Hoppy’s last brewery visit in North Carolina, on this trip, was at Oskar Blues Brewing in Brevard. They brewed their first batch of beer in NC, Dale’s Pale Ale, on12/12/12. They create a large variety of small batch beers that are found only in their taprooms. They are most famous for being the first craft brewery to can beer which began at their original location in Colorado. (At the time of his visit the upstairs taproom was closed for a private party.)

While there, Hoppy imbibed the following ales:

West CO Fade Away West Coast IPA – Described as the light malts of Pilsner and Pale Ale malt provide a smooth malt backbone to the Mosaic, Cascade and Simcoe hot side hops. The Dry Hop combo of Cryo Simcoe, Strata, Citra and Nelson Sauvin create intense hop flavors and aromas of Dank Citrus, Tropical, Stone Fruit and Floral. 7% ABV.

Ten FIDY Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout – Described as being aged through four seasons and from a blend of the top Bourbons around, This Ten FFIDY has morphed into a monster of cranked up flavor. Espresso, burnt sugar, rich chocolate and caramel notes are now driving alongside the vanilla, oak and bourbon from the barrel and have been smoothed out during maturation. Even at high alcohol and bitterness units it is cool and drinkable, letting each sip add more and more complexity. 12.5% ABV, 75 IBU.

Barrel-Aged 2022 Volume 10 – Aged in brandy barrels. Described as smooth with chocolate note and rich flavor. 14% ABV.

Pictures from the visit follow:

The next brewery visit in Weaverville was at Leveller Brewing. Their name was derived from a 17th century group of English radical agrarians. The owners admire the spirit of the Levellers and think that beer is at its root a radical agrarian product – a way to preserve the harvest and nourish the common person.

They opened their doors in December 2022. Their emphasis is on farmhouse ales and Czech-style beers. (Notice the Czech-style side pull faucet on the picture of the taps.)

Hoppy quaffed the following brews during his visit:

Tractor Attachment Czech-style Pilsner – Features Riverbend’s Avalon pilsner malt and a triple decoction followed by a generous dose of Kazbek hops. This pils is described as bright, grassy, lemony, and crispy, with a touch of minerality and a firm bitter finish. 5.4% ABV.

Hop Herder Farmhouse IPA – Made with their farmhouse yeast and Brettanomyces blend. Described as the newest and booziest addition to their farmhouse IPA series, and it drinks like it’s a lot smaller than it actually is. Belgian, banana laffy-taffy aromas are followed by big tangerine rind and earthy, under-ripe pineapple notes, plus undertones of edible flowers. 7.4% ABV.

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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: