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Owen Ogletree's
Monthly Brewtopia Brewsletter
October 4, 2024
Owen is founder/editor of Brewtopia.info, a group beer trip organizer, columnist for Southern Brew News and Beer Connoisseur Magazine, lecturer at Knoxville's Brewing & Distilling Center, founder of the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting, and a BJCP National Beer Judge.
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Follow our craft beer adventures...
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- Join a Brewtopia Group Beer Trip with Owen in 2025
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 Come with Owen Ogletree on a 2025 Brewtopia group beer trip! Just a few spots remain for our epic Western Belgium / Northern France and Baltic States adventures.
Craft beer enthusiast Dan Carley's memories of Brewtopia's recent group trip to South America:
"Owen's group trip to Argentina was amazing! We loved the five-course wine pairing dinner, the incredible beers at all the breweries, the absolutely delicious Fugazzeta pizza, the amazing cocktails at Tres Monos, and the CASK ALE festival in freaking South America! To be included in a true Argentine asado was fantastic. What an experience to also have a beer pairing dinner with traditional Argentine foods. The winery provided the most amazing lunch with extraordinary food and delicious wines in a beautiful setting. How lucky we are to travel with these groups, and we appreciate everything Owen does to set this up and herd everyone from place to place."
RSVP NOW:
WESTERN BELGIUM & NORTHERN FRANCE
March 6-12, 2025 - REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
$2095 per person (double occupancy) - add $499 for a single room. Experience delightful breweries and pubs in Belgium and the Northern France countryside on our private charter bus. Airfare and airport transfers are not included.
- Fly from the USA on March 5 to land on March 6. Tour activities run March 7-12. Fly home on March 13 or stay later on your own dime.
- Two days in Northern France to see Thiriez farmhouse brewery, Lille beer spots, Dunkirk, and enjoy some French wine.
- Breweries: De Ranke, Ermitage, Silly, De Dolle, Cantillon, Timmermans, Tilquin, Westvleteren, St. Bernardus, La Source, and Brouwerij de Struise.
- Enjoy the best beer pubs in Brussels.
- Experience the history and complex ales of the lambic region.
- Delicious Belgian beer cuisine.
- Lussenthoek WWI cemetery
- A couple of nights in Ypres, Belgium, home of the awesome Kazematten Brewery and great beer bars.
- Bel-Hop Hop Farm for a tour and lunch.
- And much more!
- Includes tours, group ground transportation, private charter bus and driver, guides, information, hotel, and food and drinks for group meals and group gatherings. Breakfasts at our hotels are included each morning.
EXPLORE THE BALTIC STATES
May 28 to June 5, 2025 - REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
$2195 per person (double occupancy) - add $499 for a single room. Fall in love with the history, atmosphere, food and extraordinary craft beer of three Baltic countries. Airfare and airport transfers are not included.
- Fly from USA on May 27 to land in Helsinki, Finland on May 28. Trip activities begin on the morning of May 29. Fly home from Riga, Latvia on June 5 or stay later on your own dime. If flying from Atlanta, SAS Airlines' low prices have driven down air prices to the Baltic region on all major carriers.
- We fly into Helsinki (Finland) for a couple of days, then take the ferry south to Tallinn in Estonia to see the sights and breweries there.
- Experience the amazing Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room.
- We then take our charter bus trip down to Riga (Latvia). These areas have great regional beers, along with nice people and beautiful sights and architecture.
- We fly home from Riga on June 5. Owen will be scouting Riga later this year for all the best spots to visit.
- This trip makes a super easy way to explore part of the historic and scenic Baltic States and check out the expanding craft beer scene.
- Includes tours, group ground transportation, private charter bus and driver, guides, information, hotel, and food and drinks for group meals and group gatherings. Breakfasts at our hotels are included each morning.
LONDON'S GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL, PUBS, BREWERIES, SIGHTS
August 5-11, 2025 - REGISTRATION OPENS IN LATE 2024.
$1995 per person (double occupancy) - add $499 for a single room. Benefit from Owen's extensive experience of the best pubs and real ales in the area! This tour is limited to only 14 participants. Airfare and airport transfers are not included in the trip price.
- Pop across the pond to experience the best of the London area with Owen Ogletree. Fly from the USA on August 4 or earlier, landing in London on the morning of August 5. Trip activities begin around noon on August 5. Fly home on August 11 or later.
- Amazing cask ale pubs will be visited each day. British pubs are simply wonderful places.
- See these sights: British Museum, Tower of London, Theatre District, London Eye, Greenwich Cutty Sark, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Borough Market, Maltby Street Market and more!
- Tour the historic Fullers Brewery, followed by a pub walk and lunch along the Thames River.
- Spend a full day sampling the best cask ales and ciders at the enormous Great British Beer Festival in Birmingham.
- Spend a Saturday sampling craft beers as we walk along London's Bermondsey "Brewery Mile."
- Experience a traditional "curry club" group meal at a fine London Indian restaurant.
- Includes tours, ground transportation (excluding airport transfers), guides, information, festival entry, admission prices, hotel and breakfast each morning. Most food and beer for group meals and gatherings also included.
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- Women of Beer: Mary Beth McWhirt
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 Mary Beth McWhirt
Round Trip Brewing
Atlanta, Georgia
By Kerri Allen
Round Trip Brewing Company prides itself on bringing German-inspired beers to the Atlanta, Georgia, market. Mary Beth McWhirt works as the lab manager and assistant brewer for this deliciously crafty brewery and serves as the chapter leader for the Atlanta Pink Boots Society.
While working towards her graduate degree in microbiology, Mary Beth worked as a bartender for a craft beer bar. She says, “The bar’s beer school training and classes with brewery sales reps ignited my passion for craft beer styles and sales.” After graduating from college, I sought quality control jobs in the brewing industry to combine my science background with my love for beer. Through mutual friends, I met Craig Mycoskie from Round Trip, and I've been here ever since.”
Embracing Education & Connections
Mary Beth also ranks as one of many brewers and craft beer industry workers who became a BJCP judge. In the mid-nineties, few female beer judges existed, even though initiatives existed to encourage women to join the ranks. Although familiar with the Beer Judge Certification Program, Mary Beth’s interest in joining came with Jen Blair’s training course aimed at increasing female judges. Mary Beth recalls, “Jen's weekly Zoom sessions covered sensory techniques, descriptive language, and beer-style breakdowns. The experience of training with a group of like-minded women was enriching. After completing the course and additional tastings, I took the exam. Judging around Atlanta has greatly enhanced my sensory skills and expanded my network.”
What has always made the craft beer community special are the relationships. At Round Trip, Mary Beth says, “We collaborate rather than compete, which strengthens the local beer scene.” This love of community shines as her favorite attribute of being part of a brewery. She acknowledges, “Although I’m not often behind the bar anymore, I love connecting with our customers and educating them about beer. Creating a product that brings people together and fosters an inclusive environment is incredibly rewarding. The Atlanta craft beer community has proven extremely supportive of Round Trip.”
A Taste for Tradition
In a market filled with pastry stouts, hazy IPAs and kettle-soured ales, Round Trip has focused on traditional styles since opening in 2021. Mary Beth notes, “This focus has been gratifying as the market shifts back to appreciating these styles. Being part of Round Trip's growth, from the early days of building the quality control program to our current expansion with a new location in East Cobb, has been an incredible journey.”
Transitioning from a science background and bartending to hands-on brewing has been Mary Beth's biggest challenge. She notes, “With a small team, I had to learn cellar work, packaging, brewing and quality control simultaneously.” With challenges come rewards. Mary Beth remarks, “My most rewarding moment involved brewing my first beer solo. Knowing that every Round Trip beer has been crafted by me is immensely satisfying.”
Diversity Leads to Success
Since the early reemergence of craft beers in the 1990s, we are finally seeing more women in the industry. When asked why women and minorities are vital to the industry, Mary Beth comments, “The industry should focus on not repelling interested individuals from diverse backgrounds. Many women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ people are interested in craft beer but face barriers like lack of opportunities or unsafe working conditions. Addressing these issues and removing those responsible for perpetuating them is crucial. The beer industry needs diverse perspectives to innovate and grow.”
 For women in the craft beer industry, whether in sales, brewing, front of house, etc., The Pink Boots Society is a great organization and an excellent way to network with other women working in the industry. Mary Beth explains, “I encourage eligible individuals in the fermentation industries in Atlanta to join our local Pink Boots chapter for educational and scholarship opportunities.”
Let's all raise a toast to Round Trip's Mary Beth McWhirt for her creativity and dedication. Prost!
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Georgia craft beer distributor Modern Hops brings exciting new brews to the state:
 Ketzer Lager, Dutchess Ales (4.8% Kellerbier) is a Franconian inspired Helles Kellerbier. Expect a gentle biscuit malt character and a noble floral, spicy hop aroma prevails with notes of wildflower honey, citrus zest, alpine herbs and a hint of peppercorn. (Available in cans and kegs)
Osgood IPA, Dutchess Ales (5.9% IPA) is an ode to the inception of the West Coast IPA. You'll get aromatic bursts of citrus, cedar, pine, and floral notes from generous hop additions. (Available in cans and kegs)
Pylon Pilsner, Dutchess Ales (5% German Pilsner) is a German pilsner with complex botanical and faintly resinous hop aromas of sage and pink peppercorn with delicate lime blossom and honey notes. (Available in cans and kegs)
Modern Dinosaurs, Mast Landing (8% New England IPA) is a hazy Double IPA hopped with Mosaic, Ekuanot Cryo, Experiment HBC 586, and a touch of Sabro 702 extract. [UnTappd 4.1] (Available in cans and kegs)
Tragedy to Comedy, Tripping Animals (7.5% New England IPA) is a hazy IPA brewed with Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin, and Citra hops, this brew bursts with juicy tropical notes and a citrusy punch. (Available in cans and kegs)
Bodega Glizzy, Tripping Animals (7.8% New England IPA) is a double dry hopped hazy IPA brewed with Anchovy, Riwaka, and Citra Incognito hops, is stacked with juicy vibes and a dank twist. Bodega Glizzy is a collab beer with Other Half and Ology. [UnTappd 4.21] (Available in cans and kegs)
Rainbow Smiggles, Pontoon (7% Fruited Sour) is an award-winning fruited Berliner Weisse featuring 300 pounds of Skittles, over 100 boxes of Trix cereal, two pounds per gallon of strawberries and pineapple, and vanilla. (Available in cans and kegs)
 Aquatronic, Pontoon (8% New England IPA) is a hazy Double IPA brewed with Azacca, El Dorado, and Galaxy hops to give off balanced notes of tropical fruit and sweet citrus. (Available in cans)
The Great Punkin Spice, Pontoon (8% Pumpkin Beer) is an Imperial brown ale chock full of real pumpkin, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, vanilla, and lactose. (Available in cans and kegs)
Big Dad Energy, Schoolhouse (9% New England IPA) is a hazy Double IPA brewed with Galaxy, Mosaic, and Citra hops. (Available in kegs)
Be Here Now or Be Nowhere Later, Two Tides (5% Dark Lager) is a dark lager with easy drinking notes of subtle roasted cocoa and coffee. (Available in cans)
Whatever, Two Tides (7% IPA) is a West Coast IPA brewed with Riwaka, Simcoe-Cryo, and Citra hops. (Available in cans and kegs)
Modern Hops is a valued sponsor of this Brewsletter.
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- Reformation Brewery (Woodstock, GA) invites everyone to its October 25-27 eleventh anniversary "Candence Fair" - an enjoyable weekend of live music, games and tasty Reformation beers.
- Suwanee's StillFire Brewing announces five days of festivities leading up to its fifth anniversary on October 12.
- On October 12, Social Fox Brewing hosts its first annual "Wings in the Alley" festivities to showcase the best chicken wings from around the Norcross, GA area.
- Athentic Brewing partners with Historic Athens to celebrate "Porchfest" with a kick-off party at the popular Athens, GA brewery on October 18. Athentic will also host three bands on its brewery patio on Sunday, October 20.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, January 31, 2026
(Owen is "old" and will take a break from ACAT in 2025.)
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- Follow Owen Ogletree and Brewtopia Events on Social Media
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UP NEXT...
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 Owen Ogletree leads a spectacular group of 33 beer enthusiasts to enjoy the beautiful sights and beers of the Czech Republic. This epic adventure is part of Owen's popular Brewtopia group trips.
Photo courtesy of Talia Wurtzel Hirsh
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