Most Interesting Breweries

Jester King's the obvious one in these parts.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24018/?view=ratings&ba=Premo88#review

The bought the restaurant on their site and are focusing a lot of their attention to growing all the ingredients for the food and beer. About two years ago they hired a full-time farmer. What they can't grow, they source locally. They also have goats, baby goats and goat yoga sessions.

 

I'd have to put @Sixpoint and Dogfish Head in that category. Locally, SingleSpeed is doing some notable "mad science" and "off-centered" stuff.

 

Sierra Nevada in the Asheville area.

 

Fonta Flora out of Morganton, N.C. and Haw River Farmhouse Ales in Saxapahaw, N.C. Fonta Flora now has a beautiful brewery (Whippoorwill Farm) on Lake James in Nebo) just below the amazing Linville Gorge. Both breweries really focus on local products for their very interesting beers. I had my first and only beet ale at Fonta Flora in Morganton after they had first opened. It was excellent. Haw River makes authentic farmhouse ales out of a small brewery in an old re-purposed textile mill The mill complex also contains a great array of condos, a music venue (Haw River Ballroom), The Eddy (a fine restaurant and bar) and the famous Saxapahaw General Store that serves outstanding food, lunch and dinner. These locales are well worth visiting and could also be added to breweries in remote places.

 

I will give two New Hampshire places that fit pretty well.

First, Canterbury Aleworks in Canterbury NH. From their website.
"Canterbury AleWorks is a one barrel, water powered and wood fired showcase nano-brewery"

A very unique experience and the beer is done well.

Second is Earth Eagle Brewings in Portsmouth NH. A nice little spot tucked away in the city that always has really interesting beer and food options. Last time I was there they had kangaroo tacos. They make a number of gruit and always have a good variety of styles.

 

Haw River Brewing in Mebane NC, they do interesting takes on lots of Belgian styles and locally source all their materials.

 

Tunnel Vision Brewery at Pond Hill Farm is very different. Just take a look at some of the beer names which self-describe the ingredients. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/42539/

It's a farm-to-table restaurant operation with a family atmosphere. A farm market, pumpkin picking, and I think there were goats and sheep for the kids to pet. And much more.

 

Why?

 

In New Jersey I'd say Referend Bier Blendary. Everything they do is spontaneously fermented and age'd. Most have local fruit added.Amazing stuff that I'd put on Cantillon level.
In New Hampshire I'd say Canturbury Aleworks. Going to the brewery is like stepping back in time. Very cool spot on a farm. They also have unique brews, last time I was there they had a ale age'd in Tequila barrels w lime that was fantastic.

 

Zebulon Artisan Ales just outside of Asheville. Firstly, he has a 1950s beer engine that he serves historic English styles on by the imperial pint, which I don't know about you but I could sit and drink all day. He also revives other obscure styles, brews lots of mixed fermentation beers and nearly everything is a one-off. Finally, Zebulon won the Michael Jackson award this year for the best American cask ale category at the Great British Beer Festival for a 1750s London Porter.

 

Incorporation of natural resources, such as rainwater runoff, within their facilities. Functioning gardens that supply food for their taproom. The 1.5 mile tour, "A Trip in the Woods," that highlights the Sierra Nevada complex and the North Carolina terrain. A large taproom with great beer and food.

 

OEC in CT is right there with just a fun approach to what they are doing and local sourcing on some ingredients plus they do all sorts of things there with beer pairings with food among others

 

I haven't had much from these guys but if I lived out that way I'd definitely be drinking more from them.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/47666/
https://www.hopculture.com/foraged-beer-wunderkammer-bier-greensboro-hill-farmstead-review/

 

OEC was the first one to pop into my head. Plan Bee in Poughkeepsie was the second.

 

where did you see that lol? they are about pushing boundaries lots of sours and wilds never an IPA before this year I believe

 

I could sit and drink for hours at the Whippoorwhill Farm location, I love it there....minus the smell of the nearby cows

 

shouldn't give this secret away, but: brauerei schmitt singen

runs on steam; survived during the GDR; in the middle of nowhere; and makes the best bohemian-style pils (even though it's in germany) ive ever had.