Brewery Visits

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 Saison Farmhouse 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.

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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 Extraordinary Temptation 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.

Pictures of the visit follow:

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 R2C2 American 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 Brewing Sublimely Self-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.

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HI-WIRE BREWING – ASHEVILLE, NC

Hoppy’s next visit was to Hi-Wire Brewing in Asheville, NC. where he visited their original brewery which opened in 2013 in the South Slope area of Asheville. It currently is used for sour and wild ales, one-off small batch beers, and taproom exclusives. This is also home to their Tiki Easy Bar. They have taproom locations in five other states, and their beer is distributed in Indiana.

While there, Hoppy quaffed a Double Hi-Pitch IPA. It is described as an extra-large version of their flagship Hi-Pitch IPA seriously hopped with classic West Coast hops resulting in some eye-opening dank and citrusy aromas. Distinctive melon and grapefruit flavors balance out the malt in this dangerously drinkable IPA. 9% ABV, 65 IBU.

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WOODEN BEAR BREWING – GREENFIELD

Hoppy next visited Wooden Bear Brewing in Greenfield. It opened its doors in 2014 and is located in the former Gant Opera House, which opened in 1895, next door to Greenfield’s first firehouse. As you might expect, there are a number of carved wooden bears at their location.

Wooden Bear offers food from Greek’s Pizzeria.

During his visit, Hoppy enjoyed a Dancing Bears Double IPA described as being dry hopped. It clocked in at 8.8% ABV, 90 IBU.

Images from the visit follow: