Yesterday we had an awesome time interviewing with Brian Cendrowski of Untamed Beer. (And a shout to his wife and camera person, Nicole.) We splayed out a bunch of rare goodies on the bar, chatted a while (much longer he planned, I think, but I babble), and sampled the new Japanese Baird Shizuoka Natsumikan Ale (tastes like marmalade!), Pisgah Vortex I Triple IPA, and De Stuise Black Albert.

About that time Dave Quinn, co-owner of Pisgah Brewing Co., showed up and chatted a bit, so that inspired us. Let’s go on a tour! We’re grateful our brewers are so accessible to people. Really, really grateful. We hopped on down to chat with John Stuart of Green Man, then Drew Barton of French Broad, and finally Tim Schaller and Carl Melissas of The Wedge. Good times! Look for the vlog post to appear early next week.

Brian’s got a really good round-up from Beer Wars, regarding the not-always-loved three-tier system. (We cover it briefly in the interview.) You should really read it. The laws of distribution around the country are often confusing, sometimes antiquated and usually frustrating. But it is what it is. *sigh*

Out of the interview, we learned a few things just by hanging and chatting. South Carolina stores can fill growlers but breweries can’t do samples. (Talk about ass-backwards.) Pisgah has made a special beer for the LEAF Festival—an amber, so fans of Fat Tire will love this local brew. John Stuart brewed his awesome Impy Stout to honor his 20th year of brewing. Drew and French Broad just signed-on with Empire Distributors and now have statewide distributing. Yay! The Wedge showed-off the awesome John Payne metal work and told us about their plans to show Thunder Road again this summer, but they’re going make an addition and have someone go around with a camera and do a side-by-side of Asheville then (in the movie) and now. Cool!