Beerology in Hickory, NC

This was a two part presentation beginning in the Catawba Science Center with a nice selection of snacks ranging from broccoli to oreos, along with spicy salsa, creamy cheese, carrot sticks and cookies.  Wow.  And beer.  I liked the first selection which was a hoppy clear thing, mouth-filling, creamy and delightful with three nice tastes that I enjoyed.  This was a “home-brew” by the presenter of the first part of the program,  Hickory guy, Bobby Bush who received the national “Beer Drinker of the Year” award in 1998.  He clearly deserved that title and probably has improved with the additional seasoning.  

Then some of us boarded the Science Center van to ride to the Olde Hickory Brewing Company.  Several of us followed, intently focused in our own cars.  

Steven Lyerly, Brew-master, welcomed us into the center of his magnificent, shining stainless steel magic machines.  We were given hops to smell, toasted barley to taste, and we toured the inner sanctum of this place where miracles constantly bubble forth.  

He also provided four of the brewery’s products for us to taste .  We began with Piedmont Pilsner, followed that with Poor Richard's Ale, then Table Rock Pale Ale and finally Hickory Stick Stout.  All good.  All great.  

Meanwhile, Steven told us how these beers were brewed.  He went over the ingredients, how they were chosen and balanced to fit together harmoniously, and what seasoned beer drinkers anticipate and enjoy for when tasting beers like these.  

But now - normally, beer is not served at the Catawba Science Center or at the Old Hickory Brewery.  So what is a poor pilgrim to do?  For starters there is the Old Hickory Taproom, which is about a block away, but across the railroad tracks, and which highlights the products of this brewery.  Then there is Amos Howard.  Who?   Well, that’s another story.  Steven can fill you in.  But first, go to the Old Hickory Taproom.  There everything will become clear.