Green Man IPA

IPAs are a hot commodity right now, probably because who doesn't love a good IPA, but with all the popularity unfortunately the market is being flooded with half-assed beers and terrible knockoffs that leave you sort of sad and hop-free inside.  The Dobie and I enjoyed several of Green Man's brews while cruising through the beercation beer trail on our Asheville, NC trip, so we brought a few home to share with the readers.  

Brewery: Green Man

Style: English IPA
ABV: 6.0%

Glass: Snifter

Appearance: A really lovely dark copper that brings to mind gorgeous earth tones.  Small white head leaves some really nice lacing down the sides of the glass and nice clouds settling on top.

Aroma: This beer carries a very earthy nose with subtle green notes that indicate the presence of hops.

Body & Texture: Body is light with a medium prickly carbonation with just enough hop bite going down.

Taste:  Earthy hop flavor follows the aroma, like tasting nature in a glass.  Noteable hop flavors range from earthy to pine to a bit of citrus and ending with a moderate bitterness that pushes the hops forward but isn't overpowering.

Overall:  This IPA embodies nature and growth, with earthy tones and delicious flavors that just scream green.  I actually ended up walking out on my porch to enjoy the evening air and take in the sights and sounds of the forest while drinking this lovely little brew!  IPAs are all the rage right now, so we're seeing more and more of them produced.  A lot are moving off-style or just falling short, perhaps not enough hops or too much other added flavor, but not so with this IPA.  The rich earth tones inspired by the deep hop flavors are just right for sitting down and contemplating the effects of nature on good beer.

Check out Green Man Brewery and the rest of their beers at their website - http://greenmanbrewery.com/

Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale

That's right folks, we so thoroughly enjoyed the Duck-Rabbit brews we encountered in Asheville that we brought back not one but two for review!  If our next trip to North Carolina takes us farther in to the eastern side of the state, we're definitely going to try and make a trip over to Farmville (yes, that is the actual name, I know) to check out their tasting room and enjoy their dark beers brewery-fresh!

Brewery: Duck-Rabbit

Style: Red Ale
ABV: 5.5%

Glass: Snifter

Appearance: Golden dark amber color with a small, off-white head.  Head has a good retention with some thready top-lacing.

Aroma: Aroma is pretty unremarkable, not much to take in but a slight undertone of wet caramel.

Body & Texture: On the heavier side of a light body with a lot of prickly carbonation.

Taste:  My initial reaction to the flavor was that I taste rye, though this could be a flavor mimicked with various hops.  A solid but not unpleasant bitterness from the hops blends nicely with caramel and toffee tones and a little toasted malt to finish it off.

Overall: I can't say I'm ever massively enthused by most red and amber ales, but that's not to say I don't still love them.  Actually some of my first beers were ambers thanks to the somewhat better than your average beer drinker palate my dad has.  Like many good ambers, this would make a great small sessioner.  It's a little heavy to go in on a whole six pack of in one go, but you could sit and watch the game and have at least three of these and be perfectly happy!  In fact, I'd recommend picking up a pack or two of Duck-Rabbit's Amber Ale and having the guys over to watch the game and learn a thing or two about what good beer tastes like!  This beer is mild enough that it will pair well with a variety of tasty football accompaniers, from cheese dip to veggies to hot wings.  If you're not into football, serve this chilled at your summer BBQ or just sit down with one after work and enjoy!

Check out Duck-Rabbit's other beers and read more about them at their website - http://www.duckrabbitbrewery.com/

Duck-Rabbit Duck-Rabbator Doppelbock

Here we are again, moving on through our North Carolina beer adventure!  While in Asheville, the Dobie and I encountered Duck-Rabbit's Milk Stout, a really big, sweet, and absolutely fantastic sweet stout that we adored and immediately wanted more of.  After learning that this brewery with the funny little logo that might be a duck and might be a rabbit specialized in dark beers, we were definitely sold and had to bring a few home for further tasting purposes.

Brewery: Duck-Rabbit

Style: Doppelbock
ABV: 8.5%

Glass: Snifter

Appearance: Pours with little to no head to speak of, maybe a light ring of tan bubbling around the edges.  Deep muddy amber-brown in color.

Aroma: Sweet malt aroma, very heavy with notes of brown sugar, molasses, and a bit of breadyness.

Body & Texture: Medium bodied, thicker when it warms to the air a bit, and pretty heavy on the carbonation for a doppelbock, but smooth with a slight alcohol burn at the finish.

Taste:  Brace yourself, this is a big boy!  One sip of this gets you a mouthful of rich sweet malt and some definitely detectable esters.  It finishes with a bang, the malt profile switching from rich and sweet to toasted and savory.  Notes of chocolate, raisins, and molasses are prominent in flavor, bringing in the normal sweetness of your average doppelbock then raising the bar with an extra big malt boom to finish it off.

Overall: This is not a beer for the faint of heart!  As with any doppelbock, don't eyeball the word "lager" and automatically assume you're in for a quiet, light, little bar beer.  Duck-Rabbator is a big beer that comes out swinging with a sweet, delicious, malty aroma and finishes strong with a strong malty punch.  This definitely isn't your classic doppelbock, but who doesn't like to explore a little into style experimentation?  As a homebrewer currently experimenting with just that, I would venture to say that hardly anyone is ever really mad about it!  Duck-Rabbator is definitely a tasty doppelbock, but it may not be for everyone - if big flavor and hefty malt is up your alley then give this strange animal a taste!

The Dobie says - Sweet, well balanced, with a nice roasted and ester flavor at the end.  This might be the new top on my list of favorite doppelbocks!

Check out Duck-Rabbit and the rest of their beers at their website - http://www.duckrabbitbrewery.com/

Catawba Brewing White Zombie

We really enjoyed Catawba's beers while on vacation in Asheville, NC.  I initially tasted White Zombie on tap there and enjoyed the mild flavor profile so much that I brought a can home!  I'm sure the canned beer will be somewhat different than fresh off the tap but I'm certainly excited to give it a try!

Brewery: Catawba 

Style: Witbier
ABV: 4.7%

Glass: Tulip

Appearance: Straw colored with hints of green, this beer pours with a 1-2 inch fluffy white head that drops within a few minutes and leaves little to no lacing on the glass.  Definite flocculants visible with a full pour.

Aroma: Aroma is bready with notes of orange-like citrus.  

Body & Texture: Light medium body with a decent carbonation and a lightly effervescent mouth feel.

Taste:  Flavor comes across mild at first but builds with the glass, incorporating notes of wheat, orange peel, and a light spice and finishing with the hint of a mild bitter hop in the finish to complete a fantastic array of taste.  Farther down the glass the flavor becomes stronger, and 

Overall: While I will say that this was definitely better fresh as the flavor profiles were a little more powerful and easily detected, this is still a really tasty wit!  I enjoyed this particular can with a reuben sandwich and, not to toot my own horn, but that was an excellent decision.  The flocculants might be offputting to more inexperienced drinkers who might be intimidated if they happen to notice the presence of "stuff" in their beer - but don't worry it's perfectly acceptable for it to be there!  This beer has a great flavor that is mild and versatile enough to pair with a variety of foods or drink alone.  I love that it started as a Halloween beer and evolved into a year-round favorite.  Serve this at your Halloween party, a winter mixer, or your summer BBQ, this flexible little brew will go just about anywhere for you just like it seems to have done for its brewers!

Check out more of Catawba's beers at their website - http://catawbabrewing.com/#

Catawba Brewing King Don's Pumpkin Ale

My first experience with Catawba Brewing Company came in Asheville, NC at Barley's Taproom when I knew at first glance that I absolutely had to try their King Coconut Porter.  It was as billed, a candy bar in a glass.  I was sold from sip one.  I tried a few of their other brews while in Asheville and was so impressed I brought a few home!  This is pumpkin beer season, so I figured I'd start with this tasty looking can here!  Yes, I know it's still August, go away.  Football has started, so fall has started, and fall means pumpkin beer!  It's logic, accept it.

Brewery: Catawba 

Style: Pumpkin Ale
ABV: 5.0%

Glass: Snifter

Appearance: Gorgeous amber-red color that captures the light and absolutely shines!  Head pours about half an inch, a light to medium tan that is just slightly on the red side. 

Aroma: Very spicy!  Definitely contains notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, maybe some cardamom.  

Body & Texture: Lightly carbonated and medium bodied, however it is difficult to pick up on the lighter carbonation because the spice adds a tingle that mimics the effect of a much more carbonated beer - quite an interesting texture to be sure!

Taste:  Everything a pumpkin beer should be!  Deep, rich pumpkin notes give rise to heavy spices that follow the aroma.  The spices are definitely the king of the King Don's, cinnamon and nutmeg being especially prevalent.  Quite spicy actually, but this is not unpleasant!  

Overall: This is only my, hmm, fourth pumpkin beer of the season, but it is definitely my favorite so far!  I'm a huge fan of spicier beers, because when executed properly, they become an amazingly complex and savory yet refreshing beverage that always leaves you craving more.  This particular pumpkin ale is just all around good!  Not only is it beautiful to look at (please use an appropriate glass to enjoy this work of art), it also goes down easy and provides an amazing array of complex flavors that range from almost sweet pumpkin to savory, tingly spices that tickle the tongue and trick you into believeing that there's more carbonation in your glass than there really is.  This one gets an A+ in my book!

Read about Catawba and the rest of their delicious brews at their website - http://www.catawbavalleybrewingcompany.com/#

Brevard Brewing Company

After hitting Oskar Blues, the Dobie and I headed into the town of Brevard proper for some food and in hopes of seeing some of their famous white squirrels.  No luck with the squirrels, but we did manage to grab a bite and some brews in a great little cafe and check out some shopping at the local stores and galleries.  Along the way, we chanced upon another brewery that we hadn't even planned on - Brevard Brewing Company.

Little did we know, we stumbled upon a true North Carolina gem.  Brevard Brewing opened their doors in 2012, and they carry the distinction of being the only brewery in North Carolina to specialize in lagers!  They do offer both lagers and ales on their small tap system, but it's easy to see that lagers are where their hearts lie.

Located near the end of the main shopping area on Main Street, Brevard Brewing has a striking entrance that you'll notice immediately from the street.  Inside you'll find a cozy atmosphere with all manner of really interesting paintings gracing the walls.  A 5 tap system serves Brevard's beer, and they've also got a small selection of other local brews if you find yourself branching out a bit while you're there.

I had the pleasure of trying two of their prized lagers, the Bohemian Pilsner and the Munich Dunkel.  I also sampled their Single Hop Seasonal pale ale.  The pilsner was very solid and straight to the style.  Crisp and clean with some sulfur notes and a slight hint of corn. My favorite of the three had to have been the Dunkel though.  I adore a dark lager, and theirs was fantastic!  Deep, rich, and sticky with notes of molasses, coffee, and dark toasted malt, I was in dunkel heaven!

Take yourself to a fun and different brewery while you explore your way through Asheville's beer houses.  Lagers sometimes get a bad rap thanks to atrocious mass-produced American-style macro lagers, but head out to Brevard and allow Brevard Brewing Company to change your mind.  You might even get the chance to see one of the town's famous white squirrels!

Check out more about Brevard Brewing Company at their website - www.brevard-brewing.com/

The Tasty Weasel Tap Room at Oskar Blues Brewery (Brevard, NC)

The Dobie would not let me get away with a visit to North Carolina without stopping at one of his favorite breweries, Oskar Blues!  Located just down the road from Asheville in Brevard, NC, Oskar Blues opened their new eastern facility here at the end of 2012.

After a rigorous morning of mountain climbing in the nearby Pisgha National Forest, the Dobie and I headed over to Oskar Blues to "wet our weasels" at their Tasty Weasel Tap Room, located upstairs in their brewing facility.  Walking in to the main brew floor, we were hit with the most amazing smell possible - that rich, sweet, sticky, malty, savory aroma of beer in its youth.  It was like brew day at our house but magnified a thousandfold.  Ahh, beer nirvana.

The Tasty Weasel, named after its twin at the Longmont, CO location, is a cozy haven for fans who love cans but have been dying for a fresh from the brewhouse taste.  Here's the thing, cans are great - they're recyclable, they can be upcycled into all manner of really cool folk art - but you just can't beat the taste of a fresh beer straight from the tap.  If you're looking to experience a whole new side to Oskar Blues, you've got to visit one of their two brewery locations!

The Tasty Weasel offers not only a regular selection of Oskar Blues' year-round beers, but also a rotating selection of brewery-only drafts and special cask beers that you'll never get anywhere else.  Get your tasting apps out kids, because you'll get a full round of seven beers in a flight, and Tuesdays and Fridays the Weasel also offers a special keg made just for the day and different every week!  I'm hard pressed to choose a favorite out of our flight, but if I absolutely had to I think it would come down to Mama's Little Yella Pils or the Old Chub Nitro.  I realize that those are two distinctly different beers, but as any familiar reader will know, I'm not one for sticking to a particular style or taste category.  

I'm back and forth in the world of the pilsner.  Sometimes I'm all for it and other times I look at my glass in disbelief wondering where the beer is and who gave me this ridiculous glass full of water and yellow food coloring.  Mama's Little Yella Pils absolutely kills it.  She's crisp and clean with that mineral sulfur lager-type attitude that really hits the spot on a hot day.  Fresh from the tap it was exactly what I was looking for after a good heavy mountain hike.

Old Chub is probably my favorite of Oskar Blues' brews.  Creamy, rich, malty, it's everything I crave in a beer, and so bursting with flavor that I am never left wanting after a can.  I was a little nervous to try it on nitro - I know everyone loves the nitro taps, but I feel like a lot of beers lose something when put on nitro.  They get watery, or the flavor decreases, or they just loose "something" that normally gives them their signature flavors.  Old Chub, it would appear, is not one of those beers.  The skilled artisans down at Oskar Blues have created a masterpiece that in my eyes is brilliant on and off a nitro tap.  Good one guys!

If you're visiting Asheville, NC, do yourself a favor and go take a nice long hike around Pisgah, then get yourself over to Oskar Blues in Brevard.  Take a scheduled brewery tour, or stop in for one of their special kegs on Tuesday and Friday evenings, or catch a food truck in their outdoor seating area.  If you haven't yet checked out a larger microbrewery, check out Oskar Blues!

If you're interested in Oskar Blues or learning more about their beers, head to their website to learn more! - oskarblues.com/