s.c. brew is a rocker
By Colin Burch
For Weekly Surge
RJ Rockers' beers have entered the crowded market on the Grand Strand, where countless beers are now available on taps or in bottles, but the Upstate brand arrives with a couple of competitive advantages.
First, these brews come from RJ Rockers Brewing Co. in Spartanburg, which gives the brand some regional microbrew chic. The company started in 1997 as a brewpub in downtown Spartanburg, and it moved to become a microbrewery in 2003. "Most of that time, however, has been spent in the Upstate, but we have recently been making our way toward the coast," Case Wood, associate director of sales and operations, told me via email.
The second competitive advantage would be RJ Rockers' undeniable quality - at least for the two of the brand's beers I've tried.
I found RJ Rockers Buckwheat Ale at Liberty Tap Room, 7651 North Kings Highway, on that glorious day when N.C. State University finally won a serious football game, defeating then-No. 15 ranked East Carolina University in overtime.
Buckwheat Ale is one of those American-style Hefeweizen wheat beers, and it goes quite well with a burger and fries. It's unfiltered, and best served with a wedge of lemon or orange. I paid $3.75 for a pint at Liberty Tap Room. Anyone who likes wheat beers or the Hefeweizen style will be happy with it.
I found RJ Rockers Bald Eagle Brown in bottles at the Lowes Foods store off S.C. 544 near the U.S. 17 overpass. A six-pack of 12-ounce bottles was $7.99. When I got home, I found Bald Eagle to be a brown that leaned toward the dark side - in the best way. Imagine a brown ale with subtle, complementary hints of stouts and porters. Although not bitter, it's a manly brown ale.
For both beers, one from the tap and the other from the bottle, I liked the smoothness and the uncompromising body. I noticed the high quality of the water used in brewing these beers, too.
I hope RJ Rockers finds a niche on the Grand Strand. The brand is available at several locations around the Grand Strand, including Beef O'Brady's in Surfside Beach, Wild Wing Café at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, and Handley's Pub and Grub in Carolina Forest. For a few more Grand Strand vendors of RJ Rockers, visit www.rjrockers.com and click the Drink Beer tab at the top of the page.
back in black
The chief brewer at Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery (located in Broadway at the Beach) is bringing back Blackberry Wheat.
Eric Lamb said the flavored brew will go on tap on Wednesday (Oct. 1). It's a charitable beer, too. Fifty cents of each pint will benefit breast cancer awareness, he said.
winery oktoberfest
In addition to the recently reported adult-beverage activities in October, Silver Coast Winery will soon host its seventh annual Oktoberfest.
Silver Coast Winery, located on the inland side of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., will start the festivities at 11 a.m. on Oct. 11. The winery will have live music, wine, food, and beer available for purchase, and a beer garden until 5 p.m. Admission to the event $5. Visit www.silvercoastwinery.com or call 910-287-2800 for more information.
Contact Colin Burch - the Beerman - at beerpour@yahoo.com or visit his beer blog at http://maltyhops.blogspot.com