tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13447627215650722432024-03-13T23:18:44.765-07:00Beer Wench GeorgiaGeorgia's Beer Wench (since 1995) discusses craft beer travel, beer reviews, food/beer pairings and more.Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-24062173982105363442024-02-20T08:22:00.000-08:002024-02-20T08:24:51.191-08:00Women of Beer: Amanda Mailey<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amanda Mailey</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> of Magnanimous Brewing in Tampa, Florida</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By
Kerri Allen</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODxdBSHsOiWwnPdAY2NMPa-b9BvdY5iMF2USdMAm6T5AhmWY-rRZ4oZFmBOaAwSQVSeq1YuGaMity2v-0lO5lKTyldlUv-db6CkDSQzJZZYyJ-YgYyC-z7uKcMPMnpLV7Gytz2a0ghlwODcyOG1InTTyRhI3ErkFYNEWHh2dVDM4nLMYlTTG1MHDVlmc/s2100/Mailey_Maganamous_02(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1802" data-original-width="2100" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODxdBSHsOiWwnPdAY2NMPa-b9BvdY5iMF2USdMAm6T5AhmWY-rRZ4oZFmBOaAwSQVSeq1YuGaMity2v-0lO5lKTyldlUv-db6CkDSQzJZZYyJ-YgYyC-z7uKcMPMnpLV7Gytz2a0ghlwODcyOG1InTTyRhI3ErkFYNEWHh2dVDM4nLMYlTTG1MHDVlmc/s320/Mailey_Maganamous_02(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beer fans, let's give a
magnanimous welcome to Amanda Mailey, brewer for, well, Magnanimous Brewing in
Tampa. Amanda has an impressive resumé, and she was happy to share her brewing
history. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I started my beer career at Red Cypress Brewery in
Winter Springs, Florida. I was hired as a bartender when the brewery opened in
2015 and was shortly promoted to bar lead. That position led me to come in,
clean the tap lines and help out on canning days. I soon realized that I
enjoyed working in the brewery and wanted to get back there as much as
possible. I was able to start coming in on my days off to help wash kegs. After
a few months of working the bar and assisting part-time in the brewery, I was
hired full-time in production. Garrett Ward was the head brewer then and took
the time to train me. After working on the cellar side, I was eventually
trained on the brew deck and was promoted to assistant brewer. Garrett left to
open up his own Sideward Brewing, and I was then promoted to head brewer."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After Red Cypress,
Amanda got a lead brewer position at Ivanhoe Park Brewing in Orlando. This was
the first time she could write her own recipes and brew the beer styles that
interested her most. "In 2022, I won a bronze medal at the World Beer Cup
for our Vienna lager," she recalls. "This award was definitely an
exciting moment for me and my career. Honestly, it still seems wild and surreal
to think about."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With a desire to be
closer to family, Amanda eventually moved back to St. Petersburg. She notes,
"Before moving back, I always made Magnanimous Brewing a stop whenever I
was in Tampa. I loved the beers they were turning out and knew I wanted to join
the team. I started with Magnanimous in June of 2022. When we eventually opened
another production facility and taproom in Bradenton, I helped get that
location up and running. It’s still rewarding to look around the brewery and
see how far it’s come."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Obviously, Amanda ranks
as a knowledgeable and passionate member of the craft beer community. When
asked what she loves most about being a part of a brewery, she expresses an
appreciation for the camaraderie shared between folks in the industry.
"It’s cool being able to connect with people not only in your own city and
state but also throughout the country," she says. "Not only forming
friendships but also knowing that I can reach out and ask for advice and learn
about their techniques." <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amanda also loves being
creative when concocting new recipes and beers. Magnanimous recently celebrated
its third anniversary in October, and Amanda's team tried a variety of
barrel-aged beers to decide how to blend them for a few anniversary beers.
"It’s fun discovering what flavors everyone else is picking up when
comparing tasting notes,” she explains. "This is solid proof that most
breweries are families, and teamwork makes the dream work. At the end of the
day, I really love going to work and making beer with some rad people who are
some of the smartest and funniest people around. It’s always been a good
balance of taking the job seriously but also having fun.” <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amanda considers herself
fortunate to work for men who have supported and encouraged her career.
However, she still notes that her biggest challenge sometimes revolves around
being seen as an equal in a male-dominated industry. She adds, "I always
feel that I need to prove myself more than my male colleagues. While at work, I
hate asking for help because I never want my height or size to stop me from
completing a task and then having my coworkers think they have to do my job for
me. There have also been countless times I’ve been at a beer festival, and
someone automatically asks my male coworker a question about the beers instead
of me, even though I’m the one who brewed them. This seems like an issue that
many women face in the industry. Women have to sort of over-compensate to be
seen as equals. I’ve observed other women in the industry burn out because they
feel like they need to push themselves at work and then perform extra duties
outside of work to get a seat at the table.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the flip side of
these challenges, hard work that one enjoys always offers rewards. Amanda notes
that her greatest reward revolves around creating a product that many people
will enjoy. She declares, “It’s kind of surreal to think that I’ve been brewing
for a while now, and I still get a sense of pride and excitement when seeing
someone drinking a beer I brewed."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When asked why women and minorities are vital to the industry
and how we can attract more, Amanda responds, “Women and minorities are vital
to the beer industry because they bring different perspectives and new ideas.
If we want to expand the beer consumer demographic, we need to include people
with different backgrounds and perspectives involved in all aspects of beer.
This means not only brewing the beer but also being involved in marketing,
sales and management.” <br /></span></p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4y9F691z42V5LsSd7vE_j4Jiy3xZWlgjAj1YR_838Not7U9RSCssTprwdQ3eKwXCrVnwV-cDIEZbRQfU0ZHLN5xK5kg5DkF1yjG6sKBK9BS_-rXHMksZ-6oQwsYmDi_QbKSJl_KiIh4i2-qY8LOz1CgzQ671fQh_Uhta2ZXeSAeTNOvD4h28DFZQ9wU/s1080/FB_IMG_1696633996030.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1080" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4y9F691z42V5LsSd7vE_j4Jiy3xZWlgjAj1YR_838Not7U9RSCssTprwdQ3eKwXCrVnwV-cDIEZbRQfU0ZHLN5xK5kg5DkF1yjG6sKBK9BS_-rXHMksZ-6oQwsYmDi_QbKSJl_KiIh4i2-qY8LOz1CgzQ671fQh_Uhta2ZXeSAeTNOvD4h28DFZQ9wU/s320/FB_IMG_1696633996030.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br />Amanda
makes the point that everyone in the craft beer industry possesses the power to
change the business for the better. Amanda relates, “I enjoy being involved in
the industry and making it a safe and welcoming space for everyone. I've been a
member of The Pink Boots Society since 2017 and held a board position in the
Florida chapter since 2019. I've been the social media manager for the Women's
Craft Fermentation Alliance's WIBS Craft Fermentation Summit for the past two
years. In South Florida, we also host the FemAle Brew Fest, which showcases
women who work in production, marketing, sales, management and brewery
ownership. Organizations and events like these help promote women and
minorities in the beer industry and attract more."</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Breweries
that host Pink Boots Society collaboration brew days help provide education and
experience for women. Having the female staff and members of the organization
get together to develop a beer recipe, brew the beer and design the label
demonstrates that the brewery values women in the industry and points out the
wide array of available careers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beer lovers wanting to learn more about Amanda and drink
her beer should definitely plan a trip to Tampa. If you are in the area in
March, Amanda invites you to swing by Magnanimous Brewing during Tampa Bay Beer
Week, which takes place March 2-10. She plans to offer some impressive
collaboration brews and special beer releases each day of the
celebration. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38MtmzNRvgLDh1dHNpPbp9p57rNXfrAx7M9uWwCL-9QgGLiiiT8KbJBeqYZtDzof_yMQLTQIKKE_a5pV5N6Wb-aVfgts26HHD9-NuxEzxDqVxR-Pf_Sxeo0OOuue3lUKt2DGgLhcDVb2v-iMRSVPts0HQ-jwrtRF6OCbNi1z0wFXIKyUgA1n30nF6H6k/s928/magnan%20logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="928" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38MtmzNRvgLDh1dHNpPbp9p57rNXfrAx7M9uWwCL-9QgGLiiiT8KbJBeqYZtDzof_yMQLTQIKKE_a5pV5N6Wb-aVfgts26HHD9-NuxEzxDqVxR-Pf_Sxeo0OOuue3lUKt2DGgLhcDVb2v-iMRSVPts0HQ-jwrtRF6OCbNi1z0wFXIKyUgA1n30nF6H6k/s320/magnan%20logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><p></p>
Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-70336635401728107952023-11-07T10:16:00.002-08:002023-11-07T10:18:19.074-08:00Women of Beer: Ally Duffy with Wild Leap Atlanta<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl-lD5DDtht78QPY4p1kI19RrCb00gbLf2Sz7WT8dfvQrwZP-lx354EWVLqqvzdFNnCVzFwd78kdc07tocl47_BUkshzpau4eOU-yUj6fZLZ68hT4NDL0pMAdM05VcA8W9eO52sfYjuoj9k4_Zmi3JXNMqNBeUO0waQ8fMOhsJLnnG5ss31kf_AWLtak/s1287/FB_IMG_1693472844013.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1287" data-original-width="1038" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl-lD5DDtht78QPY4p1kI19RrCb00gbLf2Sz7WT8dfvQrwZP-lx354EWVLqqvzdFNnCVzFwd78kdc07tocl47_BUkshzpau4eOU-yUj6fZLZ68hT4NDL0pMAdM05VcA8W9eO52sfYjuoj9k4_Zmi3JXNMqNBeUO0waQ8fMOhsJLnnG5ss31kf_AWLtak/s320/FB_IMG_1693472844013.jpg" width="258" /></a></b></div><p><b><br />By Kerri Allen </b><br /><br />Many people know Wild Leap Brew Company from their hip beers, such as Alpha Abstraction Double IPA, but did you know that Wild Leap recently hired a rockin' female brewer for their Atlanta location? Meet Ally Duffy of Wild Leap Atlanta.<br /><br />Ally did not start with the idea of being a brewer. Although a fan of craft beer, she was pursuing a different path. Ally talks about her circuitous route to head brewer by recalling, “I started 'beertending' part-time at my friends’ A Little Madness Brewing in Pensacola while working full-time in marine biology for the US EPA and finishing graduate school for my master's degree in biology. I was already a craft beer enthusiast, but I felt inspired by all the creative ideas and experimentation I didn’t realize went into brewing a beer."<br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b>A Fortuitous Meeting </b></span><br /><br />After finishing her degree, Ally and her “now-husband” moved to Columbus, Georgia. Being landlocked, she decided to temporarily return to craft beer while searching for a science job. "This temporary plan turned into a newfound passion and career when I met the brewers of LaGrange's Wild Leap Brew at an event," she recalls. "I joined their production team in April of 2020, started in the 940-barrel capacity cellar, and was quickly cross-trained to brew 30-barrel batches of Wild Leap's core and seasonal beers.” <br /><br />Later in 2020, due to the pandemic, Ally and her husband moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. About her growth as a brewer, Ally comments, “I continued as an assistant brewer until I felt I had outgrown that role and wanted to brew my own recipes.” When she was ready, Ally landed the job as head brewer at Knoxville's Elst Brewing Company, where her duties included brewing, cellaring and kegging all of the products by herself. "These challenges taught me how to work with and around my strengths and weaknesses and honed my creative problem-solving skills," she notes. "Working alone at Elst taught me to trust my knowledge and gut instincts. I sometimes had to make snap decisions in the best interest of the beer without being able to ask for a second opinion, and this is one of the greatest skills I left with.” <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Georgia on Her Mind</span></b><br /><br />On coming full circle and moving back to Georgia to rejoin Wild Leap, Ally relates, “The well-rounded experience within all of the production roles at Elst prepared me for my current role as head brewer of Wild Leap Atlanta. I run a five-barrel brewhouse at the Atlanta facility with an 80-barrel capacity cellar. I choose what beers we make and get to add an experimental component to each recipe, meaning we are trying a new ingredient or technique with every single batch we brew. I will eventually be in charge of a small team and look forward to the fun beers we’ll be producing!” <br /><br />When asked about her favorite aspect of being in the brewing industry, Ally talks about the critical link between creativity and teamwork. Ally enthusiastically states, “Brewing is a technical craft, a science and an art. I loved using the scientific method to develop research questions and perform experiments as a marine biologist. Brewing allows me to continue to apply these background skills while expressing my creativity through ingredients to create art.” <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxCHFCKDDAeL1Liy9va11DvMci6wgqTXOwmQgU3wqt10cdYiXP_LSV0nK4IFr_wTNzdnmAHmchULOZDCljiCyoj07A-Z5Jchn6PrfG7sL9ttb-iK7NovKNcErCJcGhei9CqbWK-tkfAbbyK9bJCij8d5u5Oly5q23G_8G3kCE6hlNl5bmUcxBzF2WgBA/s2815/20230406_155823.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2251" data-original-width="2815" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxCHFCKDDAeL1Liy9va11DvMci6wgqTXOwmQgU3wqt10cdYiXP_LSV0nK4IFr_wTNzdnmAHmchULOZDCljiCyoj07A-Z5Jchn6PrfG7sL9ttb-iK7NovKNcErCJcGhei9CqbWK-tkfAbbyK9bJCij8d5u5Oly5q23G_8G3kCE6hlNl5bmUcxBzF2WgBA/s320/20230406_155823.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />A Rewarding Work Environment</span></b><br /><br />As with any job, having a good work environment helps foster enthusiasm and passion, making the hard work worthwhile. How does Ally's current position fit in this love of brewing? She observes, “It can be rare in our industry to find a company where the ownership, production staff and front-of-house staff all work together smoothly as a dedicated, cohesive team. It takes a healthy company culture to achieve this; Wild Leap has focused on these goals from the start. When I come to work, I know we all respect each others’ important roles and are there to work together toward the common goal of selling our products and creating memorable experiences for our guests. We all support each other in pushing the brewery's creative direction forward and pushing ourselves to perform our best and grow in our respective roles. I love this feeling!”<br /><br />In the still male-dominated world of brewing, some folks still forget that women can do anything that men can do. When asked about her biggest challenge and greatest reward, Ally confides, “Earning respect as a woman in this male-dominated industry has undoubtedly been one of my biggest challenges, especially when I had to start over in a new city. I was one of four female brewers within an hour's radius at the time and the only female brewer in the city limits of Knoxville by the time I left Elst. From dealing with biased views such as 'Can she even lift a bag of grain or operate a forklift?' to being treated differently by freight delivery drivers or being called rude names by a few colleagues in the industry, I've had to step up and prove my worth constantly. My greatest rewards are defying expectations and rising to a head brewer role. Knowing my current bosses trust my vision for the beers and will offer me mentorship to help me grow has proven invaluable.”<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Importance of Inclusion</span></b><br /><br />As to why women are vital to the industry, Ally brings up her respect for uniqueness and diversity. She explains, “Every single person on this planet perceives the world in a unique way. When you want your product to be as unique as possible to compete in an inundated market, why wouldn’t you hire as many diverse types of people as possible to bring more ideas and skills to the table? It's the responsibility of brewery ownership and production managers to invest in hiring, supporting and promoting more women, non-binary folks and BIPOC in this industry. Owners and managers must also write and enforce codes of conduct for all their employees to create safe workspaces where everyone is respected. Word spreads quickly in the service industry, and workers know which establishments have good reputations and which ones they should avoid. If you strive to create a truly inclusive company, more diverse groups of people will want to work for you.” <br /><br />In addition to creating a safe and equitable work environment, Ally shares a few ideas on attracting more women to the brewing industry. “Spreading awareness about various roles in the brewing industry creates another pathway for engaging more people," she notes. "While working in production and bartending is considered labor-intensive with lots of bending, heavy lifting and working on your feet all day, women are absolutely physically capable of these tasks. Ladies might have to apply some creative problem-solving to get the job done by working around stature and physical abilities, and a truly supportive manager will have no problem helping troubleshoot if needed. The manual labor jobs aren’t the only option either. There are also plenty of other opportunities in craft beer such as marketing, graphic design, sales, distribution, administrative roles and more.”<br /><br />Atlanta craft beer enthusiasts have embraced Ally's beers at the atmospheric Wild Leap Atlanta taproom, conveniently located near downtown's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. “My first beers at Wild Leap Atlanta were released during the first week of September and are available in the taproom only, so I invite everyone to visit us," Ally says. "Besides beer, we offer craft cocktails with our in-house spirits, mocktails and vodka-based slushies, so there’s something for everyone.” Thanks, Ally - please save us a bar stool.<br /><p></p><div style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 100%; line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 13px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: "Book Antiqua", Palatino, serif;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">This article was first published in:</span></i></span></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.southernbrewnews.com/" style="box-sizing: content-box;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="59" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/2/6/7/2/0/8/2_w200_h59_s1_m2.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; display: block; height: 59px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 90px; padding-right: 90px; width: 200px;" width="200" /></a></div>
<p></p>Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-16561368780659001912023-11-07T10:08:00.003-08:002023-11-07T10:08:22.556-08:00Lynette Shoaf of Low Road Brewing in Hammond, Louisiana<p><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black;"><img align="right" border="0" height="172" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/8/6/4/9/3_w225_h172_s1_PL15_PCffffff.jpg" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 172px; margin: 0px; width: 240px;" width="240" />By Kerri Allen</span></b></span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Imagine
taking over your favorite brewery because you liked it so much and
didn’t want to see it go away. Lynette Shoaf and her husband, Tim, did
exactly this with Low Road Brewing in Hammond, Louisiana. The
community's thirsty patrons have been appreciative ever since. </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black;">According to Lynette, “</span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">Low
Road was originally opened in 2017 by a former homebrewer after
retiring from a corporate career. My husband, Tim, and I enjoyed the
atmosphere and became regulars in the taproom. We were avid home mead
makers at the time, and the original Low Road owner would invite
homebrewers to bring their recipes in to brew with him. The brewery
would then feature the guest beer on tap for a month. This experience
was our introduction to brewing beer, and we brewed with him several
times over the first few years. In early 2020, the original owner wanted
to retire again, and we decided to purchase the brewery. We didn't want
to see the brewery close and felt we could grow the business. We signed
the purchase agreement the week before COVID shut the world down. We
continued working full-time jobs in the corporate world while operating
the brewery once restrictions allowed us to open at partial capacity.
This allowed us to keep the brewery open.”</span></span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black;">Raise
your pints to Louisiana's first female head brewer - Lynette Shoaf! In
early discussions, her husband and fellow owner, Tim, would be the
brewer, and Lynette would handle the front of the house and other
business areas. Like any good story, this one has a twist. Lynette
shares, “</span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">We
quickly realized I was better at recipe creation, and I really
developed a passion for brewing. I started learning as much as I could
about brewing through books, professional organization resources and
from other brewers. Tim stepped back from the brewery, and I became the
first female head brewer in the state.”</span></span><br />
<br />
</p><div style="clear: both; display: block; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/8/6/4/9/5_w380_h270_s1_m2.jpg" style="box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; display: block; height: 270px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; width: 380px;" width="380" /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 100%; line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Tim and Lynette Shoaf </span></i></span><br /></div>
<br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">Challenges Create Strength</span></b></span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">After
dealing with the pandemic and all of its challenges for businesses,
Lynette and Tim have been successful in growing Low Road. Lynette
recalls, “In late 2021, we changed our licensing from a brewpub to a
manufacturing brewery so we could go into distribution. This has really
fueled significant growth for our brand. With only a 3-bbl brewhouse, it
requires a lot of brewing to keep up with taproom and distribution
demand.” </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Being
flexible and working through challenges says much about Lynette's
passion for the craft and her understanding of the business. Owning a
brewery is not a walk in the park. People who do not know better
probably imagine a leisurely brew day with a relaxing pint at the end.
However, those familiar with professional brewing understand the huge
amount of work, cleaning and maintenance involved. These are the
challenges of living out the dream of making beer for the public. On
this thread, Lynette comments, “Even though we eventually added some
part-time brewhouse and taproom staff, I was often working 15-18 hour
days between my other job and the brewery, and the stress began to take a
significant toll on my health. I eventually decided to leave my job in
the corporate world to focus on our brewery full-time.”</span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">When
asked about her favorite part of being involved in a brewery, Lynette
responds, “I love working in an industry where the other brewery owners
and staff are collaborative and supportive of each other, rather than
being competitive like most other industries. Most people in craft beer
seem more than happy to share knowledge and resources and work together
to improve the industry.” </span><br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both; display: block; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/8/6/4/9/7_w380_h214_s1_m2.jpg" style="box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; width: 380px;" width="380" /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 100%; line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">The Low Road Team</span></i></span><br /></div>
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">An Evolving Brewing Landscape</span></b></span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Every
good job has its challenges and rewards. Lynette says that her biggest
challenge “has been staying profitable in a constantly changing
environment. Changing consumer habits and tastes and rising ingredient
and supply costs, paired with availability issues, often create a
struggle. Craft beer consumers expect our core brands to be consistent,
available, and reasonably priced. When ingredient prices rise, or
something isn't available, we can't always substitute something else
without affecting the final product. So, you might have to raise prices,
which the market will only tolerate so much. We never want to run out
of one of our core products. It's much harder to bring consumers back to
that product once they move on to something else. Fortunately, the
majority of our beers are traditional beer styles. Our top sellers are
an American lager and an Irish red ale, so current trends moving
consumers back to these traditional styles actually work in our favor.” </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">What
is rewarding after all of the challenges? Lynette states, “The greatest
reward is when a patron comes into the taproom for the first time, and I
get to see their reaction when they try my beer. If they have no idea
who I am, and they appreciate my beer, it's a wonderful feeling. Having
people genuinely enjoy something I created makes it worth the long
hours, hard work and stress-filled days.”</span><br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both; display: block; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/8/6/4/9/9_w380_h296_s1_m2.jpg" style="box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; display: block; height: 296px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; width: 380px;" width="380" /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 100%; line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Low Road's Brewhouse</span></i></span><br /></div>
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">Not All Brewers Have Beards</span></b></span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Women
make up half the population of the world. So many industries miss
opportunities to have amazing people working in them because of a “boys
club” mentality. When asked why women are important to the industry,
Lynette responds, “Just like any industry, a variety of people with
different ideas, backgrounds and personalities are vital for growth. If
everyone in the industry is the same with the same ideas, the craft beer
industry stagnates. We need the creativity and variety that arise from
having many different people in the industry, each challenging the
others to improve."</span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">For
craft breweries to attract more women, Lynette believes that the
public's perception of a craft brewer needs to change. "There have been
many instances in our taproom or at a craft beer event where someone
assumes Tim is the brewer," she relates. "They ask him about a
particular recipe or process, and when he admits that he doesn't know
and that I'm the brewer, people sometimes don't believe him. I've been
referred to as 'the owner's wife' or 'the brewer's wife' on multiple
occasions. The expectation that a brewer has to be a 30-something white
male with a beard needs to shift.” </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">Community Connections</span></b></span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">What
can people expect when paying a visit to Low Road Brewing? Lynette
stresses that Low Road is a brewery with a heart for the community. She
adds, “One of the things we love about owning a brewery is that it gives
us a great platform to support veterans. Our top-selling beer, <i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;">Twenty-Two American Lager</i>,
is brewed specifically for this purpose. We donate 22% from sales of
this beer to Irreverent Warriors, a nationwide program that works to
improve veteran mental health and prevent veteran suicides. We also host
an annual amateur wing cookoff and homebrew competition called 'Wings
& Ale.' This November festival raises funds for our local VFW.” Head
on down to Low Road Brewing in Hammond, Louisiana, hoist a tasty pint
and help some deserving veterans in the process. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 100%; line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 13px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: "Book Antiqua", Palatino, serif;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">This article was first published in:</span></i></span></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.southernbrewnews.com/" style="box-sizing: content-box;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="59" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/2/6/7/2/0/8/2_w200_h59_s1_m2.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; display: block; height: 59px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 90px; padding-right: 90px; width: 200px;" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 100%; line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"> <span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 10px;">Photos Courtesy of Low Road Brewing</span></span></i></span><br /></div> <br />Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-83887414244019788332023-07-17T08:13:00.000-07:002023-07-17T08:13:09.781-07:00Tasty Southeastern Beer Reviews & Food Pairings<p> </p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4006796362748991804" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 586.4px; word-spacing: 0px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 10px; width: 370px;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-color: white; border-collapse: separate; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; overflow: visible; padding: 5px; position: relative; width: 370px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box;">By Owen Ogletree and Kerri Allen</i></span><br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" height="287" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/3/8/9/4/1_w150_h287_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 287px; margin: 0px; padding: 8px; width: 165px;" width="165" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 16px;">Hooter Brown</span></span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Oyster City Brewing Company</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Apalachicola, Florida</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Imperial Brown Ale, 8.5% ABV</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;">Deep brown in color with a moderate tan head, this beer offers aromas of dark malt, cocoa, chocolate, toffee, pie crust and mild, pleasant, dark fruit esters. The palate picks up alcohol warmth along with slightly sweet malt complexity backed by caramel and chocolate candy notes. There's also complexity from nuances of raisin, fig and ripe plum esters. Appropriately, almost no roasted malt character emerges in this wonderfully malty, medium-bodied brown ale. Pair with desserts such as cheesecake, fruit tarts and French vanilla ice cream.</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" height="160" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/3/8/9/4/3_w160_h160_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 160px; margin: 0px; padding: 8px; width: 175px;" width="175" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 16px;">Imperial Hopsecutioner IPA</span></span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Terrapin Beer Company</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Athens, Georgia</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Double IPA, 9.8% ABV</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;">Almost clear with just a hint of haze, the deep amber color and long-lasting off-white foam make this strong ale quite attractive. Look for moderate aromas originating from a range of U.S. hops that are reminiscent of citrus, pineapple and pine resin. The hefty malt bill also comes through on the nose with notes of caramel and toffee. A bit sweet for style, the beer's crystal malts and toasted malts are lightly balanced by tropical, resiny hop flavors. The big malt canvas could perhaps benefit from a bit more hop bitterness, and the beer finishes malty and boozy with a hint of alcohol spice and warmth. Pair this potent ale with gumbo, pad Thai or Indian butter chicken.</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" height="188" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/3/8/9/3/1_w160_h188_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 188px; margin: 0px; padding: 8px; width: 175px;" width="175" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 16px;">Retrospect IPA</span></span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Arches Brewing</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Hapeville, Georgia</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">West Coast-Style IPA, 6.5% ABV</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;">This ale pours with a deep amber color that falls on the dark end of the style's color spectrum. Brilliantly clear, the ale also boasts a substantial layer of tan foam. The nose picks up malt, caramel, toasted bread crust, light fruity esters and hop notes of citrus, pine resin and a hint of blood orange pith. On the tongue, malty, toffee-like notes appear up front, followed by earthy hop flavors and hints of pine bark. Hop bitterness seems mild for the style, but the beer comes across as quite approachable. One taster noticed a nuance of dark berries and pineapple in the ester profile. Pour this beer alongside turkey burgers with brown mustard or lemon pepper chicken wings.</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" height="187" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/3/8/9/4/5_w100_h187_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 187px; margin: 0px; padding: 8px; width: 115px;" width="115" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 16px;">Passion on Ponce IPA</span></span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Three Taverns Craft Brewery</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Decatur, Georgia</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">American IPA with Passion Fruit, Orange & Guava, 7.5% ABV</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;">With a deep gold color and apricot hue, this fruited IPA pours with a fluffy off-white head and almost perfect clarity. Expect aroma notes of rich passion fruit along with some orange hints and an earthy, tropical fruit juice character. A touch of hoppy pine resin notes comes through in the background. The flavors seem more balanced than the fruity nose, with citrusy American hops peeking through the fruit canvas. On the palate, a light malt character transitions quickly into a mélange of orange pith, tart passion fruit and earthy guava. The beer finishes dry with a light/medium body and a tasty bitter hop/fruit nuance that lingers on the back of the tongue in a welcoming way. Drink this beer with a plate of Caribbean grilled shrimp or jerk chicken with grilled pineapple. </span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" height="266" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/3/8/9/3/9_w120_h266_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px; padding: 8px; width: 135px;" width="135" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 16px;">Italian-Style Pilz</span></span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Ology Brewing Company</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Tallahassee, Florida</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Italian-Style Pilsner, 5.0% ABV</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;">Expecting a crystal-clear, crisp pilsner? Think again. Ology's take on the style pours with a gold/orange hue and appropriate white foam, but the lager showcases an unexpected haze. Aromas come through that make the beer seem more like a hop-forward hazy pale ale with tropical fruit notes. There's pilsner malt in the smell, along with significant New World hop character. On the palate, the beer again comes across like a hazy India Pale Lager with earthy hops, mineral-rich water and tropical fruit notes similar to light papaya. The beer finishes with a chalky dryness and pleasing hop nuance. Overall, this selection is delicious and enjoyable, even if it doesn't match the Italian pilsner style guidelines to a tee. White pizza or raw oysters would make a beautiful match for this lager.</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" height="288" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/3/8/9/3/5_w120_h288_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.png" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 288px; margin: 0px; padding: 8px; width: 135px;" width="135" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 16px;">Pales in Comparison</span></span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Edmund's Oast Brewing</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Charleston, South Carolina</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Double Dry-Hopped Hazy Pale Ale, 5.0% ABV</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;">The beer pours with a golden color, moderate haze and a light layer of off-white bubbles. Aroma notes include green tea, jasmine, Mandarin oranges, kiwi fruit, light malt and cereal grains. Upon taking a sip, the palate registers many of the same aroma characteristics. There are also hints of buttery cashews and light, fruity hop flavor notes. The ale finishes dry with mild hop bitterness and a tropical citrus nuance. This pale ale's malt profile produces an appealing, refreshing, light body and character. The cereal grains help create the haze and perhaps somewhat mute the malt and hop complexity. The dry nature of this beer makes for a smart pairing with gyoza potstickers or shrimp with lobster sauce.</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" height="125" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/3/8/9/3/3_w120_h125_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 125px; margin: 0px; padding: 8px; width: 135px;" width="135" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 16px;">Wild Streak</span></span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Bearded Iris Brewing</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Nashville, Tennessee</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Sour Ale with Rosemary, Orange Peel & Vanilla, 5.1% ABV</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;">A golden tone, white foam and slight haze highlight the appearance of this complex sour ale. Rosemary and other herb notes dominate the aroma profile, with peppercorns, crisp lactic acid, passion fruit, citrus peel, lemon and cucumber nuances emerging to enhance the overall flavor canvas. Expect a light body and crisp, refreshing, fruity, dry finish that continues to showcase the rosemary/herbal character after swallowing. The beer seems reminiscent of a dry, lightly acidic, refreshing white wine. Good pairings would include green olives, linguine with clam sauce or oven-roasted potatoes.</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br /> <br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" height="212" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/3/8/9/3/7_w200_h212_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 212px; margin: 0px; padding: 8px; width: 215px;" width="215" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 16px;">Freemason</span></span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Chandeleur Island Brewing Company</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Gulfport, Mississippi</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Golden Ale, 5.0% ABV</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;">With a golden tone, nice layer of white foam and attractive clarity, this quaffable golden ale serves up mild malt aromas and flavors of lightly sweet bread along with some cereal notes from additions of wheat and corn. The light body comes across as soft and lightly creamy with a hint of malt sweetness in the finish, balanced by a touch of citrusy American hop flavor and mild bitterness. Fruity esters are restrained, and the ale could almost pass for a lager, due to the clean nature of the mouthfeel and finish. This classic "beer-flavored-beer" shines with subtle complexity and good technical merit. In the spirit of the Gulf Coast, this beer would pair perfectly with a grouper sandwich and fries.</span><br /> <br /> <br /><div style="box-sizing: content-box; line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box;">Published Originally in:</i></span><br /></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="74" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/2/6/7/2/0/8/2_w250_h74_s1_m2.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; display: block; height: 74px; margin: 0px auto; padding: 8px 55px; width: 250px;" width="250" /></div> </td></tr></tbody></table></div>Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-22535969253383022782023-07-06T11:46:00.000-07:002023-07-06T11:46:18.738-07:00Women of Beer: Rachel Breite of Idyll Hounds Brewing<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><b><img border="0" class="hd" height="162" id="c_img_c_img_3172337_1688667289651_1688667373034" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/7/2/3/3/7_w359_s1.png" style="float: right; height: 162px; margin-left: 15px; width: 175px;" width="175" />By Kerri Allen</b></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Jack-of-all-trades stands out as a great moniker and job description for folks who make craft beer, and brewer Rachel Breite labels herself as exactly this. Rachel has been the brewer for Idyll Hounds Brewing Company in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, since December 2022. Before landing at Idyll Hounds, she started as head brewer for The Brew Pub (Ye Olde Brothers’ Brewery in Navarre, Florida). She moved from there to 3rd Planet Brewing in Niceville, Florida, before settling in at Idyll Hounds. <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><img border="0" class="hd" height="250" id="c_img_c_img_3172333_1688667307891_1688667319059" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/7/2/3/3/3_w359_s1.jpg" style="float: right; height: 250px; margin-left: 15px; width: 200px;" width="200" />Science is science, right? Rachel reminisces, “I got my start in craft beer in a less traditional route. My background is in Marine Biology, and I worked as a fisheries biologist prior to taking on the craft beer industry. I was in my mid-twenties at the time and was working as a bartender for a local craft brew pub in addition to laboring in my science field. I had a passion for the craft of beer and found myself in the back brewery more and more often, with questions about the process and styles. I really soaked up every bit of knowledge I could about beer from grain to glass. The owners noted my interest and appreciated my background in hard science, so I jumped at the opportunity when they asked me if I would be interested in brewing for them. I worked hard, studied at home a lot, and was fortunate to be surrounded by some amazing brewers in my community who supported me and helped me grow into the professional I am today. Now I am fortunate enough to say that I have been brewing professionally for just over five years." <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Is science more enjoyable when you can share and drink the product of your labors? When asked what she loves most about being a part of a brewery, Rachel discusses her love for the amalgamation of art and science. She explains, "I think that it's incredible to be able to understand the science going on behind the brewing, fermenting, and cellaring processes; and to then be able to manipulate different variables to create the beer that you want. As much as it's a science, I believe there's an art to it too. You can hone in on specific flavor and aroma profiles by understanding the science and ingredients and how they interact. This allows brewers to craft the beer art of their dreams. Plus, getting to share my hard work and passion in a glass with others is just a really special feeling.” <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><img border="0" class="hd" height="250" id="c_img_3172331_1688667333171" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/7/2/3/3/1_w359_s1.jpg" style="float: right; height: 250px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; width: 200px;" width="200" />Who is 5’1” and totally badass? That would be Rachel Breite. Some height-challenged people complain about not being able to reach the top cabinets in their kitchen. Try hauling a 50-pound bag of grain or changing bulky fittings on a brew tank. When asked about her biggest brewing challenge, Rachel quips, “My stature is probably an obvious challenge; at 5'1", I have to use ladders and think smarter and not harder for many tasks around the brewery. I'm proud to say that I may be small, but I work hard, am strong, and can usually do almost any task solo. However, there is no use in being prideful, and there's nothing wrong with asking for help. My coworkers are always quick to jump in.” <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">On a more serious note, Rachel mentions that self-doubt has been a difficult challenge. Her busy mind constantly makes her question if she is doing her best. She relates, “Despite being incredibly passionate about beer, regarding everything from the raw ingredients to the brewing and fermentation processes to the history and differentiation between global styles, I have asked myself more than once if I am doing enough. Am I good enough? Is my craft enough? I think it's easy to look around at fellow brewers and other breweries around the country and the world and compare yourself to them.” <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Rachel says she is overcoming this self-doubt and becoming more confident in her craft. Her secret, which she finds quite fulfilling, revolves around research. “I have found that as long as you're crafting the beer that you want and staying true to yourself, nothing can touch that," she says. "Do the research, know your styles, listen to the science, and you can brew whatever your heart desires. Yes, I can do it. Yes, I'm good enough." <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Rachel enjoys being creative and working with various ingredients; botanicals have caught her attention recently. "It's incredible to be able to nail a beer that you crafted in your head - to see it and enjoy it in person and share it with people that you care about and know will appreciate your hard work," she notes. <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><img border="0" class="hd" height="210" id="c_img_3172335_1688667349962" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/7/2/3/3/5_w359_s1.jpg" style="float: right; height: 210px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; width: 200px;" width="200" />When asked why women and minorities are vital to this industry, Rachel stresses the importance of everyone having an equal platform to share their stories and passion. "In doing so, we create greater representation within the brewing community," she says. "I truly believe that everyone has a unique vision and a different way of looking at the world and that this carries over into their craft - whatever that may be. In the case of beer, women and minorities bring different visions, different creativity, and different approaches to the industry. This helps to not only diversify the workforce, but it also diversifies craft beer as a whole." <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">As far as attracting more women and minorities to the beer industry, Rachel observes, "We need to practice inclusion by opening doors for others within our industry and creating safe and diverse industry spaces ranging from production to sales and marketing." <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">As a BJCP judge, Rachel enjoyed judging the Best Florida Beer competition this year. She also recently participated in the Dark Embrace Invitational Beer Festival in Tampa which she notes was an “incredible” event. Rachel also acts as the Pink Boots Society Panhandle representative for Florida.</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></p>
Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-12682527422023329182023-03-27T09:14:00.000-07:002023-03-27T09:14:15.910-07:00Women of Beer: Nicole Cendrowski, Fireforge Crafted Beer<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 5px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 370px; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-color: #96885c; border-collapse: separate; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; color: white; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; overflow: visible; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: left; width: 370px;">Meet Nicole Cendrowski of Fireforge Crafted Beer in Greenville, SC<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; width: 370px; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-color: white; border-collapse: separate; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; overflow: visible; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: left; width: 370px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;"><img align="right" border="0" height="356" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/4/9/1/5/7_w200_h356_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.jpg" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 356px; margin: 0px; width: 215px;" width="215" />By Kerri Allen</i></b><br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;">If you check out the website for Fireforge Crafted Beer (Greenville, South Carolina) and read the “about” information, you will find the sentences, “Create with passion. Serve with enthusiasm.” Upon visiting the taproom, patrons immediately feel the passion and enthusiasm behind the brewery's range of appealing beers.</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black;">Fireforge co-owner Nicole Cendrowski explains her first look into the world of craft beer. “</span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">Initially, I cultivated my love of craft beer when visiting brewpubs while traveling with my dad for his work trips in my teens in the late 1990s. My dad was excited and curious about "micro-brews," and he'd let me have sips of nut brown ales and porters. The aromas lingering after an on-site brew day and fermentation, plus the coziness and camaraderie of the taproom as guests would unwind after their workdays, were palpable to observe as a young person. While I couldn't legally partake of the product, these environments felt welcoming and unique.” </span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" height="261" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/4/9/1/5/9_w200_h261_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.jpg" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 261px; margin: 0px; width: 215px;" width="215" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300;">Brewery Beginnings </span></b></span><br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-size: 12px;">Those early experiences with Nicole's father sparked an interest in trying all the interesting brews she could find - once she could legally drink, of course. Ten years later, Nicole found herself homebrewing with her husband, Brian, while continuing to explore the commercial beer scene. “There were very few breweries in South Carolina at that time, so if I heard of a new one opening up, I'd reach out, learn their story and write about them in beer-focused publications. We started to develop more relationships within a very fledgling industry in our region, and things just grew from there.” </span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-size: 12px;">In June of 2018, Fireforge Crafted Beer was born in Greenville, South Carolina. Professionally, Nicole worked in marketing communications, brand development and business development/sales, which have proven to be necessary skills for starting a new brewery.</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black;">When asked what she loved most about being a part of a brewery, Nicole responded, “</span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">Being able to create something out of nothing. Whether it's a new beer concept; can label design; discerning ways for a team member to contribute more creatively in the business and meet their goals; hosting a new Fireforge special event and building that tradition over the years, or simply sharing thoughts on an ideal pairing for one of our beers and sandwiches, I'm grateful to be at the helm of helping build a sustainable, happy and creative place to work.” </span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 14px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" height="267" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/4/9/1/6/3_w200_h267_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.jpg" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px; width: 215px;" width="215" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300;">Many Responsibilities, Many Talents</span></b></span><br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-size: 12px;">Passion and enthusiasm can give you the drive, but with any industry come challenges and rewards. As far as the biggest challenge, Nicole admits, “My biggest challenge is that we're still a small business, which may not always lend itself to specialization outside of our small brew team. We're all wearing many hats. We have so many ideas and limited time, so investing the time to more effectively engage people on our team, recruiting new people, delegating and collaborating in ways that make Fireforge better is important to figure out right now.” Although building a business has its uphill battles, the rewards are there as well. “The reward is when our team is firing on all cylinders, giving me an opportunity to work on the business and help Fireforge become more profitable and sustainable while providing me some time to rest and recharge. Quiet time out on the trail in the woods on a bike or on foot is sublime,” Nicole acknowledges.</span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black;"><img align="right" border="0" height="252" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/4/9/1/6/5_w200_h252_s1_PL15_PCffffff_m2.jpg" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 252px; margin: 0px; width: 215px;" width="215" />There are more and more women joining the industry. When asked why women are vital in the industry, and how more women could be encouraged to become a part of the craft beer movement, Nicole stated, “</span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">Every individual is unique, offering different gifts to the world and workplace, independent of gender. However, women<i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;"><span> </span>are<span> </span></i>amazing. The women that inspire me the most are intuitive, resilient, approachable, creative, organized, action-oriented, respected and motivating, all under an invisible cloak of warmth - yet you feel it! They recognize the door of opportunity that others don't - and will open those doors - for their own good and the good of others.” As to bringing more women in, she says, ”It's raising awareness that a brewery business isn't just a guy with some tanks and taps. There are many roles and responsibilities that go into developing a healthy brewery taproom business.”</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br /><div style="clear: both; display: block; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="53" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/3/1/4/9/1/6/1_w300_h53_s1_m2.png" style="box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; display: block; height: 53px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 29.9125px; padding-right: 29.9125px; width: 300px;" width="300" /></div> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #993300; font-size: 14px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Five Years of Fireforge</b></span><br /> <br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black;">The brewery scene in Greenville, South Carolina, continues to grow. If you want to check out what Fireforge Crafted Beer has in its sights for 2023, Nicole comments that soon, “</span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222;">we'll hopefully be in full springtime swing as we open our garage doors and our beer garden feels like a big front porch. Fireforge is turning five years old over the weekend of June 16-18, and we'll host our three-day anniversary party with special beer releases, yummy food and live music.” </span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #222222; font-size: 12px;">Patrons can sample Fireforge's delicious variety of craft beers and pair some beers with one of the brewery's awesome sandwiches or “sassy” sides. Try their three-cheese grilled cheese with<span> </span><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;">Irrational Confidence</i>, a lovely red IPA. If your sweet tooth is beckoning, try one of their desserts or sweet treats of the week with<span> </span><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;">You Silly Gooseberry Saison</i><span> </span>or<span> </span><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;">Cherry Sour Ale</i>. Nicole will most likely be there chatting with everyone. </span><br /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><div style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 11px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;">Published Originally in:</i></b></span><br /></div><div style="clear: both; display: block; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.southernbrewnews.com/" style="box-sizing: content-box;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="59" src="https://media.jbanetwork.com/image/cache/2/6/7/2/0/8/2_w200_h59_s1_m2.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; display: block; height: 59px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 80px; padding-right: 80px; width: 200px;" width="200" /></a></div> <br /><div style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 11px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box; font-style: italic;">Photos by Owen Ogletree and Fireforge Crafted Beer.</i></span><br /></div> </td></tr></tbody></table>Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-54606077530235891762023-02-10T09:46:00.001-08:002023-02-10T09:47:24.534-08:00Women of Beer: Abby McLocklin Cheng<div><i> </i><div style="text-align: right;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XFekDQR_X-wWKgDMF2_cglmUqEQCueRLQJwKztmx0FyLxJthrnN_kZ0YX4ynnAjDUUVOYRBNAOVrTyO2KKe2YEoYY-V6vg6P6PdlMFy-f3R3TTjY-uzNJ2god3ZPs_GOkUZJq3GJTvV_H-IPQtDkLfVzZs_VwTs26lFTCoC6fkr_mlakXBiN2Xu_/s640/Headshot%20for%20Press%20Release%20-%20Abby%20Cheng.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="447" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XFekDQR_X-wWKgDMF2_cglmUqEQCueRLQJwKztmx0FyLxJthrnN_kZ0YX4ynnAjDUUVOYRBNAOVrTyO2KKe2YEoYY-V6vg6P6PdlMFy-f3R3TTjY-uzNJ2god3ZPs_GOkUZJq3GJTvV_H-IPQtDkLfVzZs_VwTs26lFTCoC6fkr_mlakXBiN2Xu_/s320/Headshot%20for%20Press%20Release%20-%20Abby%20Cheng.jpg" width="224" /></a></div></i></div><i><br />By Kerri Allen</i></div><div><i> </i></div><div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Abby McLocklin Cheng</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Former CEO of Orpheus Brewing
Company, Atlanta, GA</span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We all know that the brewing industry has been "male
heavy" for a long time; however, over the last couple of decades more and
more women are finding careers within the brewing world. In centuries past,
most women were brewers, and it is only fitting that we celebrate the
modern-day women who have found their calling in this niche of the beverage
world.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Women make up around
half of the population. That is a staggering amount of underutilized expertise
that comes from generations of wisdom, different ways of thinking, and eyes
that offer alternative insights. The female customer base in craft beer is only
growing, so the more representation from the other side of the counter (be it
in production, management, sales, serving, etc.), the better!" The words
of Abby Cheng, CEO of Orpheus Brewing in Atlanta, GA ring true from someone who
started their career in the restaurant industry. Abby went on to say, "More
women will feel comfortable venturing into the male-heavy industry if they see
themselves well-represented. It goes without saying that this applies to many
under-represented demographics, and I believe that women are in one of the
prime spots to advocate for this type of change and inclusivity."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As graduate of culinary
school, Abby's personal journal into the beer world tells the tale of someone
who appreciates hand-crafted, great-tasting products. "From working in
some stellar restaurant kitchens, to sharing my love of education teaching
classes at Total Wine, to being in the middle of Georgia's booming beer scene
working at Hop City's OG location, I've become the product of a lot of
experiences that are both traditional and non-traditional. Needless to say, working
around so many interesting beers shifted my passion and focus, and it was then
that I began to find my way into the brewing community around metro Atlanta.
What a community! This group of people was so welcoming and seemed so sincerely
excited that I was finding my way into their world. After a quick departure a
little deeper into the fine wine and craft spirits world, I realized that beer
was no longer as central to my day-to-day routine as I wanted it to be. So, I
worked out a deal with Hop City so that they could utilize my wine knowledge
while I could also be surrounded by beer." </span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After time spent with Total
Wine, Abby worked for Atlanta-based New Realm, starting as a sales representative
and ending up in the Senior Market Development Manager role before accepting a
position as Director of Sales at Orpheus. As Orpheus' new CEO, Abby looks back
on her journey, which led to this point and remarks, "It is a journey that
I am honored to have been able to participate in thus far and enjoy sharing
with other folks." On her time spent so far in her current position, Abby
offers, "I absolutely love having the opportunity to introduce any level
of new or experienced drinker to a flavor or combination of sensations that
they have never before enjoyed in a beer. Going back to my passion for food and
interesting flavor profiles, I am very fortunate to be involved with a brewery
that "gets" creativity, but with balance. It would be really easy to
make a sour beer with vanilla and pineapple that was super sweet and
reminiscent of a dessert, but instead, Jason has crafted something refreshing
and interesting that makes people think."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHw33tui_Q5C1nB3Of5YHup1FeIRGXYezU3t8Jo1wenbBLFtHyviPuEXtQtIM8Q6CPQFcVWYxzJnrmDZOGzGu0gOd-fdeTbhPXCKrKNQuXDzzL_W0vY4AHieHMbRfVG3xSGsg5oOPII0beF-BWTzKDG7X8zPLhTpyJXoEsnijzaQAoxGii7EKjbeF/s640/abbytap.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHw33tui_Q5C1nB3Of5YHup1FeIRGXYezU3t8Jo1wenbBLFtHyviPuEXtQtIM8Q6CPQFcVWYxzJnrmDZOGzGu0gOd-fdeTbhPXCKrKNQuXDzzL_W0vY4AHieHMbRfVG3xSGsg5oOPII0beF-BWTzKDG7X8zPLhTpyJXoEsnijzaQAoxGii7EKjbeF/s320/abbytap.jpeg" width="239" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />When asked what her biggest
challenge and greatest reward have been, Abby remarks, "Honestly, my
answers are kind of one in the same. I have learned so many more facets of the
business and how to strategize past just encouraging sales in the market."
Always striving to add to her knowledge, Abby is currently enrolled in the fall
cohort of the Brewers Association's mentorship program. She excitedly says, "I
am so thankful for the knowledge being so freely and graciously shared amongst
other professionals in the industry."</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the start of this article,
Abby spoke of the insight and perspective women bring to the industry. When
asked how we can attract more women to the craft beer world, Abby contemplates,"
I think it is probably one of the best times in recent history to get involved.
I also think offering opportunities for easily-accessible education will help
women - or any participants - feel more confident in making themselves more
marketable and formidable against other folks that may have walked into their
roles more easily. With Safe Bars and #NotMe becoming more of the industry
standard, it is my hope that those who viewed safety as a barrier to entry
might feel more secure getting into the biz."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before the release of this
article, Orpheus hosted its second annual Burning Mouth Hot Sauce Competition.
Abby commented on the importance of events such as this. "Our beer is
incredible, and I definitely want return patrons to enjoy it, but it's also
about finding ways to appeal to members of our neighborhood who aren't as beer
savvy and might be more comfortable getting to know us through food events or
evenings during which we feature interactive activities."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Regardless of what part of
the industry in which you work, the more you know, the better. It is no
surprise that Abby has made it to where she is today through hard work, a
variety of experiences and a true passion for craft beer.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Published Originally in:</span></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.southernbrewnews.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="122" data-original-width="413" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX3rvlxyShZvBbk0DHLkiMmbmns5HW9NvN-AGsbjR6X0KFDDX3cKzYVRsYtvnCKUIqOSr-l7EoHYeMw5mtbQrTVq6pZjT3r2LyeYsjdEzwYDpx8wEqhjlbHsqoJBiie-Zho_ODQvOqy2vYUVSe7neArw2myl3DzNcgFyZK_715KCYWTDPX-cN8vj6/s320/sbn%20logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br /></div>Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-15513924794088504032021-06-18T12:32:00.002-07:002021-06-18T12:32:35.581-07:00The Kentucky Bourbon Trail - June 2021<p>What a long, strange year it has been. Not being able to travel and be out and about has made it tough to find good material. Now that I am fully vaccinated, and hope you are too, I am slowly getting back out into the world. For my birthday, my SO and I visited Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky to check out some distilleries and a few breweries along the way. Today, I chose to highlight three of the distilleries we enjoyed.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorPanazEwBEzXwBj5Y_AwZfRsP-UmOriXeV8HFLR5nMQ2InAlmrhsZg3tsdwGBnptIWzDJYjjYIOvt91_4eaMT2gdwDHb4rkaeG4hz_uVy9eWjYuYlEr381eKnkKZevaluSSNLx6w7nQ/s2048/20210604_143124.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorPanazEwBEzXwBj5Y_AwZfRsP-UmOriXeV8HFLR5nMQ2InAlmrhsZg3tsdwGBnptIWzDJYjjYIOvt91_4eaMT2gdwDHb4rkaeG4hz_uVy9eWjYuYlEr381eKnkKZevaluSSNLx6w7nQ/s320/20210604_143124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Angel's Envy: </b>Founded in 2006, Angel's Envy has received wide acclaim. We participated in a tasting (along with a bachelor party) at the distillery which included a small chocolate tasting as well. We tasted three bourbons and two chocolates (white and milk). Their bourbons have notes of caramel, vanilla with a touch of citrus on the nose. Fascinatingly, their name came from terms used in the bourbon world. Natural evaporation occurs while the whiskey ages in the barrel. They call this the angel's share. What is left in the barrel at bottling is what the angels did not get. The distillery calls this Angel's Envy. The distillery staff are knowledgeable and friendly. I am a fan an usually keep a bottle in my cabinet.<p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhPUpMc063JGAMnc6spaO8SANe58oFfat3w9XqkPTp3hfEgLR-VAfG_tS2Vrg6v7IEOH46xnzXN1QddJTe2w4Xj1HAUDtYpQGnR_EmYDlD5bB2J9CCu1gR0GXwKe7jhNJCEeaC40kzU8/s2048/20210605_143522.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhPUpMc063JGAMnc6spaO8SANe58oFfat3w9XqkPTp3hfEgLR-VAfG_tS2Vrg6v7IEOH46xnzXN1QddJTe2w4Xj1HAUDtYpQGnR_EmYDlD5bB2J9CCu1gR0GXwKe7jhNJCEeaC40kzU8/s320/20210605_143522.jpg" /></a></div><b>Evan Williams: </b>Although originally founded in 1783, Prohibition put a stop to most distilling, so there was a hiatus. Williams (part of the Heaven Hill brand) has been distilling continuously since 1957. They age their bourbons typically 4 years. The minimum age requirement to be considered straight bourbon is two years. We enjoyed their "Speakeasy Experience" which requires knocking on the speakeasy door and saying a password before being allowed in. The bartender is in period attire and delivers you back in time to a twenties Speakeasy while sampling an array of the brand's bourbons. This tasting was fun and informative as well as being very tasty. If you are planning a trip, definitely include this one on your itinerary.<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Peerless: </b>Founded in 1889 by Henry Kraver, it was revived in 2014 by Kraver's great-great grandson Corky Taylor and his son, Carson. Distilleries are issued a plant number when registering for their license, they were able to have their original number reissued to them through quite a few legal hoops which leads them to have one of the older (and smaller) numbers. They distill under the DSP-KY-50. Their bourbons are bottled between 4 and 6 years depending on the master distillers tasting notes. Unlike most of the distilleries, they use a column still instead of a pot still. They, along with Angel's Envy, use a local cooperage, Kelvin, for their single use barrels. They have a number of complex ryes and bourbons that have become some of my new favorites as I had not had tasted any prior to this trip. You can buy the ryes in Georgia; they are working on getting some of the bourbons into this state. As a special note, they have a distillery cat named Rye, who is a hardly working calico who adores head rubs and back scratches.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfpOzgEnsPh8ETwHnvds7a6_rL5RRe19Oxpz5ZpOLsvtAZlTs_ysyAVhH4rU-AkfJQnCl8TOOmZUPihqkttquhyphenhyphenIQ3rtJLcw-4xXVB0SoSlgo0_zKnuH_74VVDhDAK0pBqc5scaxuZhk/s2048/peerlessstill.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfpOzgEnsPh8ETwHnvds7a6_rL5RRe19Oxpz5ZpOLsvtAZlTs_ysyAVhH4rU-AkfJQnCl8TOOmZUPihqkttquhyphenhyphenIQ3rtJLcw-4xXVB0SoSlgo0_zKnuH_74VVDhDAK0pBqc5scaxuZhk/s320/peerlessstill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>You may see bourbons that have beer barrel finished or wine barrel finished on the label. To be bourbon, the distilled liquid must be aged in a charred barrel which can only be used once. Once the right amount of time has passed and the liquid is considered bourbon, it may be "finished" in another type of barrel. The once used barrels are sold to Scotch and other beverage distillers which don't operate under the same confines.</p><p>We were a bit limited as right now many places in Kentucky are still practicing Covid-19 safety; so we had to really plan our trip and reserve spots for tastings and tours. If you are planning a trip, keep that in mind. We were able to do most of what we wanted in terms of pubs and restaurants as well. Travel safely and remember to eat well and drink good...bourbon.</p><p><br /></p>Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-7278172040237024322020-07-13T12:05:00.000-07:002020-07-13T12:05:15.501-07:00The Beer Wench Takes on Death Nut Challenge<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.87); display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; word-spacing: 0px;">Beer Wench Georgia takes a break from reviewing craft beers to experience "The Death Nut Challenge V2" by Blazing Foods. </span></span></span><br />
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Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-75935049649026414942019-06-16T10:37:00.002-07:002019-06-16T10:37:16.524-07:00Reflections in a Pint Glass: Takeaways from Montana<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTaphPFVwBMk1znerLid8OcJQubGcliHooV3yy6flpuWPpSi7OZZQIfWs0dYYUV7hHzndkD6yQGlKLt03V66415merNyquhMPdeQRlSoKxKm6LUttcV-uv5ybQDoKrHw2zbXSRuPpUyA/s1600/20190609_134947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTaphPFVwBMk1znerLid8OcJQubGcliHooV3yy6flpuWPpSi7OZZQIfWs0dYYUV7hHzndkD6yQGlKLt03V66415merNyquhMPdeQRlSoKxKm6LUttcV-uv5ybQDoKrHw2zbXSRuPpUyA/s400/20190609_134947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacier National Park</td></tr>
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Anytime I visit somewhere, I learn something new even if I have been there before. I had made a prior trip to the beautiful state of Montana, but this time I had guides that really made me look deeply at what makes beer cultures different (and the same) from state to state or country to country.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zlvpv_CGntzZcfhPgZmfEaUWpMLOx0YcY70ruxypQKlWRaEpu_zgOi7l8JAuprVT8XlzZDp3DaGmE-jgNZaAskZFBMuO97CGx4nlAv8eil9KR5kPnb7TLvmNJ9uW68TpsXv7LuUlcl8/s1600/Map%252Bof%252Bthe%252BGolden%252BTriangle%252BRegion%252Bin%252BMontana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="1000" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zlvpv_CGntzZcfhPgZmfEaUWpMLOx0YcY70ruxypQKlWRaEpu_zgOi7l8JAuprVT8XlzZDp3DaGmE-jgNZaAskZFBMuO97CGx4nlAv8eil9KR5kPnb7TLvmNJ9uW68TpsXv7LuUlcl8/s200/Map%252Bof%252Bthe%252BGolden%252BTriangle%252BRegion%252Bin%252BMontana.jpg" width="200" /></a>Agriculture plays a huge role in Montana. Great Falls, Montana falls at the bottom tip of the golden triangle which is an area known for barley growing, as well as some other grains such a wheat. We were hosted by Malteurop, a malting company which works directly with the farmers of Montana. Although barley is a key ingredient in beer, malt often does not receive the same amount of press as hops. They are working to provide high quality malt while also researching varieties with farmers that are easier and more sustainable to grow while still giving brewers what they need.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuY4mUkTHm4iJc3_5wFCEeRk8_kIE_7nDUA46qaR-lfCWENyc2axhQjK1vJfSgLfP2OKxDCVKBTyo90WUuSLTe8tgNl0zORcuOy7_e8bw-H_tb8npsqyFxt7xpG_g4m-b0LZp-nkLyqM/s1600/20190606_105701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuY4mUkTHm4iJc3_5wFCEeRk8_kIE_7nDUA46qaR-lfCWENyc2axhQjK1vJfSgLfP2OKxDCVKBTyo90WUuSLTe8tgNl0zORcuOy7_e8bw-H_tb8npsqyFxt7xpG_g4m-b0LZp-nkLyqM/s320/20190606_105701.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Hop Brewery, Helena, Montana</td></tr>
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Craft beer, unlike its agricultural counterpart wine, has had to fight for a space in the market due to outdated or non-existent laws. Every state must overcome their own obstacles. In Montana, breweries and brewpubs must stop serving beer at 8:00 pm. This law came about as a compromise to be able to have taprooms; breweries are not allowed to compete with restaurants and bars that are open much later. Now, breweries can purchase a special license which is very expensive, which essentially would make them a bar, but for most small and independent breweries, many of which are not distributing, this is not a viable option.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCyB_5sCoHpexgQ3ac2TlzvVre8iNywJanOzLzzx9Kby18O-NclJAonUHehnUPP6Ya38pVs71c4u6Nl95x1IqWW81Y7BgxibxzTKI5K02ZdZHufSxKvjuf7lJ8xN-xJ84SftC2VZ98kc/s1600/20190608_154013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCyB_5sCoHpexgQ3ac2TlzvVre8iNywJanOzLzzx9Kby18O-NclJAonUHehnUPP6Ya38pVs71c4u6Nl95x1IqWW81Y7BgxibxzTKI5K02ZdZHufSxKvjuf7lJ8xN-xJ84SftC2VZ98kc/s200/20190608_154013.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremiah Johnson Brewing<br />Company proudly showcases their<br />local flavor on their cans.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS9eX9iO0xzdcHmLQ4v7l-a4EQ8xIjqped6aWFKRYvlOjGYYLaubEymP0qOT83vVLTlymSXhRvjD86E4_pyCP0WY4zJgDEYDviMWBE5PgPko4zGpZ0KvzM-GrYUitNPnKbPq5Up0fQmE/s1600/20190608_153951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS9eX9iO0xzdcHmLQ4v7l-a4EQ8xIjqped6aWFKRYvlOjGYYLaubEymP0qOT83vVLTlymSXhRvjD86E4_pyCP0WY4zJgDEYDviMWBE5PgPko4zGpZ0KvzM-GrYUitNPnKbPq5Up0fQmE/s200/20190608_153951.jpg" width="112" /></a><br />
It amazed me how many breweries exist in a state that just tops one million people. It seems that many small towns boast at least one brewery. The "larger" cities have several, and, like most of the people I have met in the beer industry, are passionate about beer, ingredients, and sharing with the public. We were lucky to try a beer from Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company in Great Falls made with black lentils - a tasty brew which drew some color and body from the legumes. The ingenuity and creativity of brewers never ceases to amaze me, especially when it comes to trying new ingredients.<br />
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The history of beer can be fascinating. In Montana, the history of fermented beverages goes as far back as the Lewis and Clark expedition and has been growing ever since. Steven Lozar is a beer historian that I had the pleasure of meeting. He talks of beer being the center of town life with not only social aspects but the economic benefits as well. There is even a Montana Beer Museum in Polson, Montana.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtVKPdjj4TWu2upUfbDgdPQXk1HvMzL2Uvwaa7KHIzTB5gseZK2dObEZO2zPBg4h_2FBqnlC1C__ZSi5C6IzfaLpY5bemhgMXG-BaJxhUq8wOCDH6J8QGqOiVRCu0Q7cgegFoXIsGNl4/s1600/20190609_181208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtVKPdjj4TWu2upUfbDgdPQXk1HvMzL2Uvwaa7KHIzTB5gseZK2dObEZO2zPBg4h_2FBqnlC1C__ZSi5C6IzfaLpY5bemhgMXG-BaJxhUq8wOCDH6J8QGqOiVRCu0Q7cgegFoXIsGNl4/s320/20190609_181208.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer Wench GA and Steven Lozar in Kalispell 2019</td></tr>
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There are so many great towns to visit. In addition to Great Falls and Missoula (side trip) we wandered around Helena and Kalispell. Helena is a great walking town with some very good breweries. Snow Hop Brewery which is not in downtown proper is definitely a must see. Head brewer Becky Peppelman has some classic styles such as a Polish smoked beer called a Grodziskie that I loved among many more. In Helena, you also have Blackfoot Brewing, Ten Mile Creek Brewing, and Lewis and Clark Brewing who are all doing fabulous things with beer. Kalispell is also a quaint town with a few breweries among them Kalispell Brewing, SunRift, Bias, and Sacred Waters. Believe me when I say that I could write an article on each of these breweries alone.<br />
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Where do you drink beer? We drink beer at breweries, pubs, restaurants, bottle shares, parties, and sitting on our decks, but if you are in a state that offers a wide range of outdoor activities, you also drink on your kayak, in your campsite, taking a break while cycling, fishing, and after skiing. In a state where there are plenty of wide-open spaces, you can drink your favorite Montana beers while watching the sun go down at your special recreation spot. So even if your local brewery stops serving at 8:00 pm, you can grab a growler and take it with you on your next big adventure, even if it is just watching elk stroll across your yard.<br />
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Montana is on my watch list to see what happens next, and you can be sure that I will be returning to re-visit my favorite places and discover some new ones.Thank you Zephyr Conferences for putting on the BeerNow19 conference in Montana and thanks to all of our local guides. I have so many places and people I want to mention, but for now I can sit on my deck in Georgia with a pint of local beer and remember the beauty of the scenery, the people and the beer of Montana. Where ever you are, eat well and drink good beer.<br />
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Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-83552592308338504982018-10-07T11:06:00.000-07:002018-10-07T11:21:07.316-07:00To Go or Not to go? The Great American Beer Festival<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDr3iBH3ngSwT3HsW1FNvMEfFPJUSvPNMUq6X0xDkNpom2fgTrHFQp5g0bYRyR_ppTcgUoOu72BNSaUW-qvEGlChIwJ2b6Me8MbHMhfnDhRIIk6UCL4TNYit6NkIEOcZjEOj4h118Rj4/s1600/20180922_150936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDr3iBH3ngSwT3HsW1FNvMEfFPJUSvPNMUq6X0xDkNpom2fgTrHFQp5g0bYRyR_ppTcgUoOu72BNSaUW-qvEGlChIwJ2b6Me8MbHMhfnDhRIIk6UCL4TNYit6NkIEOcZjEOj4h118Rj4/s200/20180922_150936.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason Pellett of Orpheus in<br />
Atlanta, GA pours his brews<br />
after winning a GABF medal</td></tr>
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The name says it all--The Great American Beer Festival. Every year since 1982, people have been attending the oldest and largest beer festival in the United States. Over the years it has become larger and more diverse; however, with so many festivals, beer releases, and other beer events-the question that many ask, "Why go?"<br />
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I attended the festival for the first time somewhere in the late 1990s. I was both ecstatic and overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude, and they only had about 2500 beers that year. Since that first experience, I have become a GABF judge which is a different experience entirely. Still, the festival holds magic for me and many of the people who attend on a regular basis.<br />
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So, if you have never been, or you have not been in awhile, here are some reasons that this festival is worth attending.<br />
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<b>7. Bragging Rights: </b>Your social media presence will never be so envied by your fellow craft beer lovers when you post the picture of that vintage beer that they have always wanted to try. (I had a 2014 Abyss from Deschutes Brewing Company during one session.) Also, where else can you "untap" 4,000 plus beers in one room. (No, it is physically impossible to try all the beers both from an alcohol and time management standpoint, but it is good to have goals.) I have never seen so many people using the Untappd app in unison. In fact, Untappd was a sponsor for this year's event.<br />
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<b>6. Beer Swag: </b>If you collect beer t-shirts, towels, bags, glasses, homebrew equipment, beer for your dog, or anything related to hops, beer, and the beer industry--you will find it here. I went this year intent upon buying nothing beer clothing related. I failed. I found the coolest light fleece hoodie with hops on it. Sold to the beer swag sucker indeed!<br />
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<b>5. Surrounding Events: </b>Hello, people. This event takes place in Denver, Colorado where you can throw a rock and hit a brewery. Most of the cities around Denver deliver the same. When you are not at your ticketed session, the city is your oyster--full of beer. If you love nature, you can always go out of town a little ways and hike off some that beer you have been drinking. There are brewery sponsored tap take-overs and special events all around downtown. One of my favorites is Epic's Fifty Firken Fiasco.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPozHXhhljz0cXl6Ixl9QulTvHykPrZPJh4O9GC6MNrlP8xNJiGNDgNP4wx1f5OZ0QL0YKuZdOyG_w4recdQcUlpYmchy25MkcUujNS-J5_XGLdbg4yeabi59cnOpCNf5hUfNRPo1V2w/s1600/20180922_132714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPozHXhhljz0cXl6Ixl9QulTvHykPrZPJh4O9GC6MNrlP8xNJiGNDgNP4wx1f5OZ0QL0YKuZdOyG_w4recdQcUlpYmchy25MkcUujNS-J5_XGLdbg4yeabi59cnOpCNf5hUfNRPo1V2w/s200/20180922_132714.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<b>4. People Watching: </b>What is almost as much fun as drinking good beer? Watching people drink good beer comes to mind. The costumes at GABF can go from the sublime to the ridiculous, and it is not just the attendees dressing out. Some of the breweries get into it as well. Although, I don't think it happened this year, people have also been married at GABF, and there is a bagpipe parade.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2uusDDFDifmarORLC0WzkPdzYrVFfQeTe5VDOFqV7xSPVtFBxyh_891lrUGJfo5X6Lra8w4IG7KWk4gOIQfhhqOCjsnvszU96G5433hhbW7ebtzIFeyO4_lIvBhw-iJ-BgpaHEtqWl4/s1600/20180919_190346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2uusDDFDifmarORLC0WzkPdzYrVFfQeTe5VDOFqV7xSPVtFBxyh_891lrUGJfo5X6Lra8w4IG7KWk4gOIQfhhqOCjsnvszU96G5433hhbW7ebtzIFeyO4_lIvBhw-iJ-BgpaHEtqWl4/s200/20180919_190346.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franklin and Zach from Eagle Creek<br />
Brewing Company enjoying the brewer's<br />
reception with Beer Wench GA and<br />
Brewtopia Events founder, Owen Ogletree </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ2RoFy7Bx85o1RiMkuh0FIkwco6ISQYsxBm1vC-grITW_v5l_5Hwm5R8eu6J0Tpjcu4Cfxcw2QQdpWBRNPaTGn1MOw-nwYm4tn1WsdHG9rOq2HT1zou5uscgiNcsxsnwJb6gM-xTg2c/s1600/20180920_183759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ2RoFy7Bx85o1RiMkuh0FIkwco6ISQYsxBm1vC-grITW_v5l_5Hwm5R8eu6J0Tpjcu4Cfxcw2QQdpWBRNPaTGn1MOw-nwYm4tn1WsdHG9rOq2HT1zou5uscgiNcsxsnwJb6gM-xTg2c/s200/20180920_183759.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>3. Supporting the breweries from your home state: </b>Most people who have heard of the festival know that it is not just a few sessions of people drinking as much as they can in four hours. It is also a major American beer competition like World Beer Cup except all of the beers come from the U.S. The judging takes place over three days (Wednesday through Friday) during the week of the event. On Saturday there is a special awards ceremony just before the early festival session. Win or lose, brewers have put their hearts, souls, and money into the event. It is great to visit your local breweries and representatives to show them love away from home.<br />
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<b>2. Meeting the Brewers/Owners: </b>Even though I have been a part of the craft beer industry in small ways over the last twenty-five years, I still geek out. I love meeting the brewers and owners of the places that have brought me beer happiness over the years. Some of them are well-known in the industry and some are new, but being able to meet and hear the stories behind the craft makes it more special.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Calagione shares his time at<br />
the Dogfish Head booth</td></tr>
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<b>1. Travel the U.S. in one room:</b> Some of you may be lucky enough to travel often; others, maybe not so much, but at GABF, you can try beers from places that you have not been yet or places that may not be easy to visit. My tip is to avoid the crazy long lines of the latest "whale" or "juicy" release and find the places of which you have never heard. Often, the beers are amazing and the brewers will truly appreciate the feedback. Even if you get a few duds here and there, it is worth it to be adventurous.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYVAOUBdcJzpB2p2I1NaNRHtPitM8V4zl5WkjmDNNasvsRkARH7x5toz8GU-1ShFnXwiAhqMkBZu86hGfL_hrzNEOFOX2Ylwo3-aZxodajZD9mI2ziNGnRpks9qSWYCDkCCKbGLLV624/s1600/20180920_175230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYVAOUBdcJzpB2p2I1NaNRHtPitM8V4zl5WkjmDNNasvsRkARH7x5toz8GU-1ShFnXwiAhqMkBZu86hGfL_hrzNEOFOX2Ylwo3-aZxodajZD9mI2ziNGnRpks9qSWYCDkCCKbGLLV624/s200/20180920_175230.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladies of Lady Justice Brewing Company</td></tr>
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The Great American Beer festival is an awesome experience whether you are a seasoned beer aficionado, beer geek, or a craft beer newbie. Bring your adventurous spirit and a positive attitude and enjoy yourself! How can 60.000 plus people be wrong? Wherever you enjoy your favorite beers, remember to eat well and drink good beer.<br />
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Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-69346329391639306232018-06-22T07:24:00.000-07:002018-06-22T09:05:32.429-07:00An American Look at the South African Craft Beer Renaissance<div style="text-align: center;">
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<![endif]--><b>This article was published originally in South Africa's <a href="http://ontapmag.co.za/" target="_blank"><i>On Tap</i></a> craft beer magazine.</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdooTAgPSIpU4N5G0xeEsjBkPcIVcpqxYNTgfkKTYNCyXwJJr8ry5oKLtPSbm4XyXWbIlQv4FtJQ23HW2mEk_qdWqAe5Ta7JfZfkSxe3v3EMIl7WcK87TgGqnsuDhf5aBTPgqQhfRoE9A/s1600/20180221_113558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdooTAgPSIpU4N5G0xeEsjBkPcIVcpqxYNTgfkKTYNCyXwJJr8ry5oKLtPSbm4XyXWbIlQv4FtJQ23HW2mEk_qdWqAe5Ta7JfZfkSxe3v3EMIl7WcK87TgGqnsuDhf5aBTPgqQhfRoE9A/s320/20180221_113558.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Three and a half years ago, on a bucket list trip to South
Africa with my husband, we found craft beer… good craft beer. Recently, we
brought thirty-two beer travelers specifically to enjoy the exploding craft
beer scene around Cape Town. The most popular question that I’ve been asked
since the trip is “How is the craft beer scene in South Africa?” After much
reflection, I have an answer.</div>
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I started writing about craft beer not long after I started
drinking it in the early 1990s. I fell in love with beer that was bursting with
flavor and came to appreciate a plethora of styles, but I live in Georgia, part
of the deep south of the United States, and the beer scene here took off
slowly. We would travel to other states to find good beer and explore different
styles. The craft beer scene in Cape Town and the rest of South Africa reminds
me of those early years and the beginning of our current explosion of breweries
and brewpubs in the USA over the last ten years.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-RsmRaHrrIIDBPWr6VFerQRhwbG9okkFK4PaA2WNoxqv7rafTI_7fQLts8m9Hc1lalqu6yFl1jEnJ-ugqVI9xYR5CL41MJF9QE-xEO2m5Mx0VX5AfJJDoauXyhz1wx_LBwvr4gRL5mM/s1600/20180218_193046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-RsmRaHrrIIDBPWr6VFerQRhwbG9okkFK4PaA2WNoxqv7rafTI_7fQLts8m9Hc1lalqu6yFl1jEnJ-ugqVI9xYR5CL41MJF9QE-xEO2m5Mx0VX5AfJJDoauXyhz1wx_LBwvr4gRL5mM/s320/20180218_193046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What makes up some of these similarities? Take a population
hooked on light, fizzy lagers, rooted for decades in tradition, and living in a
hot and humid climate, and finding a way to market a 9.5% ABV Russian Imperial
Stout can prove daunting. Add into the mix a group of passionate brewers,
brewery owners, beer lovers, and foodies; and you get the start of a craft beer
revolution. Brew it, and they will try it - eventually. Most of the breweries
we’ve visited in South Africa make a light lager as a concession to the
majority of the population. Along with more adventurous styles, many of our
American breweries have done the same but are slowly learning that they have to
brew the flavorful styles that they want to drink, and then educate the masses
in a way that encourages them to try these new beers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrM80qmA-OwhbImKhl_XF8I4TCO7xZvpKqGgoTgRDp96R4OOT-5oxJJ_6yrJT90uCrrlrR1fJx4ocLhXbAfsx74xLlgRnFW-twjMb58CD7FOpNeagHFVEQwzDXPmzB__JvlJBNHYtQoRE/s1600/20180220_104608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrM80qmA-OwhbImKhl_XF8I4TCO7xZvpKqGgoTgRDp96R4OOT-5oxJJ_6yrJT90uCrrlrR1fJx4ocLhXbAfsx74xLlgRnFW-twjMb58CD7FOpNeagHFVEQwzDXPmzB__JvlJBNHYtQoRE/s320/20180220_104608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Give the people the same old bland beers, and they will
never change their palates. Brew the amazing beer that you want, and people
will become curious about what is so special about it. Michigan-based Founders
Brewing Company almost went under because they were brewing beer to please the
masses - beers they thought would sell. Almost out of business, Founders
decided to go out with a bang and brew the creative, flavorful cutting-edge
beers they loved to drink. Guess what? They are currently one of the most
successful craft breweries in the United States.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUR0jvDKlwrVfToiuU4lLj_aMUIeMglcLshHJMTpzA0N-6FYe5uRATEYN3fO8el6-tBuMVeNoxo9c_wFa01Bnyjy_FY7yHcIu0TryXP_5pCBOuFqNRqEa8H_vZK1JN4oJ8IWjsHmaONQ/s1600/20180221_100618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUR0jvDKlwrVfToiuU4lLj_aMUIeMglcLshHJMTpzA0N-6FYe5uRATEYN3fO8el6-tBuMVeNoxo9c_wFa01Bnyjy_FY7yHcIu0TryXP_5pCBOuFqNRqEa8H_vZK1JN4oJ8IWjsHmaONQ/s200/20180221_100618.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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I saw pockets of this rebellious nature while visiting
breweries around Cape Town. We tasted a saison brewed with a mix of sorghum and
barley, a brilliant imperial IPA, a delicate pilsner with the perfect mix of
hops, and a wild fermented ale brewed with artistic aplomb, just to name a few.
With all of the brewers and staff that we met, we were welcomed with open arms
and open taps. These people wanted to show off their craftsmanship and receive
feedback on their labors of love. This gives me hope that the next time I visit
South Africa, I will have many more wonderful beers to try.</div>
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This being said, we did have some mediocre beers and beers
with off flavors. Some of our U.S. breweries that started in the 1990s are no
longer with us because their beer just was not of good quality. Also, some
brewery owners could not manage the business end of brewing. Some, thankfully,
kept trying. They tweaked recipes, assembled tasting panels for feedback, and
even worked together with other breweries to improve their beers and find and
audience.</div>
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We witnessed some collaborating in South Africa, with
different breweries having conversations, sharing ideas, and pulling together.
For the most part, I feel that the craft beer landscape in the U.S. is a
cooperative community. There are always outliers and those who do not play well
with others, but if multiple craft breweries share the same mission to save
beer drinkers from bland beer, working together seems the best way to go.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyOZUuhz1zLFU2SXBaFO5EaaRuTiBi0okH5wKim7ANpxQSEl6Avek0wDauA5niyJLvRtPKqTcTWacgqlb_D_JnzbRbVcy2Rh6YLBSVgPBG07VE26zn-2GK4RgYF3HJtmv90JktJXhbRs/s1600/20180223_182403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyOZUuhz1zLFU2SXBaFO5EaaRuTiBi0okH5wKim7ANpxQSEl6Avek0wDauA5niyJLvRtPKqTcTWacgqlb_D_JnzbRbVcy2Rh6YLBSVgPBG07VE26zn-2GK4RgYF3HJtmv90JktJXhbRs/s320/20180223_182403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Using local and native ingredients in the brewing process
stands out as one of my favorite things from South Africa. Although many of the
brewers are working with familiar styles such as American-style IPAs and
German-inspired wheat beers, I loved the creative beers that incorporated
native hops, grapes, or herbs. I’m not knocking traditional styles at all, but
I feel that playing with native ingredients can be fun and innovative. It seems
that there are quite a few specialty cocktail places around Cape Town that
infuse herbs and other botanicals into their mixes. If you are looking to
expand the craft beer market, look to what is popular - especially when trying
to entice novice or non-beer drinkers. </div>
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I wish I had space here to talk specifically about each
brewery we visited, because they all offered something special, and I hope that
each of them finds their way. In every market, brewers must figure out what
works for their specific audience, but I would challenge the craft brewers of
South Africa to take chances, have fun, and brew what they want to drink. I
also challenge the traditional beer drinkers and non-beer drinkers of South
Africa to venture outside their comfort zones and try the local craft
breweries. They might be surprised to find some new favorite brews. When I
first starting writing about beer, our entire state of Georgia had maybe five
breweries. We are now home to around 40 craft breweries, with several more in
the works. It may take time, but craft beer’s appeal tends to eventually win
people over. Life is short. Eat well and drink good beer.</div>
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===</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kerri Allen is a
Georgia beer writer, craft beer traveler, and judge at the Great American Beer
Festival. Her beer blog can be found at www.BeerWench.info.</i></div>
Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-79870497415457126312017-09-30T06:34:00.003-07:002017-09-30T06:34:48.964-07:00Much Ado About Mead<span style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">By <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://report.mynewsletterbuilder.com/t.js?s%3D59822542f3432c331b6f8019%26u%3D38635636%26v%3D3%26key%3D065b%26skey%3Ddba64b33af%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fbeerwenchga.blogspot.com%252F&source=gmail&ust=1506864747167000&usg=AFQjCNFw8oPxfu7KSkzD4n2qONOzSyYozA" href="http://report.mynewsletterbuilder.com/t.js?s=59822542f3432c331b6f8019&u=38635636&v=3&key=065b&skey=dba64b33af&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeerwenchga.blogspot.com%2F" style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Beer Wench Georgia</a></span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: maroon; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px;">First published in <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://report.mynewsletterbuilder.com/t.js?s%3D59822542f3432c331b6f8019%26u%3D38635638%26v%3D3%26key%3D029f%26skey%3Ddba64b33af%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.brewingnews.com%252Fsouthernbrew%252F&source=gmail&ust=1506864747167000&usg=AFQjCNFTNvGy6x8IHjaazptOsF9h7sXmYQ" href="http://report.mynewsletterbuilder.com/t.js?s=59822542f3432c331b6f8019&u=38635638&v=3&key=029f&skey=dba64b33af&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brewingnews.com%2Fsouthernbrew%2F" style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><i style="box-sizing: content-box;">Southern Brew News.</i></a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Dictionary.com defines mead as "An alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey and water," but to lovers of this often delicate and underappreciated elixir, mead represents much more. Mead may be the oldest alcoholic beverage, with some of the earliest documentation being around 8,000 years ago showing that mead has been brewed throughout the world. Until recently, mead has often been treated as an outsider to both the beer and wine communities, and many people say that it's a "love it or hate it" libation. If you've not tried it lately, there are now several craft meaderies popping up around the Southeast that are producing remarkable meads with local flair. </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="left" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjAOjye8SE1HOfrBOgKWHl6y0-ezVxvyz82cC-WDs_eusLtAAXd-t24nCSbIl-lVJHvPSsTZrASUaUBj4wkablRTxK086AdwdK3O5LJozOmrBCTrcVaDebBsM4v0lRhWiDPMSMQFVsU7WsSG6mB3Sbpts8KUTqvjVNpqhsoWZYHgS9LkmN8JMc3EoE9QxSh6jHhJ4OcQw=s0-d-e1-ft" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 263px; margin: 0px; width: 215px;" width="215" />Monks Mead </span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">in Atlanta, Georgia makes a carbonated mead with wildflower honey that has a clean, sweet honey aroma and flavor that's not cloyingly sweet. The complexities are subtle, but flavors of pears and allspice can be detected. This is a pure, semi-sweet mead that's a good way to start your mead education. Justin Schoendorf, co-owner of Monks Mead, says, "We're Georgia’s first meadery - founded by two high school friends shortly after getting to Atlanta. We have one simple goal - create the best tasting mead in the world for everyone to enjoy - light, clean and carbonated with a touch of sweetness." Monks Mead is looking to move to Athens and will be working with Brian Roth at Southern Brewing Company.</span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">"Starrlight Mead</span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> has been making mead in Pittsboro, NC for six years with local North Carolina honey," notes co-owner Becky Starr. "We opened with only three flavors, and are now up to a lineup of about 25 that includes traditionals, fruit blends and herb-infused meads. We've won several awards at international competitions, including a best-in-class/double gold for our <i style="box-sizing: content-box;">Semi-sweet Traditional</i>at the 2015 American Wine Society competition. Starrlight Mead is currently building the largest mead hall and production facility in North Carolina, scheduled to open in late 2017."</span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br />
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<img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjWjqcyKs73anw98IYy9sf50kXYowUiLfhJB5yDpdDNn9ivckWHLa8cTQ7L2ntNQxxcBC7-EMurxavQe_rvco2GjdvToa-BHAgLVv0Kz1LxVre0Huxve9quTlpLuGrfk7upMnINZfdRzVmrrLzU4vkjVhjEArsIJO4E9QDMNGvBrrVu7NCtbKE=s0-d-e1-ft" style="box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto; outline: 0px; padding-left: 50px; padding-right: 50px; width: 300px;" tabindex="0" width="300" /></div>
<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Starrlight's traditional and popular <i style="box-sizing: content-box;">Off-Dry Mead</i> offers aromas and flavors of honey, butterscotch, clove, red apple, caramel, pear and kiwi. It's the perfect mead for those looking for something complex and a little less sweet.</span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Fox Hill Meadery's</span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> <i style="box-sizing: content-box;">Special Reserve Off-Dry Mead</i> made with buckwheat honey and aged in oak showcases the brilliant color of dark rum and provides a similar flavor complexity. Dark fruits reminiscent of cherries and dates balance charmingly with vanilla and oak. It warms the throat with each swallow, leaving flavors of a strawberry/rhubarb pie in the finish. Fox Hill's Jason Russ remarks, "Our meadery was founded in 2007 and ranks as one of the oldest meaderies in the Southeast. We've been brewing mead, beer, wine and ciders since 1995 and we focus on making clean, balanced products. Fox Hill is a family run operation, with my wife Jennifer and daughter Abby helping out when things get really busy - like on bottling day." </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box;">Still Pond</i></span><i style="box-sizing: content-box; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black;"> Peach Mead</span></i><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> is a still mead made in Arlington, Georgia at Still Pond Vineyard and Winery. Expect flavors of a Fuzzy Navel with a clean peach nose and flavor balanced with rich honey notes. The peach is so fresh in the flavor, that you can almost taste the skin. Still Pond offers tastings of their wines, meads and "Farmhouse Shines" in their tasting room.</span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="right" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgyIxD-t_Lt1erAeVTBwFExmU1t66r82zTYQbpbILMhikeC5lkGsgqJH83mzCNvdox8yL4Mrs7nQZAeWtNJt2rYUQGseOmENvgzl6AEj_sdh4UwwH7iluC2PZrPGA4VkD0e5WlHy0T-iRGn1_dcnLDVGlbCYaJTOWMWQljmBkuKT6g02HSC8RGI1MmdCk9IhOW8ep16zQ=s0-d-e1-ft" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px; width: 215px;" width="215" />Viking Alchemy Meadery</span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">is a family and veteran owned business located in Marietta, Georgia. According to Viking Alchemy's Tamara Kosoris, "Our passion for making mead started about 10 years ago in co-owner Brian’s kitchen. After learning about mead from a friend, Brian and his brewing buddy Nick decided to give it a shot, and this has led to a love of mead ever since. We opened our doors to the public on March 26, 2016 to a crowd of 350 people, and we have been growing our brands throughout the state of Georgia ever since." </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Viking Alchemy's <i style="box-sizing: content-box;">Ethereal</i> is made with peaches and presents intricate aromas and flavors. Semi-sweet with a slight acidity, this mead balances the flavors of honey with peach and almond-like peach pit nuances. Look for notes of honeysuckle and vanilla wafers, along with golden currant.</span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Readers may know <span style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Lazy Magnolia Brewing</span> for their craft beer, but the Mississippi brewery is now concocting meads too! <i style="box-sizing: content-box;">Mississippi Nectar</i> mead will have even the newest transplant to the South thinking of lazy summer nights with bees buzzing around. Using South Mississippi wildflower honey, this earthy, fruity balm will transport you to a rocking chair on the front porch surrounded by fragrant honeysuckle. It contains notes of blackberry, spices, pear and plum along with hints of Cheerwine.</span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br />
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<img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiaaPvkSj228NC_tUKaB9TNDNhTs8dU5Jj-v5COmf6RwK8DwP5duCgS_Z9yzcYqsceGE0w4ePre-qKBp7ZmV1BHsf0ipzahfafHEZPhzAr4-ppYZswdzowU_HF5ayPIHgqteTMUbGzQ56fcDP3-d9-PQqTHixMKUr39VfrElCWzED2d6x1bKdY=s0-d-e1-ft" style="box-sizing: content-box; clear: both; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 322px; margin: 0px auto; outline: 0px; padding-left: 50px; padding-right: 50px; width: 300px;" tabindex="0" width="300" /></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-size: 10px;"><i style="box-sizing: content-box;"><span style="box-sizing: content-box; color: black;">Lazy Magnolia's Leslie Henderson</span></i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Leslie Henderson of Lazy Magnolia adds, "Mississippi does not allow breweries to sell product direct to customers. However, native wineries have no such limitations. The only stipulation is that 51% of the fermentable sugars must come from Mississippi. Honey was an obvious choice for us, and one of our relatives is a large-scale honey producer in Ellisville, Mississippi. We have used his honey in several of our beers, and we saw mead as a tasty way to increase awareness of this Mississippi agricultural product while expanding our own line-up. We also did this to highlight the absurdity of not allowing breweries to sell directly to customers who visit the tasting room. I can sell someone a case of 14% ABV wine, but not a case of 5% alcohol beer. In what universe does this make sense? Since 2012 we've sold thousands of bottles of wine to hundreds of happy customers, and not a single distributor or retailer has lost a penny as a result. We are now able to refute, with actual data, all of the arguments against on-site retail sale of beer."</span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: content-box; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;"><img align="left" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEinU-suwQo3nrpqH-WdHrY-VD2-_vC_e4H-6IdSNYkljIH3EYmfESc6MZ3s9YbN_ml1dJ1bUlpKWiBVPvXXvlQrAr5_R6Zr4uDlUOLWaiLwrgtjwvwG_PzTJyCizUdeVh-ajExwEUzRGfMLLeLLehUoCP2bEZezoGegI5AppnGvUpstpncJWQOiK4WRPv2dZ83rASnQ9g=s0-d-e1-ft" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px; width: 165px;" width="165" />Cigar City Brewing</span><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> in Tampa has also entered the mead making world, and their <i style="box-sizing: content-box;">San Juan Hail</i>mead takes creative inspiration from many of Cigar City's unique craft beers. Made with Brazilian pepper honey, pineapple, agave and habanero, this flavorful mead ranks as truly remarkable and memorable. Although peppers may not always fit everyone’s taste, the pleasing balance of hot and sweet notes in this mead reminds one of pepper jelly with undertones of fresh green pepper and mescal. </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Cigar City Cider & Mead opened its doors in November of 2014 with Jared Gilbert as head cider and mead maker. Jared notes, "We want to offer our customers a diverse selection of 100% natural ciders and meads with Florida-grown ingredients - all crafted in the heart of historic Ybor City." Jared has already won a variety of awards for many of his ciders and meads.</span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><br style="color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Mead has inspired civilization throughout the centuries, and the enthusiasm for this tasty beverage is finding new fans every day. If you've never given it a go, check out some of the innovative meaderies around the Southeast or head to your favorite bottle shop or pub to delight your senses with one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world and discover how modern mead producers are adding their own "New World" spin.</span>Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-2944893664871990932016-07-05T10:46:00.002-07:002016-07-05T10:46:44.328-07:00The Ciders of Normandy: Brittany and Normandy Part II<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPP_0n2BDDH5HiaTW17rNcTJhaZFCensDfZQQ2igP8CeFnSben1kp6fSlO4C8nf9LIZ0ioQkiIB9dszkTja_GnLkDlrouBav3mlpTWQAlSccfwJIBuJ5RoA02ECC0PoRnXOtEBtiRlBMI/s1600/20160616_144425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPP_0n2BDDH5HiaTW17rNcTJhaZFCensDfZQQ2igP8CeFnSben1kp6fSlO4C8nf9LIZ0ioQkiIB9dszkTja_GnLkDlrouBav3mlpTWQAlSccfwJIBuJ5RoA02ECC0PoRnXOtEBtiRlBMI/s400/20160616_144425.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cider Apple Orchard at Famille Dupont in Cambremer</i></td></tr>
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In the craft beer world, cider is still often considered a disruptive interloper at worst and a drink for people who don't like beer at best. If your only experience with cider are some of the mass produced, soda-pop, and one-dimensional ciders most often seen in the market, then I can understand that point of view. However, cider is an old tradition in other parts of the world where the product is complex and interesting and very tasty. It is a tradition that is slowly making its way to the U.S.<br />
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My first introduction to cider which drinks well on its own and pairs well with food ( outside of my own home brew) was in England when I tried cask ciders for the first time. They tasted closer to the ones I made at home, and I knew that there were more like them. My second taste of well-crafted cider came at one of my local watering holes where I tried Etienne Dupont a product of Normandy, France. It is slightly sweet but with beautiful floral notes, earthy qualities, and a great balance of apple in the nose and in the aftertaste.<br />
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Normandy, France carries a strong tradition of cider-making that goes back centuries. Although, for most people, the WWII D-Day invasion is the first thing that come to mine when they think of Normandy and for good reason, there are other reasons to visit this area. After reliving history, marveling over the effort that went into saving the world from disaster, and shedding a tear or two over the individual sacrifices made, a person really could use a drink. What better than immersing yourself in a a piece of history that is also very tasty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbgPAiqcNsCrMKCnHKMhd1k2aJeS9Y8kvuV57phWb_UtgWT_oMMjDEed0vjLvv8ZqE-_zmzgAtGochK6Y74vPbTC_qtY5VyZMmxarpvnEP64guo7fP1E20cLtZJISUY7_ycfOPDoMr8w/s1600/20160616_165908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbgPAiqcNsCrMKCnHKMhd1k2aJeS9Y8kvuV57phWb_UtgWT_oMMjDEed0vjLvv8ZqE-_zmzgAtGochK6Y74vPbTC_qtY5VyZMmxarpvnEP64guo7fP1E20cLtZJISUY7_ycfOPDoMr8w/s200/20160616_165908.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cider maker at M.L.<br />Fouchet</i></td></tr>
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Most of the cideries are on small working farms while others are much simpler operations. Every cidery we visited had a dry (brut) a semi-sweet (demi sec) or a sweet. They also all made Calvados (distilled apple juice) and Pommeau (Calvados mixed with apples juice consumed as a sweet apertif).<br />
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Although we tasted many wonderful ciders, the family making some of the most innovative and flavorful ciders is Famille Dupont which has been on the same site wince 1887. We had the the good fortune of having fourth generation owner, Jerome Dupont, give us a private tour and tasting. According to Jerome, cider is still, for some, a peasant drink. Most French prefer the wine for which the country is very well known, but people are slowly discovering this craft tradition, and Dupont is delivering.<br />
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Dupont is one of the very few cider makers actually well-distributed in the U.S, so, yes, you should be able to find some of their products if the distributors in your area carry them, and the labels are a bit different in the U.S. Although, I believe they are in the process of making them all more uniform. They are imported by B. United International, Inc. With their importers encouragement, Dupont has expanded their line of ciders beyond the typical three.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGYqsqHU6rLZg6AH3HaghtsDaVKPP4MBsHhDEvbIrFGKlDu8WaV_6UVcMioc_cqIvgIY8GKLU8J-aBKkHk_D0Z83TrlJ5DT0cVeIGOW3RUQ0njBzkUtCi_HHOaIv-OVHBG5xB04UAnG8/s1600/DSC02164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGYqsqHU6rLZg6AH3HaghtsDaVKPP4MBsHhDEvbIrFGKlDu8WaV_6UVcMioc_cqIvgIY8GKLU8J-aBKkHk_D0Z83TrlJ5DT0cVeIGOW3RUQ0njBzkUtCi_HHOaIv-OVHBG5xB04UAnG8/s200/DSC02164.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Although most ciders are a blend of sweet, tart, and bitter apples, Dupont has worked on special blends and even using the tart and bitter apples on their own. One of my favorites, Cidre Triple, is made with only bitter apples. It mimics some of the flavors of a floral, hopped beer. Their classic cider, Cidre Buche, is sold under the label of Etienne Dupont in the U.S., and named after Jerome's father whom we were delighted to meet on our tour. Etienne still oversees the making of the Calvados since the distilling process is an art form in itself. Another favorite of mine was their Reserve which is aged for six months in Calvados barrels. These ciders are flavorful, complex with a range from dry to sweet. The care in the apple choices and flavors show in the final products.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVLkeytokX2oboEwnSo4_N4HKWkOVnd7EaDqGuDJ3VMU7RTHzMnXDJG5lGnOf545X8_JLmmPn2AppRNc48oriZitCHq5KWOePVHV42PhclUFpjadQj_K7BbOSMIfhgBc-pbrPr80OUq0/s1600/20160616_160008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVLkeytokX2oboEwnSo4_N4HKWkOVnd7EaDqGuDJ3VMU7RTHzMnXDJG5lGnOf545X8_JLmmPn2AppRNc48oriZitCHq5KWOePVHV42PhclUFpjadQj_K7BbOSMIfhgBc-pbrPr80OUq0/s320/20160616_160008.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jerome Dupont teaching us the finer<br />points of cider making</i></td></tr>
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Making cider requires as much agricultural knowledge as it is a brewing craft. We saw a new field of apples trees. They were ordered from the grower two years prior. Once the saplings reach two years they are delivered and planted, but it will be three more years before they produce apples. And although some cideries grown some and use outside sources for apples, Dupont grows acres of apple trees for their ciders.<br />
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The fermentation of the cider starts with the natural organisms in the fresh pressed juice (wild fermentation). Most cideries leave it at that. Dupont starts all of their ciders out this way, but have isolated certain strains in yeasts for the flavors that they want which are introduced later in the process depending on the cider. They also use epoxy fermenters with movable lids to control oxidation in the different stages of fermentation. They are dedicated and passionate about making a delicious product.<br />
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Much like the craft beer community, the cider makers work together, Dupont is part of an association of growers that share equipment from apple pickers to sorters due the cost being so high.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0y6mxWKvA8wA2-99nF9-C1mhbpO7AcGQwViEOehUIjLav0QOFGC6EQjhPdVJqO_LmmCWw67o6Kz_mBcUOshKwkCRpHP6534QmTQr7qh7d1kuQgpYD03aDWSxljXQ7NsSd1IieyzqN7U/s1600/20160616_153130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0y6mxWKvA8wA2-99nF9-C1mhbpO7AcGQwViEOehUIjLav0QOFGC6EQjhPdVJqO_LmmCWw67o6Kz_mBcUOshKwkCRpHP6534QmTQr7qh7d1kuQgpYD03aDWSxljXQ7NsSd1IieyzqN7U/s320/20160616_153130.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jerome and Owen, Brewtopia Events, in the Calvados barrel room<br />at Famille Dupont</i></td></tr>
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In the restaurants around Normandy, you can usually find at least one cider on draft and in bottles, both small bottles and Champagne style at very affordable rates. The flavors pair incredibly well with food, and there is even cider cuisine. I have plans to recreate some of the dishes here at home. I will let you know how it goes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZc7r4VlsF7OK_zk-RgSbtwmyxAcqeJVaFb-KrFLOwC7EX1xG-VVW8O4tYCNRu6NN7ESwlEMTo6f9X9OVO0eeMTFQznlyL2smkCajPP63Z9c7DA_9g0JJMtlafYAeT7e53fCn2Ilrn00/s1600/DSC02151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZc7r4VlsF7OK_zk-RgSbtwmyxAcqeJVaFb-KrFLOwC7EX1xG-VVW8O4tYCNRu6NN7ESwlEMTo6f9X9OVO0eeMTFQznlyL2smkCajPP63Z9c7DA_9g0JJMtlafYAeT7e53fCn2Ilrn00/s200/DSC02151.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jerome in front of one of his orchards.</i></td></tr>
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The countryside of France is spectacular, and the discoveries you can make are immense. If you can't make it France, look for some French ciders in your area. If you have a local cider maker, support them even if it is outside your comfort zone. You have only deliciousness in your future. As always, eat well and drink good...cider.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyItqrmHfBfrbXO2_wXBgzDZqvtsGWfjdxjoLSVAjnxCj3tt0qWOn6El-Hlpp-z4UwFrqMHjbfmfNFZZYa8I9LpqPTzxn4KwCyQp1rJ6QSxq_EbgSn4_niO5uNLO1f2586fW6Bq7vNJM/s1600/20160616_110904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyItqrmHfBfrbXO2_wXBgzDZqvtsGWfjdxjoLSVAjnxCj3tt0qWOn6El-Hlpp-z4UwFrqMHjbfmfNFZZYa8I9LpqPTzxn4KwCyQp1rJ6QSxq_EbgSn4_niO5uNLO1f2586fW6Bq7vNJM/s320/20160616_110904.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our taste hostess at Gerard Desvoye cidery</i></td></tr>
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<br />Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-38997760408537050672016-06-22T11:16:00.001-07:002016-06-22T11:41:25.476-07:00Burgeoning Beer Scene in France: Brittany and Normandy Part I<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX51I65SWEPZNrmQrKudRH8yE9MEAL0xrielSwb-wrtVtDc-xRle_i9tCLMuAllvUE24tH2H1gyThIr9r4qRdkZGZk6fZeNaUX1XVyYQY8srvUiG960WyTiUCdNtDMg3KbAukzJvhaAdg/s1600/20160607_151124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX51I65SWEPZNrmQrKudRH8yE9MEAL0xrielSwb-wrtVtDc-xRle_i9tCLMuAllvUE24tH2H1gyThIr9r4qRdkZGZk6fZeNaUX1XVyYQY8srvUiG960WyTiUCdNtDMg3KbAukzJvhaAdg/s200/20160607_151124.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beer flight at Ninkasi Brewing, a brewpub<br />with three locations in Lyon, France</i></td></tr>
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People all over the world associate France with wine, and<br />
France has earned this reputation. Wine remains currently the most popular beverage for many French citizens and travelers who visit the country; however, there is a craft beer revolution quietly making its mark. Years ago on a trip to Paris, the only beers we could find were some Bier de Gardes and Belgians. Times have changed.<br />
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I recently returned from a trip to Brittany and Normandy. We flew via Istanbul, Turkey into Lyon, France which began our<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvaqX-SJu6A8bbK9wBXIvDlXU7j-VcXAmHeyJLl-SEe2IVWJIxpQsGMVPl4fSdjA6E4gJclN7wWbRvH-KPrx1ZdsjnFTmgWc-fdcF0eaq6rknBunGDYIZLDQY6K19hcdXykDIGRvWFVs/s1600/20160609_154832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvaqX-SJu6A8bbK9wBXIvDlXU7j-VcXAmHeyJLl-SEe2IVWJIxpQsGMVPl4fSdjA6E4gJclN7wWbRvH-KPrx1ZdsjnFTmgWc-fdcF0eaq6rknBunGDYIZLDQY6K19hcdXykDIGRvWFVs/s320/20160609_154832.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Owen Ogletree of Brewtopia Events<br />and Pierre of Brasserie Bouffay</i></td></tr>
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beer journey. We found quite a few Belgium beers still, but at a cute little cellar bar, Les Fleurs du Malt, we found beers from a couple of craft breweries that are doing some interesting things including smoked porters and sours. The focus of the beer portion of our trip was actually Brittany, but before we hit our destination, we made a stop along the way at Brasserie Artisanale du Bouffay. We were charmed by Pierre, the owner, who is a former farmer and passionate brewer of beer. He started as a home brewer - not a unique tale - and moved on to commercial production. He believes in making beer that he loves to drink, and having tried his organic blond and tripel at the brewery, he is doing pretty well. According to Pierre, there are approximately 600 registered craft brewers in France. The trick here though, according to another source, if you want to brew beer (home brew or commercial) you have to register. So many of the registered brewers are not making a living at brewing; although many sell out of their garages and at markets. Pierre sells his beer at the brewery and through a distributor as well. He also has a contract with some Whole Foods in the U.S.<br />
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Having begun our journey into French beer, we moved to our first destination, Brittany. There is so much ground to cover that the best thing to do is find a central point to make home base and travel out from there. Of course, you need a rental car for this, but there are many things you could not see otherwise. We chose Huelgoat as our base of operations. Huelgoat is an adorable town with a large English population and tons of hiking trails for working off all the food and beer. We stayed at a cute little B&B called Laura's Chambres d'hotes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFi6JCfpRJv1YKOcr5lxmV_1HTFogRt7_ZEl-7pNTbdCgNh8MwL0iukwvQsPFgyxKvsW7I3bmTPNiPYldInYtoCbCfGRehni_iYdkSQp2I_MW-lFIcYckRvBbJxHhIH47Lw1609a5vPAA/s1600/20160609_222823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFi6JCfpRJv1YKOcr5lxmV_1HTFogRt7_ZEl-7pNTbdCgNh8MwL0iukwvQsPFgyxKvsW7I3bmTPNiPYldInYtoCbCfGRehni_iYdkSQp2I_MW-lFIcYckRvBbJxHhIH47Lw1609a5vPAA/s320/20160609_222823.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our home away from home in Brittany: Laura's Chambers d'hotes</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoYCQc4icrlsJUD2-T7-AwajNqcw3A-mYZTlcbgjHEiUPxOaEZ2N27N5GjPEjbjQQ0F6bHYVxT3WEudIJeVGXIpDHTMCyQJ1Thto-z4bDn3LLGhs2ZAk4IU5ZCwi98YueETA0KlSjMwA/s1600/20160611_140041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoYCQc4icrlsJUD2-T7-AwajNqcw3A-mYZTlcbgjHEiUPxOaEZ2N27N5GjPEjbjQQ0F6bHYVxT3WEudIJeVGXIpDHTMCyQJ1Thto-z4bDn3LLGhs2ZAk4IU5ZCwi98YueETA0KlSjMwA/s200/20160611_140041.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The calm before the storm</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFS6ho5XWOaqVhysBiShwbGw3zQXJMHI1WcamQlM9nVXW23V6dWblkoPZeUQEtC4ouzjqQEc2icHiBU1AvWbtjtzmTXL4ie9Q5eMP9TE2VBTv-kjvd9fIqPRCbuaV9l3FBmJl-RG6YvDA/s1600/20160611_152335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFS6ho5XWOaqVhysBiShwbGw3zQXJMHI1WcamQlM9nVXW23V6dWblkoPZeUQEtC4ouzjqQEc2icHiBU1AvWbtjtzmTXL4ie9Q5eMP9TE2VBTv-kjvd9fIqPRCbuaV9l3FBmJl-RG6YvDA/s200/20160611_152335.jpg" width="112" /></a>Although we found many wonderful bars and pubs to sample French craft brews, the best beer part of this trip was a beer festival. Yep, you read it correctly. We found a beer festival in Brittany, France. It was hosted by Brasserie An Alarc'H and set up somewhat differently than our fests in the states. There was no entry fee. Breweries brought drafts and bottles. You paid 2 Euro for a a sample glass and could sample whatever the breweries at brought, but you could also pay for full pours and buy bottles of beer to take home. The variety was fairly impressive. The hosting brewery's beers, one of which was infused with ginger, were quite tasty, and there was even a real ale brewery serving beer out of casks, Les Fous Microbrasserie, which we actually visited the day before. It is on a farm in the middle of the Brittany countryside run by a husband and wife team, Don and Trisha. Another favorite brewery of mine had a bit of a heavy metal set up with a dry-hopped pale ale that was exceptional, Couille de Loup. Although, all of the breweries had some basic styles most of the did, including blondes, ambers, browns, etc, some did branch out with Belgian whites, alt beers, and fruit and spice flavors. The festival even included a food truck and the first organic toilette I have ever seen which used cedar mulch instead of chemicals.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This brewery had tons of variety - including<br />gluten free beer and one with chestmuts</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Don't fear the wolf</i></td></tr>
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Brittany itself is a beautiful region with coastal towns and inland farms. The people are friendly, and the food is delicious! In fact, some of the best seafood I have ever had, I found on this trip. If you are interested on more details or want to plan a trip yourself, contact me with questions. I could write pages on this region alone. Part II of this article will focus on the ciders of Normandy! In the meantime, remember to eat well and drink good beer.Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-28370673249920880682016-06-01T17:23:00.000-07:002016-06-01T17:23:40.048-07:00Beer in the Garden of Good and Evil<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl4J2dMQAp9O3_Q7O0sVPQAVqBFMitmNnBJSrFn6gbzTmcuZNgFdvs_KPoFN2S2wDUb0kyaUp8BvKOGrhyXbaqxvB3WE5ckJBH8KueZmRStxoeo7Wpkjt32FE2ni6O1iU6pbuEy6fMxQ/s1600/20160526_161455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl4J2dMQAp9O3_Q7O0sVPQAVqBFMitmNnBJSrFn6gbzTmcuZNgFdvs_KPoFN2S2wDUb0kyaUp8BvKOGrhyXbaqxvB3WE5ckJBH8KueZmRStxoeo7Wpkjt32FE2ni6O1iU6pbuEy6fMxQ/s400/20160526_161455.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Moon River Brewing Company brewer,<br />Aaron Deist showing off the barrel room.</i></td></tr>
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What comes to mind when you think of Savannah, Georgia? Do you envision beautiful trees filled with Spanish moss, amazing architecture, River Street, or a certain book/movie set in one of the most gorgeous cities in the state? To be honest, I see all of those things and more. I love strolling through Bonaventure Cemetery, people watching as I walk through the squares, eating steamed oysters, listening to music at Kevin Barry's, and enjoying some local craft beer. Yes, that's right. The craft beer scene in Savannah gives you one more reason to visit that magical town on the river.<br />
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A friend of mine and I recently took a girls' trip to start off the summer and visit some of the awesome breweries in town. We started the beer portion of our trip at Moon River Brewing Company. Moon River opened its doors in 1999, so it is the original craft beer destination in Savannah. Still brewing fun and tasty beverages, this brewpub is a great place to grab a bite to eat and soak in some local flavor. With great brews like Swamp Fox IPA, Da Bomb dry Irish stout, and Wild Wacky Wit, you can not go wrong. We had the luck to run into one of the owners, John Pinkerton, and head brewer, Aaron Deist who honored us by taking us on a tour of their barrel room and giving us samples of a few new beers in the making. I do declare, it was the tastiest start to a great trip. Get down there soon, as a marvelous Berliner Weiss will be going on in a couple of weeks.<br />
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With a beer to go, we bid the folks at Moon River a thankful farewell and headed for our next adventure. About three miles out of town (and totally worth the Uber fare), sits Coastal Empire Beer Company. Spearheaded by brothers, Kevin and Chris Haborak, Coastal Empire is the epitome of a local, small craft brewery. Because the facility is tucked away in an industrial park, you may think you have gone to the wrong place, but don't turn away. Inside their brewing space, these guys have plenty of room to grow and a tasting room for you to sate your thirst while learning about their brews. There is literally something for everyone from their Tybee Blond to the red wine barrel-aged Midnight in the Garden. You will enjoy choosing your next taste. Thank you Kevin for introducing me to "Pink, Fluffy Unicorn." Next time you are in town, go show these guys some love. After closing down the tasting room, we decided dinner was in order as well as a round or two of Irish music.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kevin and Chris give the Beer Wench a tour of their magic making facility. Cheers, guys!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Blackhawk on duty</i></td></tr>
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In our wanderings, we found a few surprises not totally beer related. At the Savannah Bee Company, you can taste a flight of mead, the oldest fermented beverage in the world. If you are more into wine than beer, you can taste a flight of Georgia wines in the cellar of The Salt Table. We also enjoyed barley's other incarnation with a tasting flight of single malt Scotch at Molly McPherson's which also boasts a good craft beer list as well.<br />
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After a day of sightseeing and various other tastings, we wandered down River Street to Service Brewing Company which was a perfect spot to check out on Memorial Day weekend. Owners, Kevin Ryan and Meredith Sutton hold a special place in their hearts and brewery for our service men and women. Their pride shows in the brewery's American flag painted as a back drop for to the music stage and the service patch art installations. The names of the brews also show the respect and love given to those who serve. My two favorites were Battlewagon (an imperial IPA) and Old Guard (a bier de garde using Savannah Bee Company honey).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Art installation that allows guests to participate</i></td></tr>
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Meredith gave us an incredible tour, introducing us to her bees which provide honey for some of their brews. We also met brewery cats Blackhawk and Chinook, who keep watch over the entire operation. This is a couple who believe in hard work, community, putting out quality products, and honoring those who work to allow us to enjoy a good brew with friends.<br />
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When you think that the end is near, do a double take. There is yet another brewery on the mission to keep Savannah from being thirsty for good beer. Southbound's theme is music, and they use hop head Kokopelli figures as their logo and beer names that honor songs and musicians like Hoplin, an homage to the late Janis Joplin, and Roxanne, a sour cherry ale. She may not need to put on her red dress but she does wear it well. Food truck outside...good beer inside...what else do you need? Thanks to out to Carly for setting us up and to Natalie for being such a great hostess.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWgAaFcCU8JswSsWaCUKo9cy89XpRLgQJ_HccL_Af1gJChKIzDZHul1SJTg8U-d6uwCHvoaPkVKUoBkfqZrt1CBGrmwnDc8KnqBytLAyaT59YNB-xiNNHmHRG_SvMwd7APAVA1xDbGjY/s1600/20160528_160929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWgAaFcCU8JswSsWaCUKo9cy89XpRLgQJ_HccL_Af1gJChKIzDZHul1SJTg8U-d6uwCHvoaPkVKUoBkfqZrt1CBGrmwnDc8KnqBytLAyaT59YNB-xiNNHmHRG_SvMwd7APAVA1xDbGjY/s320/20160528_160929.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OD__ufQyWZgJPAh0w93Mu-os_69Pn23NbndNB1IJnavKBZnmqkhAPPLm27s1eUCXoZWXQ8R3iYhqR1mhSCMWfV78UzpK7aP6O6P4zGOjvaNDXbjpuW-ZAVkP2fwew1IT1Liq0l5y3M4/s1600/20160528_135551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OD__ufQyWZgJPAh0w93Mu-os_69Pn23NbndNB1IJnavKBZnmqkhAPPLm27s1eUCXoZWXQ8R3iYhqR1mhSCMWfV78UzpK7aP6O6P4zGOjvaNDXbjpuW-ZAVkP2fwew1IT1Liq0l5y3M4/s320/20160528_135551.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
If you do all the brewery tours and are still thirsty for good brews, there are several great venues for local, national and international beer including Crystal Beer Parlor, The Distillery, Savannah Taphouse and more. I have to count this girls' trip an absolute success and can not wait to go back to one of my favorite beer-cation spots.<br />
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On a final note, I had planned to write this article as a counter to the recent piece about a brewery brewing beer for women, but as I talked to everyone including women, like myself, enjoying good beer, I realized that there was no point. If you make good beer, people will drink it - male or female. Most beer industry folks know this. To condescend that women have to have special beer made for them or marketed to them is ridiculous. This beer woman has been enjoying craft beer since 1993 when I was introduced to beer with flavor and different styles. Whether you are man or woman or somewhere in between, you can find great beer. The beer community is as diverse and flavorful as the multitude of styles brewers can imagine. Cheers to all the ladies that I met in the research for this article and the breweries who welcomed us with open arms to share their hard work and dedication. Remember, eat well and drink good beer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunset on the river</i></td></tr>
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<br />Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-58327059312092298722016-04-05T09:07:00.000-07:002016-04-06T10:14:20.308-07:00Athens' Beer Week Commences: Starting New Traditions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogxqqWdvxT3MBrQKd3ZohUX5Ou4tCK_4EVD44pa999fDvR4e7LhapJgWL-Ph0uU8tyyLBADPINzgviLf_uzBaCO9JHlDjld0gTCRlZhTgt71lbxvYFeYUu66fIWYCjroX-VOSSzXsIKw/s1600/bulldogs.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogxqqWdvxT3MBrQKd3ZohUX5Ou4tCK_4EVD44pa999fDvR4e7LhapJgWL-Ph0uU8tyyLBADPINzgviLf_uzBaCO9JHlDjld0gTCRlZhTgt71lbxvYFeYUu66fIWYCjroX-VOSSzXsIKw/s200/bulldogs.png" width="200" /></a>Athens has long been known for putting out great musicians, intense love of Dawg's football, and more recently we are on the map for craft beer. Athens also maintains an incredible foodie scene with several locally owned restaurants which happens to pair nicely with our brewpub and three breweries (with more on the way).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street view of Five and Ten</td></tr>
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Out of the food scene a star has shone in the form of Hugh Acheson. Owner of Five and Ten, The National, Empire State South, and The Florence, Hugh has made a national and international name for himself with television appearances on Top Chef, Master Chef and many more accomplishments. On Monday, April 4, 2016 which marked the official start to Athens beer week, beer brewers, brewery owners, writers, judges, and general beer lovers broke bread together at what, I hope is a new beer week tradition. At Hugh's first Athens' restaurant, Five and Ten (new location) we enjoyed a dinner designed by Hugh himself and paired with beer from our three local breweries, Terrapin, Creature Comforts, and Southern Brewing Company (SBC).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer Wench hangs with the famous Chef Hugh Acheson</td></tr>
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We started on the very traditionally southern front porch enjoying Southern Brewing Company's Oak Aged Wild Southern Ale. Made with raspberries and a plethora of funk inducing organisms, this beer spent time in SBC's foedor (pronounced food-er) which is a large wooden vat originally designed for aging wine but now being used by several breweries for their wild fermented beers. This beer was followed by five courses of mouth watering food and beer pairings from grilled spring onions and asparagus partnered with Terrapin's Sound Czech Pils, a lobster and chickpea salad with Creature Comforts Cosmik Debris, Quail stuffed with Chicken Farce with Creature Comforts Paradiso, Grilled Dekle Steak (I had duck leg comfit - can't eat the mammals.) with Terrapin Poivre Potion Saison, and finally a brown butter rhubarb tart with SBC's Southern Sour Stout. We could not have had a better example of local foodie talent than this!<br />
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We learned how the different brews came to life, discussed the many pairings, and many kudos were given to local celebrity, Owen Ogletree, founder of Classic City Brew Fest, as being one of the people who has help to boost the craft beer scene in Athens. Athens' beer week is relatively new. The culminating event is Classic City Brew Fest on Sunday, April 10th (21st year running and the oldest festival in Georgia). The week long celebration of beer began building around the festival as we gained breweries and craft beer bars. All good things must come to an end but we left the dinner sated, old friendships renewed, new friendships kindled, and excited for the many other events happening in our town this week. We are hoping that this dinner, a great start for the week, will become a tradition for future Athens beer weeks.<br />
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I will be covering many events this week. Like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter to find where the action is. So if you are in town, or close by, come celebrate beer week with us. We would be glad to have you. If you have never been to Classic City Brew Fest, it is a must do! According to Owen, tickets are still on sale. If you can't join us, raise a glass of your favorite brew and let's toast to beer weeks everywhere. Remember eat well and drink good beer.Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-67462899505738684922016-03-21T14:04:00.004-07:002016-03-21T14:04:36.410-07:00I Feel the Need, the Need for MEAD<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #993300; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">The Beer Wench collected some impressive bottles of mead and gathered fellow beer lovers Owen Ogletree, Sachin Patel, Ian Meents, Ashton Smith, Dean Graves, Mark Hall and Lizz Berstein to sample and comment on ten different brands. Meads are a type of wine made from fermented honey, and they offer a surprising range of aroma and flavor components...</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><img align="right" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjMKB1Jlq0WBQNkEYZ0zlHtLzfM7PRc0_8he9LV9zvemNtaYVRBIG6qWEo-wp9KdJwWdet9VYmn_uWwLJHdZl3bsNiPvnz1FBmrddekAtxaVfo5dSt54ZfUMD5CJsOtyckVASNGTa_DpZscA0ChLhi7CS6c0aGc8poomfYyhNIXr7Y-lOBTaBLppXglatExGiq7dxNn=s0-d-e1-ft" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; display: block; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 150px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; width: 165px; word-spacing: 0px;" width="165" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">1. Fox Hill Meadery Special Reserve</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Marshall, NC</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Off-dry with buckwheat honey, 16% ABV</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">- Offering a deep amber, bourbon-like color, this mead provides hints of cereal, spicy rye, honeycomb, alcohol, golden raisins and toast with butter and honey. With a rich, honey flavor with hints of cinnamon, sherry and apricot jam, this selection comes across as warming but not extremely complex.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><img align="left" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEivXBTVxON0pWEzEz5MpGp_yWMt7vcRu0oDw5OlYwPInhYr6gVEfVFKQBk4T2AiSsiV5f7aTUN0As83cgRoAf48fOYQnItgzRGJnYC7llrlYIQsPbilFNg5cEk_UbOKMHmnSO40_qaZnEWPHidpvKbtFb9K1kzbhsjiTdX_F-V38W-0VkHg07CuXCtdk5dv9e25_4Gh=s0-d-e1-ft" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; display: block; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 182px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; width: 165px; word-spacing: 0px;" width="165" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">2. Monks Mead</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Avondale Estates, GA</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Carbonated mead with wildflower honey, 12.9% ABV</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This local mead contains a hint of CO2 sparkle and is a bit reminiscent of a light sparkling wine in the aroma. Notes of cane syrup, muscat grapes, demi-sec champagne and slight spices give way to a somewhat bitter, but pleasant, finish. Color is golden, and the mead is quite clear.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">3. St. Ambrose Meadery Rosé Ambrosia</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Beulah, MI</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Medium-dry with 33% grapes, 67% honey, 12% ABV</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This mead pours a deep ruby red color with aromas of Pinot grapes, butter and grape jam on toast. Sweet red wine notes on the palate lead into an overall character of mixed berries, jam, red currants and pomegranate.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">4. Redstone Meadery Pumpkin Nectar</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Boulder, CO</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Melomel with pumpkin, 8% ABV</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">The nose picks up French vanilla, clove, plastic, higher alcohols and light solvents. Flavor notes of nori seaweed and phenolic honey produce a unique profile in this clear, light straw colored mead.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">5. Preissl Neuburger Met Extra Spezial</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Imkermeister Preissl - Neuburger, Austria</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Mead with cherries, 13.5% ABV</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Chosen as SECOND PLACE (tie) by our panel.</b></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This mead offers deep, dark amber/copper hues that are almost brown. Aroma and flavor tones of oak, wood, brown sugar, sorghum, vanilla, sweet port, dark cherries, nuts and papaya make for an extremely complex, satisfying dessert mead.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">6. Nectar Creek Honeycone<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Corvallis, OR</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Hop session Mead, 6.9% ABV</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">There's a definite hoppy note and resiny hop profile to this slightly earthy, medium-sweet mead with flavors of floral hops, kiwi, light tropical fruit and mild hop bitterness. Quite quaff-able and refreshing. It sports a pale straw color with a hint of fizz.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><img align="right" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhR8mmPYNeBZGQAmGXH9AHG1yIAezQsIIpTUh40mjSVNltwx89Sh4cHr5e8SlgkfH1CvC7bmwsnWY1dlfzZniiqIZPjVDmlupdUgrbFnR_5BQ1gje5tLbDNb3UUbPxA0hUJ_WIFs8vJgj7b384jkLeSoxW2N4vBH5xbGOt-aSZxHJDN9fOyi6kkQo7WtwA658uPMzVA=s0-d-e1-ft" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; display: block; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 150px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; width: 165px; word-spacing: 0px;" width="165" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">7. B. Nektar Dwarf Invasion</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Ferndale, MI</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Cherries and hops, 6% ABV</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Chosen as SECOND PLACE (tie) by our panel.</b></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Slight sour cherries and hops highlight the rustic fruit wine character of this mead, along with notes of strawberries and a clean, lactic acidity. Hops come through more in the aroma than the flavor in this dark red honey wine.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><img align="left" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEitx6ItfIzt_DtjzPuP-1N0z41D_BAHzisgGBpSf7mmlWyLibIUCyv14bD6uxBD4gxcxHz94ycP6klnfGGOINPkdTosXCyKRMZmb7MISWmdjE3zYMOvHxAcRXvD3AqYe7ZPANlL_1lMbFvQpRNiPqVh_lNZ6cXG4Jt6tPMg2uWZ9tBjSfYkFHF5Qa0f1Cp0sMmtks6k=s0-d-e1-ft" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; display: block; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 150px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; width: 165px; word-spacing: 0px;" width="165" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">8. Alaska Meadery Batch #73</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Anchorage, AK</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Clover honey mead, off-dry, aged in bourbon barrels for nine months, 15% ABV</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Chosen as THIRD PLACE by our panel.</b></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">This mead is packed with flavors of honey, vanilla, oak, alcohol, butter, clove, nutmeg, biscuit crust, rum and clover flowers. The appearance is clear, golden and attractive, and the overall impressive seems like a vanilla butter cookie dipped in honey.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><img align="right" border="0" class="CToWUd" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEik32H2eAXvZ5ofHd1lFyObhpRpS2_13n9D4SOnHt5ua0B3bB0PxKavgOWqfyQT4A-pN0XfidNXKc9JcbnVmRcyFCSQ1pbPOJ1Jud50iuLaUfYEr2a8-fwf5sARPFfSEs_taWn6cGyI1Zg84Blf-69CuJXhxU5eE_2UrbtR1VJI50Xin60dm7DEo2PFEbvtbN_O2ex4=s0-d-e1-ft" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; display: block; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 150px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; width: 165px; word-spacing: 0px;" width="165" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">9. B. Nektar Necromangocon</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Ferndale, MI</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Mango, black pepper, 6% ABV</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-weight: bolder; padding: 0px;">Chosen as FIRST PLACE by our panel.</b></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Mango, black pepper, cantaloupe, peppercorns and honeysuckle nuances highlight the lingering, pleasant pepper zing of this light golden mead with just a hint of carbonation. Also look for notes of blood orange zest and pine turpentine. </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">10. B. Nektar Black Fang</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Ferndale, MI</b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: inherit; border: none; color: inherit; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Blackberry, clove, orange zest, 6% ABV</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #422f22; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #422f22; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Notes of clove, ozone, sulfur and fruit mingle in the earthy aroma. Flavors of sangria, blackberries, gunpowder and rose hips are balanced by hints of black cherries, smoke and light citrus. This warming mead offers ruby/garnet hues and is brilliantly clear.</span><br />
Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-76441947138921317072015-12-19T06:33:00.004-08:002015-12-19T06:35:53.411-08:00Craft Beer Makes for Holiday Cheer<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>By The Beer Wench </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.southerndistinction.com/" target="_blank">Southern Distinction Magazi</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.southerndistinction.com/" target="_blank">ne</a>.</span> </i></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwG1-Ps_l7WSfGE_xl2D1vEnjuWUIQzg7cJAlHUZifvjtOSAsNNwt53cKOn4MIBFIeBlhl-u9pfYT2oZN2A2dxLy4mU27rDOG09qgIEpScM_vecYF18STBzMlRJb9W-BzMAIvDZfJvWFA/s1600/christmas-ornaments-hi.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwG1-Ps_l7WSfGE_xl2D1vEnjuWUIQzg7cJAlHUZifvjtOSAsNNwt53cKOn4MIBFIeBlhl-u9pfYT2oZN2A2dxLy4mU27rDOG09qgIEpScM_vecYF18STBzMlRJb9W-BzMAIvDZfJvWFA/s200/christmas-ornaments-hi.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>This time
of the year holiday cheer abounds.</b> We spend time gathering with friends and
family enjoying food and libations and celebrating the season. When planning
for holiday parties and gatherings, remember to consider beverage pairings.
There are so many flavors and styles of craft beers; it's easy to find one to
complement any occasion or dish, and many people believe that beer's sweet
malt, spicy hops and lively carbonation complement savory holiday dishes much
better than other libations. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bQYmvUc8VDl3A0moiqm6t6vvqpx-wPwpxg_qRCae9yBj-7DvNNitol5knUH22InQVrUc-QKLnMqjPBqBJmkj9hHDTRvMFgo42ZJYcVu4suyjCmwp781TbfmYdxQ4Lb-1l7W5m0Ujqv0/s1600/kerri_athena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bQYmvUc8VDl3A0moiqm6t6vvqpx-wPwpxg_qRCae9yBj-7DvNNitol5knUH22InQVrUc-QKLnMqjPBqBJmkj9hHDTRvMFgo42ZJYcVu4suyjCmwp781TbfmYdxQ4Lb-1l7W5m0Ujqv0/s200/kerri_athena.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span id="goog_858799638"></span><span id="goog_858799639"></span></span><b>You are
hosting a dinner party</b> or a gathering with light appetizers, and you need a
starter beverage to greet your guests and serve as an aperitif. Think Berliner
Weisse. This historic German beer style has made a recent comeback via American
craft brewers. It is light and tart with nice carbonation. Creature Comforts
Brewing Company in Athens, Georgia has a splendid Berliner Weisse called
Athena. This style also works well as a palate cleanser between courses or as
an accompaniment for fresh fruits and sorbets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What about
heavier appetizers or main holiday courses?</b> There are a plethora of craft beer
choices out there. India Pale Ales (IPAs), Brown Ales and Amber Ales are all
styles that offer a variety of pleasant, sweet malt flavors backed by a hoppy
bitterness to please any set of taste buds. JailHouse Brewing in Hampton,
Georgia brews Mugshot IPA with nicely balanced flavors of sweet, toasty malt
and spicy, citrusy hop notes. This style pairs well with meats and hearty
vegetables and can even be enjoyed with seasonal pies or bread pudding.
JailHouse Misdemeanor Ale is a more moderately-hopped amber ale that leans more
on earthier, nutty, caramel-like malt flavors for those who may not be a fan of
IPAs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8zQ3-Otpne6_8NLEaJEMRtsr3ujnloxPoG-SsNhPwfyUMt-EFXFdiHFVXpc9HIsMMsm4OKPPZWH6OWb9WYWTQO32rh-23b8OLCkgjSBNbx2CMIr2OG4vneB1JUjitHxqSg5YB1NpIuI/s1600/kerri_lazy_magnolia_southern_pecan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8zQ3-Otpne6_8NLEaJEMRtsr3ujnloxPoG-SsNhPwfyUMt-EFXFdiHFVXpc9HIsMMsm4OKPPZWH6OWb9WYWTQO32rh-23b8OLCkgjSBNbx2CMIr2OG4vneB1JUjitHxqSg5YB1NpIuI/s200/kerri_lazy_magnolia_southern_pecan.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b>Sweets are
usually a big part of holiday gatherings,</b> and there are craft beers that go
perfectly with any dessert. Having a creme brulee? Try a roasty, coffee beer
like Terrapin’s thick and decadent Wake n Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout.
Not into coffee? Monday Night Brewing’s Drafty Kilt, a toffee-like Scottish
Ale, also pairs well with rich desserts. A wonderful choice for lighter
desserts such as coconut cake and custards, Lazy Magnolia’s Southern Pecan is
an elegant, slightly sweet, malty beer made with a touch of toasted pecans.
Many breweries also come out with limited release “holiday” beers this time of
the year that can make your holiday celebrations special.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The key to
pairing food and craft beer is knowing your tastes.</b> You can choose to
complement or contrast with pairings. A strong, spicy Belgian Tripel has bold
enough flavors to pair with ham, turkey, or roasts while cutting through some
of the richness of the meat. If you are a novice at craft beer, that’s okay.
The folks at your local package store will be glad to offer advice, or you can
do a little research at your local craft beer bar/restaurant. The point is to
have fun this holiday season. Be a little adventurous. Enjoy responsibly and
remember to always eat well and drink good beer. <b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Happy holidays!</b></span></span></span></div>
Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-56388183259216466342015-09-20T09:01:00.000-07:002015-09-20T09:01:16.028-07:00Big Springs Brewing Debuts at Bark and BrewSo, many of you saw my blog and subsequent reminder posts on Facebook and Twitter about our fantastic, free event, Bark and Brew. In its fourth year, this event was a roaring..er...barking success. Puppies and their people came out to enjoy the amazingly beautiful weather, and owners enjoyed some tasty brews. We had a variety of bottled and canned craft beer along with a home brew crew hoping to go commercial. The event this year was held at Mutty Paws, a new pet kennel, groomer, and spa in Watkinsville, GA. They are still under construction, but it is going to be awesome.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Owen Ogletree, organizer of the event, hangs out with some our volunteers.</b></span></div>
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I have been master of ceremonies for our doggy parade every year, and it is usually the highlight of the event for me. I love seeing the tricks and wags and happy, drooling faces. However, this year was made extra special because we had Big Springs Brewing in attendance. Although this crew is currently still in home brew status; they are looking for a space to turn their passion into a business.<br />
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Although, they were originally looking in Oconee County where we would love to have a couple of breweries, the laws and local lawmakers are still blocking progress; so these guys could be our next Athens brewery. I have to say as a beer judge and general beer geek, head brewer Morgan, spearheaded some excellent brews. I tried their Kolsch, Tripel, and a couple of other beers of note. They were quite tasty!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>John and Morgan of Big Springs Brewing show off their beers</b></span>.</div>
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I have to give a shout out to all of our volunteers for donating their time and to Big Springs for donating their time and beer, and to <a href="http://terrapinbeer.com/" target="_blank">Terrapin Be</a><a href="http://terrapinbeer.com/" target="_blank">er Company</a> for providing prizes for this wonderful event which helps out our local <a href="http://athenshumanesociety.org/" target="_blank">Athens-Area Humane Society</a>. Although it is a free event, attendees were encouraged to put in donation for the Humane Society. Anytime my favorite past time can help out the community, it makes that event that much more special. Remember my friends, eat well and drink good beer - with your favorite pooch if you can!</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Widget, the lion-cut Sheltie, was one of our winners this</b></span></div>
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Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-70785612422692906222015-08-22T11:06:00.000-07:002015-08-22T11:06:27.870-07:00Beer Dinners: Love Them or Hate Them?When I first started enjoying craft beer in the early 1990s, beer dinners did not exist, at least not in my area. As craft beer skyrocketed in the first beer revolution, beer dinners became more popular. They are a way to showcase a brewery and a bar/restaurant that stocks that particular brand. As the number of beer dinners increased, the creativity of chefs did too. Now, you can almost find a beer dinner on any given day if you look hard enough. So, do you love them or hate them?<div>
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Personally, I love them. I have been to great beer dinners, good beer dinners, and mediocre beer dinners. I loved them all. What's not to love? You are drinking, usually, good beer, and even if the pairings or the food are not up to your standards or tastes, you are drinking good beer. Yes, I said that twice.</div>
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Very recently I attended a beer dinner at one of my local favorite watering holes, <a href="http://chopsandhops.com/" target="_blank">Chops and Hops</a>, in Watkinsville, GA. The restaurant chose a theme, Georgia grown, to show off breweries and food products made, grown, and raised in our state. The picture above shows the excellent cheese plate paired with two beers, Second Self's Xmas in July and Orpheus' Peace.War.Truth. Lie. The flavors of both of the beers could not have been more different, yet they both paired well with the cheese. All of the above were made in Georgia.</div>
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This was a great idea because we have so many new breweries popping up, and many at the beer dinner had not had any of the beers. Other breweries showcased were Southbound and Eventide with food products coming from places like Morgan County Cheeseworks, Greendale Farm, Piedmont Provisions, and many others.</div>
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Detractors of beer dinners cite cost, saturation of the market, and crazy pairings as to why they do not like them. Which, I agree, can be a bit intimidating, but one of our local chef/Owners, Richard Miley, who runs Catch 22 on Epps Bridge Road in Oconee County has taken to making smaller more affordable dinners which have great beer and food. I am attending a Stone brewing dinner there next week, and you don't have to attend every dinner. I believe that if you look hard enough, you will find a dinner that fits your budget and tastes. As a non-mammal eater, chefs have been great about doing substitutions as long as you let them know far enough in advance. Do not expect them to make substitutions if you buy your ticket that night or even the night before. These things take preparation and planning. The picture below was my amazing chicken substitution for the lamb dish served with Second Self's Red Hop Rye and Eventide's Nitro Stout which, by the way rocked the flavors!</div>
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With all things, my opinion is if you don't like something, don't do it, but don't give up on beer dinners if you have had one bad experience. I love meeting the beer reps and brewers and seeing what the chefs are going to do. Go in with an open mind and palate. I would be interested in hearing about your experiences and your opinions on the subject. You can follow BeerWenchGA on Twitter and like Facebook. Let me know how feel! In the meantime, remember to eat well and drink good beer.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Beer Wench GA, John from Second Self, and Ashton Smith</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">at the Chops and Hops Georgia Grown beer dinner.</span></div>
Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-5847935962076765832015-08-08T13:03:00.002-07:002015-08-08T13:03:51.066-07:00There is a conference for everything: celebrating women in beer!For one of the last hurrahs of the summer before returning to my day job, I attended my first Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference. Yes, there is a conference for everything. The 2015 conference took place in beer mecca Asheville, North Carolina.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Beer Wench breathing in</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">the aroma of hops at Sierra Nevada.</span></i></div>
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I took part in the pre-conference excursion in Raleigh, NC because it had been years since I had visited the city. The beer scene has exploded! Since visiting, I have learned that Clouds Brewing, which is a very good craft beer bar, plans on brewing their own beer. Can't wait to go back and try it!<br />
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Another great benefit of the trip were excursions to Oskar Blues and Sierra Nevada where we were treated like royalty. Along with other bloggers, I visited some old friends and was introduced to some new beer places. You can't do the entire Asheville beer scene in one weekend any more, folks!<br />
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But, I have to say that one of my favorite treats of the conference did not involve beer, at least not drinking it. It does relate to the subtitle of this blog. Kim Jordan, co-owner of New Belgium Brewing, came to talk to us. If you did not know, New Belgium is opening a location in Asheville, following in the footsteps of Oskar Blues and Sierra Nevada. I loved hearing Kim talk about her brewery, the beginnings, and her passion for the industry.<br />
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I have been enjoying craft beer since about 1992. I started writing about beer and food in beer newspapers around 1994 or 1995. When I first started writing and judging there were not many women out there - at least not compared to the number of men in the industry. Now women are showing their passion for good beer, making good beer, running breweries, and generally saying craft beer is not a gender issue. Kim Jordan's presentation, the number of female bloggers I met at the conference, Julia Herz from the Brewer's Association in Colorado giving the opening address, and meeting the new head brewer at Highland Brewing company, Holly, shows that women are a vital, growing part of the industry.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Selfie with the new head brewer</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>at Highland Brewing, Holly.</i></span></div>
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I am looking forward to next year's conference in Tampa and am already registered. I can't wait to see what is in store! The next big beer trip for this Beer Wench will be judging at GABF again this year! Life is good. No matter the shape of the world today, remember to eat well and drink good beer.Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-42991288925241397372015-07-23T11:23:00.001-07:002015-07-23T11:23:09.285-07:00Bark and Brew: It is a Barking Good Time!<div style="text-align: left;">
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So who does not like hanging with dogs and drinking beer? If you want a chance to chillax with your pup, drink good craft beer, and support a good cause, you need to come to the 4th annual Bark and Brew on Sunday, September 13, 2015 in Watkinsville, GA. I have had the honor of MCing the dog parade at this event for the last three years and will be doing it again this year.</div>
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This is a free event. Yes, I said free; however, donations to the Athens Area Humane Society are strongly recommended. To keep the event from being over-crowded attendees must register at this <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bark-brew-2015-tickets-17883535135" target="_blank">LINK</a>. It is so much fun to play with the pups, talk to interesting people, and sample 30 plus craft beers. I mentioned a parade before. We have a little dog show where owners can show off their canine's talent with categories such as cutest, best doggy tale, best trick, and best all around. Cool prizes are donated by Terrapin Beer Company.</div>
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Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-85863642163580903512015-07-22T10:06:00.002-07:002015-07-23T05:19:02.074-07:00Beer with Altitude!<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you are a craft beer lover, you probably know that Colorado, especially Denver and its surroundings is a craft beer mecca. As a beer judge and writer, I have whiled away many a blissful hour at GABF (Great American Beer Festival), brew pubs, breweries, and craft beer restaurants in that area. On a recent foray into Colorado, my sweetie and I followed in the footsteps of the Brewdogs, Martin and James, and drove into the wilds of Colorado to discover what Durango has in store for the craft beer adventurer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fqrw1HUpVrnyC6NjsDmwSpKjCQH8kfjbOWsC6qp89yNj2Sw-b9UWS72oS7KeNNHiDJsdemTDLvBptMr0IidtpsKsXmxtWvH2iQUbhMiei3-VPeOKcEM8zyNRaYvJTVmnReqdl4-ptO8/s1600/avalanche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fqrw1HUpVrnyC6NjsDmwSpKjCQH8kfjbOWsC6qp89yNj2Sw-b9UWS72oS7KeNNHiDJsdemTDLvBptMr0IidtpsKsXmxtWvH2iQUbhMiei3-VPeOKcEM8zyNRaYvJTVmnReqdl4-ptO8/s320/avalanche.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-619bdd7d-b6b4-76cb-3689-a4520e163c6e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arriving at the Denver airport was just the first leg of this adventure. We pointed our rental car to the Southwest corner of Colorado making stops along the way. Our first stop landed us in Colorado Springs for lunch, not having time to hit every beer spot in town, we managed lunch at Phantom Canyon which offered a delicious lunch menu and a very solid sampler tray of house beers. My favorite that day was the Two Headed Dog Double IPA. We went on to try Trinity Brewing which had some mouth watering saisons, ipas, and sours. Moving on, we journeyed to our night stop (Durango is not a short distance away from Denver), Salida. This tiny town boasts two brew pubs (Moonlight Brewing and Amicas) which both serve solid beers and pizza. Boathouse Cantina, on the Rio Grande River, is a bar which serves up Tex-mex and an excellent craft beer selection from breweries like Great Divide, Firestone Walker, and Russian River.</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning took us back on the road for our final destination. Okay, we had one stop for beers and nibbles in Pagosa Springs at Pagosa Brewing Company where we sampled fine beers and chatted with the Master of Liquid Bread, Brandon. We also stopped at Wolfe Brewery which needs a little work on their beer and service, but the owner’s passion should help them progress.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gOwGxMh-NMW99w8JFSy-M5oM-QsC1PTlza9vIP4h1THk8j4CZwMSBikkRgUZdbvbovMtjWzRUNvjCSydOAoQZQJ56-3en0dVcagzRbIYqV3XiVFCwNf_LSTyr4hgoeUOlSSctthH1sI/s1600/animas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gOwGxMh-NMW99w8JFSy-M5oM-QsC1PTlza9vIP4h1THk8j4CZwMSBikkRgUZdbvbovMtjWzRUNvjCSydOAoQZQJ56-3en0dVcagzRbIYqV3XiVFCwNf_LSTyr4hgoeUOlSSctthH1sI/s320/animas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we finally made our stop in Durango, we were totally ready to be out of the car and grabbing some brew. We dropped our bags at Wapiti Lodge, our home away from home, and went on a beer hunt. As an aside I have to say that Durango is a drinking town with an outdoor sports problem. I love it! The Animas River runs through town, and you will never know who or what it will leave on its shores. I wish I had room to go into detail, but here are a few of my favorite spots: Ska Brewing Company, Animas Brewing Company, Steamworks Brewing Company, and Lady Falconburgh’s Alehouse and Kitchen. There were other breweries and craft beer bars that we enjoyed, but, in my humble opinion, these were the best. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We spent some time at Ska Brewing Company with Dave Thibodeau, co-founder, and Kristen Muraro, marketing maven, drinking Ska beer, talking about the history of the company, and why they loved Durango. It all boils down to community, beautiful location, and a love of good craft beer. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While in Durango, we managed to do some hiking along the Animas River and the breath-taking Mesa Verde National Park between sampling brews, We also took a drive to Telluride to visit Telluride Brewing Company (yum!) and Smuggler’s Brew Pub. It was an amazing trip filled with tasty brews and amazingly good beer. (We also spent some time in Denver on the way home and found new places, but that is for another story,) If you have a sense of adventure, a love of nature, and a thirst for tasty craft beer, you should think about a trip to Durango to drink beer with altitude. Also, my friends, on all of your adventures at home or abroad, always remember to eat well and drink good bee<b>r.</b></span></div>
</b>Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344762721565072243.post-74148647146702765582015-07-22T09:54:00.000-07:002015-07-22T09:54:54.875-07:00Oh, Canada. How I Love Your Craft Beer SceneIn June of 2015, my sweetie and I embarked on one of our beer-cations. This travel concept has grown, people no longer look at us like we are insane, at least most people, when we answer “beer” for the reason we are traveling to a particular place. We do love to immerse ourselves into a new culture, new foods, new sights, and see popular historical attractions because, after all, most drinking establishments do not open before lunchtime. This time our travels took us to Canada, specifically Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City. All places that I have not previously been.<br />
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<br /><br />Craft beer has certainly become very popular in Canada in genera. In Ottawa for example, we went to one restaurant and bar, The Arrow and Loon Pub. They had about twenty-five beers on their draft list, and all of them were local or regional Canadian beers. They were, for the most part, delicious and well-crafted. This became the theme as we traveled to different brewpubs and breweries in the general area one of my favorite being Les Brasseurs du Temps where we took part in The Clock which is their circular sampler of all their drafts -- about fourteen that day. I liked some of the beers better than others, but they were all delicious and well-brewed. We also sampled beers from Nita, Whitewater, Cassel, KIschesippi, and Broadhead as well as visited brewpubs such as Big Rig, Mill Street, The Clocktower, Microbrasserie-Bistro Gainsbourg and Les 3 Brasseurs (which also has locations in Montreal and Quebec City).<br /><br />From Ottawa, we traveled to Montreal. The timing of our trip coincide, on purpose, with the Festival Mondial de la Biere. We enjoyed the fruits of the VIP section which allowed us to sample many beers from the region and around the world without having to worry about tickets. We also sampled many cask beers in a cask event run by TIco, Teklad Pavisian, of Benelux Brewery. Not only did we meet Tico, a wonderfully passionate brewer, but I also met a phenomenal cider maker-Marc-Antoine Lasnier from Les Vergers de la Colline. He had a brett cider on cask that would stand up to any brett beer. For you cider detractors out there, there are ciders that do not taste like soda. Along with the festival, we wandered around town checking out all of the great brewpubs like Dieu du Ciel, Benelux (which has two locations), Le Cheval Blanc, L’ Espace Public-Brasseurs de quartier, and others.<br />
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<br />We bid our new friends in Montreal au revoir and moved on to Quebec City. If there had been no good beer in Quebec City, it would still have been worth the visit. It is beautiful, and built on more and steeper hills than San Francisco! The Architecture and sights were amazing. They did, however, have good beer. Brasserie-Artisanale Le Souche stands out as one of my favorites along with the bar/restaurant Le Projet. The food we tried was very good... even the poutine for which this region is famous. We had a poutine with a beer gravy at La Souche... definitely comfort food. It went very well with the beer.<br /><br />I would say that I will visit this region again and perhaps take along a few fellow beer travelers to share. Everyone made a “blanche” beer, and I do mean everyone! They did them well too! They did not mind too much that our French was limited...very limited. The people we met were friendly and welcoming and eager to share their craft with two, not so crazy, beer travelers. Remember, my friends, life is short. Eat well and drink good beer!Beer Wench Georgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07054620847125900647noreply@blogger.com0