North Carolina

Sierra Nevada Announces Asheville Head Brewer

by Jay Brooks on May 23, 2012 · 4 comments

Sierra Nevada Brewing announced today that Scott Jennings has been named the head brewer for their new brewing facility near Asheville, North Carolina. Jennings has been brewing for Sierra Nevada since 2001, and in addition to his role as Research and Development Head Brewer, he also ran the brewing side of Beer Camp, which is where I first met Scott a few years ago.

Scott (in the glowing red jacket) discussing what beer to brew at Beer Camp #41.

According to the press release:

“Scott is an incredible asset to Sierra Nevada,” said Brian Grossman, co-manager of the North Carolina brewery. “He’s had his hand in developing some of the brewery’s most popular beers, and has been instrumental in the creation and innovation that has stemmed from the beers in our Beer Camp program. His technical brewing skills are first-rate, as is his ample creativity. Under his brewing leadership, our North Carolina location will be in great hands.”

Scott joined Sierra Nevada in 2001 after visiting apprenticeships with Young & Co.’s Brewery Plc. “The Ram Brewery” in London. He holds a Certified Brewmaster certificate from the prestigious brewing institute VLB Berlin, and specializes in technical brewing and recipe development. Working under Steve Dresler, Sierra Nevada’s longtime Head Brewer, he did the primary recipe formulation for popular Sierra Nevada beers: Kellerweis, Ruthless Rye IPA, the Ovila Abbey Ales series and countless limited edition, Beer Camp, and small-batch beers. Steve Dresler will remain as Head Brewer in Chico, and Scott’s new position will oversee all of the brewing, fermentation, and filtration at the new Mills River facility and will be instrumental in commissioning the new brewhouse.

In January, Sierra Nevada announced that it was expanding its brewery with a second facility located in Mills River, North Carolina. Once online, this new facility will provide needed capacity for the brewery and will help facilitate distribution to customers across the eastern United States more quickly and with a smaller environmental footprint. The facility is expected to employ more than 100 people, and be operational by spring 2014.

Congratulations to Scott on his promotion.

Scott Jennings tasting us on Ovila Dubbel from the tank, months before its offical release.

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Beer Birthday: Daniel Bradford

by Jay Brooks on April 30, 2012 · 2 comments

in Birthdays

Today is the 62nd birthday of Daniel Bradford. Daniel is the publisher of All About Beer magazine. He’s been involved in the beer world for many a year, from the early days of GABF to the Brewers Association of America, which a few years ago merged with the Association of Brewers to become the Brewers Association. Join me in wishing Daniel a very happy birthday.

Daniel Bradford at the far left, with Amy Dalton in between Jim Koch and Rick Lyke, at a Boston Beer Brunch during GABF a few years ago.

Daniel with Julie Johnson Bradford with Amy Dalton at the 2007 Craft Brewers Conference in Austin, Texas.

Daniel with Dan Carey, from new Glarus, at Rick Lyke’s Rare Beer Tasting that took place at Wynkoop during the 2009 GABF.

With Jim Cline, from Rogue, at the NBWA Convention in San Francisco 2008.

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Beer Birthday: Amy Dalton

by Jay Brooks on April 22, 2012 · 2 comments

in Birthdays

Today is the 29+15th birthday of Amy Dalton. Amy is the Advertising Manager for All About Beer magazine. As evidenced by the fact that none of the photos below feature Amy alone, she’s a consummate people person. A veteran of the newspaper industry, she’s been selling ads to the beer world now for several years and, hopefully, has grown to appreciate the quirks and oddities of most of us in the beer community. Join me in wishing Amy a very happy birthday.

At the reception before the World Cup Gala Awards Dinner, with Tomme Arthur, at the 2008 Craft Brewers Conference.

Amy in between Jim Koch and Rick Lyke, along with Daniel Bradford at the far left, at a Boston Beer Brunch during GABF a few years ago.

All About Beer publishers Daniel Bradford and Julie Johnson Bradford with Amy at the 2007 Craft Brewers Conference in Austin, Texas.

Amy walking down the aisle a couple of years ago.

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Beer Birthday: Ray McCoy

by Jay Brooks on April 13, 2012 · 0 comments

in Birthdays

If you’re on the national beer festival circuit, you’ve no doubt seen Ray McCoy, whose birthday is today. In 2003, Ray was crowned “Beer Drinker of the Year” in the contest sponsored by Wynkoop. Ray and his wife, Cornelia Corey (herself a 2001 BDOTY, making them the only couple to have won) travel from their native North Carolina to attend many of the big beer festivals and events around the country, and the parties are always a bit more fun when they’re around. Join me in wishing Ray a very happy birthday.

At the Great Divide Brewery in Denver, Cornelia and Ray, during GABF week in 2007.

Cornelia and Ray at the 19th Anniversary Party for the Celebrator Beer News.

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Beer Birthday: Julie Johnson

by Jay Brooks on April 13, 2012 · 5 comments

in Birthdays

Today is the birthday of Julie Johnson, who until very recently was the editor of All About Beer magazine, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. Julie is without a doubt one of the nicest people in the industry and a pleasure to work with. Plus she likes odd little German trolls almost as much as I do. Hers is pink, mine’s silver. Don’t ask. Join me in wishing Julie a very happy birthday.

Julie with Ray Daniels at Lagunitas during the Journalism Retreat before CBC this year.

Maureen Ogle, Jack McAuliffe and Julie at CBC in San Francisco earlier this year.

Julie and me at the Rare Beer Tasting at Wynkoop last year. (photo by Christopher Miller)

Julie provides guest vocals on Hop This Town at the Falling Rock in Denver, Colorado during GABF week in 2007. Click below to see a video of her performance.

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New Belgium Announces Asheville As Site For 2nd Brewery

by Jay Brooks on April 5, 2012 · 2 comments

in Breweries,News

Wow, it’s been a good year for beer in Asheville, North Carolina. Not too long ago, Sierra Nevada Brewing announced they would build a second brewery in the county seat of Buncombe County. Now a second large craft brewery — New Belgium Brewing — today announced that they, too, have chosen Asheville as the city where they will build an East Coast brewery to brew and distribute their beers.

According to the press release:

The 400,000-barrel brewery and packaging facility will provide New Belgium with additional capacity allowing the Colorado-based brewer to expand into new areas of distribution. Upon completion in 2015, the facility will initially create 50 new jobs in the Asheville area with more than 100 positions expected at full buildout.

“After several years of searching, we are incredibly excited to have landed in Asheville,” said Kim Jordan, CEO and co-founder of New Belgium. “From the deep sense of community to the rich natural environment and the opportunity to revitalize a brownfield site near a vibrant downtown, Asheville has everything we’ve been looking for in a location for our second brewery.”

The 17.5-acre site located in the heart of the River Arts District will accommodate the 150,000 sq. ft. facility. The brewery will feature a 200-barrel brewing system, a tasting facility, and a process wastewater treatment center on-site. Tours will be available to the public. Total cost projections are over $100 million.

“Today’s announcement by New Belgium will enhance the craft brewery cluster that is growing in North Carolina,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “The jobs and investment the company is committing will be a major boon for the region and for the state.”

Construction is expected to begin in early 2013 with beer rolling off the line in early 2015.

Let the brewing wars begin ….

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Sierra Nevada Chooses Asheville North Carolina Site For New Brewery

January 25, 2012

After scouting numerous sites in North Carolina and neighboring states, Sierra Nevada Brewing announced today they have selected a location near Asheville, North Carolina to build a new brewery to supply their beer throughout the east coast. From the press release: The site, approximately 90 acres in the Henderson County town of Mills River — [...]

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Mills River, North Carolina On The Short List For New Sierra Nevada Brewery

December 16, 2011

After Sierra Nevada Brewing‘s plans to build a brewery in Black Mountain, North Carolina fell through, they set their sites on the nearby town of Mills River as one possible location they’re considering. According to Blue Ridge Now, the Mills River location “is now among a ‘handful’ of possible locations for California-based Sierra Nevada to [...]

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North Carolina Rebuffs Sierra Nevada

December 3, 2011

Sierra Nevada Brewing sells its beer in all fifty states, and has sold increasingly more over the last few years. Not surprisingly, there have been rumors circulating for some time about them building a brewery farther east, in such places as Tennessee and Virginia. It seems they had also identified a site in Black Mountain, [...]

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North Carolina Beer

November 21, 2011

Today in 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state. North Carolina North Carolina Breweries Amos Howards Brew Pub Asheville Brewing Ass Clown Brewing Company Aviator Brewing Backstage Brewing Beggar’s Brewing Big Boss Brewing Biltmore Brewing Birdsong Brewing Boone Brewing BottleTree Beer Co. Boylan Bridge Brewpub Bull City Burger & Brewery Carolina Beer and Beverage Carolina [...]

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Beer Birthday: Rick Lyke

November 3, 2011

Today is the 51st birthday of Rick Lyke, a fellow drinks writer in North Carolina. Rick writes for a variety of publications and online at Lyke 2 Drink. It’s especially terrific that we can all celebrate Rick’s 51st today, because he recently fought and won a battle with prostate cancer, which prompted him to found [...]

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Beer Birthday: Julie Radcliffe Atallah

August 20, 2011

Today is the birthday of Julie Radcliffe Atallah, co-owner of one of the nation’s premiere beer stores, Bruisin’ Ales in Asheville, North Carolina. We took a family vacation to Asheville last fall and got to know Julie and Jason. They were great hosts and terrific ambassadors for the beer in their community. Julie is also [...]

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Beer Birthday: Cornelia Corey

June 28, 2011

If you’re on the national beer festival circuit, you’ve no doubt seen Cornelia Corey, who turns 54 today. In 2001, Cornelia became the first female “Beer Drinker of the Year” in the contest sponsored by Wynkoop. She and her husband, Ray McCoy (himself a 2003 BDOTY, making them the only couple to have won) travel [...]

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Beer Birthday: Sean Lilly Wilson

November 20, 2010

Today is the 40th birthday of Sean Lilly Wilson, founder of Fullsteam Brewing in Durham, North Carolina. Even before the brewery opened this past April, Sean made a name for himself and the brewery through twitter and their blog. Join me in wishing Sean a very happy birthday. Marty Jones and Sean at the Craft [...]

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Beer In Art #74: LC Neill’s Heineken Beer Caps

April 25, 2010

Today’s work of art was painted in 2007 by LC Neill, a North Carolina artist. She does a small painting every day, and this is one of them. It’s formal title is Two Will Do, though it’s also known as Heineken Beer Caps. It’s a 5″x 5″ oil painting. Here’s what Lori Neill says about [...]

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