Carolina Brewing Company - Charleston Pale Ale

The Charleston ales take their name from the South Carolinian port where the English first introduced their ales to the Carolinas. Johns Pale Ale is brewed with Galena, Willamette, Mt. Hood, and Cascade hops, and a combination of Crystal 20, Crystal 40, Munich, and 2-row pale malts. Right before you take your first, note the wonderful Cascade hop aroma that screams from this tasty ale. Look for a well balanced malt-hop profile in the flavor and a lingering bitter finish. Try this one with your favorite spicy dish.

The Carolina Beer Company is located in the small town of Mooresville, NC, just 30 miles north of Charlotte. It resides in Barley Park, on an 8-acre lot, in a 40,000 square foot building. It was founded in November of 1997, by Mike Smitty” Smith and John Stritch. Barley Park is a business park that was developed by Smitty, who owned a successful commercial construction business before making the jump into operating a brewery. It wasnt a blind jump though, as his family had ties to the largest ice cream-milk dairy in the area, which gave him some insight into the beverage industry.

Smittys business partner, John Stritch, has over 28 years experience in the beer industry! He is a graduate from Cal Ploy University and worked for Miller Brewing Company for eight years in Sales and Marketing. His last position was the Sales Manager of Texas, which is Millers #1 sales territory. John left Miller to become the VP of Sales for the Houston Distribution Company and later became the GM / President of Miller Brands, Inc. in Denver, CO. You might say he knows a little bit about beer. And thats hes finally putting that knowledge to good use brewing true craft microbrewed beers!

With their 50-barrel brewhouse and twelve 100-barrel fermenters, the Carolina Beer Company is capable of brewing up to 35,000 barrels per year. Their bottling/packaging line is capable of doing 3,000 cases per day, while their kegger can clean and fill kegs at a rate of one keg per minute!

Their flagship brew, the Carolina Blonde, is still their biggest seller, with over 50% of their sales volume coming from this one beer. We liked it, but preferred their fuller-bodied products and think you will too! John also brews Carolina Light, Charleston Wheat, Cottonwood Endo IPA, Cottonwood Low Down Brown, along with the two we are featuring this month, the Charleston Pale Ale and Charleston Brown Ale.

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (704) 799-2337 or check out their web site at www.carolinablonde.com.