pils

KC Bier Company, Kansas City, MO

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I recently completed the Cicerone German Beer Styles Course and I felt like KC Bier Company in Kansas City was a perfect setting and set of example beers of the major German styles.  Wish I had been able to do my studying here – i would have passed sooner.

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I pretty much tried them all.  Dunkel is rich. Hefeweizen is refreshing.  Helles and Pils are crisp. Radler – wish it was spring and I’d just come in from a long bike ride.  Maibock – yes – I feel like a monk during lent with only Maibock and no food.  And, Winterbock, warming, cozy.  Ausgezeichnet!  I think my high school German teacher would approve of that.  One of the few words I remember.

My friend, Ashton, tipped me off to this place and I’m so glad he did.  I only had one night in Kansas City and I really enjoyed the beers here and wish I had more time to hang out.

Karbach Brewing Company, Houston, TX

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I stopped in at Karbach Brewing Company in Houston, Texas for dinner and a beer.  Their fish tacos were excellent.  And all of the beers I tried were also excellent.  And, I want to give a shout out to my great bartender.  Not sure whar her name was but she was very kind and helpful.  Their Zee German Pils was light bodied and easy to drink.  Their Weekend Warrior Pale Ale was solid.  Just a bit hoppy and flavorful.  Mother in Lager was rich and malty.  5th Anniversary Quintuple IPA was the closest thing I’ve had to Dogfish 120 – rich IPA!.  And the BBH bourbon barrel series.  You  just have to say bourbon and you have my attention.  The BBH with Cherries and the Secret Beer aged in bourbon barrels were both rich and delicious dessert drinks.  What a great line-up!

Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Richmond, VA

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Thanks to the kindness and generosity of Alex of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond, Virginia, I stopped in for a tour and tasting outside of normal business hours.  Shout out to Alex!  Thank You!

Alex took me around the entire brewery, told me the whole history and described their current plans. Wow!  He did all that just for me.  We spend well over an hour together.

From humble beginnings, Hardywood has great plans.  I hope to stay in touch and visit again in the future to take part in their success.

In terms of tasting, Alex started me with the Singel which is a delicious Belgian Blonde Ale.  It’s an on-ramp for regular beer drinkers to get them into craft beer.  Well done!  It’s delicious.  From there we went to Pils which is a wonderful German style Pilsner.  Very drinkable and easy to enjoy.  Next I tried the Peach Tripel which I enjoyed so much that I bought a bottle and enjoyed it at home with the family.  Finally, I enjoyed the Bourbon Cru which also rose to he status of bringing a bottle home, but I’m going to age that.  Although I didn’t try it at the brewery, I brought two bottles of Poplar IPA home.  I enjoyed one with the family and it is awesome.  And I shared a bottle with a good friend.

Alex told me about other styles and I could share them with you but I’ll wait until a return  trip and the opportunity to taste them firsthand.

Hardywood is a great place with great people.  Do yourself a favor and stop by!