So, not many people know, but North Carolina has been stuck in the beer dark ages. We have been "capped" at beer no more than 6% ever since the mill days of the early 1900's. Recently though, due to the hard work of Pop the Cap, the alcohol law has changed, giving us the chance to finally try some real beers without having to go out of state. So in honor of this wonderful change, we are adding a beer tasting and review section.

Do you have a review you would like posted or a beer suggestion? Email us!

Haystack Wheat: 5%
Left Hand Brewing Co. Longmont Colorado
With temps starting to hit the occasional 70s, thoughts drift toward summer porch drinking and the inevitable wheat beer. For johnya the ruler against which all wheat beers are measured is Maisels. Left Hand's hefeweizen measures up pretty well. It pours golden with an unfiltered yeast haze. Poured into a hefe glass the head foams up about an inch and lingers pretty well for an american wheat. There is a lacy residue still left in the mostly empty glass. The aroma is strong with characteristic banana. Flavors start with citrusy-lime moving to a touch of banana and nut. It's not as complex as the germans, but this beer is very drinkable with a good mouthfeel. When the homebrew kegs run dry this will be a good backup beer.
-johnya

Okicim Porter: 8.3%
Okicim Brewery - Brzesko, Poland
This porter pours into the glass a beautiful dark brown with ruby red hightlights when held up to a light source. Ontop of this beautiful beer sits a fluffy tan head that leaves a light lace on the glass as it dissipates. The aroma is a sweet nose of plums, caramel and chocolate. The tasste is a surprisingly sweet caramel and chocolate that finishes somewhat toasty. The beer has a nice mouthfeel, soft on the tongue while the high carbonation counter balances that. What a delcious beer! And at 8.3 it is quick with the warming effects. This is a highly drinkable beer that calls for a second. I will be buying this for the next cookout, I think it will go well with a rack of smoked ribs. YUM!
-chris32

Three Philosophers: 9.8%
Brewery Ommegang - Cooperstown, New York
Three Pilosphers is a Belgian style quadruple blending a strong malt ale with a Belgian Kriek. The beer pours into the glass a deep dark red with a crisp white head, producing a distinct nose of dark chocolate and sweet cherries. With the blend of the malty ale and cherry lambic, the taste is intense and wonderfully complex. Starting with malty chocolate, caramel and cherries, the beer blends a complex pallet of coffee, raisins, plums and a touch of the sourness from the lambic blend. This is one fine beer! I really enjoyed the richness and complexity of this beer and look forward to another chance to try it again.
-chris32

Midas Touch: 9%
Dogfish Head Brewery - Milton, Delaware
This is a beer based on an old recipe formulated from residue found in King Midas' tomb(see http://www.dogfish.com for more info). The beer is lightly carbed and has a grape juice aroma...similar to what I think Juicy Juice smells like. It starts with a delicious sweet and fruity taste with grapes and honey the prevailing flavors, then ends with an almost mead-like tartness. For a 9% beer it certainly does not show any taste and nose of a high gravity beer. Midas Touch isnt a beer i could drink several of, but it would be good for starting off the barbcue or a relaxing tasting session on the porch.
-chris32

Gonzo Imperial Porter 9.2%
Flying Dog Brewery - Denver Colorado
Fear and Loathing! This Hunter S. Thompson tribute beer rings in at 9.2% and certainly pours on thick. My glass must have been dirty, but there was not much head on this beer. Once in the glass this dark dark beer gives off a nice floral hop aroma. Very toasty, this beer has a very strong coffee flavor with a hint of caramel balanced by a slight citrusy hop bitter, then finishing with a very rich dark chocoate that tends to last on the tongue. This beer would do well on a cold winter night as it is quick with the warming effects from the alcohol.
-chris32