I’ve been blessed to be able to visit a number of breweries and brew pubs across the United States and have enjoyed many wonderful tours given by passionate brewers and have enjoyed many wonderful pints of great beer. This blog is a simple opportunity for me to share my experiences with others who may be interested. I hope you find something you enjoy.
The Gahan House, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
I stopped in at The Gahan House in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. What a beautiful place to visit for a work related conference. The beers are very tasty. Vic Park APA has a grapefruit flavor due to the citra hops. The Raspberry Sour is just that – raspberry and sour. Refreshing and fruity. The Island Red is a great flagship – the red soil in PEI – the red ale is rich and malty and crisp. And finally Iron Bridge Brown is almost like a stout. Not heavy. Malty brown ale. Great beers and a great historic setting.
Founders Brewing Company, Detroit, MI
I stopped in at Founders Brewing Company in Detroit, Michigan. I’ve been eager to get to Founders for quite a while. We recently had the wedding of our youngest son and we did a beer tasting to determine what beers to serve. Founders All Day IPA was our go to IPA for the beer selection for the wedding reception. And, it was one of the most well-received beers we had available. The folks at Founders were even nice enough to send us some swag for display at the wedding reception bar (Awesome!) I had to have one draft at the brewery and was not disappointed. I could drink this all day. Duh!
Jamesport Farm Brewery, Riverhead, NY
I stopped at Jamesport Farm Brewery in Riverhead, New York. The bartender helped me through local favorites in a flight. Although all were delicious, the most noteworthy to me was Wicked Little Sister, double IPA. I almost got a t-shirt for my wife’s sister. Great taste on the beer hoppy and strong. Only had time for a brief stop on my long drive from Orient Point to LaGuardia. But at least I had some tasty beer right along the way and how could I not stop – the brewery was right on the road.
Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, Greenport, New York
I stopped in at Greenport Harbor Brewing Company in their Peconic location. I got there pretty late but in enough time to get in an order of fish tacos (wish I had made it two orders because they were delicious!). And I enjoyed them with Maibock and Kettle Cookies. I really enjoyed the beers and wish I had time for more but barely got these in before last call. Maibock was strong. Kettle Cookies was a perfect dessert for the evening.
Blue Point Brewing Company, Patchogue, NY
I stopped in at Blue Point Brewing Company in Patchogue, New York. The stop was a great relief from a drive from LaGuardia Airport to Greenport. Traffic was heavy and the stop was a blessing. I wish I had more time to relax at Blue Point than I did. I had to reach Greenport in time to check in to a boutique hotel whose front desk was closing early. There was so much to enjoy, including live music, great food, and awesome beer.
The trouble with not writing this sooner is I forget details. Of the six beers I tried, the Coconator was clearly my favorite. Their oysters and warm kale salad were also delicious. Each of the beers was delightful along with their great kitchen fresh food. Coconator was a yummy sweet malty coconutty delight.
I greatly enjoyed a sign they had on the wall. “In heaven there is no beer, that’s why we drink it here” is a line from a polka song I’ve heard my father-in-law play many times and I’ve never seen it in print at a brewery before. I love it. Not sure of the theology behind it but it’s fun.
I bought a few stickers and a t-shirt on my way out. My only regret is that I didn’t have more time to sit back, relax and enjoy.
Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
I stopped at Brooklyn Brewery in, you guessed it, Brooklyn, New York. Getting here from lower Manhattan was actually easier and quicker than I thought. I only had brief walks on each end, and short subway rides on green and gray lines. The trip only cost a few bucks. And I was here in roughly 45 minutes.
Unsure what direction to go, and always up for trying various beers, I chose the OG Flight. Not paying attention, I started with beer 3, Defender IPA. So, this is crisp and refreshing. It’s not especially hoppy, at least not in my opinion. So, if you’re looking for an understated IPA this may be for you. Now I’m paying attention and I’m back to beer 1, Brooklyn Lager. This is a fresh lager. It’s crisp and clean. It’s not an amber in my opinion. When I think amber I think maltier than this. It’s amber in color but more bitter than most ambers I’ve enjoyed. Beer 2, Brown Ale is smooth and caramelly and sweet with slight bitterness. I think this may be my personal favorite so far. And I’m also enjoying beer 4, Bel Air Sour. It’s dry and refreshing. Yes, its sour but sours are all the rage these days. Every brewery has one and this is pretty good.
The brewery and tap room and operations are in a pretty cool industrial space in Brooklyn. I’m not especially well versed in Brooklyn history. The neighborhood now seems full of restaurants and residential spaces. The tap room is spacious but I bet it gets full on busy nights and weekends. I’m here midweek.
I had to try Come All You Weary, English Dark Mild style. I read about this style in my Cicerone British and Irish Beer Styles course. This is a tasty beer and also low alcohol. Only 3.4%. This beer is smooth, has a biscuity flavor and slightly both caramelly and chocolatey taste. I could drink this all evening long. Not many domestic breweries make this style. Tally Ho to Brooklyn Brewery!
Irish Stout. I went with my son, a newly minted 21 year old, to the Guinness Brewery in Baltimore a few weeks ago. Many would say theirs is the gold standard Irish Stouts. I’d put Brooklyn Brewery Black Light Irish Stout right up there with Guinness. And at only 2.2% ABV I could enjoy this all day every day.
If I had more time and if I’d planned in advance I would have registered for a tour. I’ve toured many breweries from Sierra Nevada to Stone to Allagash to Boulevard. Missed this one. Maybe on the next trip to New York if I get my act together. I heard the tour leader starting in with the 5pm group and it sounded informative, fun and engaging.
Full disclosure. I came to the brewery yesterday and hadn’t checked social media or the website and wouldn’t ya know they were closed for a private event. Personally, it gave me some good exercise because I took the opportunity to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Note to self, check brewery websites and social media before stopping in.
K is for Kriek and KO is for Knockout which is what this will do to you if not careful. Clocking in at 10.1% this is pretty heavy duty. But a beer aged in bourbon barrels I can’t resist. This is strong, boozy, cherry taste from the cherries it’s aged with; delicious. A veritable substitute for dessert or for an after dinner drink.
I also had to stop at the swag store before leaving. No beer glasses. The kitchen cabinets are full of them already. No t-shirts, the closet is full of them already. Socks, why yes! We can sneak in a pair of socks. Stickers, yes, need one for the sticker collection at home and one for the sticker collection at work. Also bought a single bottle of Brooklyn Brown Ale which I’m enjoying right now as I edit. And, I’ll place the bottle cap onto the US map beer bottle cap frame I’ve got; one closer to filling it.
Ghost River Brewing Company, Memphis, TN
I stopped in at Ghost River Brewing Company in Memphis, Tennessee. Let me just say this up front. I have failed – failed to record specific beer names that is. The toasted marshmallow stout (made with peeps?) Oh My Goodness. This beer is so delicious who needs dessert. And then, on top of that the P. S. I Love You Imperial Brown on Palo Santo Wood. Let’s talk. I’ve enjoyed the Dogfish beer made in Palo Santo barrels. It’s darker and richer and stronger. This beer is sweeter and coconutty – is that a word? Well, it’s also delicious. I enjoyed the other beers but these stood out to me.
High Cotton Brewing Company, Memphis, TN
I stopped in at High Cotton Brewing Company in Memphis, Tennessee and enjoyed the Scottish Ale. This beer was malty but not too sweet, nor was it too bitter, it was just right! The bartender was really helpful and we chatted quite a bit about the beer scene in Memphis and High Cotton’s beers. I went on to try several others which were also very good, Doppelbock, Mexican Lager, and Czar IPA.
Wiseacre Brewing Company, Memphis, TN
I stopped in at Wiseacre Brewing Company in Memphis, Tennessee. Admiral Benbow Extra Special Strong Bitter was my favorite beer i enjoyed there. Philbert Baltic Porter with Hazelnuts and Gotta Get Up To Get Down Sweet Milk Stout were also delicious. The tap room is very cool inside and outside. Also loved the great swag; picked up a pair of cool brewery socks.
Crosstown Brewing Company, Memphis, TN
I stopped in at Crosstown Brewing Company in Memphis, Tennessee. Unfortunately, I got there right after the bar had closed. Fortunately, the bartender was able to sell me a four-pack of Tator Doppelbock Lager. Unfortunately, while I was enjoying one in the picnic area the brewery staff informed me that I could not consume take-away beer on premises. Fortunately, I was able to bring the remaining cans to my hotel for later consumption – like now.
