Fullsteam

Continuing with tasting notes from the SFA “Drinkways” symposium. This time, it’s all about the flagship, Fullsteam.

By “flagship,” we’re referring to the beer that we expect will drive profitability and growth. Think Fat Tire. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Yuengling Lager. You know Yuengling is doing well when a “lager” ordered in Pennsylvania bar automatically refers to Yuengling’s flagship beer. And New Belgium certainly has it figured out with Fat Tire: there are a ton of people out there who think the brewery is actually called Fat Tire. That’s a good problem to have.

For a short while, we thought about naming our flagship “Bull City.” Perhaps “Bull City Brown.” But we looked at our brand and the other beer names and…you know what? It felt kind of forced.

So Occam’s Razor came into play: the simplest solution is often the best. Fullsteam. It captures the essence of what we’re all about, our love of steampunk, and the beer itself. Best of all, it’s a damn good beer that’s well-positioned to be our flagship. Hopefully our customers will agree.

Beer 1: Scuppernong
Beer 2: Sweet Potato
Beer 3: Fullsteam
Beer 4: Hogwash!

BREWERS NOTES — FULLSTEAM

fullsteam (aka carolina common): our flagship beer is based on the historic pre-prohibition “steam” beer that was commonplace in san francisco in the late 1800s. northern brewer hops stand out with their woodsy, minty aroma, while a caramel and toasty/biscuity maltiness sidles up to the hop bitter for a balanced beer with a clean, hoppy finish that is more flavorful than bitter.

fermentables: uk pale, cara munich 2, vienna, special roast

hops: northern brewer

ATTENDEE TASTING NOTES — FULLSTEAM

• “Fantastic!”
• “Ditto!”
• “Grat” (ESL? BAL? You decide!)
• “Right on. Good weight. Balanced and delicious.”
• “Hint of resin and silky. Hops are punctuated for a split second”
• “Oh my god, I am home!”
• “Fun!”