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Foothills Brewing Craft Happiness UBU IPA

Posted on by Evan

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I purchased Foothills Brewing Craft Happiness UBU IPA, 6.0% ABV from my local Whole Foods. UBU IPA is part of the Craft Happiness IPA series and is the first one of the year. UBU is brewed to embrace individuality and acceptance and has an experimental hop, HBC 692, and the proceeds benefit the United Way of Forsyth County. UBU IPA pours a deep yellow/orange color with a strong two and a half finger white head with sediment floating about. The aroma is of juicy citrus grapefruit some resin notes with a light tropical bitter fruit note that leads you to citrus grapefruit, stone fruit taste that has a nice resin bitterness to it with a dab of sweet and faint breaded notes that come to a bitter fruited finish and a resins aftertaste with a medium mouthfeel. Foothills Brewing Craft Happiness UBU IPA is yet another solid IPA, getting an A+, and it is nothing out of the ordinary from a Foothills Brewing IPA. It checks all the boxes for a good IPA that I think you need to drink. Please enjoy responsibly! Cheers!    

Deschutes Brewery Fresh Haze IPA

Posted on by Evan

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Deschutes Brewery Fresh Haze IPA, 6.5% ABV and 45 IBUs is a hazy take on Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA, both brewed in Bend, Oregan. Fresh Haze uses unmalted wheat, malted wheat, Munich malt, C-15, Pale, 2-row and flaked barley as well as Nothern Brewer, Cashmere, Mandarina Bavaria, and Amarillo hops. Fresh Haze pours a hazy orange color with a two-finger white head that slowly fades into itself giving off juicy fruit aroma of citrus orange, some grapefruit with light bittering with hints of a mango that come to a flavor of light bitter citrus fruit, orange, tangerine, and grapefruit on the front of the mouth with a mild bitterness in the middle that gross in the back of the mouth with a nice juicy finish and a nice bitter aftertaste that has a faint taste of citrus fruits with a medium mouthfeel. Deschutes Brewery Fresh Haze IPA is a good approachable hazy IPA that a mild IPA fan would enjoy and I think its an A. Nothing too overwhelming about this beer nor is it too hoppy with a huge blast of fruit, the flavor is near sessionable but Deschutes Brewery Fresh Haze IPA as a whole is not sessionable, remember this IPA is 6.5% ABV. But you could have three Fresh Haze IPAs and I suggest you try this Deschutes Brewery Fresh Haze IPA. Please enjoy responsibly! Cheers! 

Throwback Thursday: Uinta Brewing Co. Dubhe Imperial Balck IPA

Posted on by Evan

Originally posted April 3rd, 2016.

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When you hear the words, Imperial and Black, you would think of a stout or porter style of beer, but there is Black IPA’s and Imperial Black IPAs. Uinta Brewing Co. in Salt Lake City brews Dubhe Imperial Black IPA, 9.2% ABV and they brew this ale with hemp seeds. The whole Uinta Brewery brews with renewable power, using wind and solar power. Dubhe pours a deep black color with a tan three finger head that slowly fades into slender lacing that doesn’t really stick around. This has an aroma of bitter earthy coffee with a subtle but faint grassy fruit scent. I didn’t really get much hemp seeds on the aroma, and that cause I have never smelled a hemp seed nor have I seen one. Taste is bitter chocolate upfront followed by a grassy roasted flavor, which is quite good. There is a little stronger earthy bitterness on the end with a little roasted note. Dubhe finishes nicely like an IPA with some roasted notes and chocolate bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium. After taste lingers a bit with floral, grassy, and earthy bitterness and some roast. Overall this beer turns out great and I was expecting it to be as good as it was, not that I was expecting to it be bad. I give Dubhe Imperial Black IPA a B+. It was well balanced between the imperial black aspect and the IPA. You don’t really get a taste of the big 9.2% ABV. That is well masked by the beer and all its flavors. That’s good. If it were to taste really boozy then it’s would be so good. I recommend trying Uinta Brewing Co. Dubhe Imperial Black IPA. Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!

The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

Here are this week’s news and events happening in the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

  • Wednesday, March 4th. Small Batch: Frolicking Fig with Almond & Oak. GoodRoad Ciderworks. 4 pm-10 pm. We’re tapping an almond & oak version of a fan favorite mead, Frolicking Fig! Catch it in our taproom starting Wednesday, 3/4!

 

  • Wednesday, March 4th. Temple Talks: Wild Ales. 7 pm-8:30 pm. Tickets at Eventbrite.com. join us for discussion and sampling of Wild (sour) ales in our latest Temple Talks presentation.

    Wild ales are a bit like the natural wines of the beer world. They’re fermented with wild (or natural) yeasts, imbuing them with a funk-fuelled flavor profile—think earthy, sour cherry, barnyard, bacon, or desiccated pear. Nearly extinct 20 years ago, this beer style was rescued from obscurity by American craft beer bars and brewers who worshipped its weird, funky flavors. Join Certified Cicerone Aaron Gore on a journey into Wild Ales.

 

  • Thursday, March 5th. Steam Punk Beer Release. Triple C Brewing Company. 4 pm-10 pm. We brewed this small batch for the 2020 Queen City Brewers Festival and saved a keg for our taproom! Steam Beer is deep amber in color with a thick creamy head and rich, distinctive flavor. Brewed in the historic vein of old, this beer is a tip of the hat to one of the oldest styles in America.

    4.8% ABV.

 

  • Thursday, March 5th. IPA Series Release: Interstellar Feller. Birdsong Brewing Co. 3 pm-10 pm. It’s almost time for our first IPA Series release of the year! We hope you join us for the release of Interstellar Feller! We will be releasing Interstellar Feller on draft and in cans on 3/5/20 at 3p.

    It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Interstellar Feller, the latest in our IPA series. Strata, Comet and Idaho 7 hops give this beer a unique West Coast dankness with hints of passion fruit, grapefruit, and red berry. Smooth and bright, this IPA will have you seeing stars!
    6.4%

 

  • Thursday, March 5th. Irish Red Release. Catawba Brewing Company. 3 pm-10 pm. Paddy’s Day is just around the corner!

  

  • Friday, March 6th. Par 4 Release. NoDa Brewing Company. 4 pm-10 pm. Stay in the zone with a low ABV beer that still packs robust flavor and mouthfeel. Brewed with nearly four pounds of hops per barrel and mashed with oats, Par 4 has a smooth and balanced body to even out the payload delivered by a bouquet of select West Coast hops.👌

    This session IPA, sitting at 4% ABV, will be available on draft and in cans at both locations! 🍻

 

  • Friday, March 6th. Wicked Weed 50 Tap Takeover and Live Music. Mac’s Speed Shop Steele Creek. 7 pm- 10 pm. Free tickets at eventbrite.com. Wicked Weed 50 Tap Takeover and Live Music by Flannel is the New Black @7PM!
    Brewery of The Month Friday!
    $4 Wicked Weed Beers
    $6 Carolina Mules
    $5 Fireball

 

  • Friday, March 6th. Bramblin’ Blackberry a Seasonal Cider. Red Clay Ciderworks. 3 pm-11 pm. You know springtime is here and summer is just around the corner when we release Bramblin’ Blackberry!

    So please join us Friday, March 6th to be the first to taste this year’s batch! Available to enjoy on draft or to take home in 4 packs of 16oz cans!

 

  • Saturday, March 7th. Unknown Brewing’s 6.5ish Anniversary Music Festival. The Unknown Brewing Company. 12:30 pm-11. Tickets free at Eventbrite.com. The Unknown Music Festival is back, March 7th! The best Anniversary party in the QC & IT’S COMPLETELY FREE! JUST RSVP!

    CONCERT LINE-UP:
    Kelley Jo & Phriends: 4:50-5:50p
    Akita: 6:05- 7:05p
    No BS! Brass Band: 7:25-8:8:25p
    Empire Strikes Brass: 8:45- 9:50p
    Petey Pablo: 10:00p

    6.5ish Kriek Sour Ale Release: 12p in the Tap Room!
    Beer & Wine Specials, Charlotte’s Best Food Trucks, Fireworks Show, Festival Shenanigans & A FREE Rockin’ South End Concert!

    The first 75 people get an Unknown Gift Bag with RSVP!

 

  • Saturday, March 7th. 2 Year Anniversary Celebration. Divine Barrel Brewing. 12 pm-11pm. We’re quickly coming up on our 2nd Anniversary, and we can’t wait to throw down and celebrate on Saturday, March 7 with all of you amazing people who’ve helped us reach this milestone! You can expect a day full of beer releases, 3 amazing and different bands, and Hot Tamale serving delicious Mexican all day! We’ll be releasing some special barrel-aged and non-BA beers that were crafted specifically for this momentous occasion. We’ll have fun collabs and even a couple guest taps again. We can’t wait to share this special day with you, but we’re not done yet… we’ve got a couple more surprises up our sleeves to announce before the event!

 

  • Saturday, March 7th. OMB Cans Release Party. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. 11 am-11 pm. For the first time ever, on Saturday, March 7th, you’ll be able to purchase OMB BEER IN CANS!!!

    We’re releasing Copper Altbier, Captain Jack Pilsner, Hornets Nest Hefeweizen, 704 Hazy Wheat Ale, and our seasonal Früh Bock in BPA-free cans starting at 11am on Saturday, March 7th!
    Please come to the OMB Brauhaus to purchase our cans.

    **BONUS**
    Everyone who stops in to buy a 4-pack of our 16 oz. cans will receive a free OMB koozie! Choose from 5 different colors!

    During the day we’ll be serving draft beer in our taprooms and Bier Hut. We’ll also have some fun food specials to complement the momentous day.

    Stay tuned to our social media for a few more surprises/contests leading up to March 7th.

    —-
    ** PLEASE NOTE ** We ask that you not open the cans on-premise to drink. Any packaged beer (including cans) must be taken off-site to be consumed.
    —-

 

Victory Brewing Company Sour Monkey Sour Brett Tripel

Posted on by Evan

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Victory Brewing Company (Downington, Pennsylvania) Sour Monkey, 9.5% is a Brett (Brettanomyces) Sour Belgian-Style ale. Victory uses Pilsner malt and Tettnang hops to brew Sour Money which is one variation of Golden Monkey, and there is also Twisted Monkey brewed with Mangos. Sour Monkey pours a golden color with a two and a half finger white head that slowly dissolves into a thin haze giving off sour aromas of some fruit and dryness. The taste is similar to the nose with a nice sizable effervescent with a nice punch of sour with hints of light fruit, spice in the middle probably from the Brett, and a somewhat strong sense of alcohol that comes to a dry spiced finish and a dry but sour aftertaste with a medium mouthfeel. Victory Brewing Company Sour Monkey is a nice tasty rendition of a Belgian-style Tripel, and I say it’s an A+. Nothing is really overpowering with this beer it nails the style and adds a pleasant Brett sourness to it for on pleasurable drinking experience, one that I think you will surely enjoy. Please enjoy responsibly! Cheers!  

Terrapin Beer Co. Hopsecutioner IPA

Posted on by Evan

Terrapin Beer Co. Hopsecutioner IPA, 7.3% ABV purchased in a six-pack twelve-ounce can form from my local supermarket is brewed in Athens, Georgia with Warrior, Chinook, Simcoe. Amarillo, Cascade, and Centennial hops yeah that’s six different hops verities. Hopsecutioner pours an orange color with a two-finger white head that fades into a thin cloud on top. This IPA has dank garlic and onion aroma with nice hoppy bitter notes that then invite you into a taste that follows the nose with garlic and onion bitter hop notes that don’t overwhelm your palate. Hopsecutioner finishes with a nice hoppy malt flavor and comes to a nice bitter dank aftertaste with hints of very faint garlicky fruit notes all with a medium mouthfeel. Terrapin Beer Co. Hopsecutioner IPA is surprisingly good for an IPA that sounds like it to be a real wallop of hops to your tastebuds, it defiantly hopped and I give this an A. For have six varieties of hops it has a bit of smoothness about and I if you like classic styles IPA then this is right up your alley. Please drink responsibly! Cheers!

Throwback Thursday: Terrapin Beer Co. Rye Pale Ale

Posted on by Evan

Originally posted on February 21st, 2012

Yes now, this is a beer that is following a new yet small trend in beer styles, rye. Rye is a cousin to wheat, looks and grows like wheat. There are several different styles of rye beer, rye IPA, rye ale, rye pale ale just to name a few. This Terrapin brew is 5.3 abv and pours a nice pale orange color with a white head. There is a definite rye scent present like rye bread, along with a nice hoppiness. It has a slightly similar taste to a weak IPA but not in a bad way. The taste is hoppy but not SO hoppy like an IPA, is smooth kind of crisp until the end. Yes, there is a nice rye bread flavor to this pale ale. The aftertaste is a little sour and hoppy but just enough to make it a bit interesting. I think so. Rye beers maybe a fad, but I think they may just be here to stay, and what a good stay it will be. I like this because it has a lot of different characteristics and flavors to it. That to me, along with the rye is interesting to me. I really enjoy interesting beers and that is what beer-loving is all about. That is a good Terrapin. Try it!! Cheers! Please drink responsibly!

 

The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

Here are this week’s news and events happening in the Charlotte, North Carolina area!

  • Wednesday, February 26th. Brewdog Launch Party. Duckworth Grill and Taphouse Uptown. 6 pm-8 pm. Help us give BrewDog a Queen City welcome! We’ll have BrewDog wristbands, tattoos, stickers, hats, glassware and t-shirts. Not to mention these outstanding beers:

    Hazy Jane IPA
    East Coast Crush
    Elvis Juice
    Punk IPA
    Choco Libre

 

  • Wednesday, February 26th. Foothills Brewing Event. Duckworth’s Taphouse & Grill Rea Farms. 6 pm-8 pm. Help us celebrate Foothills’ 15th Anniversary with beer samples (hello, Barrel-Aged Sexual Chocolate!) and swag giveaways!

    On tap:
    Barrel-Aged Sexual Chocolate
    Festival Express
    Craft Happiness IPA Project – Wish IPA
    Sexual Chocolate
    Torcht     

 

  • Thursday, February 27th. Wreak-Havoc American Barely Wine Release. Triple C Brewing Company. 4 pm-10 pm. An American barley wine with aromas of fruity-esters, caramel, and toffee. Pours a light copper in color, with flavors of caramel malt sweetness, charred sugar, and a hint of bourbon. With a dry finish and deceiving drinkability, this will ensure that havoc will be wrecked!

    12.5% ABV

 

  • Thursday, February 27th. Cranes in the Sky Draft Release. Triple C Brewing Company. 4 pm-10 pm. We have a new Hazy Pale Ale out draft only for this release followed by a second with cans soon!

    This hazy pale pours a light yellow with a pillowy white head. Aromas of juicy fruit, candied pineapple, sweet mango, and a hint of shredded coconut. Flavors of tropical fruits, bright citrus, juicy mango, and a slight melon presence. With a soft bitterness and creamy mouthfeel, this pale will bring you to the tropical beaches of the southern coast. 

 

  • Thursday, February 27th. Banana Pancakes Hefeweizen Release. Pilot Brewing. 2 pm-10 pm. Drop-in on Thursday, February 27 for the release of our new Banana Pancakes Hefeweizen by a guest brewer, Kylee Gordon! This beer was brewed with Maris Otter malt and maple syrup.

 

  • Thursday, February 27th-Friday, 28th. Olde Hickory Imperial Stouts Event. 5 pm (27th)-11 pm (28th). Carolina Beer temple Charlotte. Dark Days of Winter Part 3 will feature 4 incredible imperial stouts from Olde Hickory.
    Lindley Park, Event Horizon, Photon Sphere
    and a vintage aged Imperial Stout

    Olde Hickory believes great beer is the result of meticulous attention to detail throughout the brewing process. OHB beers begin their life as freshwater that flows from the granite slopes of the Blue Ridge and culminate in small batches less than 800 gallons each. 

 

  • Friday, February 28th. A-MAIZE-ING Southeastern IPA Release Pilot Brewing. 11 am-10 pm. Join us for the release of our next Southeastern IPA, A-Maize-Ing! This was brewed with flaked maize and single hopped with mosaic.

    Enjoy $3 goblets all day this Friday!

 

  • Saturday, February 29th. Too Blessed to Be Stressed. Free Range Brewing. 12 pm-11 pm. Join us for Too Blessed to be Stressed. This German Helles Lager, sitting at 5% ABV, is a collaboration between breweries to celebrate the life of Scott Brooks. The NoDa and Plaza neighborhood breweries wanted to honor Scott and his family for the impact they have had on the NoDa community, through Brooks Sandwich House.

    The batch is to be split in kegs for each brewery taproom, while 100% of the proceeds of sales will be donated to Habitat Charlotte in honor of Scott Brooks.

    The charity was close to the family’s heart and was the charity they selected to benefit from the sales of the batch. The beer is styled in a traditional German Helles Lager (German Light Lager) and is easy drinking, approachable, versatile for food pairing and a style we hope Scott would enjoy.

    Too Blessed to be Stressed” t-shirt. 100% of net profits will go to Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte benefitting the 2.1 acres of land donated by the Brooks family in 2019.

    Moreover, with the blessing of the Brooks Family, Glory Days Apparel is partnering with Habitat For Humanity of Charlotte. They have designed and are selling a t-shirt to echo Scott’s frequent mantra of “Too Blessed To Be Stressed”, heard often as he would greet customers. You can preorder this shirt on their website now. They will also be available for sale at our NE taproom on the day of this release.

    Participating breweries:
    Free Range Brewing
    NoDa Brewing Company
    Birdsong Brewing Co.
    Salud Cerveceria
    Protagonist
    Heist Brewery
    Pilot Brewing
    Resident Culture Brewing Company
    Divine Barrel Brewing
    Bold Missy Brewery
    Wooden Robot Brewery

 

  • Saturday, February 29th, Hoppin’ 2 Year Anniversary. Hoppin’, 11 am-11:30 pm. Free tickets at eventbrite.com. **OUR BIGGEST EVENT EVER AND IT IS COMPLETELY FREE**

    We’ve made it for 2 years and are ready to celebrate with our biggest party ever! If you came to our 1-year party last year then you know this isn’t a party to be missed! As a thank, you to all of our amazing supporters the tickets for this event are completely FREE!

    This celebration will include the unveiling of our special 2 Year Anniversary beer in collaboration with Seaboard Brewing, an incredible DJ spinning music all day, a photo booth, beer & wine specials, specialty beers on tap, food by Twisted Eats, Scratch Off Style Giveaway (first 500 people will receive prizes), and many more surprises that we will reveal the closer we get to the date!

    So make sure you clear your calendar on February 29th and get ready to celebrate Hoppin’s 2 Year Anniversary!

 

  • Saturday, February 29th. Big Fat Juicy Mango IPA Taproom Can Release. Sycamore Brewing. 12 pm-11 pm. Get em’ while you can! This limited delicious IPA will be available THIS Saturday in our taproom! Brewed with oats, milk sugar, and ripe mangoes. Heavily hopped with Citra, Idaho 7, Mosaic, and Galaxy!

 

  • Saturday, February 29th. Take Me Home Tonight Can & Draft Release! 2.29. The Unknown Brewing company. 12 pm-11 pm. With an 8.8% ABV, our Hazy Double IPA is just screaming Take Me Home Tonight! Releases Saturday, 2/29 in cans and on draft, only in the Tap Room!

    Take Me Home Tonight is a “whatever the question is, the answer is yes” kind of beer.

    DISCLAIMER: Any decisions made while drinking Take Me Home Tonight are at the expense of the drinker and are not a direct reflection of Unknown Brewery. But just like Ronnie sang…

Beer & Chips Paring: Terrapin Beer Co. Hopsecutioner IPA & Cheetos Crunchy Simply White Cheddar Jalapeño

Posted on by Evan

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I picked up both Terrapin Beer Co. Hopsecutioner IPA, 7.3% & Cheetos Crunchy Simply white  Cheddar Jalapeño from my local grocery store. I will be reviewing Hopsecutioner soon. Cheetos Simply Cheddar Jalapeño are made with real cheese and are more of a light yellow color than the normal bright orange Cheeto color. They are long and knotted with a minimal cheese dust/coating, and they had a nice cheddar aroma with light jalapeño spice to them. The flavor is light on the jalapeño and you get more cheese, cheese hits your taste buds followed by the light jalapeño flavor with a good crunch, that comes together for a light spicy cheddar finish and very similar aftertaste. When the Cheetos are paired with Hopsecutioner the hoppy flavors carry the spicy notes well giving them a leg up in the flavor department and slightly mask the cheddar flavor and washes it out a little bit in the finish giving you am added hoppy not to the Cheetos aftertaste. Overall these Cheetos Crunchy Simply White Cheddar Jalapeño are not too bad getting a B- & as pairing with Terrapin Beer Co. Hopsecutioner IPA it’s also a B-. The chips fall short with jalapeño flavor, needs a little more, and the cheddar does get a tiny bit lost in the IPA hop notes. But I would not turn these two down if I was offered. Please enjoy responsibly! Cheers!              

Throwback Thursday: Full Sail Brewery IPA

Posted on by Evan

Originally posted on  November 10th, 2012

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On today’s shelves, you find many different IPA, (India Pale Ale) styles. But if there becomes more and more different style then a regular IPA might be somewhat forgotten. But not here, we have Full Sail Brewery IPA, 6.0% ABV from Hood River Oregon. This is just a simple IPA, and it’s sometimes good to go back to an original. This IPA pours a light orange color with a pillowy white head that looks like vanilla ice cream. The head does stay for a little while, and some light coming through the glass. I didn’t find a whole lot of carbonation on this, but I did see nice lacing though out. The aroma on this Full Sail IPA is a big soapy lemon and citrus fruit with a hint of a grassy note. This really smells like a good typical IPA. The taste on Full Sail IPA is lemony slightly citrusy and has a faint bitter hop dryness. The mouthfeel is medium with a good amount of crispness. This IPA kind of coats your tongue a little. The finish is good crisp with a nice bitter lemon flavor that stays in your mouth. The after taste really stays around in your mouth with a nice bitter hop. This is receiving a B+ from me. A great IPA, but could have some other citrus fruits, but still good with a lemon flavor. I DO recommend this IPA, any hoppy beer lover or IPA lover would like this, even a non-IPA/Hop drinker would like this. Give this a try please! I highly Full Sail Brewery IPA. recommend Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!