Recent Events Recap

So much happening in the beer community here that if one is not careful, one falls behind on updating this blog.
Most recently, stopped at the Lexington Avenue Brewery in Asheville after a visit to the big Craft Show. Time was short so just ordered a tasting flight.

Good size samples, left to right: 

Imperial Rye is a big bodied, creamy version with dry spicy finish. IPA had strong hop presence, nicely buttered finish. Pumpkin Porter good body but a tad too spicy for my taste. Well made beers tho, all of them. I want to return when I have more time. 
Their kitchen blew a great opportunity to knock my socks off with their Truffled Frites. Good idea, bad execution. Shoestring potatoes, good seasoning, but not cooked (deep fried) at the proper temperature, so they were limp. I should connect them with the South Park Cafe in San Francisco which does them perfectly.

Earlier in the week, participated in the InnoVision Forum, here in Greenville, where the subject of the day was the local Craft Brewing and Distilling scene. These forums are valuable opportunities to instruct influential members of the community about local activities and I could see from the response that many were very impressed with the presentations by Brewery 85, Thomas Creek, Moon Shine Distillery and SouthYeast Labs. Managed to snap a few pics before heading out to the beer and brat sampling. My kind of meeting!!

Tom Davis, Thomas Creek Brewing, explained their expansion plans.

Will McCameron, Brewery 85, had a short walk from his brewery to this meeting's location.

David (l) and Even of SouthYeast Labs  describing their sage flavored Saison with proprietary yeast.

Generously provided by our host, InnoVision, Flying Dog Snake Bite IPA was a good choice.

Will told the crowd how his Munich influences will play out in his new brewery.

Moon Shine samples, tiny ones, were a very pleasant surprise to me and many others.

What else happened? Oh, yes, made my inaugural trip to Clemson ( or very nearby) for a tap takeover by Anderson Valley Brewing, of Boonville, CA, at the amazing Wall of Beer store.

Bahl Hornin as a local! He's the AVBC mascot.

Half of the line up. The other ten are on the other side to the left.

Todd Hamrick, AVBC Area Sales Mgr., helped out by being able to describe every beer!

Growlers are the principal medium for sale here. Bottles also available.

Pouring small samplers kept Gianna Lawler busy. Here she's pouring that Wild Turkey Oatmeal Stout. Yum!

Two similar looking samples, quite different in taste. Oatmeal stouts but the one on the right was aged in Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels. Yowza, what flavor!!

The band, Willy Nilly, played remarkably well coordinated bluegrass during the event.

Fun event, enjoyed my first visit to Wall of Beer and I'm sure I'll return!