Tag: North Carolina

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North Carolina brewery # 2 – Pisgah Brewing

Our second stop in North Carolina is the hard to spell (for me) Pisgah. It is an organic brewery in Black Mountain (near the epicenter Asheville).

I found many beers that I would love to try but these two really stood out…..

Pisgah Pub Ale
“Brewed with local Haw Creek Wildflower honey, this blonde english style drought beer is pushed through a Nitro creamer fawcett creating the classic “whipped cream” foamy head and waterfall pour. A lighter 4% abv and lower carbonation produces the ultimate session beer. Treat yourself today! Draft only.”

Dancin’ Hobo
“The Hobo is a creation is now 23 month in the works. This beer was first brewed incorporating orange peel and thyme. Next, we added some charred oak and champagne yeast. And finally a healthy dose of raspberries. Much later, the Dancin’ Hobo was born. Hang on to your hat. If you don’t dance, you may after one of these. 13% ABV

Sorry folks, the Hobo has wandered off down the tracks. Will we ever see him again? Only the Hobo knows…”

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North Carolina brewery # 1 – Wedge Brewing

The first stop of the January e-tours of North Carolina is the beer bastion of Asheville and Wedge Brewing.

“The Wedge Brewing Co. is located in the lower level of the Wedge Studios situated in the River Arts District of Asheville, N.C. The building is a classic brick warehouse adjacent to the railroad tracks. The original use of the structure was probably as a food warehouse. The space the brewery is in at onetime stored slaughtered hogs.”

Here are a couple beers to think about ordering the next time you find yourself in North Carolina.

Community Porter – “English Style Robust Porter with a West Coast twist, Carob and Maple are added into the Kettle. Kent Golding Hops are added just to balance the Malt Sweetness. Organic Pale, Munich, Chocolate, and Caramel malts comprise the Grain Bill.”

Golem – “Belgian Strong Golden Ale. Wicked and Dangerously drinkable, this brew is made with Belgian pilsner malt, and small portions of wheat, oats, and corn, true Belgian candy sugar, and a variety of European Noble Hops including Saaz. No Fruit or Spices are used in this Brew! It’s all the Yeast’s Flavor Contributions.”

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Fullsteam Brewery

near-final

Fullsteam just opened last month and they have a unique twist to their business and their beers that stems from their community roots.

Did I mention that their beers are unique? Try these on for size:
Carver sweet potato beer
“North Carolina is the largest U.S. producer of sweet potatoes. In our quest to work with local Southern ingredients as much as possible, the humble sweet potato is an obvious choice. In fact, one-third of the total fermentables in Carver come from North Carolina sweet potatoes.

Perhaps less obvious: our decision to avoid cloying spices that would only serve to mask the savory-yet-delicate flavors. The goal of this modestly-hopped amber ale is to have you explore the nuance of the sweet potato…not hit you over the head with Obvious Spices. What is, after all, the taste of a sweet potato? Carver asks this quest ion and encourges you to explore the answer.”

Scuppernong sparkling ale
“A highly-carbonated, cloudy white beer with a surprisingly dry hint of scuppernong grapes. Perfect for a late afternoon. A local wheat and scuppernong blend that is 100% naturally fermented. Premiered at 2008 Southern Foodways Alliance Sympoium in Oxford, Mississippi. 5.0% ABV”

First Frost wild persimmon
“This unique winter ale is made from the winter fruit harvested from a 50-year-old Chatham County persimmon tree. The persimmons were added in secondary with a touch of cinnamon — a nod to persimmon pudding. We call this beer “First Frost” as persimmon fruit reaches its peak flavor after, you guessed it, the first frost of autumn. 7% ABV.”

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new from Duck Rabbit

duck-rabbatorDuck-Rabbit is the clear leader in my 50 Beers from 50 States challenge with their excellent Milk Stout. Now comes news that they will be bottling a lager which is a stylistic departure for the North Carolina brewers.

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Mother Earth Brewing

Last year there was a bit of a kerfuffle over an online “who is the best beer city” poll that grew out of proportion. It was Beervana Portland vs. newcomer Asheville.

What was good about it was the attention that got focused on what was important. Bringing attention to a brewing hotspot.

I have now purchased beer from Bruisin’ Ales and that led me onto their newsletter which led me to this new brewery…
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About the brewery: “Take the goodness of garden-grown products, the warmth of small town life, the earthy ethic of rock ‘n roll, a deep respect for a time-honored craft…and you have the ingredients of Mother Earth Brewing. Born in the summer of 2008, Mother Earth is the dream-child of Stephen Hill and Trent Mooring, two guys from Kinston, North Carolina, a sweet southern town in the heart of the old tobacco belt.”

Here are the description of a couple beers that caught my eye:
Endless River Kölsch
“A clean, crisp beer, Kolsch offers a very slight fruity flavor and aroma. It is light gold in color, with a delicate head. This light-bodied beer appeals to nearly everyone who samples it. Expect to enjoy a slight tang in the finish.”
Weeping Willow Wit
“This beer style is over 400 years old, and continues to enjoy overwhelming popularity. Offering low hop bitterness, it is easy to enjoy. It pours very hazy, with a light gold color… we say it’s like summertime in a glass. Bitter orange peel and fresh coriander add zest and depth to this refreshing beer.”

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Duck-Rabbit

duck-rabbit-logo

Since I had some big and dark beers at Freaktoberfest, I thought I would highlight another Halloween appropriate brewery from the East coast.

“Welcome to The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery! We are a new packaging microbrewery (we sold our first beer in August of 2004) located in Farmville, North Carolina. We specialize in beautiful, delicious, full flavored dark beers. When we brew, we’re happy and we dance. During fermentation, we sing softly to the yeast. Please try our beer and enjoy a taste of contentment!”

This beer sounds especially tasty…
The Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout is a traditional full-bodied stout brewed with lactose (milk sugar). The subtle sweetness imparted by the lactose balances the sharpness