Getting "Dirty" in Myrtle
by Kurt Epps—The PubScout 10/4/Good Buddy! (Couldn't resist!)
I had my first taste of New South Brewing’s “Dirty Myrtle” (8.5% DIPA) when I first arrived in my new home of NC over a year ago. It was at a neat little pizza place in North Myrtle Beach called Ledo’s Pizza. (Side note: Ledo’s was the first REALLY good pizza I found down here in the land of the Jersey transplants.)
But I knew after my first pint that Dirty Myrtle would rank high on my list if ever I saw it on a beer menu, and, fortunately, I found it in many places. That alone says something about a good craft beer, because the genre is literally exploding down here in NC and SC, and more and more exceptional beer is being here in South every day.
So I figured it was time to take the 30-mile ride from my home and head directly to New South Brewing; and, while picking up some DM, I wanted to sample some of the other offerings.
As it turned out, the day I visited was the release day for NSB’s Oktoberfest, so naturally, I was “down to sample,” as the kids say today. Odd, but back in my day, when someone was excited about doing something, the phrase was “I’m UP for that,” but, then again, “corn hole” meant something totally different when I was growing up, too.
The brewery is set back in an industrial area, and parking is on a grass strip overlooking a water-filled ditch. Mental note made: limit the high ABV beers, lest I want a tow truck to haul me out.
So, eschewing the outside “Biergarten” seating, the missus and I entered directly and found an empty quaffing table. The process of acquiring beer involved getting a paper bracelet, upon which the attendant would write to keep track of what I ordered—which was a delicious White Ale wheat beer, according to the missus, and my Oktoberfest. It was true to style, amber, malty and dangerously smooth at just a tad over 6% ABV.
Each six-ounce poor was only two bucks, a very reasonable amount. The six-pack prices were even better: $10 for a sixer of the White Ale, and just $11 for a sixer of the Oktoberfest. There were thirteen beers total on the menu this day, and all were very reasonably priced—including my Dirty Myrtle at just $16 a sixpack. Many places charge eight bucks and up for just a glass, and that sometimes means only a 10-oz. pour.
There was one beer that was not available in a sixer on this day (though the site says you can buy four-packs), and it’s probably a good thing. The Willett Bourbon Barrel Aged Big Wooly Mammoth, a 10.5% Imperial Stout was dangerously drinkable, and the temptation to down more than two at a time would be strong indeed. Silky smooth, with big oak and bourbon notes, this was an exceptional stout.
As it was, a six-ounce pour was just $4, and it was definitely four bucks well spent. With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, it would be worth $32 to grab a growler, especially if friends (like Keith and Harry Joe) or family are Imperial Stout devotees.
As it turned out, finding our table early was a smart move, as the customers continued to fill the place and lengthen the line to get your beer—and your bracelet. Clearly, new South Brewing has a faithful following.
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