few wheat beers I feel like I could enjoy a full glass of and readers of this blog know I'm not a wheat fan.  I also had the Racoon Red and was thouroly impressed with it and a 22oz bottle came home with me.  If you're in Wilmington stop by for a taste and take home a bottle or two.

Prost!!!
http://luminawine.com/our-brewery/

Railhouse Brewery

At each turn in the road on my NC Beer tour I am being amazed endlessly.  The fine folks at Railhouse are no exception.  Located in a city of 6428 people this small town brewery has a huge heart.  Started by two co-workers in corporate America they decided to get their hands dirty and give the world good beer with a great theme.  Mike Ratkowski and Brian Evitts have shown the world that you don't have to be in a big city or an area with other breweries to make a good product.  Their number one spokes person is Lisa Lange and if I owned a brewery she'd be the first marketing person I would hire.  It becomes apparent very quickly that Lisa loves Railhouse and its products.  Brian is also just as passionate about his beer as any brewer should be but unfortunately many are not and could learn from talking to him for a short time.  These guys are not arrogant and even serve other beers and have a huge shelving unit with other bottles, cans and growlers.

The brewery sits in a warehouse right on the Rail Road tracks and the old Aberdeen Rail House is in full view from the brewery steps. 

They are very military friendly and have a huge selection of flags from the armed forces.  These are not flags bought in an Army/Navy Store or a Flea Market these flags all have been donated by service men and women.  They have the American Flag that flew over Saddam Hussein's mansion after he was captured.  I was planning on getting a picture of it but didn't remember till after we had left.  They are also a very charitable company so you know that part of your beer dollars are going to be used in a philanthropic manner that is very admirable. 

The beers brewed all use traditional ingredients but we've all learned that every brewery has it's own flair.  The one thing that really stuck out to me and got me excited was when I found out they actually use open air fermentation.  Every home-brewer in the country is originally taught that you must use an "airlock" and keep your beer from the air and elements that may be floating around.  I've studied open air and I know in Europe it's quite normal for breweries to use open air.  It still astounded me that a brewery right here in NC uses such method.  There are pictures at the end of this review of the tanks with and without fermenting beer in them.

The Railhouse Pale is a very light well balanced with a slight haziness. Golden amber color with a mildly sweet finish.  If you typically drink the mass produced beers then this is the one you want.

KA-BAR Brown named after the knives of the same name and endorsed by the knife maker.  This could reasonably be called a nut brown but who want's to call something nutty with a name like KA-BAR?    At only 29 IBU's it's hoppy enough to balance out the malt and give you a well rounded beer with no hop finish.  Don't turn your nose away from this one due to it's dark chocolaty color as it's as smooth as any "lighter" beers you may drink.

Mastiff Oatmeal Stout is named after a good customer's dog which is a Mastiff.  This is their flagship beer and often called a "Summer Stout". (Hey why not?)  They will mix a nice lemon aid with it and while I was intrigued to try it I can only drink so much and still remember what to write.  I got a few of these in bottles and will be trying the lemon aid mix with it.  The beer itself is a very smooth and refreshing stout and unlike most stouts it didn't fill me up.  (Insert Less Filling, Taste Great line here)  At 33 IBU's and 6.5% ABV they brewed this beer to match the name.  It's a big beer but also very gentle. 

Vanilla Porter with just a hint of Vanilla you can't compare this to other porters of the same style.  It's not overly sweet and the malt is perfect to style.  True to the brewing style of Brian this beer is just as smooth as one would expect from this brewery.  While it wasn't my personal favorite it still deserves a try when you take a visit there.  At 32 IBU's it was hoppy enough for me to enjoy. 

Beergasm Barleywine is just that... A beergasm that will sneak up on you.  You don't taste the 10.5 ABV and the 46IBU's are hidden well.  Very malty and mildly sweet two of these and you're off your feet.  This beer is worth drinking but needs to be enjoyed with caution if you are driving. 

FCA IPA should be no secret as a hop head this will be my "go to" beer.  After my flight I ordered a pint and a growler came home with me.  It's not a West Coast IPA and it's not an East Coast IPA is what I was told.  You are probably thinking WTH is it then?  Drum roll please.....  It's a North Carolina IPA.  Unlike many IPA’s, the FCA IPA is well balanced between the malt and hops.  Starts with a light aroma of hops and a strong sweet hoppy taste in the beginning, but finishes smooth with only a slight lasting bitterness at the end.  At 7.5% and 73 IBU's I call this one a home-run. 

Wall of other breweries stuff.

 I need a shelf like this.  I'm afraid I'd fill it up to quick though. 

Tap Wall

 The tap wall litterly comes out of the cooler where the kegs are kept.  Who needs to tote kegs from one unit to another when one blows...  Just go in and reset it.

Brewery

 A very nice 15bbl Stainless system.

Open Air Fermentation

One last thing on the open air fermentation.  I did not take this picture but my iPhone camera did.  It was taken by the assistant brewery (who's name escapes me at this writing and I didn't write it down).  The fermenters are in a separate room but it's still open air. 

Cheers!!!
http://www.railhousebrewery.com/

Brewgaloo Shop Local Raleigh Beer Festival

On Saturday April 27th the North Carolina Beers blogger headed to Raleigh for the Brewgaloo by Shop Local Raleigh.  This one was quite different than Hickory Hops in a number of ways but it was still a good festival and the bad weather held off till it was over.  There were some great breweries there and I saw old friends and made a few new ones during the event.  This event was free to enter and they sold tokens and tickets to taste or drink beer.  5 tokens were $25 or you could get a ticket for 5 tastings for $5.  Someone stole the box of tickets so if you got there early you could only buy the tokens.  Eventually someone was thinking outside the box and went and bought rolls of raffle style tickets that they started using.

There were over 25 breweries there with most of them from the Triangle area.  We did spend some time at the Highland booth since we thought it was pretty cool that they were the only Western NC brewery there.

Here is a list of who we saw:

Big Boss, Lonerider, Roth (Which is now Gizmo but James is still the brewer), Aviator, Natty Greene's, Carolina Brewing Company, Carolina Brewery, Sub Noir, Crank Arm, White Street, Triangle, Raleigh (With the lovely Kristie at the helm of the Brewery and the booth), Mystery, Duck-Rabbit, Starpoint, Mother Earth, Deep River, Foothills, Four Friends, Olde Hickory, Highland, Railhouse, Mash House, Bombshell (coming soon), and Outer Banks.

Most of the breweries were super nice and this blogger has learned that if you're nice to the brewers they are nice to you.

It was  obvious that the event organizers didn't expect the crowd that eventually showed up but they still handled it well.  I have no real complaints but some suggestions for the organizers should they plan another beer festival.  First of all set an admission price for drinkers and another price for non-drinkers/designated drivers.  $35 and $10 seem to be fair prices.  The lines at the token booths were outrageously long and this would prevent that.  I also would keep the kids out.  A beer festival shouldn't be a place for anyone under the age of 21.  People are drinking and we all know what too much booze does to ones equilibrium and no one wants to worry about tripping over a small child or a stroller.  Finally I'd place the music away from the beer vendors.  The breweries that were near the stage had a hard time talking to their customers and customers had a hard time talking to the breweries.  Even if they don't implement these changes I will still go back if they have another one.

In the future I think I will post a "how to" on going and enjoying a beer festival.  The next blog post will be from the Eastern part of NC and maybe even a South Carolina brewery.

Prost!!!