Capt Keith's Beer Blog

Time flies in the craft beer business. I can’t believe that the Charlotte Saucer is already 9 years old. We’ve seen some big changes in North Carolina over the past 9 years. With the help of Daniel Bradford,  Sean Wilson and a posse of Beerknurds we Popped the Cap August 13, 2005.  Since that time, great breweries have been flooding the state. Avery, Stone, Bells, Ska, Founders, Dogfish Head, and so many more. A few local breweries have popped up since those early days too. I can’t go to Charlotte without sharing a few pints of Foothills brews with Erik.  Seeing Double is a favorite of mine. Duck-Rabbit, specializing in dark beer makes some killer beers too. Try their fine Baltic Porter next chance you get. I also heard good things about a recent Bourbon Barrel Aged People’s Porter……..

Erik Hodgeman has been at the helm for the past few years now and we’ve seen some great things there. Join him and his team for some fun times and great beers this Saturday.

Check this out – action starts at 2 PM!

This is going to be a great weekend for Craft Beer in Columbia, SC. Join us for the 3rd annual World Beer Festival – in the convention center – just around the corner from the Flying Saucer.

At the Flying Saucer – Thursday – January 20^th – Daniel Bradford Tribute and RJ Rockers Black Pearl Firkin

We want to thank Daniel Bradford for all of his hard work he has done to help create the Craft Beer Culture in America. He is president of All about Beer magazine, helped start Great American Beer Festival in Denver and was president of the American Brewers Association. Come to the Saucer – 6 PM and meet Daniel and shake his hand.

Keeping within Saucer tradition, we will also be tapping the bung @ 7pm. Come try some cask-conditioned -  RJ Rockers Barrel Aged Black Pearl (Black IPA)

Friday – January 21^st – Brewer’s Party @ 6pm. We are hosting a party for all of the brewers and brewery reps that will be at the Festival the next day. Come rub elbows and drink some great beer!

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.