National Lager Day

So, today is the day to recognize one of the world's most popular styles. And to appreciate the many new variations. Dark lagers, smokey lagers, dry-hopped lagers. The list goes on.

And speaking of lists, here's one from Untappd which indicates preferences from its members:

(full disclosure: I'm a member)

 https://untappd.com/blog/the-18-best-lagers-to-drink-on-national-lager-day/1383

Here's my next one:

Cheers!

New Realm Brewing Comes To Greenville

 

The word has spread quickly about Atlanta-based brewery, New Realm's plans to convert the old Cigar Store in the West End here in Greenville into their newest (and #5) location. Lots of excitement, especially for me, because of two words: Mitch Steele.

 

If you're a long time fan of CA's Stone Brewing, then you've enjoyed to results of his brewing skills. Co-founder and brewmaster he literally wrote the book on IPAs. Being a very enthusiastic fan of them, I found his book informative, useful for determining why exactly I did like the style so much, rather technical at its base but where else you gonna learn about the Burtonizing of water or find the original recipe for Ruination, the world's first regularly bottled Double IPA? Well worth reading for brewers or non-brewers.

 

After leaving Stone in 2017, he and two partners formed New Realm in Atlanta. I became a fan of Hoplandia IPA immediately, described by Mitch thusly: "It’s got a deep golden color, a lot of hops, some lemon and peach, pine resin. And a little bit of dankness – you’ll know it when you smell it." Works for me!

 

Looks like we'll have to wait till late next year to welcome them to town and enjoy their brews locally, but of course, there will delights from our existing brewing community to keep us quaffing till then.

A link and a few photos just below:

https://newrealmbrewing.com/beer/

 

 

Mitch Steel at a Community Tap VIBE event in 2019.

 

Two Saturdays: Two New Breweries!

 

Two Saturdays, two new breweries open in the Upstate!!

 

Saturday, 9/25, Magnetic South in Anderson opens the doors. After several delays Adam Willier (Cuz) finally gets his own brewery to showcase his brewing skills, developed after years of brewing experience, while at Thomas Creek and after many collaborations with other breweries. Magnetic South's building is spacious, filled with amusement opportunities (adult and child), has a kitchen with a menu created by a James Beard award candidate (try the Muffaletta sandwich) and, of course, excellent beers. See some action pix below.

 

 

 

Saturday, 10/2, Silos, in something of a surprise, welcomed craft beer lovers into their amazing location in Easley. With the beer recipes by Kenny Driggers (of Double Stamp, Southernside, Five Forks fame) I knew that excellent brews awaited. What I didn't know was just how impressive the actual structure is. The scale of the interior is difficult to convey in words, you really need to be there and after grabbing your brew choice, look up. And up. I actually used the word "awesome" cause it really is in this case. I tried three of the IPA's on tap, each one spot on. I recommend the Continental, described as a juicy IPA which it was but also struck me as a fine example of a West Coast style. My companion in quaffing, Bob Muller also tried the porter which he really liked and described as having lots of dark chocolate flavor as it warmed. Yum.

Silos is part of a development that will soon include several food outlets including an Indian street food restaurant, located in one of the railroad boxcars on site and pizza coming soon. You can already get a doughnut and soon an ice cream too! Got my favorite food groups covered.

Don't take my word for it, go visit these establishments yourself. Anderson and Easley, two names that will attract more and more attention. Pics below although I can attest that capturing the essence of the silos at Silos can be a photographic challenge. Cheers!

 

Kenny Driggers Magnetic South Brewery Silos Brewing Co

 

 

 If the opportunity permits, I highly recommend you visit these two new craft beer venues and decide for yourself.

Cheers!

Free Beer Barresl? Yes!

Before rushing off to WI, you should know that Octopi is home to Untitled Art brewing so possibly some of these barrels have been part of their aging program. Waunakee is very near Madison.

 https://www.facebook.com/DrinkOctopi

THEY’RE BACK! Now until they’re gone: spend $100 online or in person on any combination of beer, food and merchandise and receive one FREE. All you have to do is make a note of it on your online order or tell us in person that you’re interested in one of these beautiful barrels

**Please note, these barrels are heavy and may contain remnants of beer, please bring a friend to help you load it into your vehicle if you need assistance:

Cheers and good luck!
 

USC, Columbia, SC, Alumni Become Brewers

 Always a pleasure to pass along news concerning members of our brewing community, in this case, Fireforge Crafted Beer alumni Brain and Nicolle. Read on

 https://sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2021/07/upstate_alumni_take_roundabout_route_to_owning_brewery.php?fbclid=IwAR33HKpeKDz0szlZMQBiVbMbKiydCKZwfWYjQLbp5tzi4LA7-6mgF2KwKlU#.YQLPd-0pCVw

D9 Brewing Open In Hendersonville

 Just a FYI:

 A new brewery in Hendersonvill, SC, is open. By my count, that's 6 breweries now!

Details here:

 

https://www.facebook.com/d9brewinghendersonville/

New Groove Crispifest Update

 

Crispifest is now in the history books, probably under the heading, "Best First-Time Events" cause that was the case. Mostly lagers with a few IPAs and Stouts thrown in just to keep one's palate entertained. Still going through my notes, but here are some glimpses of various activities during the Fest hours. 

Was a hot day so a few folks found relief by splashing in a convenient (if small) pool that was handy. Adam Willier broke the ice, so to speak which led to MiMi Medlin joining in. 

 

Add their experience as another reason to put this event on next year's calendar. Josh Dodson and Jonathan Duke assured me that this event will be repeated!! 

 

A Crispi Cheers, everyone!

 

New Groove Artisan Brewery

 

 Crispi Cheers!

Candy Camper A Prize From Sycamore Brewing #CandyCamperContest

 Sycamore came to town to take over taps at Community Tap and brought along this amazingly compact little camper/trailer which will be given away as the prize in a competition for best video using this hashtag: #CandyCamperContest

 So of course, the Brew Crew offered these submissions, total winners both!

 

 

Crispi-Boi Festival

Saturday was the first-ever Crispi Fest at New Groove Artisan Brewery and it was a grand time for all attendees, hot temps not withstanding. 

I’m currently editing photos and consulting my notes to better explain why it was such a special, much appreciated in-person festival. I’ll also explain this photo:

 

 

 

Fire Forge Celebrated 3rd Anniversary!

 

Today could be a good day to start planning your weekend craft beer activities. Here's one that I'll be adding to my to-do list.

Fireforge Crafted Beer is having a 3rd Anniversary party this weekend which will include new releases of beer, music, food, beer and more beer. My kind of schedule.

 

Ran across couple of photos from their opening day back in 2018, June 13 to be exact. Brian Cendrowski, Ken and Nicole Zokan Cendrowski have made FF one of the top players (and Award winners) in the GVille beer community today. Congratulations and see ya Friday! And Saturday.

 

Cheers and see ya there!!
 

Local Collab Makes For Exceptional Beer

 June is here, not sure that is officially collaboration month, but I know of one collab that I'm confident is gonna produce some outstandingly good beer (having had brews from both). Detail below:

 

 https://www.facebook.com/events/313460603601145/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A%2229%22%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3A%22event_calendar_create%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&notif_id=1622571995641672&notif_t=event_calendar_create&ref=notif

 

Cheers and see ya there!