Daily Archives: April 10, 2012

Fullsteam Brewery — I love that place!

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Back in December I had the chance to go MTB riding in the Raleigh-Durham area … it also afforded me the opportunity to visit one of my new favorite breweries–Fullsteam Brewery.  After being photo-bombed by the owner at the World Beer Festival I knew I had to visit this place in Durham.  Wow!  Well worth the trip … check this place out …

   

They embrace the weird here … I guess that’s why I like them.  You won’t find any menu … but if you want something to eat, just head out to the food cart (or two) outside.  They are in a ‘renewing’ neighborhood–a very nice experience.  I showed up on Saturday for two reasons.  1) To take the tour (see below) and 2) to drink the Hogwash–their own hickory-smoked porter.  Well, dang, they were out of the porter (I’ve had it … it’s good), so I had the Working Man’s Lunch and the Carver Sweet Potato (oh, and Maybe the Rocket Science IPA).

 

These beers were a good warmup for the tour … given, not surprisingly, by the owner.  These guys are definitely passionate about their beer, they all seem to enjoy themselves, and the tour was well done, well documented and presented.

    

Even better, they served samples through out … and it was free.  You just show up at the right time on the right weekend (first Sunday of every month … reserve your spot on-line … only 25 people get a spot!)

They are a pretty small operation really (a somewhat limited selection) but all of their beers were very good (plus, if you look close at the tap picture above  you will see they also have guest local beers).   Interestingly, one of the things that limits them is this combined mash-tun/kettle setup … first one like it I had seen … I think the owner mentioned that they may be changing this setup somewhat.

 

You could tell that they really liked experimenting — they had their hombrew setup in the brewery … all the extra kegs, different brew materials–I mean, who thinks to brew with Sweet Potatoes?  Again … this place is great!

No photo-bombing in the following photo! Haha.  Thanks, Sean, for the great tour!

Beer Mentor

The Birch Bar (Norfolk, VA) – A Great place to Drink Great Beers!

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Back in December I was in Norfolk for a couple of weeks and I just happened to find this place – The Birch … how did I find it?  A sheet of paper with the name and the words “good beer” was tacked to the wall in my classroom.  Obviously I will be the judge of whether it has good beer or not.  haha.  So, I did what any self-respecting beermentor would do … I looked it up on the internet.  It received great reviews for beer geekness so I headed on down there!  Pretty unassuming entry way …

 

Once you get inside though … look out!  What a great list of beers they had on tap … check this out …

  

A Japanese Witbier? An Italian IPA? Craziness!  And this was a rotating list.  The young couple (I think are the owners) were very passionate about their selection, what they served, how they presented it, etc.  They really put some effort into gathering an astonishing selection of eclectic and unique brews.  This place is deserving of its rating and well worth a trip.  Now I will tell you not to go there if you think you are going to have a sit down dinner.  The have a very small selection of bar foods — but that’s not the point of this place.  This place is a place to drink Great beer … here are a couple of examples of bottles that the owner brought out .. fantome and kukumerla.  Both art house and worth trying just see the different brews being made around the world.

 

How was the presentation you ask?  No need to ask … always the right glasses for the right beers.  My wallet was quite a bit lighter when I left here the 3 – 4 times I made it over to this place.  I didn’t mind.  It would be very difficult to match the selection they had on tap and in the cooler (and you never knew what he might have lurking in the back … all you had to do was ask!)

 

Give it a go!

Beer Mentor