It’s hard for me to say what my favorite brewery is. As it is I’m sure for most. There are so many great breweries now producing world class beer. I have drank some great beer from several of these breweries but when there is one that is producing that caliber of beer in your own backyard then it’s hard to not let others be aware of it. Hub City Tap House: Home of Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery is quickly making a name for themselves in the craft beer scene in the Upstate of South Carolina. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina owners Kolby and Michael opened up in September of 2015 producing some unique styles of beer. The next month was the inaugural Hub City Brew Fest in which they participated in and won as the attendee’s favorite.
For those who have had the privilege of enjoying their beer know what I’m talking about. Just listen to what they have brewed so far using your not so common ingredients. Dead Men T.N.T Stout which is brewed with Guajillo, ancho, chipotle and mulato chilies, cinnamon, cumin, clove, allspice, coriander, vanilla, orange and chocolate. Tā S̄ī Dæng Cider brewed with Chā chbā (hibiscus), lychee fruit and kaffir lime leaves. These were the two entered into the festival. Snow Pancakes! This 1/2 beer and 1/2 cider combines the flavors of buttermilk pancake toasty edges, fresh apple, real maple syrup and tons of powdered sugar. I’ve never had anything else close to this one until I had Phoenix Ryesing ESB. It was brewed with a roasted/charred baseball bat! Battle Scar which is a gruit (an ancient herbed ale) which was brewed with spruce tips.
As far out there as their beer is there are two of them that are more to the norm if you will and they happen to be my favorite so far. Mizzling Day Porter which tastes like caramel, amaretto, almonds and vanilla. If comfort food was a beer than this would be it. The other is their latest creation. Bella Double Ciclops Stout which is brewed with local coffee. As I was enjoying the stout, Kolby told me to stop halfway and he proceeded to put creamer in it. I thought he was nuts but it made it even better. It could easily replace my cup of coffee in the morning.
The Tap House itself is also a family friendly place. They have corn hole and a wall length chalk board. Families are seen regularly during the daytime hours. They also serve small plates such as artisan meats, house made pimento cheese, hummus, and pico de gallo on Friday and Saturday nights. They have wine and wine flights for someone in your party that doesn’t enjoy beer.
Kolby and Micheal have really done a number on the craft beer scene locally. I hope they get to expand their reach further in the state and then throughout the Southeast. I have no doubt that others would enjoy their beer as we in the Upstate do. Until then, when you are in or around Spartanburg you’ll just have to stop by and taste what crazy concoction they will have for you to enjoy.
Cheers!
Jason
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