The last two months were not super exciting or full of as many beers as usual, but there were still some great pours had!
In January Charlotte was hit with two huge winter storms meaning the Rare and Vintage Beer Tasting in Durham had to be rescheduled to March which was a huge bummer but I cannot wait for this fest next weekend! February’s highlights were attending this year’s Queen City Brewers Festival and a trip to Georgia’s Golden Isles (blog coming soon!) and Savannah!
Of the 120 beers I tried in the last two months, here were the best of the best, in no particular order:
The 2026 Axe Series from Fidens Brewing in Albany, NY
This is cheating, I know, to put several beers as one but this series from Fidens absolutely crushed it again. My favorites were:
Sam’s Axe collaboration with Brujos Brewing Double IPA with Simcoe, Citra, Taiheke, Belson, and Nelson CGX hops.
Alex’s Axe in collaboration with Troon Brewing Hoppy Ale with Nelson, Strata, Peacharine, and Galaxy hops.
Lauren’s Axe collaboration with Tin Barn Brewing Double IPA with Strata and Galaxy hops.
Kelsey’s Axe collaboration with North Park Beer Co. Double IPA with Citra, Nelson and Strata hops.
Smoosh: Strawberry + Nelson Bliss from Two Tides Brewing in Savannah, GA
Smoosh is a Fruited Sour modeled after a peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich. That is everything you want in a PB&J beer!
Nelson Bliss is a single IPA with 100% Freestyle Nelson Bliss hops. Just a pure delight.
Blend Session 2.a from Casey Brewing and Blending in Glenwood Springs, CO
Blend Session 2.a from Casey is a blend that is equal parts of a vintage Saison barrel with a barrel of an experimental oat Farmhouse Ale. This slaps, as most things Casey do. When paired with a Michigan State basketball win, what could be better?
Galactic Kingdom and Dill Murray from Wild Heart Brewing in Hartsville, SC
My first time trying any Wild Heart brews was at QCBF this year and I was thoroughly impressed! I am very excited to be attending their Wild Hartsville Beer Fest in April as well!
Dill Murray is their house Kettle Sour dosed with pickle juice—I mean come on, say less. This was made for me. Galactic Kingdom is a Hazy IPA with Rakau in the whirlpool, then double dry-hopped with Rakau, Galaxy, Galaxy Abstrax and Citra. A fantastic IPA, particularly for a single.
Noontide from HopFly Brewing Co. in Charlotte, NC
Noontide is a Czech Pale Lager that I regret not getting more of. Absolute crusher but still just enough going on to keep you interested.
There Is Never So Far From Here from Burial Beer Co. in Asheville, NC collab with Starpoint Brewing in Durham, NC
This Triple IPA was brewed for Burial’s Raleigh taproom’s 7th Anniversary. It is mashed with oats, whirlpooled with Nectaron and Citra Incognito, and double dry-hopped with Anchovy, Galaxy, Nectaron, and Citra Cryo. Big fan of this one!
