Charleston?

That is the greatest overstatement that I have ever read on BA. Thanks for that laugh!

 

@mccorvey you weren't the guy from Foscoe were you?

 

Ok. Met a guy at Coast Saturday who had recently moved to Foscoe from California and worked at ASU. Thought it might be you.

 

So for you, this question has obviously come and gone, but I will throw in my two cents in for the future readers of the thread.

COAST is a must visit for any BA that visits the city. Westbrook gets all the hype because they do crazy/weird things to beers and have a great barrel program, but for my money COAST is where its at. I make an effort to try every beer COAST produces, and even though I sometimes miss a few of them, I can honestly say that I have never had one of their beers that wasn't well above average for the style, and most are great or exceptional. Its actually staggering how they never seem to miss on a beer they brew. Also, I am a big fan of the atmosphere. Its not a bar with a lot going on, but its a really cool, chill place and essentially every time you are there you get to meet/speak with the owners, which is cool as they are good people.

Ill put it this way. Ive lived in Charleston close to 2.5 years and have been to Holy City twice. I can't even count the number of times Ive been to COAST. Personal preference, sure, but it still says something I think.

 

^^^the September Saison is SOOOOO good

 

As stated by others, Westbrook makes good products, has a great barrel program and has great distribution. But Coast has the best beers in the state, hands down.

 

Agreed.

 

I don't think Westbrook brewery gets all the hype, just a few of there beers. Most of the locals here will recommend COAST as the brewery to hit, if you can only hit one. As for hitting all the styles, the only one that hasn't been on mark was the latest batch of Boy King. However, that was the first on the new brew system, so I didn't expect perfection. Speaking of COAST, isn't Blackbeerd time coming up? Mmmmmmm!

 

Haven't had regular Blackbeerd in a long time. Hoping there is another saison brewing soon. The september saison yeast would be a waste to dump

 

I should have specified I meant the BA hype. Which makes sense cause the BA hype follows one off barrel aged beers that have high trade values. Makes sense I guess, cause a year round Kolsch isn't as sexy as a one and down imperial stout with a half dozen additive and then barrel aged in several barrels. Not saying Westbrook doesn't deserve the hype they are getting, they do great things and I am a big fan. I just prefer COASTs standard line up.


I'm surprised to hear you say this batch of Boy King let you down. I thought it was excellent as always. In terms of Blackbeerd, I'm ready for some! They haven't release a non-BA Blackbeerd in a few years. I'm thinking 2011 (it was def before I moved here). Also, I don't think they have anything aging in barrels right now (although I def could be wrong so anyone with knowledge please feel free to interject), which would mean no BA Blackbeerd for the first time since what, 2008?

 

Speaking of yeast, two questions:

1) did they use the same yeast for Sept Saison as they did Du Fus and Carolina Rice?

2) do they have a unique 'house yeast' strain that they use for all their hoppy beers?

 

1. Saison du Fus is an older beer aged with brett. It was made a long time befor these recent saisons. The carolina rice came out too long ago to be the same yeast as september. Once you use it it isnt good long, not sure exact time frame.

2. Not sure about house yeast.

Also regular blackbeerd came out in '12. Not sure about '13 but I assume it did. First BA release was 09

 

Don't breweries do something to propagate their yeast strains to keep them going batch after batch. That was my thought, but I could be wrong.


I'm pretty sure they was no regular Blackbeerd in 2012, unless it was in the spring. They definitely haven't release a regular, non-BA , Blackbeerd since I moved here in June 2012.

 

I think spring then. I'm 99% sure. I think March. We didn't do anything to propagate yeast or any of that at WB (go figure). Not sure what coast does. Just seems like a long time between batches. I'm by no means an expert though

 

If you care to have some craft mixed drinks hit up the Gin Joint, the best drinks in the world done by professional mixologists, and you can walk to Fleet Landing for some most excellent Shrimp and Grits. Or Poogans Porch, or 82 Queen or... it's Charleston.

 

While Fleet Landing isn't usually listed as must hit spot they do have one of my favorite apps in town. It's fried oysters over grits with cheese, bacon and bbq sauce. In my defense if you put the words "cheese, bacon and bbq sauce" on your menu I'll probably order it. Add grits and oysters and you have a winner

 

Gin Joint is walking distance from Craftsmen.