Wilmington, NC - The Front Street Brewery

The popular Front Street Brewery and Restaurant

All these years we’ve lived in the Southern US, we never visited Wilmington, NC.  After pulling into town on our way to the North Carolina Outer Banks last week, I had to ask myself why?  What a charming a vibrant city! My husband Bruce, and I stayed in the historic downtown neighborhood near the Cape Fear River waterfront, and upon the recommendation of several friends, made our way to the Front Street Brewery.  At 4 pm on a Thursday, the brew pub, located in a beautiful historic downtown building, was packed.  The half-priced appetizers (available until 6 pm) and 10 microbrews kept folks coming in all evening.  

The bartenders stay very busy at the pub. 

We sat at the bar and decided to try all of their offerings.  Two samplers of five brews each, and a pint of the quite amazing barrel aged Eccentric Nobility, did the trick.  Unfortunately, the IPA was tapped out, but I was impressed with the overall quality of the brewing, and a few selections really stood out.  It was August and it was hot and the Coastal Kolsch was crisp, clean tasting and flavorful.  It did the trick as a thirst quencher.  The El Hefe Hefeweisen was also a good choice to help with the heat.  The fruity Raspberry Wheat was fun, and the Amberjack ESB, is a respectable British style brew.  I did favor the Eccentric Nobility for the depth and character created by the oak aging process, and was glad we ordered a full pint.

Such pretty colors!

On our second visit to Front Street we sampled the food with our brews, and I ordered a fried green tomato BLT that did not disappoint.  The pub grub on the menu is varied and good.  Bruce chose an entrée, the coriander seared tuna, and he finished it all and left with a smile on his face.  And why not?  Good food, excellent service, plenty of tasty beer… what’s not to like?  Even the prices were very fair, and if you choose the daily beer and food specials, you can leave with your wallet mostly intact.  Yes, I understand why the Front Street Brewery is so popular, and if you’re in their neighborhood I definitely recommend you stop by. 

Bend, OR - Crux Fermentation Project

The stylistic sign welcomes beer loving patrons at night. 

Just when you think the beer scene in Bend, Oregon can't get any better, it does! During our winter visit we discovered a new exciting craft beer venue.  Crux Fermentation Project opened last June, but we didn’t get a chance to check it out until our visit this winter.  Now I’m sure it will be one of the first stops we make during our summer visit.

The door was open on this mild winter afternoon. 

Crux takes pride in producing small batches of beer with creative and complex tastes, and I’m happy to report they hit their mark...and then some.  It’s fun to find a new venue that is not just riding the super hopped band wagon foregoing all other beer styles.

The brew pub is busy during happy hour. 

The interior of Crux is not all that unusual.  They converted an old transmission shop and mill supply store into a brewery and pub with an industrial feel.   Patrons sit on heavy wood tables or at a long bar in view of the large gleaming vats of brewing beer. Lots of windows and the ubiquitous sliding garage doors surround the tasting room.  A good sized crowd was there the night I visited with my family.  We were in the mood to enjoy some full bodied beer and tasty food, and we were not disappointed.

Darcy likes the Nitro Stout the best!

We ordered two tasters and tried 12 of the 15 beers.  They also offered a draft cider. I don’t think there was one beer that we didn’t enjoy.  Our taste preferences vary and each of us was happy.  My husband goes for German style malt-driven beer.  Our daughter prefers a dark stout, and I’m all about a nice hop finish.  The Marzen, Nitro Stout and Imperial Triskel fit the bill. Original flavors and depth of character categorize their selection.  It’s clear that an experienced beer master created these brews. We ordered some tasty pub grub - sandwiches, wraps and salads - to accompany our beer.  It was one fun beer drinking experience! 

I’m told they open a beer garden in warmer weather and they are building a dog park in the back.  You can be assured we’ll be back to Crux this summer, not too long after we pull into town.

Brevard, NC -Brevard Brewing Company

The store front entrance of  Brevard Brewing Company. 

When I told our friends Angie and Jonathan that we were heading to Asheville for the 4th of July, they suggested we stop on the way in Brevard, NC, and check out their new microbrewery. We took them up on it, and what a great recommendation!  Brevard is a quaint mountain town with one main street.  Brevard Brewing Company is located in one of the store fronts downtown.  To walk inside you can tell this establishment was only open in April and is still getting started.  The brewing takes place in the back room, a large bar and open area with limited seating makes up the tasting room.  Local art is the main decor that lines the walls.  The building may feel like it's still a work in progress and nothing out of the ordinary, but the beer is the real deal.  Their main problem is keeping up with demand.  After tasting all they had to offer, I can understand why.

Brevard Brewing serves five outstanding ales. 

What did we have:  This was a short stop and we still had almost an hour of driving left to get to Asheville, so we limited our drinking.  As the driver, I ordered the taster of five beers and only had a few sips of each.  It was enough to make me want more! Their specialties are German style ale. Just one short year ago we were drinking beer in Munich, so we felt qualified to judge if it truly was up to German standards.  I must say, it comes pretty darn close.  The flight consisted of Lager, Pilsner, Hefeweisen, IPA and Dunkel. When sipping the Dunkel I could imagine myself relaxing in a German Beer Garden. It burst with flavor.  The hef was also a highlight.  The biggest surprise was the IPA which has just the right hop finish to make it interesting.

Ahhh, the pretty beer!

Why is it fun:  It was a great treat to find such a high quality microbrewery in the small town of Brevard. At the time of our visit, around 5 pm, there was a nice gathering of locals who have clearly claimed this place their own.  Live music is featured on the weekends and I'm told that it's very lively.  The server informed us their beer is now served at all the restaurants in Brevard, and if they could meet demand, I'm sure they could easily expand into Asheville.  For right now, a stop in Brevard and a visit to the local microbrewery is well worth the trip. We'll be back, and next time we'll pick up a growler to bring home.

Athens, GA - Terrapin Brewery

Terrapin offered a great selection the night we visited. 

It is hard to beat the energy and atmosphere of Athens, GA in the month of April. With the exception of autumn, when football fever is everywhere, the spring is this college town's most exciting season. Outdoor events abound, the weather is gorgeous and healthy University of Georgia students are out in force looking for a little fun before finals begin.  All were in play when we visited Terrapin Brewery last Saturday night to drink beer and enjoy the festivities.  Terrapin is celebrating their 10th year anniversary this month and is currently a regional microbrewery, producing craft beer and distributing only to a few southern states. The great news is due to their success, there are plans for expansion and broader distribution If you haven't had the chance to sample some Terrapin Beer, you're missing out.

More people tasting than touring

Why go:
The Terrapin microbrewery is located only a few miles from the UGA campus, and therefore, a popular destination for students and other members of the University community looking for some great beer and something fun to do. The brewery is open for tours and tasting on Wednesday - Saturday nights from 5:30 - 7:30. Georgia law prevents selling the beer at the brewery, but you can buy an imprinted beer glass for $10, and with that comes 8 tickets for "tasting."  Each taste is a healthy 4 ounce pour and you can easily sample all the beers they have available, and go back for seconds on the ones you like the best.  On the busy Saturday night when we visited, there were bars set up both inside the brewery and outside in the large gathering area where there are tables, a large lawn where people sit on folding chairs and blankets, and a stage for live music. The brewery was hosting a fundraiser and there were booths of food vendors from local eating establishments.  For $25 you could drink your beer, eat all you wanted of an eclectic assortment of delicious food, enjoy the music, and support a great local cause. Terrapin has made a huge impact on the Athens community over the past decade supporting many local philanthropic organizations and sponsoring numerous special events.

A generous 4 ounce pour.  Eight pours per visit. 

What did we have:
Unfortunately I was the driver that night, so I had to limit my beer consumption.  Truthfully, I have tried most of Terrapin's beers over the years, so I was familiar with their offerings.  I really like the Hop Karma, a brown IPA with just the right balance of malt and hops.  The Rye Pale Ale is very popular and I enjoyed that as well.  My favorite was the special release Anniversary Ale, a strong Belgian 10% blond with malt, spices and totally yummy. If it's hot and you're thirsty, the crisp, clean bold tasting Golden Ale, my husband's favorite, may be your beer of choice. For hop lovers, the Hopsecutioner, is a big hit, and Hopzilla, a side project with a whopping 110 IBUs is only for the real hop head. The great thing about Terrapin is that you just never know what they are going to come up with next. Whatever it is, I know it's going to be fun.


 

Great people and dog watching at Terrapin

What's fun:
Okay, so here is the deal.  If you love craft beer and haven't visited our quintessential college town (and why haven't you?)  I have a reason for you to put Athens, GA on your list of "must visit" locales. It is really hard to beat the fun you'll have on an April or October evening at Terrapin Brewery on a Saturday night.  With the laid back happy crowd, the live music, the superb people (and dog) watching, it feels like an American version of a German beer garden.  The beer is great, and with every year it keeps getting better. I absolutely expect to see this microbrewery listed on the Beer Advocate's top 50 list near future.

Charlotte, NC - NoDa Brewing Company

NoDa Brewing Company

Anytime I get together with my friend Debby, it's reason to celebrate. We go way back - all the way to post-college days when we were roommates in Boston.  We had some good times then, and after I moved out of the area, we've managed to meet up somewhere new every year or two, to continue our adventures. Our friendship is filled with memorable experiences, and this weekend in Charlotte, NC was no exception.

Although very knowledgeable about wine, Debby is just dabbling in the world of craft beer. Her daughter, Annie,who lives in Charlotte, is well immersed in the beer world, and so upon her enthusiastic recommendation, the three of us ventured out to one of the newest breweries in Charlotte.





NoDa Brewing Company is located in the North Davidson (NoDa) neighborhood, a once industrial area that has been rejuvenated, and is now an artsy locale inspired by SoHo in New York City. It's not quite there yet, but it's definitely one of Charlotte's hippest areas. The microbrewery's has a large open tap room, designed with an industrial feel. It is filled with solid wood tables and a long bar that extends the width of the building. Behind the bar are picture windows exposing the huge stainless steel beer vats. The tap room is open to visitors for a few hours most evenings. Tours are available during the hours the tap room is open. The Friday night we were there it was filled with happy folks enjoying a cold one (or two or three) to celebrate the end of the work week. It has clearly become a favorite with craft beer enthusiasts in Charlotte. After tasting the beer, we could understand why.

The colors of the beer are gorgeous.  Are you thirsty?

What did we have: We decided to buy two flights of four beers each. Since they were featuring five beers on tap that night, we had the opportunity to taste them all. The colors of all the beer are gorgeous. From rich reds to deep browns, they looked so inviting even before we took the first sip.  Upon tasting the beer I was immediately reminded of the Oregon microbreweries I've visited. Their brews have a strong hop finish, characteristic of the northwest. My personal favorite was Ramble on Red, a balanced red ale with a subtle hop. Debby enjoyed that one as well. Annie, a real hop enthusiast, favored the NoDaRyeZ'd, a double rye India Pale Ale. I also thought the CoCo LoCo was noteworthy. It had an unusual chocolate coconut porter, almost black in color and more bitter than sweet. There is no food served at NoDa, however, outside is a food truck serving an assortment of Pan Asian tacos that can be purchased and eaten inside. We saw many folks enjoying an unusual teriyaki or curry taco. Seemed to pair well with the beer.

Good friends. Good beer. Good times.

What was fun: When overflowing with locals enjoying a few pints after work, this lively tap room was filled with energy. Drinking good beer, in the company of good friends, surrounded by a crowd of happy folks, is always fun. It's exciting to discover a new microbrewery that has only been open a few months and is already producing high quality and interesting beer. As new microbreweries and brew pubs seem to be popping in every town and city in the country, producing consistently high quality and unique brews are going to be determining factors as to who succeeds. Being housed in a desirable location and offering a comfortable and inviting place to enjoy the beer will also be factors. NoDa seems to be scoring high in all these areas and I only expect they will see more success as they continue to experiment.

Bend, OR - Deschutes Brew Pub

Deschutes Brew Pub in downtown Bend, OR. 

Deschutes Brew Pub: a classic brew pub located in scenic Bend, Oregon

What did we have:  A sampler of Deschutes amazing beers.

What's fun:  A lively brew pub located in a vibrant downtown Bend, offering a wide variety of their excellent microbrews.


If you love beer, a visit to the world famous Deschutes Brew Pub  in Bend, Oregon is a must.  Established in 1988, this is the real deal.  Located in the heart of downtown Bend, Deschutes is a bustling pub filled with enthusiastic patrons.  The pub is currently undergoing a major renovation, which is much needed.  There are currently 25 tables, and there is almost always a wait.  We were told 40 minutes when we arrived on a Friday evening around 5:30 pm, but it was worth waiting.  The new expansion will triple the size and include a banquet room.  There is no disruption of service while the expansion is taking place, and the doors to the new addition should be open in early 2012.  In the mean time, we made our way up to the busy bar and enjoyed a pint as we waited for our table.  Bend is a truly friendly town, and we struck up conversations with both locals and visitors as we were waiting.  A mix of singles, couples, and groups of friends surrounded the bar.  The Deschutes dining area is family friendly and there were many family groups with children at the tables.

A fine sampling of six great Deschutes beer. 

What did we have:  Once seated I selected the sampler which included six 5 oz glasses.  I was able to select any combination I wanted from the 22 beers on tap.  I chose the Twilight Ale, Black Butte Porter, Pompion Nitro, Mathilda's Ring, Benderweisse and Prima Chela.  What a great selection!  I really loved them all, but I can't stop thinking about the Prima Chela, a great concoction combining malt from Vienna, yeast from Mexico City and hops from Germany. Mellow and tasty! Another standout was the Pompion Nitro, a pumpkin beer with the flavor of many different spices.  I really must rave about Deschutes beer.  It really is something special.  We also enjoyed the ahi tuna and fresh halibit sandwiches accompanied by a wonderful side salad with Deschutes special vinaigrette dressing.  We topped our meal with a chocolate sundae shooter, the perfect ending to great evening.

The bartender fills the growler for a happy customer. 

What's fun:   First of all, Bend is such festive town, that the location in the heart of the city is perfect.  The clientele includes a nice mix of locals and visitors, and everyone is congenial.  If you're in town by yourself, Deschutes would be the perfect place to go to make a friend or two. The ambiance is warm and welcoming, the service outstanding, and the BEER....what more can I say.  They serve their beverages in a great selection of interesting glasses.  If you want a keepsake, you can buy one to bring home. The t-shirts are colorful and attractive as well.  I promise, that once you visit Deschutes Brew Pub, you're not likely to forget the experience.

A chocolate sundae to finish our meal. 

Bend, OR - 10 Barrel Brewing Company

Fast becoming one of our favorite stops in Bend, Oregon,  is the 10 Barrel Brewing Company. The original design of the pub, the award winning brews and the outstanding pizza keeps us coming back.  On this visit we were joined by our daughter and her family.  If you want to experience a cross section of the Bend community, this is the place to visit.  A favorite of locals and visitors, it's the perfect place to meet up with friends after a day of skiing, hiking or work.   The large patio has a fire pit, so patrons can always enjoy sitting outdoors no matter what the weather.  The wall  that faces that patio has two large garage doors that can be raised or lowered depending on the weather, giving the pub an al fresco feel on warm days. This is also true for the bar which features outdoor seating weather permitting.  The feel of the pub is industrial, but warm and friendly.  On my first visit I thought it might have been a renovated gas station, but was informed it actually was a bakery.  The unique design was the brain child of the innovative creators.

What did we have:  The beer selection ranges from golden ale to a dark black ale, as well as a number of hoppy selections with a little higher alcohol content.  I was in the mood for a lighter beer and chose the "Mike-Saw-Sasquatch" Session Ale, a flavorful golden ale with just a touch of sweetness.  It was smooth and delicious. My husband ordered the Irish Red Ale since he enjoys a little malty flavor. Although she usually favors the award winning Black Sinister Ale, our daughter decided on a glass of wine and selected the Loosen Riesling for its bright, fruit inspired character. A pizza margarita, a hippy pie (their loaded veggie) and a "can't fail" peperoni pizza, satisfied everyone's cravings.  The generous portion of chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream was delivered with five spoons, and was devoured in no time by this chocolate loving crowd.

What's fun: Oh my gosh, at 10 Barrel it's everything!  The brews, the food, the atmosphere all add to the fun factor. We've been there during all seasons and it's always filled with happy folks. I've had great conversations with locals sipping nice dark brews by the outdoor fire pit.  Pubs are always most fun when the crowd represents a cross section of the community.  That is definitely the case at 10 Barrel.  It's a comfortable place for families and groups of friends. The friendly, kick-back atmosphere encourages anyone who visits to have a good time.  If you want to experience the flavor of Bend, definitely check out 10 Barrel.

Bend, OR - Bend Brewing Company

Our travels have landed us in Bend, Oregon, home of numerous world class microbreweries.  We decided to visit three pubs this visit, and started with one of the older establishments, the Bend Brewing Company.  Located on a side street off bustling downtown Bend, the brew pub is housed in an older structure situated just off the Deschutes River.  Inside there is a cozy bar and a number of tables where patrons can gaze out the large picture windows at the river, or watch a game on the big screen TV.  Since it was glorious day, we decided to have lunch and sample beer on the outdoor patio.  Accompanying my husband and me on this occasion was our daughter. We found the perfect table for three and settled in for some good food and tasty beer.
 
What did we have: Since this was our first visit, we ordered a sampler which featured ten beers, five of their standards and five seasonals.  It was a very nice selection and we enthusiastically enjoyed most of the them.  The seasonals were my favorities.  I particularly liked the  flavorful Doppelback and the Scotch Ale.  The Outback is one of their signature offerings and is a smooth and  robust old ale.  I was not as enthusiastic about the hefeweisen, usually one of my favorites.  It  was a little lackluster for my taste.  Their porter and stout IPA are both great sipping beers and would be incredibly rewarding after a day of skiing. I definitely need to put in a plug for the food.  The steelhead  trout was very fresh and nicely seasoned served blackened on the caeser salad or grilled on the foccacia sandwich.  The crab cake sandwich was delectable.  Of course we ordered their molten chocolate lava cake served with vanilla ice cream.  The cake was light with very rich dark chocolate flavor.  A definite winner. 

What’s fun: The atmosphere at the Bend Brewing Company is very welcoming.  You can see that the indoor bar area offers a  cozy and warm respite during the winter, and the outside patio a huge hit in the summer.  With ten of their own beers to choose from, there should be something that will please any beer drinker.  The menu is definitely a notch above usual pub grub.  The location near the river, and only a short walk from the heart of downtown Bend , it’s easy to see why Bend Brewing company has been a mainstay since 1995.  If you’re looking for a souvenir, they offer a colorful selection of T-shirts, hats and pint glasses. If you visit Bend, you should put this one on your list.