The Retreat Advances-- into Beer

Craft Beer is gaining a foothold in the Ocean Isle Beach community known as The Retreat. The third and fourth Tutored Beer Tastings took place a week apart in different homes, and, judging by the reactions of those who participated, knowledge of--and appreciation for-- craft beer is advancing in The Retreat.

In the two separate sessions (the first at the home of Fred and Suzanne Andrews), and after a brief introduction about beer and how to taste and enjoy it, six beers were analyzed and downed. These sessions saw Yuengling Golden Pilsner, Dale's Pale Ale, Firestone Walker Union Jack, Sierra Nevada/Bitburger Oktoberfest, Holy City's Pluff Mud Porter and a special cameo appearance by Wells Banana Bread Beer.

And, speaking of cameo appearances, last night's session saw the owner of Tap Time, a recently opened beer emporium in OIB, join the group. Keith Berciunas (above) and his wife Christa do a booming business in the Publix Shopping Center, just across the road from The Retreat.

That allows Floyd Butler (above pic with Rick), who has been to two Retreat tastings, to scamper across the road any time he wants to enjoy some of the fourteen rotating tap beers available at Tap Time. Floyd had only to scamper across his back yard to get to last night's event, joining his friendly, fun-loving neighbors as they become "immersed in the craft beer scene." (Hmmm, where have I heard that phrase before?)

Gracious Darlene Hayes (above, with Hal) opened her lovely home last night, and the jocular tone was set early on when Pat declared that "Czechoslovakia" was located somewhere in North America. And that was after only ONE beer sample.

Naida, (right of photobomber Keith, above) who prefers wine and admits she only "sips" beer, wound up becoming the first person to correctly identify the aromas and taste in "blind" tasting that involved Wells Banana Bread beer.

I did permit Marion (far left, above pic) to join the group, but only after checking her ID.

Sandy (far right, pic above), a NJ transplant (like yours truly), went the extra mile and provided homemade rum balls for pairing with either the Pluff Mud Porter or the Wells--and they worked wonderfully well together. (It worked well with the missus' brownies, too.)

And Jack (top photo, with Mike) discovered the curative and medicinal qualities of beer and hops, as his stuffy nose had cleared up entirely, after the second sample.

It was interesting that the seating arrangements, freely chosen by everyone, segregated the men from the women, but nobody complained. As usual, the attention spans of those at both tables decreased as the beer intake increased, and the volume of laughter and good cheer increased as well.

So which of the beers rated highest in our week-long completely unscientific survey?

Yuengling Golden Pilsner--232 pts.

Dales Pale Ale--205 pts.

Firestone Walker Union Jack--230 pts.

Sierra Nevada/Bitburger Oktoberfest--234 pts.

Pluff Mud Porter--218 pts.

Wells Banana Bread--245 pts.

It was close, for sure, but it appears that Wells Banana Bread beer took home the prize--this time! It's available in Publix.

As Keith has suggested, we could very likely be doing some future tastings at his Tap Time bar, though prudence demands that we not sample all fourteen of his taps. Retreat folks, of course would be able to walk home (just follow Floyd), but others may not have that luxury. And we certainly want everyone to get home--and come back--safely. I will keep you informed, certainly, as to the dates and times of any such tastings. We may even schedule a field trip to Czechoslovakia (somewhere in North America) for Pat (above, pictured with Pam)

But having been exposed to a broad spectrum of beers, the good folks of The Retreat, as well as members of the public, may be advancing into more challenging, um, waters. That could include blind tastings (sans Sandra Bullock, above) of a single style, say pilsners or porters or tripels, which is really the best way of determining winners.

I did hear a wild rumor that after I left, there was a strip poker game going on, but that's none of my business. What happens in The Retreat stays in The Retreat, except for news about beer tastings.

Stay tuned to this blog for upcoming events!

Cheers!

The PubScout--immersed in the craft beer scene since 1996

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