Beer Bloggers & Writers Conf 2015, part 1

To everyone who made the 2015 Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference great, thank you! I appreciate all your hard work. As always, we were treated like kings with good food and great beer. The speakers informed us and the brewers filled us. We reconnected with old friends and made new ones. I am always a … Read more

English India Pale Ale

Last week we explored Double IPAs. While they and “Single” American IPAs rule the marketplace, they owe their success to the originator of the style, the India Pale Ale from England. The English IPA is a storied beer, with centuries of lore, change and influence. You’ve probably heard the history that this style was created … Read more

Extra Special Bitter, aka ESB

Bitter is a relative term. The classic Bitters are downright malty when compared to today’s hop-bombs. However, they were quite bitter when compared to the Milds, Browns and Porters popular in England when Bitters stormed onto the seen. Compared to modern bitter American ales, ESBs are well balanced, with a strong malt backbone supporting the … Read more

Nashville Brew Bus to Sierra Nevada NC

At the end of January we hopped on an extended Nashville Brew Bus trip to Asheville, NC. Normally, the Brew Bus does a 5 hour tour of 4 Nashville Breweries on Saturdays. It’s always a fun afternoon of exploring Nashville beer. Check them out if you’re visiting Music City! We had a three-day trip to Asheville, NC, AKA … Read more