Being a beer geek is a little more work now

The degree to which craft beer is a part of the culture in Oregon would probably surprise most folks who haven't been there before. While I doubt we'll ever approach that mindset down here, the craft beer scene is certainly worlds different (and better) than when we headed out west back in 1997. There are a number of well-respected breweries like Highland, Pisgah and Foothills in NC, and COAST in SC, and a decent brewpub here and there. There are a least a couple of microbrews to be found even in the small-town Bi-Los, and decent beer stores to be found if you know where to look. There are a number of beer festivals to mark on the ol' social calendar. And, thanks to my shrewd real estate selection skills, the best beer bar in the state (Barley's) is a 20-minute walk from our house.

Rhonda got outed at work as a beer geek when somebody produced a copy of the Greenville Metromix paper (kind of a nightlife guide) with a couple of pics of us. These were taken at the upstate release event of the aforementioned Foothills Brewery's Sexual Chocolate imperial stout.
I'll admit to being a bit jealous of the swank t-shirt Rhonda won as a raffle prize.

Recent trips to get our fix have taken us near (Asheville) and far (Charleston). Here are a few pics from the first annual Charleston Brewvival. Dad was kind enough to provide lodging and transportation.

Hats, gloves and chilly weather at a beer fest- are we still in Oregon?


You won't know which one is better unless you taste them both, right?

The face of a seasoned pro.

The next day was the release of COAST's Blackbeerd Imperial Stout. Here it is waiting on the shelves for me.

The fruits of my labor. A few for me, a few for friends, family, etc.

Next up- the Top of the Hops right here in Greenville at the Bi-Lo Center on April 10 (walking distance from the house- kaCHING!).