Uniquely Alabama: What's Brewing In The State

"Uniquely Alabama" is an occasional series where Patch tries to find the answers to questions about life in Alabama. Have a question about the Yellowhammer State that needs answering? Send it to michael.seale@patch.com.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Located right in the thick of the Bible Belt, Alabama is probably known more for sweet tea and lemonade than it is for beer, and the fact that the state lagged behind most of the country in approving craft breweries is a testament to that. However, Alabama brewers have made up for lost time.

I love beer. Specifically, I love craft beer, and have been a champion of the craft beer scene in Birmingham and subsequently the rest of the state. I have been extremely impressed with what Alabama brewers have been able to accomplish, considering craft brewing has only been legal in Alabama since 2007.

I talked to Jim Perkins of the Alabama Brewers Guild a couple of weeks ago about the surge in popularity of Alabama-made beers, and how the craft beer scene came to be.

Craft brewing in Alabama could not have been possible without the joint efforts of Free the Hops organization and the Alabama Brewers Guild, who helped get legislation passed in the state in 2007 to open the door for craft breweries.

Perkins said the keys to making craft beer in Alabama a reality were the passing of legislation that allowed the alcohol content in beer to increase to a 13.9 percent maximum, and a bill that allowed local breweries to serve beer in their taprooms.

Here are some of my favorite Alabama-made beers, in no particular order:

• The Salty Amigo from Birmingham District Brewing Co. is a sour ale with subtle hints of lime, sea salt and coriander. Very refreshing.
• Cheatin' Heart IPA from Yellowhammer Brewing in Hunstville is a fantastic IPA with a tropical twist. And I am also a huge fan of Rebellion red lager from Yellowhammer.
• The Blood Orange Berliner Weisse from Goat Island Brewing in Cullman is another favorite of mine, and has become one of the most popular beers in the state.
• Good People Brewing in Birmingham has a delicious Brown Ale, and the IPA has been a staple at Birmingham's first craft brewery. And you simply cannot try Good People beer without trying the Snake Handler double IPA (but be careful: it has a 10 percent ABV!)
• Judge Roy Bean from Fairhope Brewing Co. is an American stout brewed using coffee beans, and for a solid year after I first tried it was my go-to anywhere I could find it.
• The Downtown North Porter from Druid City Brewing in Tuscaloosa is a full-bodied malt bomb with rich chocolate and vanilla flavors, and is a good cool weather beer, and maybe my favorite porter made in Alabama.
• Chill Pils by Huntsville's Straight to Ale brewery is about as good a pilsner as you can get anywhere, not just in Alabama.
• The Hay Shed Saison at Red Clay Brewery in Opelika is delicious, although I have not made it down there in a while to sample it.

Just about everywhere I travel anywhere in the country, I try to visit a local brewery if there is one nearby. And I haven't met many beers I don't like. Saying that, Alabama beers are right up with some of the best in the country, in this Alabamian's opinion.

Picking a favorite Alabama beer would be impossible, as it depends on what I am in the mood for, where I am and what time of year it is. So I will defer to Perkins, who when I asked him what his favorite Alabama beer is, said:

"The one in my hand."