Southern Barrel Brewing Company - Slippery Slope

This double IPA pours a pure, clear amber hue topped with a robust head of lasting and lacing foam. On the nose, we picked up big and bright hops front and center, delivering citrus juice and candied citrus peel akin to orange and grapefruit, softer tropical fruits reminiscent of mango and light pineapple, flashes of melon and stone fruits, touches of pine, hints of berry, and some boldly dank, herbal spice. Malty caramel undertones are present too, but one would be forgiven for not noticing given the attention the hops demand. On the palate, look for a bold smack of hops to hit upfront and not let go, building into the finish where the hops cling on for ages. There's a strong, robust malt backbone here, offering plenty of toasty bread crust and caramelization along with a noticeable dollop of residual sweetness to provide a foundation for the explosive hops. Hop bitterness comes through super firm, augmented by the hops' resinous and zesty character and a touch of booze which combine to deliver lots of spicy bite on the palate. For pairing options, a searing Pad Thai or spicy sweet & sour pork dish would stand up well to this brew, or try a Hawaiian pizza to play off of the beer's fruity hops and toasty malt backbone. 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.