The next stop was in Soldotna at Kenai River Brewing. They opened in 2006, and twelve years later they had expanded into a new facility, including adding a restaurant and a new canning system. While there Hoppy drank both the following:
Vic Secret Single Hop IPA – Described as being brewed with Vic Secret hops from Australia, with flavor and aroma of Big Pineapple, Passionfruit and Pine. Silky smooth! It clocked in at 7.6% ABV, 67 IBU.
Vic Secret Imperial Rye Pale Ale – This was also brewed exclusively with Australian Vic Secret hops. Described as having a mellow boozy start and a lingering hop presence on the finish. This one clocked in at 10.5% ABV, 95 IBU.
Pictures follow.
ExteriorDwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) is There to Greet You!BarTap HandlesDraft BoardVic Secret Single Hop IPABehind the BarBrewerySeating/DecorSeating/DecorWall DecorMerchandiseOutdoor SeatingOutdoor Seating
Hoppy next visited Homer Brewing Co., the first brewery in Homer, which opened in September 1996. They were forced to move in 2001 and in 2005 they installed a refurbished seven-barrel brewing system, increasing the efficiency in the brewhouse.
Here Hoppy enjoyed a Skyline Spruce Tip Ale described as a medium-bodied amber ale brewed with eight pounds of local spruce tips and a light addition of Cascade hops. Refreshing, pleasantly tart and full of Alaska character. It is 6.2% ABV.
Here are some pictures from the location.
ExteriorEntranceOutdoor SeatingTapsTap ListSkyline Spruce Tip AleTaproomGuestSticker Door – Find HoppyYes, He’s Poised to Sneak Under the Door to Look for Hop FriendsBreweryMerchandiseMerchandise
Hoppy’s first brewery visit on his Alaska trip was at Grace Ridge Brewing in Homer. This brewery began in May 2016, becoming the second brewery in Homer. They moved into a new space in February 2022 doubling their size to a 2,400 square foot building, housing their brewery and taproom.
While there, Hoppy quaffed a Sadie Peak IPA described as a full-bodied English IPA with aromas of pine and floral. It clocked in at 6.5% ABV, 65 IBU.
At the start of his trip to Alaska, Hoppy stopped at Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village, IL, near ORD. They released their first commercial beer, inspired by music, in 2015. In that same year, Mikerphone Brewing was awarded Best New Brewery in Illinois by Ratebeer, as well as One of the Best New Breweries in the World by Beer Advocate Magazine. They continue to produce high quality, small batch beers inspired by music. Their tasting room is equipped with two bars and patio seating.
While there, Hoppy imbibed an I Want My IPA which is brewed with Mosaic and Citra hops. It clocked in at 7.25% ABV.
Photos follow:
ExteriorBar/SeatingBarWall DecorBrewery Barrels with reflection on windowWall DecorSeating/Wall DecorI Want My IPA in Brewery Glass Listing Mikerphone BeersTap HandlesWall DecorHop LightsMerchandiseSeatingFamily/Video Game SectionGuitars – Some of which are AutographedShuffleboard Game & Hop DecorWall DecorSticker Door – Can You Find Hoppy?Here He Is!Exterior Garage Door
On a recent visit to South Carolina Hoppy visited the Tidal Creek Brewhouse in the Market Common area of Myrtle Beach. Unlike most breweries that serve food, they serve breakfast and brunch as well as lunch and dinner. They are a coffee roastery, as well. They are a woman/veteran owned business that was established in 2018.
While there Hoppy enjoyed a Grand Strand West Coast IPA clocking in at 6.5% ABV, 60 IBU.
Hoppy made his first visit to the Upland Brewing Tap House on E 82nd Street in Indianapolis yesterday evening. It opened last December, becoming the ninth location for Upland, and their third in Indianapolis (4th in the Indy area including one in Carmel). They opened their first brewpub in Bloomington in 1998 and they are currently celebrating their 25th anniversary!
Hoppy attended a Taproom Takeover there as part of the Indy Beer Meetup Group. While there he enjoyed sampling a couple of sours and imbibed an imperial IPA. They were as follows:
Raspberry Barrel-Aged Fruited Sour Ale – Described as having a fresh berry aroma with a touch of floral and wine-like notes, followed by a rich raspberry flavor. Reddish in hue with a pink foam appear upon pouring, with zesty amounts of carbonation. Finish is dry, with mouth-watering tanginess and raspberry flavor. It is 5.7% ABV; 9 IBU.
Boysenberry Barrel-Aged Fruited Sour Ale – Boysenberry is a barrel-aged sour ale that combines Upland’s take on a traditional Lambic-style base beer, with a fruit not typically found in traditional Lambics. They ferment their base beer, Basis, for six to eight months in oak tanks to produce tart flavors, fruity notes and funky character. Then, they blend individual batches before aging on boysenberry fruit for an additional month to extract the perfect balance of fruit flavor. 6% ABV; 10 IBU.
Coastbuster Imperial IPA – Inspired by the gloriously effervescent qualities of hop varieties common to West Coast style Imperial IPAs, Coastbuster displays the best of what these hops have to offer: their tropical, fruity, and floral aromas and flavors. With a light malt character and a dry finish, this is a beer designed to let the most succulent aspects of Simcoe, Amarillo, Columbus, and Cascade shine through while keeping the bitterness in balance. 8.5% ABV; 65IBU.
Pictures of the taproom and event follow:
ExteriorExterior LogoBarBarTap HandlesTap HandlesCoastbuster Imperial IPAWall MuralGuests/SeatingDragonfly NeonSeating AreaOne of Many Draft BoardsSeatingAttendees on PatioAttendeesAttendeesAttendeesMerchandiseSignage/Beer-to-Go
