2012 Wrap-up

I have never understood why folks publish "Best of the Year" lists before the year is actually over - what if something amazing happens on Dec. 31?  Years from now readers may think that you weren't paying attention that year or were just lazy (because your "Best of" list didn't include the obvious event of Dec. 31).  Shrewd blogger that I am, I have avoided that problem by publishing the 2012 Carolina Pints wrap-up on Jan. 2.  (Well, nothing big happened Dec. 31, but it COULD have...)

Circumstances did not allow as many posts during the year as I would have liked, but that will be remedied in 2013 - beginning with full coverage of the first beer tasting hosted by Carolina Pints the weekend of January 26-27 in Pinehurst as part of the Leigh Frazier birthday celebration.  Check back for reviews of new NC breweries and updates to previously visited and thriving favorites.  Meanwhile, here are a few highlights from 2012 (Note: all beers listed were brewed in 2012, but not necessarily for the first time)

 

• Natty Greene's in Raleigh continues to offer an astounding number of house-made brews at all times - at last visit, more than 10 were on tap, including four different seasonals.
• Fullsteam's Forager series still sets the pace for unique, locally-sourced brews, with offerings that contained (or are inspired by) persimmons, fruitcake and paw-paws.  Paw-paws!
• Mystery Brewing (Hillsborough) proprietor Erik Lars Myers published North Carolina Craft Beer & Breweries, a fantastic look at more than 45 NC breweries.  Purchasing this book (which you should) does not, however, absolve you from reading Carolina Pints).
• Lonerider (Raleigh) expanded their capacity with a new enclosed tasting room - definitely a spot to be seen in 2013.
• Mother Earth (Kinston) took home a bronze medal from the Great American Beer Festival in Denver for its Munich Dunkel and Carolina Brewery's (Chapel Hill) Sky Blue Golden Ale also won bronze. NoDa (Charlotte) received a silver for its Coco Loco Porter.
• Beers of the Year: Sweet Josie (Lonerider), Peacemaker (Lonerider), Peanut Butter Porter (BCBB), Oktoberfest (Carolina Brewery), First Frost (Fullsteam), Triangle White (Triangle), Cold Mountain Winter Ale (Highland) 
• Dogfish shout-out:  No, it's not in NC, but Carolina Pints has a secret direct supplier from the Delaware brewery, and in honor of that, please go buy a My Antonia Imperial Pilsner and drink it.  Now.  It will make you a better person.

See you in 2013 with (I promise) more reviews and discussion.  Happy New Year!