I stopped in at Tennessee Brew Works in Nashville, Tennessee for dinner and a beer. Let me just say the Five Beer Burger is likely the best burger I’ve ever eaten! It paired perfectly with Basil Ryeman (a delicious farmhouse ale/saison) and Extra Easy ESB. These are delicious beers. And ending the meal with Country Roots Sweet Potato Stout was simply perfect.
I stopped in at Jackalope Brewing Company in Nashville, Tennessee to try their beers. Clearly the Bearwalker Maple Brown Ale is their leading beer. Think Maple Malty Goodness. Wow! You have to try it! I also enjoyed tastes of Casper Gose, Rompo Red Rye and Princess Wanda Breslau Style. I enjoyed stopping in and recommend you stop in also if you are in town.
I stopped in at Kona Brewing in Kona, Hawaii. Their flagship beers, Longboard Lager, Big Wave Golden Ale, Castaway IPA, and Fire Rock Pale Ale are no strangers and always delicious. I found that the Magic Sands Saison was a delicious mango beer and the Hanalei POG IPA was a very drinkable, flavorful IPA. But, sadly, you’ve got to fly to Kona to enjoy these. I’m glad I did. Also, the pizza was wonderful as well. Kona Brewing is an awesome stop – well worth the trip!!!
I stopped in at Maui Brewing Company in Maui, Hawaii in order to answer the question, “What’s better than Coconut HIWA Porter?” and I found the answer: Imperial Coconut Porter! I have enjoyed Coconut HIWA Porter on the mainland in the past and while in Maui recently had the opportunity to try the Imperial Coconut Porter. This was such a big, rich beer. I totally enjoyed it. It boasts rich flavors of coconut and chocolate. If you ever have the chance to visit Maui, this brewery is a must destination and this great beer is a must taste.
I stopped in at the newest brewery in the Maryland area where I live, Brookeville Beer Farm in Brookeville, Maryland. I ordered a flight and enjoyed their beers. The Philsner Pilsner was tasty and very drinkable with good flavor. Road Dust is a solid brown ale. Their IPA and Double IPA were both very good. I really enjoyed the Ridiculous Stout, it was smooth, rich, flavorful with coffee, chocolate maltiness. I hope to stop here frequently. The bar area is beautiful with a large outdoor seating area as well.
I stopped in at Aeronaut Brewing Company in Somerville, Massachusetts. Their Summer in Cologne Kolsch is very easy to drink. If I had more time I would have enjoyed more of this hanging out at the brewery. Would also pair well with nearly any food. Based on the bartender’s I also tried 2 Years With Dr Nandu, their Imperial IPA, which was very tasty. Hoppy, bitter, full bodied and full flavored. I only had a taster of this because I had to drive to the airport. Wish I had longer to try more of their beers. Great place to stop!
I stopped at Flying Fish Brewing Company in Somerdale, New Jersey. I have been wanting to stop here for quite a while now. Stopping was pretty easy – not too far from the New Jersey Turnpike on my way home from a business trip. I had learned recently that Flying Fish Brewing Company is owned by a Drexel grad and being a Drexel grad myself this even intensified my interest.
I enjoyed the feel of the tap room. There were quite a number of people there plus some outside. The small beer/merchandise store is conveniently located behind the bar. This made it that much easier to purchase beer to bring home.
I definitely had to try the Farm House Summer Ale and the Daylight Savings IPA. Both delicious. Also the Red Fish is a tasty Red Ale. I brought some of each of these home with me.
A dear friend advocates for ALS and I simply had to try the Tour De Fish benefitting research to cure this terrible disease. What a great ale for the Ales for ALS program. I liked it so much that I filled my travel growler with it and enjoyed it with my family as soon as I got home.
I stopped in at Kane Brewing Company in Ocean, New Jersey. I really enjoyed a tasting flight of their beers. Single Fin Belgian Blonde was tasty. Hop Lab Citra was perhaps my favorite. It is a fresh pale ale, crisp and slightly hoppy. Head High is a solid IPA and Overhead is a solid Double IPA. Neither too hoppy. I love what these guys are doing with hops and since I stop for hops I was really happy/hoppy at Kane Brewing!
I stopped in at Beach Haus Brewery in Belmar, New Jersey. For being a beach brewery they have a real breadth of beer styles including “darker, heavier” styles I would most commonly associate with winter and cold weather. And, these styles are available year round. Parade Day Irish Coffee Stout is a delicious coffee stout. I was very impressed with the easy-drinking Grapefruit Radler. The Strawberry Radler was tasty but felt more like a wine cooler. The beer I enjoyed the most, and perhaps their best beer, was the High Side Blonde Ale. It was fresh, complex, easy drinking and delicious. I liked it so much that I bought a six-pack to bring home to enjoy later.
I stopped in at Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston, PA while on vacation in the Poconos. I tried all of the IPAs on tap and loved them all – LOVED. I would drink any/all of these any time. But I have to focus on Sunny Spot Grapefruit Shandy – absolutely delicious – AND – Shady Spot Lemon Shandy – PERFECT. I’m not even a huge shandy fan yet I loved both of these. In fact, I’m not even a lemon fan. YOU MUST TRY THESE BEERS. We brought a case and a half of these beers home with us. Please stop in and try these shandies.
We also had a great opportunity to chat with the brewer in the tap room. He’s doing a fabulous job. I can’t wait to try more beers from here.
I Stop For Hops 