Kayaking and Beer: The Dynamic Duo.

What better way to spend a lovely end of summer Saturday than with good beer and a kayak on the river? I honestly can't think of much! That's just how I intended on enjoying two excellent craft brews, one even being a Nashville, TN native. We started our relaxing river excursion at the Narrows of the Harpeth in Pegram, TN. A beautiful and easy 3 hour paddle from point A to point B with no worry to be had......

 Brew Numero Uno: Terrapin Maggie's Peach Farmhouse Ale

 

This was such a refreshing ale, while not entering the realm of "wine-cooler status" with its peachy flavor. The seasonal ale from Terrapin has a delicate balance of hops with peaches and spices that give it delicious and noticeably fruity flavor and aroma, yet the Golding hops used in the brew keep that sweetness from becoming undesirable for my preferences. Albeit I probably would not grab this brew anytime other than summer activities, but hey... that's is probably why the Georgian Brewmasters dubbed it a seasonal. If you have any more activities to be had for the remainder of the summer, grab yourself a case of these and enjoy! 

Taylor gives this brew a 3 out of 5

Check out that Tennessee Sunset on the Harpeth River.

As the evening wound down to the end, we sat and enjoyed the sunset, and yet another delicious beer from our local Blackberry Farm Brewery.

Blackberry Farm puts out some good beer. This Screaming Cock Pale Ale is no exception. I myself prefer a pale ale or its distant cousin the IPA, so obviously I have high recommendations for such. I was quite surprised to find such a fruity first impression with this, that I just couldn't place my finger on. Upon research I couldn't really find much info on it, other than the questionable source that mentioned fruity tones of raisins and dried plums. Honestly, I can concur with that. Whether it be the power of suggestion, or the uncertain facts that may exist, I do not know. Despite not knowing anything about this brew, (Hops used, potential dried fruits, etc.) I honestly don't give a flying feather. Its a darn good pale ale and you'd be slightly crazed to pass this one up.

I, Taylor, drop a whopping 4 out of 5 for this angry chicken.

Narrows of the Harpeth time lapse

     

The Great Smoky Mountains and Good Beer

As a marriage approaches, a bachelor's trip is usually planned. Mine took place in Gatlinburg,TN this past weekend with some very good friends of mine! The Appalachians showed us a good time, and obviously good craft beer was consumed....

                                                                            Day 1

After the long 5 hour drive to the cabin, it was time to unwind and relax as we awaited the remainder of the crew to arrive. Yazoo's SUE was the brew of choice. This Imperial Smoked Porter is quite magnificent. Yazoo claims it to be a "big, rich, smoky malt bomb of a beer" and that it is. By smoking the barley malts over cherry wood, they achieve that immediate smoky flavor. It almost reminds me of delicious smoked bacon, and come on... who doesn't love that? It has a nice hoppy finish that come from the Galena and Perle hops used in this brew as well. Overall a good beer.
                                            I, Taylor, give Yazoo a 3.5 out of 5 on this porter.

Day 2

Up next was Delirium's Deliria Blond Belgium Ale. This beer was a bit ironic to have on this trip. After a day of hiking, spirited driving on mountain switchbacks, and seeing a black bear, this was a great ending adventure for my palette. The irony lies in the fact that this ale is brewed once a year to mark International Women's Day, and a group of sweaty, testosterone filled men enjoyed it. ( I honestly could've taken that bear on had it been necessary. ) Despite minuscule ironies, this is one good Blond Belgium. The pale blond color is exactly what you'd expect in this style of ale. ( Yet more irony. ) The aroma has a pleasant fruity background, almost mimicking a white wine with some hops thrown in for good measure. The flavor is similar, with fruity apple tones and a mild bitter finish. In the words of Ferris Bueller, "It's so choice, that if you have the means I highly recommend picking one up".

4 out of 5 for this Ale.

Please enjoy these sights from Day 2.

Cades Cove

 Black Bear

 Abrams Falls

Day 3

Ah, the final leg of our sojourn. Before we packed up and headed home, we stopped in to Smoky Mountain Brewery for some darn good beer. If you're ever in Gatlinburg, you have to make a stop here and try some beer. I did a 5 beer sampler and had choices between the Brew-master's specials, which included a citrus IPA and a rosemary infused Wit Wheat Ale, as well as the appropriately named Black Bear Ale and Smoky Mountain Honey Saison, all recommended by our waiter Joe. However, their Dark Ale Porter was what I found myself continually sipping. This desire became fertile, and gave birth to a growler...

5 out of 5 for great pricing, outstanding service, and wonderful brews. 

Thank you Smoky Mountain Brewery!

All said and done, Gatlinburg, TN is a great place for anyone wanting to get away to the eastern mountains. And good beer can easily be found there awaiting a glass to fill. Arrivederci my fellow craft beer enthusiasts and adventurers.

Smoky Mountain Brewery Facebook

Some images provided by : capture615