Beer Bars with Establishment and The J. Clyde – Episode 25
Beer Bars are on the agenda this week.
We’ve talked about breweries, brewpubs and home brewing on the show, but we were excited to bring up the topic of beer bars on today’s show.
David Reed and Dave Dixon from Establishment joined us, as well as Jerry Hartley, owner of iconic Birmingham beer bar The J. Clyde.
The J. Clyde was honored by craftbeer.com as the best beer bar in Alabama. Founded in 2007 when craft beer in the state was basically nonexistent. It boasts 60 taps, 2 casks and a growing cellar program.
Hartley talked about being a pioneer in the Alabama craft scene, and what makes a great beer bar. He also takes some audience questions, particularly why he won’t stock “Bud.”
Establishment, founded in Buckhead in 2013, recently relocated to the Colony Square building. With 25 taps and an extensive artisan craft cocktail menu, Reed and Dixon (the two Daves) are working on creating a unique menu that they really strive to match with their drinks.
A photo posted by Establishment (@establishmentatl) on
Also, we took an informal survey on Facebook, Twitter and on reddit about the best beer bars in Georgia and Alabama. These topped the list:
Georgia:
- Brick Store Pub | Decatur
- The Porter | Atlanta
- Argosy | Atlanta
- Trappeze | Athens
- Catch 22 | Athens
- Truck & Tap | Woodstock
- Summit’s Wayside Tavern | Snellville, Cumming
Alabama:
- The J Clyde | Birmingham
- Hop City | Birmingham
- Liquor Express | Huntsville
- Leroy Lounge | Montgomery
(Note: we did not include some places like Below the Radar or Wrecking Bar because they are technically brewpubs. They’re awesome, but we wanted to list only the bars who served craft beer that wasn’t made in-house).
Truck and Tap‘s beers of the week:
- Burnt Hickory Brewery Ezekiel’s Wheel Pale Ale. This is a Beer Guys Radio favorite, a 6.5% pale ale that’s grainy, malty and hoppy. “Zeke” is out in bottles now, so go check it out.
- Terrapin Poivre Potion Farmhouse Saison. Aaron’s been wanting to try this one for a while. The winner of Terrapin’s third annual employee homebrew competition, it’s a 9.3% ABV saison hopped with Amarillo, Galaxy and Jarrylo. It’s also finished off with pink peppercorns. Bottled at the end of December 2015, you’ll still find it on store shelves.
Week in Review:
Aaron attended this year’s Georgia Association of Broadcasters awards. And like most of these events, the beer choices are often….well, regrettable. However, he was pleasantly surprised to see they did have SweetWater 420 available. It’s a good way to spot other broadcasters with good taste.
Also, he went to the Brass Tap beer bar in the Perimeter area, and was able to try out Creature Comforts Tritonia cucumber lime gose.
Tim attended a couple of great events. First, the Kolb’s Farm release at Burnt Hickory Brewery. Last week’s “Whale of the week,” The first Kolb’s Farm offering since 2013 was packed. Tim also was able to pick up the super-duper whale release of Burial Truce.
He also attended a Braves game at Turner Field. And while the home team may be…well….terrible this year, the beer choice isn’t. Plus Holeman and Finch Burgers.
A photo posted by BeerGuysRadio (@beerguysradio) on
We Tried This:
The folks at Fizzics sent up their craft beer system. It boasts that it will provide a “fresh, draft taste” to any can, bottle or growler. OK, we were kind of skeptical.
But after trying it out, we will say that it definitely changed the flavor and taste of the beer. The head was vastly superior, and frankly it was a pretty cool product. Listen to the show for more takes on this machine, and we’ll try and get the CEO of Fizzics on the show next week.
This Week’s Headlines:
- Congratulations to the team at Reformation Brewery. The city of Woodstock declares July 1 as “Set Beer Free” day. Reformation’s setbeerfree.com website “encourages visitors to ‘drink well’ and ‘demand better’ by drinking beer from their local brewery, as well as contacting their local representatives and asking them to advocate for ‘more jobs, and more freedom’ for brewers in the state.”
- With at least two brewpubs in planning in the central Georgia county/city, the Macon-Bibb county comissioners took the proactive approach to allow beer to go. It joins the growing list of cities and counties that allows growlers to go.
- Here’s some news that must be shocking to Georgia’s lawmakers and distributors. In a stunning revelation, the Florence (AL) Times-Daily reports the new Alabama beer-to-go law is extremely popular. According to Josh Sharp of Singin’ River Brewing Company, “Everyone is here to get beer to go.” One has to wonder why it seems to be working so well in Alabama (and North Carolina, and Virginia, and Florida, and every other state except Mississippi), yet Georgia’s republican-led lawmakers are convinced that it is a bad idea in their state. Let’s continue to ponder that as we get closer to election day.
- The City of Montgomery (AL) has removed its Growler ban. It’s more of a reconfiguation of its laws now that beer to go is a statewide right, but still great news for Railyard Brewing Company and the two other breweries in planning.
- Some people may debate whether a Radler or Shandy is “real” beer, but there’s no denying that if done right, it can be a very tasty summertime beverage. Birmingham’s Good People Brewing rolled out Buffalo Rider Shandy, a blend of an apricot wheat and Buffalo Rider’s ginger ale, which definitely fits that category.
- The Beer Guys don’t pretend to be Broadway or musical fans, but this is pretty cool: Hamilton the musical has been honored with its own craft beer.
Digression:
Stogie Review‘s Brian Hewitt took us to school with the Gurkha Shaggy.
Question of the week:
In honor of Father’s Day, Aaron’s son Jay had a question. He wanted to know about hops, how they are grown and how different kinds of hops carry different flavors.
(Got a question? Call us on the ALE Line at 678-861-8-ALE)
Whales of the Week:
Three Taverns Sour Asylum #8 | Dry hopped lacto sour
The Bruery Share This | Imperial Coffee Stout
The Hot List:
Georgia:
- Wrecking Bar’s 5th Anniversary Weekend
- Brick Store Pub’s 19th Anniversary Week, culminating on June 25th!
Want more Georgia Beer events? Sign up for This Week in Georgia Beer, delivered hot and fresh to your inbox every Friday.
Alabama:
- Zoo, Brews and Full Moon Barbecue | The Birmingham Zoo | 5-9 pm
- Weedy’s Double IPA Bottling | Blue Pants Brewing, Madison | 3-7 pm
More Alabama beer events here!
Next Week:
We’re talking to Jason Santamaria and Chris Doyle from Atlanta’s Second Self Beer Company. Plus, Aaron will have a report from California. We’ll see you on the socials, and don’t forget to tell a friend!
https://beerguysradio.com/2016/06/18/beer-bars-establishment-j-clyde-episode-25/https://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/13413044_1806495876245924_1121039662931624576_n.jpghttps://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/13413044_1806495876245924_1121039662931624576_n-150x150.jpgBeer BarsOn DemandRadioShowsalabama,Atlanta,Beer,beer release,Beer Releases,Birmingham,Breweries,brewpubs,Brick Store Pub,establishment,Georgia,Georgia beer,Georgia beer events,j clyde,News,Podcast,radio,ReformationBeer Bars are on the agenda this week. We've talked about breweries, brewpubs and home brewing on the show, but we were excited to bring up the topic of beer bars on today's show. David Reed and Dave Dixon from Establishment joined us, as well as Jerry Hartley, owner of iconic...Aaron WilliamsAaron Williamsaaron@beerguysradio.comAdministratorAaron is the co-host of the Beer Guys Radio Show. He's worked in TV and radio for too many years to calculate. A degreed meteorologist, husband, father of 3 and a lacrosse dad.Beer Guys Radio Craft Beer Podcast
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