Capt Keith's Beer Blog

It is that time of year if you are near Columbia, South Carolina.

Our friends at All About Beer Magazine are hosting the 2nd Annual World Beer Festival at the convention center just around the corner from the Flying Saucer. I attended last year and there were many world class beers available and all of the usual suspects. Belgian ales are plentiful, local craft breweries are eager to give you a taste of their love for the art and many of the major craft players will be on hand to taste you on their special line up.

Smuttynose was a favorite of mine last year – look for Kevin Love when  you hit their booth – he is knowledgeable and passionate about his beers. The Smuttynose IPA was a fantastic example of the style and I recommend it. Look forward to trying a Barleywine this year. Hope they bring one.

Attend one of the beer lectures if you get the chance. Greg Glaser’s presentation is very well done and extremely informative and they pass out beer for you to taste as you go along. There should be several opportunities and I thoroughly enjoyed them last year.

The Flying Saucer will have a booth set up with merchandise and some of the folks from our local chapter. Ted from Austin will be on hand as well as Jeff from Raleigh. The Saucer is hosting a Brewers Dinner with beers on Friday night which could be an opportunity to talk beer with those who make it. Come by the Saucer after your session to warm up and have a killer beer with us. See you there!

3 Amigos Drinking Rogue Ale with Jim

For years, I have been reading this magazine and find it a helpful resource to learn about new beers in the market place. Every issue offers up some material that helps strengthen my knowledge of beer and brewing.

It’s helpful for me to learn about new breweries on the scene and rare beers that have cult followings – even if we cannot get them in our markets. I just like to make a mental note so that when I travel, I know what to look for in the beer joints.

We have been working with Daniel Bradford’s gang at the World Beer Festival in Raleigh and Durham since ’99 and recently in SC last year. I think they have done much to promote this beer movement and educate us. It’s a magazine that I usually read cover to cover.

All About Beer staffers are beerknurds and to show the love, they’ve offered all of our members a special rate. Check out their website if you are interested - All About Beer.