I want to very publicly admit a mistake. I have been saying for a while now that NC hoppy beers are lackluster, but I found a few that have changed my mind (and even made me do this). The first was a fresh good batch of Death by Hops. This thing was definitely a oily slick hop bomb but it worked. Then I had Mash House IPA on draft at the brewery. Crazy hoppy, but still had the dry hops that seemed to lack in other IPAs. The straw that broke the camel's back was French Broad Rye Hopper. This thing was crazy. Dank, grassy, and full of juicy grapefruit. I had it on tap at Fullsteam tonight, and was totally blown away by how good it was. They had just put it on today, and wow. I would buy this NC hoppy beer any day of the week. Keep improving NC IPAs, and ill gladly eat my words!
While they're not really available outside of Charlotte, NoDa Brewing makes some killer IPAs in Hop, Drop 'n Roll and NoDaRyeZ'd. Birdsong's Higher Ground is pretty good, too. Oh, and Triple C Brewing's Greenway IPA has been a welcome addition to the Charlotte beer scene.
I was very impressed with Hop, Drop 'n Roll. That, Jade, and Death By Hops are probably the best I've had from NC. Paul's Christmas Vacation from a couple years ago was fantastic too, but DR doesn't cut loose with the hops very often. I was going to say you can get Mash House beers in Raleigh over at Draft on Glenwood, but they apparently closed down on New Year's. When I first moved down here, their IPA was highly recommended by locals and available in bottles around the Triangle, but they soon disappeared and I still haven't managed to ever try it. I guess I missed my chance again...
I've only had recent Death by Hops, but I thought it was really good. I don't think I'll be able to get my hands on Redeemer any time soon though.
I believe Death by Hops was supposed to be a single batch beer but people loved it, so they kept it around. If people love Redeemer, I don't see why that wouldn't make a come back as well.
The Tribeca Restaurants are still open (Cary and Fall of the Neuse). They are owned by the same people (person) as Draft and Mash House. They are bascially the same as Draft, the atmosphere was the main difference.
French Broad IPA kinda tastes like Hop Devil which is a good thing. The last Death By Hops I had was tremendous by any standards. I'll keep an eye out for the Rye Hopper and thanks for the up date.
