The Green Man Cometh

It was not long ago, OK, maybe just over two decades that my beer knowledge consisted largely of light macro lagers and the occasional malt liquor, tip a 40 to me having no clue. What could you expect of a kid growing up in Greenwood, SC in the ’80s, when and where the craft beer revolution was non-existent?
It would still be a few years before I understood the true importance and brilliance of the American craft beer scene, and the revolution it had begun. But once I stumbled onto those beers, created in little regional breweries by men and women who lived and breathed ale and lager, much like our forefathers did centuries ago, there was no turning back. How could I return to Budweiser or Heineken when there was such better beer out there and from disparate places all across this great country?
There are maybe a dozen “mid-majors” which altered the way beer is seen and drank in America, truly great breweries, making the kinds of beer that will change your way of thinking, forcing you to see the beer world in a different light. The likes of Victory, Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, Bell’s, and their ilk changed the landscape.
Now, there are hundreds of smaller craft brewers in this country that have also played a huge part in pushing the movement to prominence. It’s these regional breweries that are the real workhorses in the continued rise of craft beer. With quality year round standards, unique seasonals, and brewery events, local folks are winning the day.
Established in 1997, Green Man Ales poured forth from the Jack of the Wood brewpub in Asheville, NC. I recall being confused upon entering the bar in the early 2000s; the place is Jack of the Wood, but the beers are called Green Man? Didn’t matter, the product was fantastic. I recall an ESB, nothing like those I had enjoyed across the pond in England, yet fantastic and so perfect for fall weather off the Blue Ridge.
As the “brewery” outgrew the confines of Jack of the Wood, which still offers some of the beer line, Green Man Brewery opened up a full-scale brewery just down the hill in downtown Asheville in 2010. Moving beyond the core styles, the new space and equipment afforded Green Man to continually produce seasonal beers and special one-off surprises which sold like wildfire.
The three classic Green Man ales are now available in the Lowcountry. The ESB, that first beer that enchanted me so many years ago, is a rich and malty American interpretation of the style. More akin to a brown ale, the beer does have a hoppy/fruity element, and finishes surprisingly dry given the huge, sweet malt base.
The darkest beer in the bunch, Porter is similar to the English Brown version, and is all dark and malty goodness, with caramel and chocolate frolicking together and a nice coffee bite to finish. The brewery’s IPA leans toward the English style as well, but it is highly hopped compared with from across the pond. More floral than fruit, grassy than citrus, Green Man’s IPA proves a nice change of pace from the hop bombs of today. Born in the mountains, the Green Man has made it to the coast. Find him. Enjoy the beers … Cheers.
Gene’s Haufbrau has more than
200 beers in bottles or on tap. Gene’s is located at 817 Savannah Hwy.
225-GENE. E-mail the Beer Snob
at publisher@westof.net.