by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | May 27, 2019 | Blog, Bottle Shops, Community
This week we’ve got Amanda Bowman joining us from Fermental! Check out what she has to say about being a Wilmington craft beer bartender.
AT: What’s your favorite thing about bar-tending/selling beer?
AB: I like being able to pick just the right beer for someone, even if they weren’t exactly sure what they were looking for. Figuring out what they do and don’t like, making suggestions, then watching them try, and like, something out of their comfort zone is rewarding.
It’s also fun when you get to know what your regulars like and they trust you to just pour them something you know they’ll love.
AT: Do you have any advice for current or future craft beer bartenders?
AB: I would say familiarize yourself with as many different styles and flavors as you can. Taste everything, even if you don’t like a particular style, as it will help to make recommendations.
Staying on top of trends is also helpful.
AT: If you were a beer, which one would you be?
AB: A fruited gose–a little sour, a little sweet, and a little salty.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | May 27, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
A weekly roundup of local and craft beer that can be found around the area on tap, in bottles, or in cans. These are not beer reviews and should be used for entertainment purposes only.
Pilot: 9.4% This DIPA is packed with El Dorado & Simcoe hops, creating tropical notes of pineapple and mango! A little sweetness here, a hint of spice there, and a punch of hoppy bitterness on the finish provides a unique balance of flavors. Bar Pilot is sure to talk you on a wild ride.
Citrus Saison: 6.8% The Citrus Saison is a take on Flytrap’s house Saison aged with mounds of fresh citrus zest from grapefruit, lemons, and limes. Available in 500ml bottles and on draught.
Rosado: 5.5% Waterline’s annual Mother’s Day release, El Hefe Rosado, has a hefeweizen base with a healthy dose of raspberries and just a touch of sweetness. It’s sweet, it’s tart, it’s very very pink!
Beach Time: 5.4% The days are getting longer, so be prepared with Beach Time Session IPA, a Mosaic & El Dorado crusher: it goes down smooth, while keeping you upright. Session but still 5.4%
The Fog of Topsail: 5.1% An easy-drinking Session IPA double dry-hopped with Mosaic and Citra.
Blackberry BAM!: 6% This is a reboot of a fan favorite, where they doubled up on blackberries for an even bigger POP!
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | May 22, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
On Sunday June 23rd, join the fine folks at Broomtail Craft Brewery in celebrating their fifth anniversary. Broomtail was Wilmington’s second brewery after Front Street (FSB). For 19 years FSB held down the craft beer scene until Broomtail opened up in 2014, kick starting the Wilmington brewery boom.
Broomtail’s mission is simple–but don’t mistaken, simple doesn’t always mean easy. Broomtail seeks to find the art in science and the science in art to create delicious, unique beers of a premium quality.
Throughout their five years, Barry Owings and his team have been passionately proactive about harvesting local yeast cultures in order to make beers that are distinctly local.
You can drink these beers at Broomtail Craft Brewery (6404 Amsterdam Way in Dutch Square) or their second location, The Sour Barn (7211 Market Street in Ogden), as well as bars and bottle shops around town.
If you want to join in on the 5th anniversary fun, drop by the Dutch Square location for live music by the Beau Rikki’s, a parking lot grill out, and new, commemorative merchandise. There will also be an appearance by Charlie, the Picasso of Parrots, from the Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | May 20, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
A weekly roundup of local and craft beer that can be found around the area on tap, in bottles, or in cans. These are not beer reviews and should be used for entertainment purposes only.
Scuttlebutt American IPA: 6.8% This new brew has been crafted highlighting columbus hops for bittering, citra for flavor, and amarillo to tie all the flavors together. Dank notes accompanied by tangerine citrus complement the earthy bitterness.
Yard Work: 4.9% Let’s face it–Wilmington is HOT. FSB brews this Session IPA to give locals and visitors something cold and refreshing for when the grass needs cutting. Cascade, citra, and amarillo hops create a dazzling pine and citrus snap to rejuvenate your afternoon, while the low ABV will keep you on your feet if you have a couple. And they think you will.
The Dog Haze of Summer: 7.5% A seasonal New England style IPA with heaps of Galaxy, Amarillo, Azacca, Citra, and Mosaic hops. Tropical notes of passionfruit, tangerine, mango, and grapefruit are dominant with little to no bitterness. This soft, juicy ale is the perfect remedy for those dog days of summer!
Strawberry LaBrewchacha: 5.0% A crisp, refreshing Mexican lager brewed with fresh strawberry purée from Lewis Farms.
Electra: 6.5% A bright IPA with notes of citrus and a clean finish. Now available in 16oz cans in the taproom and bottle shops near you!
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | May 13, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Community, Local Beer
This week we welcome Sarah Ashmore from Makai Brewing! Check out Makai Brewing during the on or off season down in Ocean Isle Beach.
AT: What’s your favorite thing about bartending?
SA: Well there’s the obvious perk of being the first to taste the beer when it goes on tap, but it would definitely have to be the people I get to meet while I’m working behind the bar! You get to hear some crazy stories and become friends with some awesome people!
AT: Do you have any advice for current or future craft beer bartenders?
SA: Come ready to learn! We’re all just swapping knowledge here, and there is so much to learn (both from the people you work with and your bar guests)! You might not always be the most knowledgeable on a particular style of beer or process, and that’s okay! It’s a new opportunity to learn!
AT: If you were a beer, which one would you be?
SA: Honestly? I have no idea, so I took a Buzzfeed quiz, and it told me I’m a wheat beer: light, sweet, and bubbly, and I don’t disagree haha! But I could also see myself being a good fruited sour: still sweet, but with a good dose of sour to account for the all the sass
