Carolina Beer Guy

Exploring the Carolinas one Pint at a time

Author: geistbear

  • Brew News

    Markets shift, trends are evolving, it’s nothing new. We are all seeing Oktoberfests and Pumpkin beers out in the market, yes well too early, but the big chain stores drive it. I saw Halloween candy on shelves in July and reports of Christmas trees showing up at Costco have emerged.

    I know too soon.

    But other market trends take place outside of sheer seasonality. Pickle flavor is everywhere. I noticed Bull City Burger and Beer proudly declared they had been doing it for years. I bring all this up because Randy Mosher has a fascinating piece on trends and where they will likely be emerging.

    Down in Charleston we have coverage of the Two Blokes Brewery new second taproom.

    Western NC is busy with Brewer magazine profiles Diatribe Brewing. We get more details of the Hi-Wire Brewing and Appalachian Mountain Brewing partnership. Local hops came up with the NC State extension about their hop program. The challenge is climate and disease pressure, but also that yields are much lower in the region than the Pacific Northwest. They could have viable testing at local breweries in the next few years.

    Triangle around Town features a North State Brewing preview.

    In late breaking news NC Brewers Cup winners have been announced, find your favorite local winner here.

    This week is usually quiet for events but Atomic Clock has their monthly beer dinner tonight (Monday) and Whalehead Brewery will be celebrating their anniversary Sunday.

  • Brew News

    The big event from last week was the Pop the Cap turns 21 panel and party. It was great to see people from the industry from across the state gathered at Fullsteam’s soon to be launched space. It still has some work to do before it’s ready for to open but Sean has been doing some preview videos here. As I wasn’t in NC at the time, it was educational for me to hear the struggles to change the 6% cap to the modern one. It was also insightful that politicians couldn’t believe it was simply this one ask, no ulterior motive or design. The other part of the program was the Brewer’s Guild launch of the Breweries Make it Better campaign. In addition to marketing for the state’s craft breweries, the program will help support education scholarships for brewery employees. 

    Sierra Nevada is in the news for its Hazy Hideaway festival in Mills River. Hi-Wire and Appalachian Mountain Brewery signing a partnership agreement makes sense as AMB bought itself back from InBev so is likely not positioned to make a big expansion currently and Hi-Wire has some capacity available. Last from the mountains Riverbend Malt has been promoting their new Ridgeline Red malt.

    In Charlotte WBTV has coverage over the current craft beer market.

    Triangle Business Journal has coverage of Fullsteam’s ATC location.

    As for events besides the SN Hazy Hideaway festival, Tasty Beverage in Raleigh celebrates 15 years this weekend.

  • Brew News

    Pearson’s maker of the Salted Nut Roll, is shuttering its primary candy factory. So how does this relate to beer? RahrBSG is one of the larger brewery supply companies, from hops to yeast to malt they have you covered. And malt is the connection of the candy to beer. When a brewer orders pallets of malt a few of these candy bars are placed on the order, originally tossed in the center falling to the bottom. They even added it on the bill of laden so you know they are there. They have been referred to as the ‘Brewer’s Lunch’ which I can confirm has happened on occasion. They weren’t the first to do this a retired brewer friend confirmed malted milk balls were sent out with Briess pallets well before BSG picked up the practice. Currently I know Malteurope sends out beef sticks with their orders. Thankful All About Beer reports that they won’t disappear and likely be made at a copacking facility(shared production space).

    In other odd news a bit of pottery contained nearly a gallon of fermented malt beverage that is 2200 years old. What surprised me about the story is that the beverage was in China. Generally fermentation in those parts are not cereal crop, but rather rice or some other yeast type. The story made me think about this paper on the domestication of beer yeast and how different yeast groups, often based on geography, came into development. Lars also delves into the yeast groups topic a bit here.

    No updates from South Carolina.

    Sad news out West, Mars Hill Brewery is closing another victim of Helene.

    For IPA day Hopfly Brewing made it on Charlotte television to celebrate.

    Triangle has a few news bits with North State Brewing having begun brewing, one step closer to being open. The Indy Weekly coverage over recent brewery closures, but the story has an odd element to it, it talks about Clouds Brewing having closed downtown in the story went live on July 22nd. However on July 14th Clouds had announced taking over operations at Jones Street meaning it would be open downtown again and this key factor is absent from the piece. 

    As for events this week we have Fullsteam Brewing hosting the Brewer’s Guild 21st Anniversary of Pop the Cap success on Thursday, Foothills hosting a beer dinner Friday, Carolina Brewery celebrates 19th anniversary in Pittsboro. Lastly I think Eno River Brewing is hosting fruit beer festival this weekend, but nothing on their website but I’ll check the events page and get the details post.

    Cheers!

  • Brew News

    Going to start off the week a little different and discuss THC. It’s not that I am very interested in it, but rather over 30 breweries in North Carolina have been making THC drinks. Given the market conditions this beverage category has been successful as an alternative to beer. This will likely be coming to an end as the federal revised classification will occur November 12th. I doubt any stand alone legislation will be passed before that date, there is hardly any discussion of the topic on the national stage. If there is any change in the status, it will be through an addition to the Omnibus budget. A practice I abhor, because both parties have gotten away from the traditional process of a budget in the Spring and appropriation bills being passed through the Summer leaving no or just much smaller Omnibus bill passing in late September. Politics aside, what can you do write/email your Congressperson and ask them to support the Lawful Hemp Protection act. 

    The latest edition of Southern Brewing News includes extensive coverage of Homebrewcon.

    South Carolina

    US Open Beer Championship remains the big news in the state, Founder Dow Scoggins has been traveling around the area to winners like Wild Heart Brewing. Model A Brewing also had news coverage over their award winning brews.

    North Carolina

    Charlotte’s breweries and bars feature the Ledgers’ coverage of the THC news. More on the story at Business Journal. Also Sugar Creek Brewing shows us mock ups of their new location.

    Up in Asheville Brewbound features Highland Brewing.

    For the week’s events we have Lost Province Brewing celebrating 12 years and Pilot Brewing celebrating its 8th anniversary.

  • Brew News

    Last week we discussed how Clouds Brewing had taken over operations in Raleigh at the Jones Street building, former Tobacco Road location. This week another update, like other breweries in downtown areas their production space was going to be redeveloped. Thankfully their landlord has been transparent and given them plenty of notice to shift operations. In addition Matt MacNeil shared “We have been growing in production and have needed more space for some time.” 

    Over the last two years they had talks with and became friends with the owners of Fortnight Brewing. Those discussions that led to an agreement. Matt continued “The new agreement we have is that Clouds will take over Fortnight’s production space. Stuart and Fortnight will retain the front end and taproom operations. It will retain the Fortnight logo and atmosphere. Clouds gets a much bigger production space that will fit our needs. We have plenty of taprooms to support our operations and with the acquisition of Tobacco Road in downtown Raleigh, we will make that our official main location for customers to come visit.” Clouds is committed to faithfully partner brew Fortnight’s beer to the highest standards. Matt welcomed others suggesting “most breweries have great marketing plans but running a 10 to 15 barrel brewery just isn’t financially viable and we want to be there to assist those breweries by letting them use capital in better ways.” Clouds will begin operations as of August 1st.

    In South Carolina we have a follow up article on US Open Winners.

    In Charlotte there is news of job cuts at Club West so they can more focus on taproom, such a retraction amid the loss of shelf space is not unexpected, when your at 30,000 barrels a year and do a brand relaunch, it is a bit like starting from scratch.

    American Craft Beer writes a guide to beer destinations in Asheville.

    As for Events a reminder Clouds kick off event is on Jones Street on the 31st and Cary features the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ this weekend.

    A late breaking update – NOCO Brews & Bites will be brewing onsite and their launch party is this Saturday.

  • Brew News

    The Costco Deschutes story has been churning in my thoughts but could not think of a Carolina angle on it, nor what it may mean for the industry at large. If you haven’t heard Costco is not renewing its contract brewing agreement with Deschutes for Kirkland Lager. The beer has done well at competitions and amongst consumers. John Holl in All About Beer posts how the beer came about, probably the most through story on the subject.

    The US Open Beer Champions announced awards and a number of Carolina breweries won  awards. Special shout out to Forgotten Roads Ales for placing in the top 10.

    South Carolina features Greenville Business magazine with a story saluting the state’s US Open winners.

    Western NC

    Sierra Nevada’s taproom gets recognized in this story. If you haven’t been it’s well worth the stop a bit like the Disneyland of Beer. Hi-Wire Brewing is putting on a circus to celebrate it’s anniversary, including a 50 foot ferris wheel. What is going on in the town of Black Mountain? First the Black Mountain Brewing mess and now they are going after the Oak & Grist distillery. It’s been in operation for ten years and suddenly town figured out that there are distilled spirits in the building and ordered to close their taproom. More here.

    Charlotte

    In Kannapolis the Towel City Tavern is opening it’s brewery at the ballpark, great photos of the location.

    Triangle

    Congratulations on multiple openings in the last week. First Clouds Brewing has opened it’s Raleigh Jones Street location, their official Grand Opening party will be July 31st. Standard Beer & Food has opened their second location in North Hills, this project has been in works for a while its great that it’s come to fruition. Bond Brothers has just opened a taproom at RDU airport.  

    In events on August 13th there will be a Pop the Cap! Celebrating 21 years of Craft Beer, being held at Fullsteam’s new destination at American Tobacco Campus. For those not familiar with Pop The Cap, before the measure succeeded the ABC rules in North Carolina did not allow beers stronger than 6%. So all the lovely IPAs, Belgians and big tasty Stouts couldn’t be made or sold commercially. The celebration event will feature a panel discussion and of course beer naturally, the beer will be Breweries Make it Better, which I mentioned here.

    In other events more focused on this week Bragging Rooster has it’s 4th anniversary, BMC Brewing has their 5th anniversary, and Liability Brewing will be having their 8th anniversary. Congratulations everyone.

  • Social Media Check

    I have spent more time on Instagram in the last couple of months than my whole life. Yes I do post content occasionally, but mostly it’s going through my feed sharing new beers or innovative brewery posts. I have been seeing three social media problems and let’s discuss solutions.

    If you are a brewpub you want to feature your food that’s fine. And the drinking public is diversifying their choices so I understand featuring cocktails or wine in posts, but if you are a brewpub beer needs to be a prominent featured product. It may seem obvious but some feeds never seem to mention beer.

    AI marketing it’s all the rage, but try actual pictures, not a generated post, it’s more authentic and better for your brand.

    Memes are fun but don’t be derivative. Frankly, all the posts about parasitic dia****a is why I wrote this post. If you have seen another brewery do the same meme, try a new angle, not just repeat with your crew in it.

    Some resources, if you aren’t following She Loves Craft on Instagram, go right this minute. You should also read the BA’s digital health check, it’s a good reminder to make sure your brand is optimized. 

    And seriously stop it with the parasitic dia****a!

  • Brew News

    The top story this week has to be the collaboration brew at Atomic Clock Brewing. Brian Quinn was kind enough to host the NC Brewers Guild and membership for the event. The beer is titled “Breweries Make It Better” will benefit educational scholarships and marks a new campaign to promote North Carolina breweries. The beer is a West-Coast Pilsner, featuring malt from the states three malt houses, Carolina, Riverbend, and Epiphany. Hops from Yakima Quality Hops and yeast from Lallemand. Ask for Breweries Make It Better at your local bottle shop or brewery and support the Guild’s foundation. Distribution will be through Tryon. The brewery was hot, but you know it’s NC and Summer so not any surprise. The camaraderie was great it’s fun to catch up with friends, learn, and trade news. On the news front I’ll just tease it and say there were things said that will end up in future posts.

    Grain out

    In follow up on the recent merger news for Carolina malt, Trey Brawley confirmed the roasting equipment has been moved and set up at their location. That the maltster soon will be diversifying their specialty malt options including a number of crystal malts. 

    Jennifer writes about the NC Ale Trail By Rail for Midtown magazine.

    Triad has the hottest news of the week with RADAR Brewing rebranding as Southern Drift Brewing Company. Matt says he is working to get everything updated, but I like the rebrand. Over in Greensboro we have word of Three Rabbits Brewing opening soon downtown roughly halfway between Joymongers and Natty Greenes. Sounds like a good excuse for a pub crawl.

    Up in the mountains the Beer Scout gets us a profile of Griffin & Sphynx, it is on my to visit list next time I’m in the area. 

    In breaking news sadly that Durty Bull Brewing will be shuttering their Durham location in the Fall, no word yet on what that means for their Gastonia taproom.

    Youngsville has positive news for North State Brewing that their ABC permit has been submitted. I’d expect them to open in the next month.

    In South Carolina the South Coast Beer Project is featured in this profile.

    In events this week Flying Bull is having a beer dinner and Oaklyn Springs celebrates 8 year anniversary.

  • Throwback Thursday – Brewmeister

    Today’s post is from 2013 about the title Brewmaster, while I say in the post I’m self trained I learned a lot from working with the crew at Big Boss.

    I get asked it at least once or twice a week “Are you the Brewmaster?”

    To which I always reply “No, I am just the lucky guy who gets to make beer around here.”

    People will smile and nod, but they have a quizzical look in their eyes. Sometimes they press further then I try to explain. I don’t have enough experience to justify the title. I liken it to the difference between being a Chef and a Cook. It is not that I don’t possess talents in the brewhouse, but at best I am at the Journeyman level if we look back to the trade guilds of the past.

    Another element of the title is the role of education. Traditionally a Meister should have a degree in their field of expertise. I am largely self taught. Not that this is unusual in the brewing world. Because of that I have some book hiding in my bag about beer, last month it was more technical Hops by Stan Hieryomous, this month it’s more social with Man Walks into a Pub by Brown. The key is I am constantly learning. 

    So besides experience and school, what else may it take to accept such a title? One route could be to enter contests and gain recognition by peers for the quality of my beers. While there is nothing wrong with such an approach it alone would not be enough. 

    In the end I think what makes someone a Brewmaster is they have trained and taught their craft to others. The process of teaching others reenforces your own knowledge base. It also makes you take a closer examination of the trade and your understanding of it. Shepherding others to appreciate and respect the craft is not easy work. 

    Jiro Ono said in the documentary of his restaurant “Once you decide on your occupation… you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That’s the secret of success… and is the key to being regarded honorably.”

    Perhaps one day I might be regarded as a Brewmaster, but for now I am a Pub Brewer trying to master a craft.

  • Brew News

    Beer Advocate is independent again, being bought back from Next Glass. I suspect Todd Alstrom came out better between the sales, but I doubt it was at the Barstool sports level. It has had me pondering what the sale means for craft beer and beverage media overall. These kinds of sales happen in a boom cycle like Ballast Point to Constellation, Ratebeer and Northern Brewer to ABInBev. All attempts to buy Street Credibility, but Glass Door was an exception, it was already in the beer technology space, while brewers know their back of the house software, few craft beer fans haven’t either heard or tried Untappd. So why sell now? Glass Door recognized the value of Beer Advocate’s place in the market, respecting it enough not to simply shutter the site. But the media landscape especially for beer has shrunk, most publications have gone strictly digital with the exception of AHA’s Zymurgy.

    The future of beer media is mostly digital and likely more personally driven. I think it started with John Holl and Andy Crouch buying the assets of All About Beer magazine and restoring it’s archive of data. While new content from AAB has tended to be in podcast form I suspect a digital Zine format could return if they lined up the right sponsors. Likewise with Beer Advocate, if anyone can have success with the venture it will be Todd. Another example is Beer Connoissuer, who has dropped print but continues pumping out online content. And I nearly forgot Substack and Linkedin platforms that both feature beverage content. So while the business side of craft beer faces an uncertain future, the digital media has strong potential.

    Out near Asheville Sierra Nevada gets mentioned for their new smaller can format, I think it’s a great value and been enjoying their Pils in that size.

    In the Triad there is news of customers facing parking issues at RADAR Brewing.

    Legion Brewing is facing a lawsuit from an investor.

    Lastly in the Triangle and not exactly breaking news is Connor Tyo, Head Brewer at Wye Hill Brewing, is featured in this story from March, while digging up background for the digital media bit it popped up.

    The calendar seems to be quiet for the week but of note is the NC Brewers Guild Collab Brewday Sunday at Atomic Clock Brewing and Brewsmart featuring Technical Brewing topics next Monday at Hi-Wire Durham.