Southern Barrel Brewing Company - Helles Lager

This multiple Can Can Awards Gold Medal winner and 2016 U.S. Beer Tasting Championship Grand Champion presents a slightly hazy coppery-golden color capped by a voluminous head of long-lasting off-white foam. On the nose, look for prominent grassy, hay-like hop notes with underlying earth, hints of stone fruit, and a bit of yeasty spice. On the palate, we found this Helles to be remarkably complex and interesting. The malty core is quite tasty with lightly toasty bready notes and mild caramelization, while the hops stand out beautifully with bolder stone fruit and melon notes along with that grassy character, some herbal touches, a bit of spice, and some floral tones. A touch of residual sweetness is tempered by the mild hop bitterness and crisp finish. For pairing options, chicken salads work well for something light, or try grilled chicken, shrimp skewers, or white pizza. Cheers!

Southern Barrel Brewing Company opened its doors in Bluffton, SC in May of 2015, and the brewery and attached tavern has since become a popular attraction for local residents and visitors alike. The brewery was conceived by businessman Stewart Taylor, who resides in Pennsylvania but has a second home on Hilton Head Island, just a stone's throw from Bluffton. After researching a variety of places for his brewery, he chose Bluffton for its "unique, eclectic charm" as well as its growth and the helpful and welcoming local business community.

To lead his brewing team, Taylor hired Walter Trifari to be his brewmaster. Originally, Trifari studied criminal justice but eventually decided it just wasn't for him. A fateful visit in 1997 to the brewpub where his cousin worked, John Harvard’s Brew House in Westport, CT, ignited a love of beer which grew into a career. After a stint at John Harvard's, he worked for a variety of other breweries, including a 10 year run at Delaware's Fordham & Dominion, where as head brewer he grew the brewery's production by more than three times and was recognized with several awards. Trifari's philosophy has been to keep the focus on traditional techniques and styles, avoiding many of the gimmicky trends and laundry lists of unusual ingredients found in the industry these days.

Southern Barrel currently produces five canned beers as well as additional selections on tap at their tavern, which features burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and more. For more info, call 'em up at 843-837-2337 or visit southernbarrelbrewingco.com.