South Carolina SC midlands area brewers

[Poopsmitherson]

No one said it had to be full time immediately. Ha.

Heck, I can only take so much chance with a wife and young kids to support. That said...what kind of law do you practice? The legal aspects are the most daunting part of this to me.

 

[TravelingLight]

No one said it had to be full time immediately. Ha.

Heck, I can only take so much chance with a wife and young kids to support. That said...what kind of law do you practice? The legal aspects are the most daunting part of this to me.

I'm actually not practicing now. I did the criminal law game for a bit, got burned out. Now I work for a state agency as a senior consultant doing regulatory policy development and legislative stuff.

 

[SHAIV]

Oh for sure. I definitely need some unbiased feedback.

I'm down for some tasting! I've got a keg full of simcoe hopped apfelwein I could swap with ya

 

[SHAIV]

I would finally open BrewBQ, a barbecue joint that brews their own beer. My barbecue could keep it afloat to get the beer brand established. Come for the barbecue, stay for the beer.



/steps off soapbox

That's what I thought que and brew would be in Lexington but they don't brew and they have limited craft variety

Also I like old mill. I haven't been to any of the others. I don't go out much and when I do I don't go just to drink. One reason why I homebrew so I don't have to go out and spend money. I have met Matt before when he had the hopyard. He was very helpful and even let Healey borrow a wort chiller for free before we had one. But anyway I do like some of the ipas I've had there, they are good (I tend to only drink ipas, I love me some hoppy goodness) but I had a white IPA there one time and it tasted like straight gin, it was pretty bad. I told the waitress that thinking she would take it off my bill but she didn't and I didn't drink it.

Anyway you guys should start a brewery! That'd be awesome!

 

[TravelingLight]

but I had a white IPA there one time and it tasted like straight gin, it was pretty bad. I told the waitress that thinking she would take it off my bill but she didn't and I didn't drink it.

How long ago was that? Reason I ask, I went to a beer dinner Matt hosted a few months back with a bunch of cask beers done by local guys. They had a cask IPA done with Doug from Swamp Cabbage that was aged in gin barrels. Not sure if that was the same thing, but I really enjoyed that cask IPA.

 

[SHAIV]

It was like this past winter. It was a white IPA with gin and I dunno if I got the last of the keg or what. Oh I also had a cinnamon something a while back I didn't like. I think it was like the last of the keg and they charged me for that crap

 

[crescentfresh]

Ok, so it sounds like a few of us are open to the idea of pairing up and starting something. Why don't we meet and possibly brew together to see how we mesh? I'm itching to start something bigger than just me. I'd like for us on this post to do a group brew. Maybe a Saturday in the early fall so we can all try to coordinate a date. At any rate, I'm open for dialogue. I live in the rosewood area.

 

[Poopsmitherson]

Ok, so it sounds like a few of us are open to the idea of pairing up and starting something. Why don't we meet and possibly brew together to see how we mesh? I'm itching to start something bigger than just me. I'd like for us on this post to do a group brew. Maybe a Saturday in the early fall so we can all try to coordinate a date. At any rate, I'm open for dialogue. I live in the rosewood area.

I'm down for this. Maybe a beer together first to plan things. Oh, and I'm out in Lexington.

 

[HealeyA87]

More in Lexington than I though. Good stuff though. Means we would help sample each other's brews hahaha

 

[TravelingLight]

Ok, so it sounds like a few of us are open to the idea of pairing up and starting something. Why don't we meet and possibly brew together to see how we mesh? I'm itching to start something bigger than just me. I'd like for us on this post to do a group brew. Maybe a Saturday in the early fall so we can all try to coordinate a date. At any rate, I'm open for dialogue. I live in the rosewood area.

I'm in Rosewood too! PM incoming...

 

[Morrey]

Y'all saw where SC is liberalizing craft beer laws making things more user friendly. Craft beer permits were the odd duck out a few years ago, but today they are probably easier to obtain. I'll hope to hear that something brilliant spawns from your meeting.

 

[catdaddy66]

y'all saw where sc is liberalizing craft beer laws making things more user friendly. Craft beer permits were the odd duck out a few years ago, but today they are probably easier to obtain. I'll hope to hear that something brilliant spawns from your meeting.

yay!!!

 

[Poopsmitherson]

Y'all saw where SC is liberalizing craft beer laws making things more user friendly. Craft beer permits were the odd duck out a few years ago, but today they are probably easier to obtain. I'll hope to hear that something brilliant spawns from your meeting.

There's definitely some good aspects of the recent changes. The best thing to come of it is the ability to sell food at a production brewery tap room and not be a brewpub. That said, if I remember correctly, there are some implications of it for brewpubs that may or may not be beneficial and might be harmful, depending on that brewpub's current setup. This has to do with their ability to distribute outside of their own pub, but they would have to convert to a production brewery, which limits their ability to sell unlimited amounts of beer to their patrons in one day. It's kind of blurring the lines between the two.

Anyway, this article does a much better job of explaining it than I did and it's worth a read: https://beerofsc.com/2017/03/27/the-brewpub-bill-why-your-favorite-watering-hole-might-be-changing/

 

[Morrey]

There's definitely some good aspects of the recent changes. The best thing to come of it is the ability to sell food at a production brewery tap room and not be a brewpub. That said, if I remember correctly, there are some implications of it for brewpubs that may or may not be beneficial and might be harmful, depending on that brewpub's current setup. This has to do with their ability to distribute outside of their own pub, but they would have to convert to a production brewery, which limits their ability to sell unlimited amounts of beer to their patrons in one day. It's kind of blurring the lines between the two.

Anyway, this article does a much better job of explaining it than I did and it's worth a read: https://beerofsc.com/2017/03/27/the-brewpub-bill-why-your-favorite-watering-hole-might-be-changing/

The only downside of the new legislation is the 288 ounce limits are still enforced. If I ride down to Westbrook for the day, I can only get a case (or equivalent) to go. Guess we'll have to wait on that one, but still seems that craft beer breweries are making headway.

 

[crescentfresh]

Happy Memorial Day weekend to all the regional brewers! Stay safe. In reverent remembrance.

 

[SHAIV]

Same to you brother! Oh also if any of you guys could help me out with this I'm trying to make a dual keg regulator from two singles. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=628781
Anyone had any experience with this?

 

[Morrey]

Went to DIY out by Sand Hills today to pick up some supplies for a low abv session beer that comes in at 2.8%. It is wheat and rye but the simple grain bill gives the mouthfeel of a richer beer. A true lawnmower beer with the elusive (hard to find) Nelson Sauvin hop. When Kevin has his "tasting" on the last Saturday of June, I'll bring a few bottles to share if you guys can make plans to come out so we can all meet.

 

[catdaddy66]

Went to DIY out by Sand Hills today to pick up some supplies for a low abv session beer that comes in at 2.8%. It is wheat and rye but the simple grain bill gives the mouthfeel of a richer beer. A true lawnmower beer with the elusive (hard to find) Nelson Sauvin hop. When Kevin has his "tasting" on the last Saturday of June, I'll bring a few bottles to share if you guys can make plans to come out so we can all meet.

I will be there! I am gonna do a cherry wheat that will be about 4.5%. Kevin ordered me some sweet cherry puree.

I couldn't go today because of graduation commitments with the family.

 

[Morrey]

I will be there! I am gonna do a cherry wheat that will be about 4.5%. Kevin ordered me some sweet cherry puree.

I couldn't go today because of graduation commitments with the family.

Since it was Mem Day weekend, he didn't have an event today....you didn't miss a tasting. See you in June!

 

[SHAIV]

Went to DIY out by Sand Hills today to pick up some supplies for a low abv session beer that comes in at 2.8%. It is wheat and rye but the simple grain bill gives the mouthfeel of a richer beer. A true lawnmower beer with the elusive (hard to find) Nelson Sauvin hop. When Kevin has his "tasting" on the last Saturday of June, I'll bring a few bottles to share if you guys can make plans to come out so we can all meet.

Wheat and rye? Dang my two least favorite Malts I've ever had. I can always pick out rye from a beer. I have had a few rye ipas and they don't taste like ipas to me because of the rye. I believe it covers up the hop character that I love about ipas. Maybe it'll be better if it's not an IPA that way I'm not let down by the name. Lol

 

[Morrey]

Wheat and rye? Dang my two least favorite Malts I've ever had. I can always pick out rye from a beer. I have had a few rye ipas and they don't taste like ipas to me because of the rye. I believe it covers up the hop character that I love about ipas. Maybe it'll be better if it's not an IPA that way I'm not let down by the name. Lol

Its only got 5 lb total grain...3 wheat and 2 rye. I made this today and used .5 oz EKGoldings for bittering and 2 oz Nelson Sauvin at FO for a 15 min WP. The idea is since this beer will be 2.8%, the wheat and rye will give a great mouthfeel and the huge dose of NS at the end will probably overshadow the rye. I think it will be decent, but come out to DIY next month and I'll bring a sample.

 

[crescentfresh]

This is what I love about Brewing. We all have our tastebuds that we aim to satisfy. No one really duplicates beer anymore, it's all unique!

 

[Morrey]

I totally agree^^^. Crafting our own beer puts complete and individual creativity within reach so we don't need to rely on someone else's tastes to dictate what we personally enjoy.

A good example is how I felt about IPA's a few years ago. I stayed away from this style as I was not fond of the hit you in the face bitterness many commercial beers offered. When advanced techniques such as late hop additions including whirl pooling became widespread, I found that I love hoppy beers and could control or eliminate the bitter aspect of the style.

When beginning as a novice brewer, I tried to emulate or copy a beer that I liked. As my tastes and brewing skills evolved, I go more off the beaten path and create beers that appeal to my individual tastes. Thanks for taking note of this and your post reflects my thoughts closely.

 

[HealeyA87]

Yea I agree. Before I was a home brewer I HATED IPAs, but once I started brewing and realized the difference in hops, buttering vs flavor, IBUs, Malts, and all the other flavor profiles. Then I was able to enjoy them and now IPAs are my favorite. Because I know what I like

 

[SHAIV]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1496076621.087220.jpg
Yep I love me some hops. I already got cones on my plants

 

[Morrey]

View attachment 402391
Yep I love me some hops. I already got cones on my plants

That is awesome! What varietal of hop are you showing? I have heard that our climate is not ideal for hop growing, but based on your pic, I think that point may need to be under review!

 

[Poopsmitherson]

That is awesome! What varietal of hop are you showing? I have heard that our climate is not ideal for hop growing, but based on your pic, I think that point may need to be under review!

We're actually just one degree latitude below what's considered ideal. And I've heard that centennial and cascade are pretty resilient and will grow basically anywhere--which is why I got a centennial plant this year, which is only just now about 6 ft. tall. By no means flowering yet.

Yep I love me some hops. I already got cones on my plants

How old are those plants?

 

[Morrey]

We're actually just one degree latitude below what's considered ideal. And I've heard that centennial and cascade are pretty resilient and will grow basically anywhere--which is why I got a centennial plant this year, which is only just now about 6 ft. tall. By no means flowering yet.




How old are those plants?

That's good to know. My brother in law planted several varietals so we shall see. I asked about our climate at Clemson Extension and they had very limited information to offer. One commercial hop farm they are aware of operates in York Country.

I read the range for hops is 35 degrees to 55 degrees and Darlington is 34 degrees. Even though we are out of the preferred range, maybe Cascade would be accepting of our climate?

 

[SHAIV]

That is awesome! What varietal of hop are you showing? I have heard that our climate is not ideal for hop growing, but based on your pic, I think that point may need to be under review!

That is a chinook pictured but I have two of them like that and a cascade that's taller and flowering as well. All three are about 15 ft tall right now. My centennial is about 2 ft lol
They are 2nd year plants and are in big pots but the roots go down through the holes in the bottom of the pots into the ground. Haha I got two crops last year from some of my plants and my centennial didn't do jack and it seems like it may not do much this year either

 

[TravelingLight]

Switching gears a minute...bulk grain buys.

I know Morrey buys bulk for his base malts. I've been considering this as well. Well, first I need to get a grain mill. But then! I've been trying to figure out the best bang for my buck. And I really think the most cost effective way would be to team up with another brewer and buy together? Anyone in the midlands open to buying some bulk grain? I also need to make sure I don't have rats or bullstuff in my'shed where I keep all my woodworking and brewing gear.