Hilton Head Brewing Company Archives

Blueberry Wheat

Jul 8, 2009

Another pretty dreadful effort from the sham of a "brewery" that is Hilton Head Brewing Co. An extraordinary beer in many ways. Firstly the color is essentially that of a Pale Ale or perhaps even an IPA. It has a mid-amber hue which would be fine if it were a beer that SHOULD look like that, but if you had asked me to categorize this, any type of "wheat" beer would have been my last guess. This is are recurring theme at HHB though, so God knows what they are doing with their malts and grains....

Mocha Porter

Jun 29, 2008

Drunk on my June 2008 visit to HHI. Standard color in the pour but little or no head and zero lace. Looks a bit flat, which is strange because the beer has an odd, prickly over carbonation that is inappropriate for the style. Interesting tasting beer though. Quite light and lively with a decent malt base and some chocolate notes. Quite a distinct coffee finish. Not the worst beer that I have drunk at HHB, so in that respect it was not too bad, but still an "amatuerish" feel about the beer -...

Raspberry Wheat

Jun 2, 2007

A re-review in June 2006 since new owners now have the brew pub but have kept the Raspberry Wheat on. Having given this a 3.45 (overall score) back in 2004, this is now a completely different beer. It pours ridiculously dark (as did all of the beer on this visit, I wonder if they are using just ONE malt for all thier brews!) and it SUCKS! No head, completely still and lifeless this is a horrible looking beer with a murky brown body. It has a nasty, chemical acidity to it and both the aroma and...

IPA

Jun 2, 2007

Had my first pint of this on my latest visit to Hilton Head in June of 2007. An IPA is apparently a new venture for the new owners of the brewpub (as of December 15th 2006). This poured close to black, and at least very, very dark brown! Alarming at the best of times, but on the same visit ALL five beers that they were offering were VERY, VERY dark. Not a problem for the Scottish/Wee Heavy or the Porter, but the Wheat, the IPA and the Summer Blonde(!) were at best odd looking, and at worst...

Summer Blonde

Jun 1, 2007

=== Updated Review 06/08 === A bit better than a year ago - not much, but a bit. Same, darker than average oour and same dry finish, but this time with a little more of an IPA hop note. Still flat looking with no head, but at least there was some lace this time. drinkability had improved. === Original review 06/07 === Well, they called this a "Golden Ale" and named it Blonde, and it's so dark it can't possibly be either! It's basically Amber in color, but the IPA and the Raspberry Wheat were...

Tiger Shark Dark

May 28, 2007

TSD as it is advertised on the tap handle, this is described as a Porter. Drinks well, with a good Porter color, plenty of malt upfront, and a decent chocolately based, initial taste. Decent balance, with some lace. Fairly smooth. Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed. A simple beer that has potential to be a decent offering.

HSA (Heritage Scottish Ale)

May 28, 2007

A different beer to this (at least in theory); http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4336/23218. That beer was brewed by a different owner. This used to be brewed a the brewepub every year for the Heritage golf classic in April. Sampled on draft at a 20 oz pour. $3.50. VERY, very sweet and malty. Some alcohol present, but this is one large, malt bomb. If you don't like sweet, malt based beers you will not like this - I do, so it was OK. Even for me this lacked balance, and more than a couple of...

Scottish Heritage Ale

Apr 17, 2005

This beer is apparently brewed each year, for the MCI Heritage Golf Classic PGA Tour event, that is held on Hilton Head Island in April. It is usually tapped about one week before the event, and then lasts as long as it does afterwards. I drank two pints on the Saturday afternoon of the 2005 tournament on 04/16/05. Looks and tastes much like a good quality Porter. Black appearance with ruby highlights and a lot of sweet malt flavors all over the place. Nice tan head with sticky lacing...

Calibogue Amber

Dec 28, 2004

Slightly cloudy, amber appearance with a decent head and some lacing. Fairly serviceable amber with a mainly malt character and some hop bitterness in the finish. This is a potenatial session beer just from the point of view that it is easy drinking and straightforward. Not impressed, but at the same time not disappointed. 100% better than, but reminded me a lot of Killians. This beer benefits from a slight temperature raise rather than the ultra-chilled servings that you normally get at the...

Pub Light

Dec 28, 2004

Oh dear. My best guess is that the Hilton Head Brewing Company has made a calculated decision that the production of a light lager is what the folks want, and that this has the potential to be a commercial success that exploits the ignorance of the masses. This is utter garbage. The whole experience, from appearance through to aftertaste, combines all the charms and depth of Bud, Aspen Edge, Michelob Ultra and Spring Water. A real treat! Pale, with lots of initial carbonation, the brew then...

JW’s Stout

Dec 27, 2004

A decent if somewhat thin offering. Good appearance, with a foamy, bubbly thin head thst diappated quickly. Very little lacing. There were some spicy, chicory flavors up front and a body that was preetty drinkable and not substantial. the alcohol comes through in a pleasing way, but strong, but it's there. No real chewiness associated with this stout, but a nice Sunday lunchtime drink. You could drink this in fairly large quantities because of it's light body, or alternatively just have a...