Bircus Brewing Company

When Shannon Went: November 4, 2020

Where: 322 Elm St, Ludlow, KY 41016

Welcome to Bircus Brewing Company – one part brewery, one part circus. Yes, you read that correctly, it’s a circus brewery, and it’s just as insane and magical as it sounds! Normally, referring to a brewery staffed with clowns would be an insult, but that’s exactly what “Chief Goof Officer”, former Ringling Brothers clown, and brewery owner Paul Miller had in mind when he purchased the 1946 Ludlow Movie Theater in 2009. At Bircus, big top entertainment like trapeze artists, fire jugglers, and keg-walkers, are paired with weekly food trucks, vintage vinyl nights, and an outdoor patio. The circus brewery started slinging beers in 2018 and since then has started bottling and canning some of their flagship brews. Raise a glass, see a circus and toast to all at Bircus Brewing Co.!

Shannon: I must admit, I have never been to a brewery quite like Bircus before. This place is off the walls entertaining in every definition of the word, even the titles of the brews are circus inspired. Now, keep in mind that I visited during covid times, so the circus show was not in full swing, but I did get to watch a community juggling class from the second story balcony which was a lot of fun. The taproom is set up so that the tables can be moved in a moments notice to make room for floormats and dangling acrobatic areal silks hanging from the ceiling! As for the beer, Bircus has all the traditional brews and a touch of experimental ales, and for the most part, I enjoyed what I had. A personal favorite that I would absolutely get again is Comic Walrus, a cranberry ginger golden ale.

Other Cool Stuff:

  • Before the buildings third life as a brewery, it was a movie theater and a clutch factory
  • The theater was added to the National Historic Register in 2013
  • The owners of Bircus also own Circus Mojo, a youth and adult circus arts program! 
  • Cool merch for sale in the taproom
  • Small outdoor patio
  • Became the first brewery in the United States to qualify for crowdfunding under a new section of federal law
  • Tons of cool events like Vinyl Swap & Spin Night, juggle jam classes, aerial silk workshops, youth circus classes, amateur wrestling, and tons of live music!
  • Circus equipment literally everywhere throughout the taproom!

What Shannon Drank:

Juggleoats (IPA) 6.2% ABV – 3 out of 5

Comic Walrus – (Cranberry Ginger Golden Ale) 4.5% ABV – 4 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion – 3.5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Foam Brewers

When Chris Went: January 16th, 2021

Where: 112 Lake Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Native Vermonters enjoying the warm weather

Is there a New England city more hipster than Burlington, Vermont? Well if you had any doubts, then let me introduce you to Foam Brewery. The brewery opened in 2016 by “an eclectic group of industry professionals….looking to move away from the grind of production brewing.” Foam is located on the waterfront of Lake Champlain and has a good amount of both outdoor and indoor seating. They were pretty busy when we went so we did not actually get to sit in the bar area, but from what I did see, it was pretty unique. They have a steel curved bar and design painted walls and the outside walls were all brick. Attached to the brewery is their restaurant, Deep City, which is where found seat.

My mom wondering why I am taking a picture (Deep City)

Let me tell you, hipsters know how to make beer and food. Deep City makes their own ice cream, called Factory Ice Cream, which I did not get a chance to try since I had just had Ben & Jerry’s. But I was able to try three different beers. First was their Lost in the Supermarket, a Rachbier, which I had never heard of so I gave it a shot. It was made with squash, honey, peppercorn, cardamom and lemon zest. I am glad my brother ordered it and not me because I was not a fan. Luckily I was a fan of the two beers that I ordered. First up was the Living Still Life, a blackberry, lime, guava, and lactose sour. This was very good, and my first time trying a sour with lactose with it. I really appreciate breweries that try new stuff and give unique names to their beer. It probably does not matter to most people, but I get annoyed with breweries that names their stuff by the style, eg this is our Stout beer, or Sour beer. Have some fun with the names, people! Speaking of fun names, I also had their Milk & Black Spiders, an imperial milk stout with lactose, coffee, cocao, and vanilla. It gave me the flavor of malted milk balls and was very smooth and creamy despite being 11.5%. These were just a few of the large variety and selection that Foam brewery had to offer, so if you make it up to Vermont you will find something you like here. When it comes to the name of Foam Brewery, it is a very accurate description of their beer as you can see in the image below. All of their beers come with a large head which adds another layer of uniqueness to Foam Brewery.

Other Cool Things:

  • Like all hipster breweries, they have coffee and kombucha available
  • Their house made ice cream is made with their beer, The Factory Black Ale
  • Cans to-go
  • Merch for sale
  • Second location in Hinesburg, VT which is to-go sales only

What Chris Drank:

Chris: Lost in the Supermarket (Rauchbier) 8.5% – 2 out of 5

Chris: Living Still Life (Sour) 6% – 4 out of 5

Chris: Milk & Black Spiders (Stout) 11.5% – 4 out of 5

Brewing Persuasions: 4 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Darkness Brewing

When: October 5, 2020

Where: 224 Fairfield Ave, Bellevue, KY 41073

Born out of two home brewer’s love for dark beers, I’d like to formally welcome you to Darkness Brewery. Darkness quite literally gets it name from their heavy focus on producing delicious dark beers. What could be more fitting? Since 2016, this neighborhood brewery has become an oasis for locals to hang out, have a beer, and walk back home before it gets to late. The brewery is located in a former car garage, which gives the taproom a laid back, industrial feel. The walls are covered in colorful, imaginative mural art that are completely out of this world. Additionally, all of the visible wood and metal is reclaimed from places around Northern Kentucky.

Shannon: Because Darkness is located in a former car garage, the taproom can feel a bit small. Their outdoor seating area is actually larger than their indoor space. I think it’s a lot easier to get a growler to go instead of scoping out a seat inside. The staff behind the bar are fantastic about getting you a drink you’re going to love. The first time I ever visited, they recommended I try one of their most popular seasonal beers. It was fall, so naturally that means pumpkin. Blumpkin is a 7.1% ABV black pumpkin ale brewed with real pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Truly one of the best pumpkin beers I’ve ever had.

Other Cool Stuff:

  • Brunch on Sundays!
  • Darkness specializes in dark beers!
  • Open 7 days a week
  • Cool tshirts and hoodies available
  • You can’t get their beer canned but they do offer growlers to go!
  • Outdoor patio space
  • Live events

What Shannon Drank:

Shannon: Man on the Moo (Milk Stout) 5.3% ABV – 4.5 out of 5

Shannon: Blumpkin (Black pumpkin ale) 7.1% ABV – 5 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?