CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 13 O ctober brings the promise of cooler, crisp days when a blanket of pine straw and a scattering of colorful leaves cover the ground. For the beer aficionado, it means seasonal offerings of heartier and darker brews as we head into the chill of winter. "I think during the fall timeframe, we try to kind of tailor our beer style to a richer, more robust style," says brewmaster Troy Rassmussen of Gaston Brewing Co. "During the colder months, people are looking for more malty beers, richer beers. e demand is for darker, more robust beers. In the summer, people are looking for a light, refreshing lager or ale." So, what's on tap over the next few months? From breweries to microbreweries and brewpubs, there are plenty of places to quench your thirst in Fayetteville. Consider Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom, Gaston Brewing Co., Bright Light Brewing Co., Huske Hardware House Restaurant and Brewery, Mash House Brewing Co., and Heckler Brewing Co. Most are ready to fill your mug with Oktoberfest-style beers as well as a new brew or two for the winter. Here's a sampling of awesome ales, satisfying stouts and palette-pleasing porters to help turn the page on what was a long, hot summer. First up is Mash House Brewing Co. at 4150 Sycamore Dairy Road. Steve Groveunder is a managing partner with Jeff Shenk in the brewhouse and restaurant that's located not too far from Cross Creek Mall. e son of a Marine veteran, Groveunder has lived in Cumberland County for 26 years and previously worked for the Olive Garden restaurant chain. e Mash House brewmaster is fresh on the job: Brett omas graduated a few months ago from Appalachian State University with a degree in fermentation. e Mash House twist on the standard autumn brew was released in September, says Groveunder. at's when Oktoberfest gets underway in Germany, he notes. at lager takes five to seven weeks to complete, while an ale can be brewed in 14 days. From breweries to microbreweries and brewpubs, there are plenty of places to quench your thirst in Fayetteville. Consider Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom, Gaston Brewing Co., Bright Light Brewing Co., Huske Hardware House Restaurant and Brewery, Mash House Brewing Co., and Heckler Brewing Co. "We are making a new beer called Buffalo Soldier," Groveunder says. "at's an imperial stout that we age in Buffalo Trace (bourbon) barrels. at's a December beer. We condition that beer in Buffalo Trace barrels, and we serve it as a dra for a very limited time. It's an imperial stout made in true stout fashion with lactose. It adds creaminess to the stout, and it takes on the flavor of that bourbon. "It's a high-gravity stout — the true definition of beers with a higher concentration of alcohol." In November, Mash House will add a pumpkin pie porter that will be served for about a week or 10 days around the anksgiving holiday, Groveunder says. "We don't keep it very long," he adds. "It takes a while to make it. It's like having pumpkin pie aer anksgiving." Another offering is the new Brown Bomber Ale, which he said is made in true British round ale fashion. It will be the first beer that brewmaster omas has made from scratch, Groveunder says. Next up is Heckler Brewing Co. at 5780 Ramsey St., the first brewery to open in north Fayetteville. Danny Miller, a former member of the military, is the owner and brewmaster. "I do really like beer," he says. "ere weren't enough breweries or taprooms on the north side of Fayetteville." e microbrewery was incorporated in January 2020 and sold its first beer on Jan. 28, 2021, aer wading through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We've been rocking and rolling ever since," Miller says. Gaston Brewing Co. has four new fall brews to celebrate at its restaurant location on Hay Street. Pictured is Pumpkin Ale and Oktoberfest.

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