Big Boss brewery in Raleigh is having a tour at 2 pm on Saturday, June 14th.  Check out the website for more info.  No reservations needed – just show up and drink free beer.

Triangle Brewing Company is also doing a tour on Saturday at 1 pm here in Durham – according to their website, they have a new Belgian-style white ale, and they’re also selling growlers, cash-only. (Thanks to awesome commenter Melanie for the info!)

If you ever have the chance to get a bottle of any beer from the abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren in Belgium, you should absolutely do so (at any cost). A friend in Belgium was nice enough to send me a bottle of the blonde, #8, and #12.Today I tried the #8, which is ranked the 8th best beer in the world by Beer Advocate and the 20th best beer in the world by RateBeer. This trappist ale is perfect in almost every way — …

The best sign of spring is the release of Bell’s Oberon. I went to Tyler’s for the “Release Party” tonight and was reminded how amazing this beer is. It’s the only wheat beer I actually like, and I learned today that it’s because it’s an American wheat, as opposed to the other ones I’ve had which are mostly Belgian and German (go America!). This one is a little bit hoppier and drier, and has less of the spices and sweetness that …

Shade Tree has been a favorite study spot of mine for a long time. Most people who go there seem to go for the purpose of studying, so they are quiet. The lighting is good during the day thanks to two walls of windows. And, most importantly, they serve a very good cup of coffee.

My friend and I went there the other day for a reading sprint. Caffeine is helpful for that. She was also hungry (and it is hard to read on an empty stomach), so she decided …

No, it isn’t too early in the day to have a beer. If you enjoy Belgian beer and have not tried Tripel Karmeliet, your life is incomplete. It pours a golden color with a nice fluffy thick white head. As characteristic of its style, it is somewhat sweet and has traces of spices and citrus. While the 8.5% ABV is detectible, it is not overpowering and the beer remains very easy to drink.
Get it today to take home from Sam’s, or ask for it at

I know most people already know and love Sam’s (the Quik Shop, not the Club). But it’s easy to miss and my favorite place to shop in Durham (possibly anywhere) so it needs a post.

I’m pretty sure it says nowhere on the outside that there is any beer on the inside.

It looks like a nondescript gas station convenience store, on the corner of Erwin and Main St (right before Ninth). But inside, when you walk past the junk food aisles, there’s this awe-inspiring …

I have never even heard of a mild ale.  The internet says they used to be extremely popular (in the UK) and now are vanishingly rare.  But I had one today at the Triangle Brewing Company‘s biweekly tasting/tour–so maybe they’re coming back in style, starting in Durham?  Durham is a trend-setter like that.  The Triangle Mild Ale was described as having undertones of chocolate, toffee, and tobacco.  I think I tasted at least the tobacco, but maybe I’m just gullible; anyway, …

In addition to the great options listed below, every other Saturday Durham’s own Triangle Brewing Company hosts a brewery tour that includes free beer. Doors open at 1:00pm, and the next event is on March 1st.

I think this is important enough to be the first post.

There are at least three places in Durham to get free alcohol and, at two of them, learn something about it at the same time.

Every Friday from 5 – 8 pm Parker and Otis, near Brightleaf, has a beer tasting. The in-store beer guy, or sometimes a rep from the featured brewery, is around to tell you about the beer, if you care.

Every Saturday, there is a wine tasting at 12 – 3 pm at …