The high was 100, but that didn't stop the beer-craving masses from flooding the streets of downtown Macon. Much like last year, each attendee received a handy bag to carry their sampling cup and check sheet. Many of the locations were offering draft beer this year, which was a nice addition. The lines moved much faster than last year with many stations having an almost non-existent line. Perhaps my favorite improvement was that I was able to try every beer. I enjoyed my last sample at 7PM on the dot. Last year there were 3 or 4 beers I was unable to try due to locations running out of beer. Overall, it was a great day and I didn't even get a sunburn!
If you want to see pictures, check out my twitter @maconbeerscene or the hashtag #maconbeerfest.
Here's a list of what you tried at each location, and my quick thoughts on each beer.
Bearfoot Tavern
Red Brick Matcha Yuzu Super Green IPA - Do you like green tea? Because that's exactly what this beer tastes like! Maybe a bit much for me, but plenty of others around me were enjoying it.
Strawn Scottish Ale - My favorite Strawn beer. Nice and roasty but light enough to enjoy in the heat.
Hummingbird
Jailhouse 4D IPA - Tons of hop character in this IPA. Jailhouse constantly changes their IPA and I think each version is better than the last.
Jailhouse Reprieve - Sort of a cross between a wheat and a saison. Spicy, yet refreshing. Maybe it was the heat, but I thought of it as a summer saison.
Note: The Hummingbird will have these beers on tap for $2/pint tonight (9/3/14)!
Lemongrass
O'Dempsey's Inukshuk IPA - This was my last beer of the day, so all I remember is that I liked it.
O'Dempsey's Big Red - Malty and sweet, just as you would expect.
Ocmulgee Traders
Orange Blossom Pilsner - Both the name of the brewery and the beer. A sweeter, slightly fruity take on a light beer.
Sprecher Hard Root Beer - Tastes exactly like root beer, but the same alcohol as a beer. Dangerous.
Harpoon IPA - An old favorite, a well-balanced IPA.
Downtown Macon Rotary
Back Forty Naked Pig - A nice pale ale, not too bitter, from across the state line in Alabama.
Innus and Gunn Original - This brewery is known for barrel aging all the beers, so it would be expected that this one had a hint of bourbon to it.
Anchor Porter - I suppose they had to get a dark beer in here, but the chocolate and coffee notes were a bit too much in this heat. This would be a great winter beer.
Margaritas - Mercer Village
Abita Lemon Wheat - Sort of what you'd expect if you dissolved a lemon drop in a beer, which actually worked in a good way.
Three Taverns White Hops - One of my favorite GA breweries, this one crosses a wheat and an IPA for a summer take on the style.
Twang
Southern Tier Phin and Matt's - Easy drinking pilsner-ish beer. Light and refreshing.
Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan - Been seeing a lot of this one recently. A slightly sweet brown ale with a hint of pecans.
Ginger
Terrapin Liquid Bliss - Holy crap it's peanut butter and chocolate. Not exactly a summer beer but would be a great dessert beer.
Sweetwater Blue - The summer classic. Light, a bit sweet and a strong flavor of blueberries.
Cox Capitol Theatre
Max Lagers Hopsplosion - Whoa. The hoppiest thing I've had all day, maybe all summer. Maybe even too hoppy for me.
Max Lagers Demon d'Or - Very sweet with some Belgian flavors. Glad I'm drinking it indoors because it's probably too boozy for the heat.
Ocmulgee National Reserve
Uinta Hop Nosh - I've had some beers from this brewery that I didn't like, but this one is a solid IPA.
Clown Shoes Clementine - A bit of hops, a bit of wheat and a bit of orange. Refreshing.
Highland Gaelic Ale - Not sure what I was expecting, but this one tasted a lot lighter than it looked. Kind of wish it had more malt.
Downtown Grill
Eventide Kolsch - A lighter beer that was appropriate for the weather. First time trying something from these guys and I liked it.
Wild Heaven White Blackbird - This was a more traditional saison, with plenty of spicy notes. One of my favorites of the day.
Rookery
Macon Progress - The beer we all know and love. Need I say more?
Macon Music - The latest batch of this IPA is the best yet.
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