I stopped in at NoDa Brewing Company in Charlotte, North Carolina and enjoyed some beer and a tour. The Salted Caramel Stout was smooth and sweet. And the Sucette A L’abricot was light and refreshing. Also, the Experimental Hop Project was a great citrusy hop forward selection. I greatly enjoyed all of the selections I tried. The tour was delightful and offered a walk-through of the brewery including a discussion of each brewing process along the way.
I stopped in at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery in Charlotte, North Carolina. The atmosphere is German bierhall and biergarten. It’s a great place. I tried a flight of beers. The Fat Boy Baltic Porter was just as I had hoped. Smooth, malty, caramelly. The Copper Amber Ale is a great mix of malty smoothness and a little bite. I was pleasantly surprised with the Hornet’s Nest Hefeweizen. This was crisp and enjoyable. Finally, the Radler, a mix of Captain Jack Pilsner and Sprite (lemon soda) reminded me of the Radler I had in Munich decades ago. Delicious!
I stopped in at Sugar Creek Brewing Company in Charlotte, North Carolina. I really enjoyed this brewery. The bartender was very nice and helpful. The tap room was a comfortable place to hang out. I tasted the Framboise raspberry wit. This was really light and refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed the Dubbel which was every bit dark, mysterious and dangerous as stated on the beer list.
I stopped in at the Heist Brewery for dinner and a beer. I really enjoyed the Chikin Bucket with a bed of cabbage salad and siracha fried chicken. And the Spring Swing hoppy saison was really tasty and a great complement to the dinner.
I stopped in at The Unknown Brewing Company in Charlotte, North Carolina. When I saw Ginger What, wheat beer with real ginger, I had to try it. I love ginger, especially real ginger ale. Ginger What really delivered. It was fresh and tart. I recommend it. And to make the experience there complete, the bartender told me of all the local breweries and drew me a map of their locations. How cool is that.
I stopped in at The Courtyard Brewery in New Orleans, Louisiana and enjoyed the How Can Anything Ever End Imperial Brown Ale. This is the first imperial brown ale I have ever enjoyed. It was delicious. Very drinkable. Slightly malty/sweet. I highly recommend this beer.
I stopped in at the Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport, Pennsylvania for dinner and enjoyed The Burgh salad with steak, which was fabulous. The steak was wonderful. Also split the Sliced Pretzel Log. The mustard dipping sauce was great. Along with the food I enjoyed Edgar IPA which was a very drinkable IPA that I enjoyed greatly. I tasted the Smoked Cherry Sour which was exactly that smoky, cherry and sour. And I had a bit of the Stout for dessert. All beers were very good.
I stopped in at Props Brewery & Grill in Fort Walton Beach, Florida for dinner on my way to a conference hotel. I enjoyed the Spicy Shrimp Wrap, and it was really spicy. The 4 Kings American Brown Ale was the perfect accompaniment to dinner. I enjoyed this easy-drinking brown ale. It was malty but not quite sweet.
I stopped in at the Pensacola Bay Brewery in Pensacola, Florida very briefly for a beer before driving to the conference hotel in Destin. The Blackbeard Stout was very good. I enjoyed its richness. It was a great recommendation from the bartender. I hope I have the chance to stop in again some day to try another beer.
I stopped at Whip In, otherwise known as Kamala Brewing in Austin, Texas. What a place. They have numerous taps of remarkable craft beers from all over the country. They also brew their own beers. I tried the Bitterama ESB which I found to be a very smooth and drinkable beer. Malty and almost sweet. Very nice.
I Stop For Hops 