Tour of BSG Craft Brewing Warehouse

Corby and I were fortunate enough to get a tour Brewer's Supply Group (BSG) Craft Brewing Warehouse where we were hosted by Thomas Krepsky and Bernard Copper. The also have RJ Spagns wine kits. Big shout out to Tom and Bernard for taking the time to walk us through their huge warehouse (with around 40 employees) off of Fulton Industrial Boulevard.

Since 2004 BSG has become a dependable source for diverse ingredients from around the world for craft brewing. BSG searches the globe for new and interesting brewing ingredients for American custom. Exclusive specialty malts, in-demand hop varieties, or premium brewing aids BSG has them. 

We got to see some really cool stuff, especially if you are a beer head like us. They had grains, hops, yeasts, extracts, equipment and several items from across the globe. Everything a beer (and wine) maker would need. 

BSG supplies many of the Southeast's regional craft breweries, brewpubs and home brewer supply shops and does not do individual sales, i.e. it only supplies manufacturers and retail outlets, you can't go buy a 50 lbs bag of grain directly from them. BSG also carries a variety of wine making kits that it supplies to wine shops and other interested shops. 

Tour of Three Taverns Brewing Company - Decatur, GA

1011/13 - Corby, Kevin and I (along with friend Jason) had the opportunity to attend one of there openings of the tasting room at Three Taverns Brewing near downtown Decatur.  We had tried Three Taverns Single Intent and A Night In Brussels at various spots in Atlanta (Drafting Table, Augustine's, Porter Beer Bar, etc.).  The owner, Brian Purcell, who started home brewing years ago, is a huge fan of Belgian style beers and brewing so he wanted to bring that to Metro Atlanta.  He is such a big fan, he even imported a brewmaster from Belgium.  He also gave visitors a really good tour as well.

Three taverns has been selling in bars and craft been stores for the last 6 months at over 60 locations across metro Atlanta.  So the site has and will continue to produce beer but the only thing lacking was a tasting room, which is standard in all micro-breweries across the county.  Quite a bit of time and effort went into the building of the tasting room.  Real expose brick pillars were built along with some other custom elements.  An upper level to provide a hawks view of all the folks waiting in line down below was a nice touch.  The tasting (6 washers) and tour was $12.00 not including tax.  Tickets had to be ordered in advance instead of allowing people to walk up and purchase like the vast majority of breweries in Atlanta.  Those tours are typically $10.

Belgian style beer was traditionally brewed by Belgian Trappist monks and is exemplified by the emphasis on lively flavors instead of hoppiness. On tap for the 2nd Opening (they had one for investors a few days earlier) included the ones we knew, Single Intent (5% ABV light bodied blond ale) and A Night In Brussels (a 7.5% ABV Belgian style American IPA).  They also were pouring Thoephan the Recluse (9% ABV Belgian style stout) and Rye (bottom) which they will begin selling in the near future along with a Belgian Quad that they hope to have in bars and craft beer stores for christmas.  We tried them all at least once and a few (Recluse and Rye) twice.  Complex but very good flavors.  The Rye was a little sour for Jason's taste but I had another one as it was a good change from the other beers being poured.

Of Atlanta's brewery tours, Three Taverns is one you should definitely check out.

WT

Mother Earth Smoked Lager

I (William) decided to grab a bite and brew tonight at the Drafting Table, a good watering hole near MLK, Jr. MARTA station (in the Pencil Factory Lofts commercial space at the corner of Decatur Ave. SE and Hill St. SE). Tonight's special is the Mother Earth Smoked Lager (Kinston, NC). I've hadthe  ME Endless River Kolsch and Sisters of the Moon IPA which are really good.

A great flavor beer for those who like smokey things. Although it is a first for me, I liked it. Excellent clarity with a light amber color. Good lacing from the head and carbonation. Great smokey scent and very little hops. Clean taste with smoke on the back end on the tongue.  At 6.4% ABV a good first step for me into smoked flavored beer.  

If you want to try something new that's not over the smokey edge, head by the Drafting Table and try the ME Smoked Lager. Ran into an old friend, Jim Brooks, too. 

Intown Market - Pencil Factory Lofts

On a Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago I (William) saw a sign stating "200 Craft Beers" across from the MLK Jr MARTA station and decided to head into the Intown Market at the corner of Decatur and .. I had heard good things about their hand made sandwiches but this time I was only there for the beer. 

As I walked in the back door, that you access from the parking garage, I was pleasantly surprised to see a growler station with 8 taps. This is good news

For the craft beer drinkers on the southeast side of the city because to get a growler you have to head a little north to get one.

As I rounded the corner, I saw a very good selection of wine with diverse price ranges and quality. There were some craft beers spread around but much to my pleasant surprise there was much more in the back and in the cooler. From Singels to Tripels, Bochs to Stoudts, Lagers, IPAs, and many more. Intown Market has a really good selection and  they have hit a sweet spot that was lacking in Intown East Atlanta.

And they have two of my favorites, Golden Monkey and Arrogant Bastard.

Check out Intown Market for a growlers or to take care of your craft beer fix. I certainly have and will.

Fire Tiger Red Ale

On Sunday, May 26, 2013, William decided to go out of the box we his first brew.  It was our second recipe innovation after Kevin's Jackson Stoudt with Bourbon chips. William added... JALAPEÑOS for heat and flavor during the last 12 minutes of the boil. At the end of the boil we added 3 tablespoons of brown sugar for added sweetness and possibly boost the abv. We are measuring the abv with this brew as we want to get the next batches between 8-9% abv.

According to Kev (who lets the beer ferment at his crib), the brew smelled good during the first week of fermenting. Now we're gearing up for the 2nd ferment that will take about 2 weeks before we bottle and unleash pin he world.