Glynn Brewing Co.

When I'm not drinking beer or making the world safe for democracy, I like to brew. I'm new at it, but my friend Jeff and I have done five extract batches, and all but the first were pretty good. We're calling it Glynn Brewing Co., with the idea that we might do some tastings at a local joint or two at some point (wink, wink, nudge, nudge Tipsy McSway). Anyway, here's what's cooking (or conditioning, as it were):

 

Here is our vanilla stout being racked into the filler bucket the other night. You can't smell the photo, but this shit is like ice cream. Can't wait until it gets a little carbonation in it. Our mistake with this beer was brewing it in January, so it could ferment until late March, and bottle-condition until ... summer. Just when no one's thinking of drinking a stout.

We also have a DIPA that was made with two pounds of honey in a five-gallon batch. This one was brewed with six kinds of hops, and should be a doozy. Taste research has indicated that this one may be drinkable in about two weeks.

Also spending time getting fizzy is GBC's version of Founder's Centennial IPA. This one is coming in at around 5%, so should be very drinkable for the spring weather that is now upon the Georgia coast.

Next up - a 10-gallon batch of saison. Gonna divide it and jazz it up. I'll let you know how that goes.

 

 

Mini review - Big Boss Big Operator

Big Boss (@bigbossbeer) is a Raleigh brewery that produces very well-reviewed beers. Unfortunately, Big Boss is not yet available in South Carolina (that I'm aware of, anyway). I recently found myself in Charlotte, and paid a visit to the Flying Saucer location near UNCC. I was pleased to find Big Boss Big Operator on tap, and I took full advantage.

 

Big Operator is a Belgian black ale, brewed with cacao and aged with raspberries. It comes in at 8% ABV. This ain't no Purple Haze, though - it would be an excellent black without the raspberries. I found the fruit to more impart a pleasing aroma than any sweetness to the taste of the beer. All in all, a fantastic find. It's only available seasonally ( Big Boss' website says kegs only, January and February only), so move fast.

 

Mini review - Westbrook Vanilla Tree Dubbel

Purchased at The Community Tap (@communitytap) in Greenville, transported to Brunswick on ice. Pours a lovely dark brown. The vanilla nose is obvious, and not overpowering.

As you can see from the photo, it's medium-carbonated, and leaves some bubbles in the glass after a few minutes. This is a great example of a dubbel, and the vanilla comes out even more after the beer warms and opens up for a few minutes. Definitely one to try.

 

Flying Saucer - Columbia

I mentioned that, since World of Beer didn't really blow my skirt up, I would give Flying Saucer a go. The location in Columbia is located on Senate Street, and is convenient to 126 if you want to get in and out of downtown quickly. It's a great looking beer bar:

 

There are dozens of taps, and many, many bottled beers. Also, every Sunday is Carolina Day, and every pint of North Carolina and South Carolina brewed beer is just $3. Warms my heart.

On my recent Sunday visit, I went for the Highland Oatmeal Porter (@highlandbrews), always an excellent choice.

Though this is BeerSouth, I still like to try new things. Green Flash Brewing (@greenflashbrew) just recently entered South Carolina, bringing all manner of yum stuff along. At Flying Saucer, I tried the Double Stout, which came in this nifty Green Flash glass. The food is nothing to sneeze at, either:

 

I give you the Bratzel - a homemade pretzel, covered with Swiss cheese and sliced bratwurst. It's in the appetizer section, but it's a meal in itself, and I commend it to you.

More posts from Flying Saucer are coming, and it is fast becoming my regular pit stop on my weekly Greenville-to-Brunswick run.

 

Consistency is key

For those who do not know, in addition to being a fledgling beer writer, I'm also a practicing trial lawyer. Right now, I have three jury trials scheduled before June 1, so to say I'm busy at the office is understating things drastically. My goal is to post every Tuesday and Saturday, and I have a few posts almost ready to go, so please keep checking here.

I'm also now using Blogsy to post, which should make things easier, since I can blog just about anywhere from the iPad. Tomorrow's post : my recent visits to Flying Saucer in Columbia. I'll also have a mini review or two of some beers tasted lately.