I’m not a huge beer drinker, but tasting Foothills Brewing suds brought me a little closer.
Because their Sexual Chocolate, a cocoa infused Imperial Stout, is brewed only once a year, it’s tough to get. I’m talking lines at the front door, hawking (by public) on Ebay, bartering with first-borns. It’s a seasonal beer, timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day. Watch for the 2013 release at “the end of January or beginning of February”, according to Foothills. See all their brews here.
Foothills is more than a brewery. There’s the brewery (of course), a full service restaurant (menu), a private party area, a Beer School and they cater. They also make their own ale-based ketchup, spicy grain mustard and other sauces and dressings.
We toured the back of the brewery, where the magic happens.
The Mill
Tank room
Paddle to left for kayaking in tanks. Just kidding! It’s used for stirring.
Jamie Bartholomaus (not pictured) is co-owner and brewmaster at Foothills, but we learned that brewers on staff get a chance to run their own formulations now and then.
Then back out to the front of house bar for some tasting. I really liked the design and open feel. It’s easy to imagine hanging out here with the regulars.
One of the unique things about Foothills is the artwork associated with each brew. Check out the posters designed by their fantastic artist by hovering over the names in the left-hand column here. There were a couple framed posters hung on the bar walls that were deemed a little too edgy by the legal powers that be, so they never went live. Fun to look at and imagine what those beers might have tasted like.
Foothills Brewing
638 West 4th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 777-3348
