Made With Riverbend: 2024 Beers Of The Year
Shawn, Brent, and Tyler in a field of barley at Biltmore Estate
The end of the year is a time of reflection for us, when we always wind up raving about the beers and spirits made with Riverbend that stood out to us the most. This year, some of our favorite creations came out of inspired collaborations between brewery friends; Craft Malt Month in September being the catalyst for several of them. Here are top picks from your friendly malt sales folks Brent, Shawn, and Tyler!
Brent Manning
After reviewing my photos from the year, it turns out my favorite beers were found close to home for me in Asheville. In no particular order, here are my standout beers and spirits of 2024.
Riveted Corset – Printshop Beer Co.
This Craft Malt Month celebration beer by Printshop Beer Co. is a classic hybrid lager recipe reimagined with a 100% local grain bill. This one was made with Riverbend Avalon Pilsner, Crystal 50, Double Kilned Munich, and Great Chit malt styles that created just the right amount of body to balance the hop character.
American Bitter – Whaley Farm Brewery
This beer hit perfectly after a late summer hike in the Black Mountains. Refreshingly light, but still displaying great complexity. NAME was made with Riverbend Southern Select and Double Kilned Munich offerings, and hopped with Oregon-grown East Kent Goldings and Loral hops.
Tastebud Theatre – Burning Blush Brewery
A beautiful example of an Italian Pilsner, with one of my favorite beer names of the year too. Bone dry, effervescent, and aromatic. Czech Saaz hops paired with a 100% Riverbend grain bill of Czech Pilsner, Flo-rye-da, Appalachian Wheat, and now retired Heritage Malt.
Shawn Waggoner
It was tough to choose just a few favorite beers made with Riverbend in the Carolinas! Also in no particular order, here are some standouts.
Weight of Sound – Wild Heart Brewing & Southern Hops Brewing Company
This Dry-hopped West Coast Pils made with Riverbend Avalon Pilsner and Great Chit was a collaboration to support Pouring for Neighbors perfectly fuses the clean drinkability of a pilsner with the bright hop aroma and flavor from the Nectaron and Citra Cyro hops.
Country Kush IPA – Sycamore Brewing
This rye IPA made with Riverbend Carolina Rye malt adds a hearty, spicy, earthy flavor that sets this IPA apart from other hazy IPAs. It’s also made with Great Chit, which adds mouthfeel to the great burst flavor you get with every sip.
Fraggle Rogg Roggenbier – The Southern Growl & Fireforge Crafted Beer
This one’s another Craft Malt Month collaboration beer— a German style rye beer with spicy notes of pumpernickel and clove. It was made with Riverbend Base Camp, Carolina Rye, and Munich Rye malts. It was the perfect sipper for fall, and great for the cooler South Carolina weather ahead!
Tyler Adams
These are my top 3 beers made with Riverbend malt in 2024!
Czech’s Mix – Grand Central Brewhouse
This is one of those beers that has always stuck out to me. Yet, this year especially the brewers have really just fine- tuned this beer to hit my palate just right. It’s super crisp and brilliant, with a whipped cream head. What really sets it over the top for me though is its dry bitterness that is more elevated than the typical Czech-style Pilsner.
Lou Anne Aged Hop Saison – Barrique Brewing & Blending
Although I have been enjoying craft beer for a long time, it was not until experiencing mixed culture fermented beer for me to truly chase knowledge and understanding of what makes craft beer special. This beer throws me back to when I was chasing that pursuit of knowledge, learning about the aging process and the care that goes into it— an often forgotten part of the beer making process. This mixed culture is in the elite class of mix culture beer, and I expect nothing less from Barrique.
Glacier Lookout – NOFO Brew Co.
This New Zealand Pilsner made with Riverbend Cumberland Pilsner, Hickory King Corn, and Great Chit malts is the direction in which I hope to see more Southern craft beer go. It lets fruity, juicy, and modern hops let their flavor flourish like an IPA or Pale Ale— but in a light lager. This beer brings such a refreshing light body and finish. I hope to see this beer style continue to grow.
What were your favorite beers of 2024? Tell us in the comments, especially if they were #madewithRiverbend malt!
