Month: May 2014

Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm, Mt. Airy, MD

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2014-05-10 17.31.42     2014-05-10 15.19.24

2014-05-10 15.15.16     2014-05-10 15.06.13

I stopped in at the Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm in Mt. Airy, Maryland with my wife and two couples who are good friends.  We had been planning this visit for several weeks and we had a great time.  Each couple enjoyed a flight of beers.  First I tried the Dollyhyde Petit Farmhouse Ale which was tasty and unusually spicy.  Next I tried Goldie’s Best Bitter which was a smooth English ale.  This beer was served on cask which added to the smoothness and creamy texture.  The third beer I tried was the Coppermine Creek Cry Stout which had a very enjoyable coffee taste to it.  And the final beer I tried was the 5th Step IPA.  I felt like I was saving the best for last.  Honestly, all four beers were very good quality.  The Milkhouse Brewery is in the Mt. Airy countryside, a beautiful location in the midst of many farms.  The Stillpoint Farm grows the hops used in making the beer at the brewery.  They also sell some hops to other local brewers.  The tap room is a cozy place with an outdoor patio and covered pavilion.  We spent some time inside and some time out in the pavilion.  We also enjoyed a explanation from one of the brewers of their brewing process – a mini-tour of sorts.  It was a great way to share an afternoon with friends.

Beer: I Stop for Hops 2 I Stop for Hops 2 I Stop for Hops 2 I Stop for Hops 2

Taproom: I Stop for Hops 2 I Stop for Hops 2 I Stop for Hops 2 I Stop for Hops 2

 

2014-05-10 15.17.39     2014-05-10 15.03.48

The Granary ‘Cue & Brew, San Antonio, TX

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2014-05-06 17.40.44     2014-05-06 16.41.48

 

I stopped in at The Granary ‘Cue & Brew in San Antonio, Texas for dinner.  I ordered pulled pork for dinner which was out of this world!  I enjoyed their IPA which was a nice mixture of malt and hops, not too over the edge.  And, I enjoyed their Black IPA which was like a stout and an IPA combined.  Rich, malty, sweet, and hoppy all in one beer.  I ate at the bar and enjoyed the chalk drawings on the wall:

2014-05-06 16.47.19     2014-05-06 16.47.23

2014-05-06 16.47.26     2014-05-06 16.47.29

The Granary is located in the old Pearl Brewery section of San Antonio.  Pearl is a food and culture center in San Antonio and is located on the northern part of the Riverwalk for those ambitious enough to trek roughly two and a half miles from the downtown Riverwalk area.

2014-05-06 16.42.37

Freetail Brewing Company, San Antonio, TX

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2014-05-04 19.10.32     2014-05-04 18.23.01

Check out my more recent review from February 2016 at Microbrewing America

I stopped at Freetail Brewing Company in San Antonio, Texas for dinner.  I enjoyed some nachos and salsa and the beef brisket salad.  Both were very good.  The beef was a bit fatty but that’s the nature of the beast.  I tried a flight of beers.  I started with the Primavera Prematura which is a saison with what I consider somewhat of a fruity bite to it.  This is not my favorite style but this was a good saison.  I moved next to the Multigrain Brown Ale.  Sounds healthy.  It was dark and rich but tasted burnt to me.  Here’s where I completely diverged into new territory.  The Spirulina Wit is brewed with blue-green algae.  If you look at the picture above you can see the green beer on the right.  I’m still living so apparently this isn’t dangerous.  It tasted pretty fruity to me.  It’s so unique I just had to try it but wouldn’t drink it again.  Finally the Round Earth IPA was a good way to end the tasting.  It was very good and I enjoyed finishing my meal with it.

2014-05-04 19.10.52

Blue Star Brewing Company, San Antonio, TX

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2015-10-06 18.22.57 2015-10-06 18.21.54 2015-10-06 18.40.24 2015-10-06 18.32.56

I stopped in at the Blue Star Brewing Company in San Antonio, Texas again.  This time I had fish tacos for dinner – which were excellent!  I also enjoyed the Cinco Peso Pale Ale which was crisp and hoppy but not quite an IPA.  And I enjoyed the Flying Pig Extra Pale Ale which was very tasty.  Flying Pig is very drinkable.  This is one of those beers you could drink all evening – not that I did, mind you.  In fact, I walked from downtown San Antonio along the Riverwalk to Blue Star Brewing Company and then back downtown, so I figure I walked off most of my dinner.  Any way, back to the beers.  I highly recommend the Flying Pig Extra Pale Ale.  Stop in and try it.  Try the Cinco Peso Pale Ale too!

2014-05-04 11.26.29     2014-05-04 11.39.35

I stopped at the Blue Star Brewing Company in San Antonio, Texas for lunch.  I enjoyed the Chicken Avocado Salad.  And, you guessed it, I sampled some beers.  The Scottish Ale was a very smooth and easy to drink selection.  The Texican Lager was flavorful.  The Pale Ale was a solid go-to ale; smooth and not too hoppy.  The King William Ale is a barley wine and not for the faint of heart.  This is a strong beer.  And I ended with the Spire Stout which was a good choice as this was rich, creamy and smooth.

2014-05-04 12.47.14     2014-05-04 12.47.52

2014-05-04 11.40.06