First Sip: Steel String Brewery, Carrboro

Normally it is the policy of CP to visit a new local brewery at least twice before commenting here, but how better to encourage your visitation than to dash off a few bon mots regarding a new opening, particularly one in the vicinity of most of CP's (deliriously assumed) dedicated readers.  Do not worry, intrepid digester of blogs - a thorough discussion of Carrboro's Steel String Brewery is undoubtedly on tap (thanks, I'll be here all year), but it seems a disservice to not quickly introduce this recent addition to the Triangle brewery scene

Steel String holds down a prime spot in downtown Carrboro, directly across from the Open Eye Cafe and next to the Wendy's - and who doesn't enjoy a festive Honeysuckle Saison along with their Triple Cheeseburger - and its friendly atmosphere (not that other NC breweries aren't friendly, but it was almost if at our first visit the staff was trying HARD to be accomodating) should keep it a popular hangout for some time.  Its daunting location, less than 100 feet from Tyler's Taproom, with its impressive beer selection, is ambitious - but shows confidence.  The brewery has lots of natural light (no, not Natural Light) and is highlighted by its custom guitar-shaped bar and high-quality Saisons that portend good things for the future.  Stay tuned for a thorough review in the near future, but in the meantime if you are in Carrboro, stop in (park carefully; this is still sort of Chapel Hill) and have one or two.

 

Word to Your Mother

A quick trip to the coast provided (necessitated?) a stopover in Kinston at one of NC's fastest growing breweries - Mother Earth Brewing.  It's not quite as imposing as this photo suggests - which with the solar panels conjures images of Camden Yards - but its brewing shadow over most everything east of Raleigh is true to this perspective. 

If you have been to a few NC breweries, Mother Earth's interior is surprising - if you have visited Kinston, it's downright shocking.  Beautiful reclaimed plank floors are accented boldly with white fixtures, modern art and neon blue accent lighting. It's not quite "Amber on the main stage!" at 4:30 in the afternoon, but one can imagine their effect once the sun goes down. You have to give ME credit for artistic bent in a genre that is normally dominated by garage/warehouse chic. 

Oh...sorry, the beer.  ME's very solid standard offering of Dark Cloud Dunkel, Weeping Willow Wit and Endless River Kolsch are worth the trip (the Sisters of the Moon IPA, despite its fantastic moniker, seems to be a bit of an afterthought).  On this trip, however, the "Special Drafts" (not sure I'm forgiving the "f" there) were imaginative and well executed. First quaffed was their Pilsner drawn from a Nitro tap, which resulted in a dangerously easy-drinking European Pilsner with a great - warning: one of my favorite beer words coming up - mouthfeel. 

The Smoked Lager was next, and ME has achieved a not-overwhelming infusion of smokiness in that rarity of NC microbrews, a true lager.  A swallow contains hints of good Scotch and balances well with the slight sweetness of European malts.  Balance is the operative word here - a fantastic, different and creative offering. 

Overall, Mother Earth fulfills all the ambitious goals of a small town brewery (and a few of those much larger) - a distinctive setting that defines its space but doesn't obscure its immediate environment (a bourgeoning downtown); extremely solid everyday brews; experimental small batches that are creative but drinkable; and finally a growing reputation throughout the region that has already resulted in collaboration brews with other NC breweries and respect across the milieu. Makes me proud to be an original Down Easter. 

Asheville Beer Weekend Commences!

First stop on the First Annual CP Asheville Brewery Weekend is...not in Asheville. Couldn't wait - had to stop just off I-40 in Black Mountain at Pisgah Brewing Company. First pint is their West Coast IPA (I know - I'm so predictable), which is floral and light. Plenty of room here with a full bandstand both indoors and out. The Spring Wheat is a bit dry and refreshing. Pisgah has a mess o' beer on tap, including a Bacon Stout and something called The Vortex, which checks in at a hardy 11.2%. Love to try it but have to make it to Asheville...

Raleigh Beer Festival: Post Mortem

It pains me to not trumpet the Raleigh Beer Festival as a must-attend event - after all, how can a NC-Beer-centric blog not champion the confluence of multiple North Carolina breweries in less than 4 acres?  Two main reasons: first, this was the most popular booth (caption must be: "F*** these meddlin' kids thinking they're hip drinking this crap...and f*** that Pringles guy.")

Second, the 4 acres.  Yes, Moore Square park is one of only two parks left from Raleigh's original 1792 plan, which is cool, but cramming more than 100 beer booths in that area is, shall we say, not exactly conducive to thoughtful tastings of highly varied brews.  However, lest we sound as old as we actually are, let's hit the highlights of the festival from the NC perspective, which did offer a few new brews from old friends.


The NC beer tents were absolutely packed all day.  However, because CP has such extensive (expensive, say some) experience with the local offerings, we were able to try only the non-standard brews and savor them without re-tasting our Peacemakers, Hoppyums (Hoppyi?) and Sky Blues.  Notable were Carolina Brewing Co.'s Spring Bock, better than Shiner's with a little bit more alcohol heat and Foothills' India Style Brown.  Dogfish's IBA is the CP favorite, but we are excited to visit Winston-Salem to try the Brown on draught very soon. 

A new one for the CP staff was Huske Hardware from Fayetteville (actually the first beer of the day) - their "Ale Yeah" - very much like a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, though I would say that there is a malty complexity under the hoppy finish that distinguishes the "Yeah" a bit from its West Coast brethren. 

Let me interject here that the hip brews in late 2012 and early 2013 seem to be Saisons and Sours.  Let me as quickly interject that these styles are, shall we say, not at the top of my preference list - this weakness prevents CP from accurately evaluating these offerings.  Lonerider's "The Preacher"and Aviator's "Saison de Aviator" (creative) from what I hear, are excellent examples.

A few other favorites that will be reviewed shortly with their breweries: Mother Earth (Kinston)'s Dark Cloud Dunkel; Raleigh Brewing Company's Hidden Pipe Porter; Railhouse Brewery (Aberdeen)'s Mastiff Stout (fantastic); and, my personal favorite from the day, Mystery Brewing (Hillsborough)'s Queen Anne's Revenge, described as a Carolinian Dark.  Even at the beer's young age, CP is fairly sure that this is the first example of this style.

CP has been and will continue to be, for the most part, positive in its reviews - particularly towards its NC brewery roster.  However, we feel it is our duty to steer our dedicated readers away from wasted earnings on brews that we, even after extensive research, cannot find redeeming qualities.  The rogue's gallery of said beers on display at the Festival is blessedly short and is as follows:

• New Belgium Shift Lager - It just can't decide between lager and pale ale.  Should have given up.
• Cervaceria Centro Famosa- "Winner of 14 International Medals!" (apparently from the East German judge)
• Goose Island IPA - You're not a microbrew!  You ARE Anheuser Busch!  Stop!
• Leinenkugel anything - Your German-sounding name doesn't fool anyone.
• National Brewing Co. National Bohemian - "Premium Bohemian-style beer".  I was always fairly sure that I wasn't a Bohemian - now I'm VERY sure.
• Sweetwater Blue - This pains me, as I love Sweetwater in general, but good gracious.

I am tempted to take to task the missing NC breweries - notably all three major Durham locations, Fullsteam, Triangle Brewing Co. and Bull City Burger and Brewery.  It was disappointing that I was not able to brag upon my Bull City brethren to my out-of-town guests, who, for better or (much) worse, are woe to trek the extra 20 miles or so past our capital city for good craft beer.  I inquired about each absence via email with the Durham breweries and was pleased to quickly hear from all three.  Triangle cited the resource requirement to staff the suddenly ubitiquous NC festivals and its need to remain selective; BCBB indicated that it is simply at capacity in stocking its brewery with beer and Sean Lilly Wilson of Fullsteam was gracious enough to agree to comment on this entry at its publication.

Also notable in their absence were Asheville's Highland and French Broad.  Never fear, CP's is heading to the mountains for a long weekend in early May for a thorough caning (or at least a timid questioning) of each brewmaster.

See everyone next Saturday at Brewgaloo in Raleigh, where the focus is (thankfully) more on local brews and should allow for a fitting close to North Carolina Beer Month.

Cask-topia

Waiting for Deadeye Jack cask tapping...

North Carolina Tents Hoppin'

Hit both NC tents and enjoying heaven two ounces at a time. Highlights are Cowboy Black from Lonerider and Dunkel from Mother Earth. Peace, love & beer indeed.

Live from the Raleigh Beer Festival

We will be blogging live today from the Beer Festival at Moore Square in Raleigh. Currently waiting in line to get in.