I went to high school for two years in Columbus, Georgia (go Hardaway Hawks!) and still have family and business interests in the area.  Hence, for many years I have visited Columbus regularly.

My latest visit was in late October 2013 and I was excited to find that Columbus finally had a retailer, Maltitude Craft Beer & Wine, dedicated to bringing craft beer to the area.

Maltitude is located in downtown Columbus.  As I strolled in to the store, I was greeted by Miles Greathouse, co-founder of Maltitude Craft Beer & Wine.  As we chatted, Miles’ passion for and knowledge of craft beer was very evident.  Miles indicated that their goal was for Maltitude to become “the hub of beer and wine culture in Columbus”. 

Maltitude sells both bottled beer and growlers.  When I visited they were not yet selling sample tasters, but in early November 2013 Maltitude received the necessary City approvals and in December 2013 patrons could start buying up to three 1 ounce taste samples from the growler wall per visit.

During my visit, I asked Miles to recommend a southern brewer to try that I would likely not be able to experience on the west coast.  He recommended Three Taverns Craft Brewery and their flagship beer A Night in Brussels Belgian IPA.  I bought a 4 pack and brought it back to California with me so I could sample the beer.

Founded by Brian Purcell and located in Decatur, GA, Three Taverns had just opened in July 2013.  As a described by Three Taverns on their website,  “A Night in Brussels is a Belgian-style American IPA with malts from Belgium, a blend of American hops, pure cane sugar in the best southern tradition, and an authentic Belgian yeast strain. A pleasing marriage of old- and new-world beer cultures, this unique ale is best understood as an American IPA on a Belgian road trip.”

Three Taverns A Night in Brussels Belgian IPA (7.5% ABV / 69 IBUs): This beer pours from the bottle a slightly hazy copper gold color with thin white foam.  A Night in Brussels has an aroma of spicy and musty Belgian yeast with orange citrus notes and a very faint hint of pine.  The beer is medium-bodied with moderate carbonation.  This Belgian-American IPA tastes of hay, malt, sugar cane, and tropical/orange citrus on the front end.  Hints of pine resin develop in the middle.  The beer has a dry finish with lingering tropical/orange citrus, sugar cane, and a pop of hops bitterness.  I enjoyed my Night in Brussels and think this beer is a good start for Three Taverns Craft Brewery.

A big thank you to Miles at Maltitude for recommending that I try this beer.  I’m looking forward to my next visit to Columbus and stopping at Maltitude.  Maybe Miles and I can get a beer exchange activity going.