The Official Huddle Beer Thread

[Mean Eyed Cat]

Lately I've been digging the "Gordon Biersch" Marzen. Since the weather has been getting warmer, I've been leaning toward less heavy brews. During the colder months I tend to drink stouts and porters. This past winter I was into Highland's "Mocha Stout," as well as my standby, their "Oatmeal Porter." Also seemed to really enjoy Kona Brewing's "Pipeline Porter." I'm not really a fan of anything else from Kona Brewing, but I do like their porter.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I should have told you guys about this a while ago, but the founders of Beer Advocate are coming to Charlotte tomorrow. One of the events they're attending is Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's release of their new Captain Jack Pilsner.

Hope you guys can make it to this event or others! If you can, let me know -- I'd love to meet some folks from the Huddle.

http://www.charlottebeer.com/2011/04/25/beer-advocate%e2%80%99s-alstrom-brothers-to-visit-charlotte/

There is also a beer raffle at The Flying Saucer on Friday, and two beer festivals on Saturday (one in Gastonia, one in Huntersville).

[Kettle]

there's also a beer fest in Carolina Beach this Saturday from 3 to 9 with live music and unlimited sampling from 20 regional breweries. I really want to go to this, but am not sure its gonna happen. baby and wife are first you know.

http://www.goodvibesbrew.com/beer-fest-2011/

[JakeFlake]

The 3rd annual Ballpark Beer Fest takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Sims Legion Park in Gastonia. The event, which will benefit the Gastonia Jaycees, will include a cornhole tournament with cash prizes and a performance by the band Square Roots.

If you’re planning on going, here’s a recommendation of five beers you’ll want to make sure fill your 6-ounce sampling glass before they run out:

>>Carolina Blonde. The full-bodied golden ale is a good choice for beer neophytes looking for an alternative to the mass-produced brews available.

>> Four Friends Brewing. Beers from the small brewery started by for friends in Charlotte are popping up everywhere – you can find their beer at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. What the brewery is bringing is “to be announced” right now, but if it brings the Queen City Blonde, hop all over it.

>> Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold. If you’ve got good beer-drinking friends from Ohio, you probably already know about this beer. This smooth lager is one tasty, easy to drink beer.

>> Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. This is another “to be announced” by brewer, but odds are the OMB Copper – the brewery’s flagship brew – will be available for sampling at this event. People who like beer like this beer – it got an “A” grade from the Beer Advocate Bros.

>> Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale. There are going to be several Sweetwater selections available – the IPA and the Blue rank among personal favorites – but the 420 Extra Pale Ale is Sweetwater’s signature beer for good reason. The yummy West Coast style pale ale with nice hops and a crisp finish makes a nice “go-to” selection if you’re at a bar and unsure of what to order.

http://www.gastongazette.com/articles/beers-57450-beer-brewing.html

[CharlotteBeer.com]

The 3rd annual Ballpark Beer Fest takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Sims Legion Park in Gastonia. The event, which will benefit the Gastonia Jaycees, will include a cornhole tournament with cash prizes and a performance by the band Square Roots.

http://www.gastongazette.com/articles/beers-57450-beer-brewing.html

C'mon, man! Charlotte Beer can't get a link? :p

Just kidding. Those recommendations are sort of ridiculous, as you can get Carolina Blonde, Sweetwater, Great Lakes and Olde Mecklenburg at your local Harris Teeter at any time.

I would encourage anyone who goes to check out the homebrewed beers and some of the local or regional beers that aren't always available in this area. I would also make sure to try all of the beers from Ass Clown Brewing, Birdsong Brewing and NoDa Brewing.

There will also be regional brewers like Foothills out of Winston-Salem that we don't see too much of here in Charlotte.

[davos]

First Beer in over a week: Saranac variety pack...first go: Saranac IPA

I'll give it a solid B

[Kettle]

i didn't make the pleasure island fest. maybe i can do this one. June 18th.

http://www.capefearbeerfest.com/index.html

[PantherBrew]

I just went on a DogFish head shopping spree!

we also bought a four pack of DogFish Burton Baton- Oak aged Imperial IPA.

I am fugin giddy.

[The Saltman]

Speaking of Dogfish head...just had a my antonia today...simply delish.

[PantherBrew]

Pangaea has ingredients from all seven continents. :D

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I haven't had My Antonia, Namaste or Pangaea, but Burton Baton is one of the best IIPAs out there.

[PantherBrew]

I haven't had My Antonia, Namaste or Pangaea, but Burton Baton is one of the best IIPAs out there.

Agreed. I love how it is a blend of Old English Ale and an Imperial IPA.

I am going to look around for oak barrels, either whiskey barrels or plain. I would like to try out oak aging some of my homebrews.

Btw, I am going to try to make an Aprihop clone this weekend.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Agreed. I love how it is a blend of Old English Ale and an Imperial IPA.

I am going to look around for oak barrels, either whiskey barrels or plain. I would like to try out oak aging some of my homebrews.

Btw, I am going to try to make an Aprihop clone this weekend.

The problem with barrels for homebrewing is that you either have to brew enough beer to fill those big barrels, or buy one of the small barrels new (these can be expensive).

You could try a different method of "barrel-aging" that is popular among homebrewers; simply soak some oak chips in the whiskey or bourbon of your choice, and then add those to your secondary. You may be able to add them to primary, though I'm not sure how that would affect fermentation.

[PantherBrew]

The problem with barrels for homebrewing is that you either have to brew enough beer to fill those big barrels, or buy one of the small barrels new (these can be expensive).

You could try a different method of "barrel-aging" that is popular among homebrewers; simply soak some oak chips in the whiskey or bourbon of your choice, and then add those to your secondary. You may be able to add them to primary, though I'm not sure how that would affect fermentation.

Yeah, I have actually done the oak chips thing before. It works pretty well, I just was wanting the barrel for the novelty of it.

Btw, those in the Raleigh Durham area, Tyler's at Durham Bull's stadium has Dogfish Burton Baton and Terrapin Wake N Bake on draft. Two of my all time favorite beers.

I am going to brew a Dogfish Head Aprihop clone this weekend :)