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2024 The West (Coast) is the Best!

The changes of 2023 will continue in 2024. Openings, closings and consolidations of breweries will continue. In July, Anchor brewing closed it's doors after 127 years in business. They were bought, back in 2017, by Sapporo Brewing for $85 M. This would be an example that being bought by a larger company doesn't always work out well. Update: A San Francisco Group wants to buy Anchor and keep it local. Link to article on my Twitter feed. Recently several breweries filed for bankruptcy. Guanella Brewing of Colorado, Zydeco Brewing of Tampa and Flying Fish of New Jersey are among them. Each brewery has different circumstances but reflect the current market and post Covid sales slowing. Mergers continue; Smuttynose Brewing of New Hampshire has acquired Wachusett Brewing of Westminster, MA. The combined company pairs two legacy NE brewers, with plans to combine production and add to distribution territory. Another area of concern is landlord issues. Forgotten Boardwalk brewing, of Cherry hill, NJ has their space "leased out from underneath us". Unbranded Brewing of Miami, FL, has rumors about the landlord selling the building This is not confirmed but shows the state of our industry. if you have hopes for growth and expansion, it's probably better to own your place. Investing big money in someone else's property isn't good unless there are built in protections for the tenet.

One of the iconic brews of the craft beer industry is making a comeback. The West Coast IPA is good to see again. I noticed the style added to the lineup at some of the breweries I visited in 2023. Some will re-imagine it using new hop varieties and other ideas. It will be great to see clear beer (No haze, juicy or milkshake properties etc.) with hop forward tastes; like the 'good old days'. Look for a West Coast IPA at your favorite brewery! This just in: New Realm Brewing, of Atlanta, GA, ha just released a 'new' brew. Kickflipper West Coast Style IPA! New Realm is known for their IPAs and already had a West Coast Style Double IPA in their lineup..

 

Cheers, Larry
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Past reviews 1999 - 2024 Click on each year. Enjoy, Larry
  
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Schoolhouse Brewing Photos

Schoolhouse Brewing - Atlanta, GA

Schoolhouse Brewing has two locations. I visited the Atlanta location, near the Emery campus. They have done a good job with the 'Schoolhouse' decor. The location is called the Gymnasium and the theme is appropriate being near Emery. Once inside, there are two bars and school memorabilia all around. I especially liked the 'Pencil' Tap Handles. They have 16 brews and continually make different styles so you could have a different beer each visit. My favorite was Astro Kitty a hoppy NE IPA 7.0 ABV with notes of tangerine, papaya, peach and pineapple. Cluck Around and Find Out was a traditional American IPA; clear and golden in color. Retrofuture Rye Sc IPA was malty and had nice bitterness. 0 Days without a Dad Joke was an authentic Belgian Tripel that was spicy with light malty tastes Website: SchoolhouseBrewing.com

TailGate Brewery Photos

TailGate Brewery - Nashville, TN

Tail Gate Brewery has 7 locations around the Nashville area. The main production brewery opened in 2014; they are now 6 other taprooms and one in Chattanooga. Several of the taprooms have a different brewing areas. One has all of the spontaneous brewing; another does ciders etc. I visited the Music Row taproom which houses the cidery. There were 35 different 'brews'. At least 25 are beer styles the rest include ciders, seltzers and sparkling water. I had a 4 IPA flight with the Pest Coast IPA my favorite. It's a West Coast IPA 6.8% ABV with melon and citrus notes with a orange and pine finish. Hendy Three Step is a "Glow Up - Hazy IPA". It is 8.8% ABV which wasn't evident. Zooted Hazy IPA is made with 4 hops. At 6.0% ABV is has a smooth mouthfeel with easy bitterness and slightly sweet finish. Penjamin Franklin is also a 6.0 % ABV Hazy IPA. It used 4 hops; has a melon lemony taste and light bitterness. Website: TailGateBeer.com

The Filling Station Nashville Photos

The Flling Station - Nashville, TN

The Filling Station is located in Nashville's 12 South neighborhood, a walkable area with many small shops and boutiques. After lunch at nearby Edley's BBQ (Excellent) the Filling Station was discovered just behind. it's a cool place with a laid back, hip vibe and great brews to go or enjoy there. Brian and Brandie have a great place here and everyone there was enjoying the day. I met some regulars who love coming here for the good beers and atmosphere. They have 24 taps and many more bottles and cans available. Some styles include: Pils, IPAs, Porters, Imperial Stouts and Sours. The selection also has N/A beers, Hop Water, CBC Infused and more! Some of the breweries here are Bearded Iris (Nashville) Creature Comforts (Athens GA) and DuCkaw (MD) there are many more. I got a sixer of Yazoo Cold IPA as I was leaving town soon after. Website:BrewStop.com

Photos of WanderLinger Brewing Company

WanderLinger Brewing Company - Chattanooga, TN

WanderLinger copy to come

Photos of Coastal Dayz Brewery

Coastal Dayz Brewery - Fort Myers, FL

Coastal Daze copy to come
 
 
 
 
 
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