Natty Greene's Greensboro (Lee St. Brewery)

I decided to visit the Natty Greene's brewery house in Greensboro on Lee St. This isn't the same as the Elm St. restaurant and brew house this is where they brew their staple beers found all over the state in restaurants, bars, grocery stores and bottle shops.  The beers brewed here are Southern Pale Ale, Guilford Golden, and Buck Shot Amber for the year round brews and seasonals like Freedom American IPA, Red Nose Winter, Wildflower Witbier, and Old Town Brown. 

This brewery is smaller than I expected with the volume of beer that I see around the state.  Natty Greene's is the 2nd largest brewer in the State according to beer tax revenue paid.  I met Dan when I arrived and he was very knowledgeable about beer and the process at Natty Greene's.  He started as a bartender in the Elm St. location and was able to work his way to the brew house.  He really enjoys beer and talking about beer and is a great ambassador for Natty Greene's 

I was allowed to visit the brew operation where I met Scott the head brewer and he was busy brewing.  The smell from the brew kettle was phenomenal as this was the first time I've been in a brewery when they were actually brewing.  As small as the brewery is they are certainly the hardest group of brewers I have met to date.  Scott knows his stuff and has proven himself to be an excellent brew master.  Scott's brewing experience goes back to 1987 in Winter Park, Florida and includes stops at the World Brewing Academy in Chicago and Doemens Academy in Munich, Germany where he earned his brewing diploma in 2003, before landing in Colorado at Left Hand Brewing Co. Scott came to Natty's in August 2004when we opened our first pub opened in Greensboro; thus, he's the creator and originator of the majority of styles in the market today.

I was then able to meet with Sebastian Wolfrum the Director of Brewing Operations.  Seabass, as he's known around the brewery, hails from Southern Bavaria and came to Natty's in May 2006. He manages everything regarding brewing for the entire Natty's operation. He apprenticed and later worked at Ayinger in Germany and was awarded the German Certificate as a Brewer and Malster in 1999. Seabass, is a master and takes pride in the quality and consistency of his brews.

Most folks that know me know that I have not been a huge fan of Natty Greene's but after my visit today my opinion has changed drastically.  After seeing their operation and realizing how hard these guys work they all deserve a raised glass.  Next time you're in an establishment that has Natty Greene's have one and know that it was a labor of love, blood sweat and tears to get that beer to your glass. 

Cheers!!!
http://nattygreenes.com/

 

 

The brewing operation at Lee St.