Micro Invasion
By Jessica Moss at May 14, 2009 | 5:10 pm | Print
Happily in the last several months, many microbreweries are choosing the Atlanta market to expand into. Two more recent additions gaining notoriety throughout Atlanta area pubs are Holy Mackerel from Florida and French Broad Brewing from North Carolina. Both breweries are artisanal small batch breweries, creating limited quantities of each brew.
Joining the local tap handles, Holy Mackerel beers from the Gordash Brewing Company in Ft. Lauderdale offer unique styles, creative names, and delicious combinations. Robert Gordash, brewer and owner, has been home brewing since 1993. After winning the Samuel Adams Longshot Competition, a yearly homebrewing contest sponsored by the prolific brewing company, Gordash was able to participate in brewing his winning ESB (Extra Special Bitter) on a large scale and travel Europe to explore the great International brews first hand. After 10 years of continued work, the Gordash Brewing Company now distributes to five states in the Southeast to critical acclaim.
Holy Mackerel Brews:
Currently only available on draft in Georgia, the two exceptional brews from Holy Mackerel are very different in style.
Special Golden Ale: A delicious Belgian Golden Strong Ale in the tradition of Duvel, with a sophisticated wine-like aroma with elements of butterscotch and cloves. The Special Golden Ale pours a light copper, beautifully clear. In an interesting twist, this brew blends the customary style of the Belgian Golden Strong Ale with the very different German Pilsner. The addition of traditional pilsner ingredients makes this 8.5%abv Strong Ale easy enough to drink on a summer day in Florida. This full-bodied brew balances a delicious sweetness from the use of Belgian candy sugar and sweet malt varieties with a gentle drying bitterness from Saaz hops, a variety of hop generally associated with pilsners. The end result is a very satisfying beer for fans of sweeter Belgian styles, and a delicious accompaniment to a variety of grilled fish with citrus or stronger flavored cheeses.
Mack in Black: A beautifully complex Black Ale with initial flavors of roast and dark chocolate is smoothed by the addition of Belgian yeast strains fermenting the brew with a light fruity sweetness. Prominent, but balanced, hop flavor cuts beautifully into the sweetness . The 8%abv is well hidden, making the beer very easy to drink. The final addendum of pomegranate juice adds a touch of natural sweetness and light sourness to the brew. An amazing, unique beer that is perfect for dessert, breakfast, or with a big steak.
French Broad Brewing Company is nestled in Asheville, NC, the brewing utopia of the Southeast. The exciting brewing climate in the little city supports 7 breweries, including the renowned Highland Brewing Company, Pisgah Brewing, and Green Man Brewing. Offering a tasting room inside the brewery that also doubles as a music venue for local artists, French Broad Brewing Company has been adding to the Asheville brewing scene since 2001. Great local atmosphere and delicious beer have made this a favorite haunt for Asheville beer drinkers and an anticipated arrival for Georgia.
French Broad Brews:
Available in 22oz bottles, five beers are in regular rotation, including some in UK tradition, some in German style, while all have a distinctly American twist.
13 Rebels ESB: The most readily available of the French Broad portfolio, this version of an Extra Special Bitter uses hops from across the pond to blend a mild earthy bitterness into the light toasty sweetness at the base of the flavor. This style is popular in the UK because of its mild flavor, lower alcohol, and smooth drinkability. The 13 Rebels stays very true to this tradition, and at only 5.2%abv it makes for a fantastic beer for relaxing on a warm spring day.
Wee Heavy-er Scotch Ale: This dark, full bodied beer has the classic peaty flavor of a single malt scotch faintly evident, with mild smoke flavors and a roasty bitterness. A delicious balance of hops, earthy flavor, and a caramel sweetness, this brew is the perfect accompaniment to any cook-out. At 7%abv, it has a touch more alcohol than the breweries previous incarnations of this style. A personal favorite, this Wee Heavy stays loyal to its Scottish heritage.
Gateway Kolsch: A light ale style originating from Cologne, Germany, the Kolsch is a German twist on an Extra Pale Ale. Pouring a light golden straw color, a light bready sweetness with hints of peach and citrus in the aroma, the flavor is crisp, yet mildly sweet. Well balanced and refreshing at 5.2%abv this brew will be perfect during the coming summer.
Altbier: Not often seen in America, Altbier’s are common in Germany. Bready, yeasty, and pouring amber in color, these slightly sweet ales have a fuller body than commonly found in German styles. French Broad’s Altbier tastes smells and tastes like fresh baked bread with a light hint of caramel sweetness. Fantastically easy to drink at 5.5%abv, this beer’s balanced flavor is a testament to the ideals of German Beer Engineering.
Rye Hopper: An IPA dosed with the earthy spice of malted rye is the most recent addition to the regular offerings of French Broad. This 5.9%abv IPA uses American hops for the bitterness desired by the many fans of the hop. The earthy tones of the rye play into the sweetness of traditional malted barley to create a delicious, distinctive IPA.
Jessica Moss
Beertender at Muss & Turner’s
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