New South Nut Brown
Ale
Review Date 8/21/2008
Try?
Re-buy?
There’s
something new brewing in the old south. I’m talking about New South Brewing
Company of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, of course, a tiny microbrewery
located in this ocean-side tourist town. New South isn’t brand new in
reality, having been in operation since 1999. Still, they’re a relative
newcomer to the American craft brewing scene and that of the southeast
especially.
Now I know you’re really excited about New South already, and probably planning to run right out the door to your local package store to pick up a six-pack or two of their beer. But hold on, because you’ll be sorely disappointed if you do. New South Brewing follows a bit of a risky business model by selling their beer on draft only. In other words, they don’t sell it in bottles or cans.
It’s a fact that most beer consumed in America is purchased for home consumption. That said, it can be difficult to make a go of it by selling draft beer only. Back in Rhode Island, I saw this with Emerald Isle Brewing Company, a tiny picobrewery that specialized in cask ales. They sadly went out of business because they just could not make enough money to survive. The same fate befell Savannah’s Old Savannah brewing company and their tiny draft-only operation.
So far, however, New South has beaten the odds, and it is certainly hoped they continue to do so. Delightful brews like their New South Nut Brown Ale may just help them to do that. With no packaging with which to market their beer to worry about, New South generally seems to eschew catchy names in favor of simple brand and style designations. The beers themselves are just as honest and simple, decent, drinkable beer that satisfies and soothes the thirst.
My pint of New South Nut Brown Ale arrived a bit colder than I generally like, but it quickly warmed some in the hot southern weather. The beer appeared very attractive with its bright mahogany color and light creamy head of foam resting atop. The nose of nutty, slightly sweet dark malt was extremely enticing, and quickly had me sipping (not that it takes much, granted, to get me sipping a brew).
Immediately, it’s apparent that this is a bigger beer than say, Newcastle Brown , though not quite as big as Brooklyn’s version. I very much enjoyed the soft, dark chocolate malty notes of this beer, the hints of toasted nuts, and the ever so slightly bitter English hop finish. New South Nut Brown would make an excellent session beer, one you could leisurely sip on a long, hot summer’s afternoon in Myrtle Beach. Or even a cool fall or cold winter one for that matter.
If you find yourself in North or South Carolina, be sure to try a pint of New South Nut Brown Ale. You’ll be glad you did.
Now I know you’re really excited about New South already, and probably planning to run right out the door to your local package store to pick up a six-pack or two of their beer. But hold on, because you’ll be sorely disappointed if you do. New South Brewing follows a bit of a risky business model by selling their beer on draft only. In other words, they don’t sell it in bottles or cans.
It’s a fact that most beer consumed in America is purchased for home consumption. That said, it can be difficult to make a go of it by selling draft beer only. Back in Rhode Island, I saw this with Emerald Isle Brewing Company, a tiny picobrewery that specialized in cask ales. They sadly went out of business because they just could not make enough money to survive. The same fate befell Savannah’s Old Savannah brewing company and their tiny draft-only operation.
So far, however, New South has beaten the odds, and it is certainly hoped they continue to do so. Delightful brews like their New South Nut Brown Ale may just help them to do that. With no packaging with which to market their beer to worry about, New South generally seems to eschew catchy names in favor of simple brand and style designations. The beers themselves are just as honest and simple, decent, drinkable beer that satisfies and soothes the thirst.
My pint of New South Nut Brown Ale arrived a bit colder than I generally like, but it quickly warmed some in the hot southern weather. The beer appeared very attractive with its bright mahogany color and light creamy head of foam resting atop. The nose of nutty, slightly sweet dark malt was extremely enticing, and quickly had me sipping (not that it takes much, granted, to get me sipping a brew).
Immediately, it’s apparent that this is a bigger beer than say, Newcastle Brown , though not quite as big as Brooklyn’s version. I very much enjoyed the soft, dark chocolate malty notes of this beer, the hints of toasted nuts, and the ever so slightly bitter English hop finish. New South Nut Brown would make an excellent session beer, one you could leisurely sip on a long, hot summer’s afternoon in Myrtle Beach. Or even a cool fall or cold winter one for that matter.
If you find yourself in North or South Carolina, be sure to try a pint of New South Nut Brown Ale. You’ll be glad you did.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
