Hoppy’s next stop was at Zebulon Artisan Ales in Weaverville, NC. Zebulon is a nano brewery operated by a husband- and-wife team that began in 2015. It is known for brewing historically correct ales. Due to their small size, their taproom is only open Friday through Sunday.
While there, Hoppy enjoyed a flight of some of their current brews. These were as follows:
Czech Tmave 12 Dark Lager – Described as malty, complex and delicious with notes of toffee and licorice. 5.2% ABV.
Mixed Citrus SaisonFarmhouse Ale – Brewed with local malt and aged on orange, lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot peel. Described as having a light citrus flavor with a light rose aftertaste. 6% ABV.
Vintage (c. 1850) XX Stout – This is a historical re-creation. Described as having loads of roast and hops, almost an Imperial Stout, but a bit less boozy. 7.4% ABV.
Blueberry Sour – Made with mixed culture fermentation. 5.4% ABV.
Hoppy recently visited the Burial Beer Forestry Camp location. This was their second Asheville location which opened in 2019 on the historic grounds of a former Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) property. It is the home of their Production Brewery and VISUALS Winery. (Hoppy visited their original location in Asheville’s South Slope in 2019.)
During his visit Hoppy enjoyed the following beers:
Surf Wax West-Coast IPA – Brewed with Mosaic, Citra, Columbus and Centennial hops, with lots of barley and a touch of wheat. 6.8% ABV, 45 IBU.
Until There Is No Longer New England IPA – Brewed with 100% Citra hops. Whirled with Citra and Citra Incognito. Double dry-hopped with hand-selected Citra pellets and with Citra Cryo. Described as a cornucopia of overly ripe Naval and Alphonso mango flesh, orange pixie sticks, and some Mango Mama strain. 7.4% ABV, 60 IBU.
For ExtraordinaryTemptation Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout – This is a pairing of Mezcal barrel fruit and smoke paired with their dark fruit and caramel Woodford Reserve barrel-aged stout married together with French Broad cocoa nibs, Mezcal barrel-aged Mexican vanilla bean and a dash of sea salt. Described as an incredibly diverse range of Mexican spiced hot cocoa, sweet citrus chocolate cake, Bourbon vanilla Frappuccino and dark chocolate-dipped black cherries. 15% ABV, 28IBU.
Guggman Haus celebrated their 5th anniversary on Saturday. Hoppy was in attendance, but he passed up the opportunity to celebrate with a slice of birthday cake, and instead opted to celebrate by drinking a few of their higher-octane brews. These were as follows:
2X Great Day IPA – Described as the double version of their haus IPA. It is double dry hopped with Citra, Mosaic and HBC 586 hops. 8% ABV.
Into the Wild Sour: Blackberry Pomegranate – Brewed with the named fruit and vanilla beans, this deep purple fruited sour berliner weisse combines tart blackberry notes with background pomegranate sweetness. A wild yeast strain was used for natural souring, and it was brewed with milk sugars for a creamy, refreshing body. 8.5% ABV.
Barrel Series # 10: Coffee Bourbon Barrel Milk Stout – Aged for over 18 months in a Hotel Tango bourbon barrel. 13.2% ABV.
This day was also a grand opening celebration for their Coffee Haus which has taken over the original space occupied by the brewery and taproom.
Pictures from the event follow:
2X Great Day IPAInto the Wild Sour: Blackberry PomegranateBarrel Series # 10: Coffee Bourbon Barrel Milk StoutHoppy was here!
Hoppy attended the 4th Annual Tipton On Tap Craft Beer, Wine & Spirits Fest last Saturday. While there, he enjoyed sampling the following ales:
Sinister Goat Brewing Reign In Blood New England Blood Orange IPA – 7.8% ABV.
Northbrook Brewing West Coast IPA – 7% ABV, 90 IBU.
Lost Hollow Beer Cheeky Scouser EPA – Described as having a caramel and malt sweetness with a hoppy aroma and finish. 5% ABV, 40 IBU.
Elm Street Brewing Citranot American IPA – Described as featuring loads of Citra, Citra Cryo and Ekuanot hops! Loads of oats round out the mouthfeel. 6.8% ABV, 52 IBU.
Triton Brewing Rail SplitterAmerican IPA – Their flagship beer, and a true example of the style, it is a fresh golden brew with noticeable citrus and floral aromas balanced on a nice malty backbone with a dry finish. 7% ABV, 70 IBU.
Primeval Brewing French Kiss French Farmhouse Ale – Described as an amber colored ale with rich toasty, caramel malt flavors. The traditional French artisanal yeast strain produces a dry, spicy and floral finish. It was stored cold for three months to achieve the smooth character of this very unique beer! 7.7% ABV, 28 IBU.
Big Lug Brewing Topanga Pale Ale – Described as a citrus pale ale that’s crisp and refreshing with a nice hoppy finish. 6.2% ABV, 40 IBU.
Pax Verum Stray Thoughts New England IPA – A New England IPA series which revolves around elements of harmony within the disorder.
Photos from the event follow:
Tipton Town SquareVeterans Memorial & Town SquarePassword Reset Band PerformingSinister Goat BrewingNorthbrook BrewingLost Hollow BeerElm Street BrewingTriton BrewingPrimeval BrewingBig Lug BrewingThe Pour Pair Pouring Pax Verum Brews
On Friday afternoon Hoppy visited Creatures of Habit Brewing (COH) in Anderson. They began brewing under the Creatures of Habit name in 2017 and opened their taproom in April 2019. As well as a taproom and restaurant, they also have a bottle shop.
While there, Hoppy imbibed the following brews in a flight:
COH Brewing R2C2American IPA– Described as a Malty IPA that brings balance to the hop force. Brewed with Centennial, Cascade and Magnum hops. 6.6% ABV, 58 IBU.
Guggman Haus Brewing Cosmic Horizon DDH American IPA– Brewed with loads of Galaxy, Simcoe and Mosaic hops, this DDH IPA offers big tangerine and citrus flavors and aromas, with notes of peach and tropical fruit. It finishes smooth and refreshing with subtle hints of pine. 7.5% ABV, 110 IBU.
Stone BrewingSublimelySelf-Righteous Black Imperial IPA – This is a rebirth of an ale first brewed in 2007 as the Stone 11th Anniversary Ale. They claim that it was brought back as they loved it so damn much and that they felt that it was truly sublime, and that you may now revel in your own self-righteousness as you see fit with this glorious example of theirs. 8.7% ABV, 90 IBU.
COH Brewing Meridian Medicine British Strong Ale – Creatures of Habit states the following: The Meridian system is a concept of traditional Chinese medicine. There is no solid proof that it works. The fact is that our brewery is located on Meridian St. in beautiful downtown Anderson, IN. Meridian Street at one time had many pharmacies. We are not claiming to be a pharmacy or that our Strong Ale has any medicinal properties whatsoever, but with its rich malt bill, spicy notes from Nugget hops and the warmth from the alcohol, this beer is sure to warm you up and make you feel better. 8% ABV, 40 IBU.
Hoppy finished his visit with a pint of the Creatures of Habit R2C2 American IPA.
Hoppy attended the Rock the Junction Festival last Saturday at Grand Junction Brewing. While there he sampled a number of beers from various Indiana breweries. These included the following:
Grand Junction Brewing – One with Nature IPA – Described as a malt forward Midwest IPA with notes of grapefruit peel, tangerine, and hints of pine that greet your nose as you sip, giving way to an assertive yet balanced bitterness with a light caramel finish. It will leave you daydreaming about becoming one with nature. 6.3% ABV, 75 IBU.
Taxman Brewing – Exemption Belgian Tripel – Described as an abbey-style tripel. This crisp golden ale unites lemon peel, orange peel and coriander spices with flavorful Belgian esters. White wheat, flaked oat and artisan malts contribute a round, balanced body, complemented by golden candi sugar. 8.5% ABV, 30 IBU.
Crasian Brewing Rickshaw Rye’d Rye IPA – Described as a beautifully balanced Rye IPA hopped with Mosaic hops. 5.7% ABV, 64 IBU.
Terre Haute Brewing – Wango Tango IPA – They state, from John Mellencamp to Axl Rose, it’s pretty clear that Indiana rocks! Wango Tango is a luscious India Pale Ale brewed with Apollo and Citra hops. This beer brings a soft and smooth body, amplified notes of citrus, and a tangy tangerine finish that is out of this world. Rock on with a Wango! 7.5% ABV, 23 IBU.
Science Project Brewing – Hop Rocket IPA – Hop Rocket is inspired by the first ever logo idea of Science Project. It now has a mural on the front of their building, its own shirt, and its own glass. Brewed using Brewers 2 Row malt and Pilsen Malt with a splash of Carapils. Bravo hops are used for the initial bittering charge and Citra and Mosaic hops are used throughout including a large dry hop. 6.3% ABV, 63 IBU.
Metal Works Brewing – American IPA – Described as a crisp and dry hop forward American IPA with a balance of malt and bitterness. 6.4% ABV, 62 IBU.
Bad Dad Brewing – Kiss the Cook Double IPA – This light bodied beer boasts a tropical bouquet with mild bitterness. The flavor lingers slightly, but dissipates enough to warrant another sip. 8.8% ABV.
Field Brewing – Reunion Citrus IPA – A refreshing IPA brewed with real tangerine and grapefruit, while moderately dry hopped with Ahtanum and Cascade hops. 6.3% ABV, 64IBU.
Black Dog Brewing – Good Vibrations Witbier – Belgian style witbier brewed with sweet orange peel, coriander, and chamomile. Easy citrus and bright flavors accompanied by a medium body and spritzy carbonation. 5.3% ABV, 12 IBU.
Creatures of Habit Brewing – R2C2 American IPA – A malty IPA that brings balance to the hop force. 6.6% ABV, 58 IBU.
Teays River Brewing – Trauma Llama Ding Dong Hazy IPA – This features big pineapple and melon hop notes while delivering low bitterness and a fluffy mouthfeel. 6.3% ABV, 16 IBU.
Pax Verum Brewing – Lythronax Double Oatmeal Stout Tinker Coffee + Vanilla Variant – Hailing from the depths with an unapologetic spirit, this heavy textured oatmeal stout series is bathed in the absence of light and emboldened with ferocious flavors. BREWED WITH TINKER COFFEE COMPANY’S ARK BLEND AND TATITIAN VANILLA BEANS. 8% ABV, 56 IBU.
Fontana Farms Brewing – Propagation New England IPA -Full bodied Hazy IPA featuring Citra, El Dorado, and Amarillo hops. 6.4% ABV, 43 IBU.
Guggman Haus Brewing – Clouds of Citra DDH Double New England IPA – Brewed with heaps of Citra and Cryo-Citra hops to create a beautifully bold citrus profile, this double hazy IPA stands out for its extremely smooth and balanced mouthfeel along with bright, refreshing notes of citrus in every sip. 8.7% ABV.
