by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Nov 19, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
Penguin Suit Emperorial Stout: 8.5% The team at Wrightsville Beach says, “Our ‘Emperorial’ Stout loaded with roasted, brown and caramelized malts for complexity with a base of NC-grown barley and triticale from Epiphany malts. Hopped with Calypso, giving it a hint of dark fruits and infused with cocoa nibs, Cholaca and vanilla! More fun than an Emperor penguin belly sliding on ice!”
Surf City Sunrise: 7.1% Let this tropical juice bomb whisk you away with bold aromatics of pineapple, mango and starfruit. Pronounced hop bitterness with notes of fuji apple on the finish complement smooth lactose on the palate.
Mole Money Mole Problems: 7.1% 40 IBUs A blend of Australian and American hops provides a velvety mouthfeel surrounded by fruity and juicy aromas with a hint of dankness.
Poets and Fools: 5.3% A lager beer in a classic American Pils style brewed with single source American 2-row pilsner malt and Hallertauer hops. Pretty crispy with some punchy balanced bitterness and a spicy/floral aroma.
Rye IPA: 7% Head brewer Dani says, “Return of the Rye IPA, our seasonal IPA for cooler weather, 7.0% abv. Both silky and bold, smashable but bitter, with a well rounded note of spice from a generous portion of Rye malt.”
Oryaza Sativa: 6.5% IPA brewed with a high percentage of rice to develop a very dry, crisp beer. Hop explosions from: Zeus, Centennial, Cascade, Simcoe, and Citra.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Nov 13, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Community, Local Beer
If you don’t recognize Kelly Pickle (yes, that is her real name) then you really need to go visit Salty Turtle Beer Company up in Surf City. She’s been there slingin’ tasty Hey Zay Hazy IPAs and Swingbridge Breakfast Stouts since day ONE! I was excited to interview her for the Ale Trail because I’ve had the honor of tending bar with her for the past six months; she did not disappoint.
Ale Trail (AT): What’s your favorite thing about bartending?
Kelly Pickle (KP): My favorite thing about bartending is meeting new and interesting people every single day. I love building relationships with guests from near and far!
AT: Do you have any advice for current or future craft beer bartenders?
KP: My advice to craft beer bartenders is to learn your audience. Honing in on what types of beers your guests like, as well as their experience in the craft beer world, will help make their trip to your venue an unforgettable one.
AT: If you were a beer, which one would you be?
KP: If I were a beer I would choose a New England IPA: unfiltered, slightly sweet and slightly bitter. *wink*
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Nov 13, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
(Not So) Basic Beach Porter: 6.2% This not so “basic” take on pumpkin spice was made with smoked pumpkins and lots of love from Waterman’s staff! The smoky aroma is followed by notes of clove and vanilla with a mildly sweet, chocolatey flavor. This fall treat has a little bit of something for everyone.
Double West Coast IPA: 8.5% 84 IBU Simcoe, CTZ, Cascade. Dry, hoppy, and aggressive. This full flavored IPA is a look back to where the IPA came from.
Get Schwifty: 7% New England IPA brewed and dry hopped with a ton of Citra and Simcoe hops. Juicy, fruity aroma, yet not syrupy
or too sweet. Silky smooth body from oat and wheat additions. Wubba Lubba Dub Dub!
Black Spot Lager: 5.3% This beer breaks stereotypes. Dark in color, similar to a stout, however this beer has a refreshing finish without astringent roast or cloying sweetness.
Belgian Quad: 9.8% Ale brewed in the tradition of the Belgian Quadrupel with house-made Belgian candi sugar. Available in 500ml bottles.
Electronic Fog: 6.3% Features notes of grapefruit and pineapple. The brightness of this libation will make it explode off of your tongue.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Nov 3, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
Peach Apricot Ale: 5.3% Head brewer Laren says, “Herbs of the past combine with fruit of the future to create this uniquely balanced fruity ale. Marsh Rosemary, bog mrytle, Yarrow, and Damiana blend together with peach and apricot to stimulate the mind and enhance the senses.”
Cranberry Headed Ninny Muggins: 5.5% A special batch of their Wilmywood Witbier infused with pureed cranberries and a pinch of vanilla for the holiday season! A classic Belgian-inspired wheat beer brewed with cardamom, coriander, orange peel and grains of paradise. Fermented with Belgian Saison yeast.
Elderberry Hefeweizen: 5.3% Head Brewery Dani says, “Get your festive dose of antioxidants ahead of flu/fall season with our classic Hefeweizen brewed with spiced elderberry from our friends at Panacea Brewing. This tasty tonic goes well with colder weather and Thanksgiving dinner; like your grandma’s cranberry jam, with a twist!”
I Am The Law: 8.1% A collaboration with Tavern Law downtown, this brew is a New England style IPA with Amarillo and Azacca hops.
Hoptoberfest: 5.9% The perfect marriage of malty amber lager and American hops. Their gold-medal winning Oktoberfest simply shines with citrus and floral notes from the novel addition of Cascade, Centennial, and Amarillo hops. Imagine America’s favorite pale ale transformed into a clean, crisp lager!
Midnight Swim: 5.3% Stout meets lager in this traditional German lager. Soft notes of roasty coffee complement smooth dark malts on the palate. Delicate bitterness finishes this velvety, light-bodied brew.
by admin | Oct 31, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
If you’ve been to Flytrap in the last five years you’ve definitely had the pleasure of meeting Eddy; he celebrated his fifth anniversary shortly after the brewery did! And if you haven’t stopped by, you definitely should–both for the delicious Belgian-inspired brews, and the ultra-friendly bartenders.
Check out what Eddy has to say about being behind the stick.
Ale Trail (AT): What’s your favorite thing about bartending?
Eddy Johnson (EJ): My favorite thing about bartending, specifically at Flytrap, is being able to bring people together. We have a wide range of folks who come in and to be the bridge that brings them together over a pint is truly something I enjoy.
AT: Do you have any advice for current or future craft beer bartenders?
EJ: 1. Be knowledgeable of your brewery’s/bar’s beer and of other beers so you can recommend similar beer.
2. Keep the air conditioner on high, you never want them to see you sweat.
3. Always have a good dad joke in your back pocket. If they roll thier eyes you nailed it.
4. Most importantly, have fun. Create an environment where they want to stay and come back.
AT: If you were a beer, which one would you be?
EJ: I’m not sure I would want to be a beer, then I won’t be able to drink one. If I have to pick, something dry and with a bite.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Oct 30, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Community, 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.
Deep Sea Dunkelweizen: 4.4% Dark, mysterious, and full of surprises. This dunkelweizen has a rich malt and clove aroma with slight notes of vanilla. Malted wheat makes for a smooth, medium-light body, while Munich provides a slight sweetness. Although the dark color can be deceiving, the crisp and refreshing Hefeweizen character makes this beer unique.
Collective Illusions: 7.5% A hazy IPA dry-hopped with Amarillo and Simcoe. Think: sweet, red fruit, mango. Available on draught and in cans.
Rye Saison: 6.7% Another delicious variation on their classic house saison, now featuring rye malt and Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand.
Sextant Chocolate Porter: 5.8% The latest porter coming out of the North 4th brewery featuring notes of coffee, toffee, and chocolat.e
Fool’s Gold Nitro Stout: 6.7% This strong golden ale looks like a blonde ale but has the body and mouthfeel of a stout. Additions of vanilla bean, Ecuadorian cocoa nibs, and whole bean coffee complete the finish with a light bitterness and strong roasted coffee flavor.
Moletimus Prime: 5.6% A New England IPA that was dry hopped during fermentation, bio-transforming the hops to more aromatic properties.
