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/