Brewery/Brewpub: Aviator Brewing Company
When: 2014-03-22
Where: 209 Technology Park Ln, Fuquay Varina, North Carolina
Favorite Ale: RyeNoceros RyePA
Notes:
On a recent visit to see close friends in Apex, North Carolina, I had an evening to myself and set out on another brewery adventure, this time to Aviator Brewing, close by in Fuquay. I visited the brewery itself but they also have a taproom and a separate BBQ joint close by. The brewery has tours, so off I went.
Aviator has an unusual but very friendly brewery tour setup. Upon arriving at the site (and figuring out where I was going to park my out-sized F350, Strider), I entered a little pub in the front of the facility and paid for my tour. Note that they have special deals on their website. I took advantage of one of these. I thought it generous even though many other breweries don't charge for their tours at all. I walked away with a pair of pint glasses, a couple of useless bumper stickers, and a full screw-top growler for $11. The folks behind the bar poured me a pint (for their usual fee) and chatted with me about their brews and about home brewing. Peter, in particular, was very friendly. I would see him out back later - but not to get ahead of myself...
The brewery tour was conducted by a very knowledgable volunteer and fellow home brewer. The tour was interesting and he answered a number of my questions. Aviator is using cans now and they make a very good argument for their use. Unfortunately, cans are not much use to us home brewers when we are ready to "bottle" our beer.
After the tour you end up out back in another considerably larger pub. The staff was friendly and generous with tastes. I spent a good bit of time back there chatting more with Peter, when he wasn't running around assisting other patrons with their pours, and talking to others on my side of the bar as well.
By the end of the evening I think I had a taste, 4 oz, or pint of nearly everything. I had closed the pub down and I had enjoyed everything I tried as well as enjoying my evening.
While my favorite was the RyeNocerous, this ale is not normally available. Other favorites were the Blackmamba Oatmeal Stout and the Hogwild IPA, but if these styles are not for you, try something else. It was all good.
Maybe we will get to the BBQ place when we return to Apex in May.
Aviator has an unusual but very friendly brewery tour setup. Upon arriving at the site (and figuring out where I was going to park my out-sized F350, Strider), I entered a little pub in the front of the facility and paid for my tour. Note that they have special deals on their website. I took advantage of one of these. I thought it generous even though many other breweries don't charge for their tours at all. I walked away with a pair of pint glasses, a couple of useless bumper stickers, and a full screw-top growler for $11. The folks behind the bar poured me a pint (for their usual fee) and chatted with me about their brews and about home brewing. Peter, in particular, was very friendly. I would see him out back later - but not to get ahead of myself...
The brewery tour was conducted by a very knowledgable volunteer and fellow home brewer. The tour was interesting and he answered a number of my questions. Aviator is using cans now and they make a very good argument for their use. Unfortunately, cans are not much use to us home brewers when we are ready to "bottle" our beer.
After the tour you end up out back in another considerably larger pub. The staff was friendly and generous with tastes. I spent a good bit of time back there chatting more with Peter, when he wasn't running around assisting other patrons with their pours, and talking to others on my side of the bar as well.
By the end of the evening I think I had a taste, 4 oz, or pint of nearly everything. I had closed the pub down and I had enjoyed everything I tried as well as enjoying my evening.
While my favorite was the RyeNocerous, this ale is not normally available. Other favorites were the Blackmamba Oatmeal Stout and the Hogwild IPA, but if these styles are not for you, try something else. It was all good.
Maybe we will get to the BBQ place when we return to Apex in May.
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