Top beer picks for Mid-Atlantic region

Mid-Atlantic The writer: Tierney Pomone is the founder of the Stouts & Stilettos, a beer blog based out of Harrisburg, Pa. Tierney says that at “first I didn’t like any beer, then I only liked cheap beer. This all changed when I discovered Victory Brewing’s Golden Monkey.” Now she is “devoted to spreading all things craft beer and fostering a sense of community for women interested in craft beer.” She co-founded the Harrisburg Beer Week and contributes to a variety of beer publications. Follow her work on Twitter @tyrannytierney.

Here are Pomone’s GABF 2016 picks for the Mid-Atlantic region:

2SP Brewing, Aston, Penn., Booth A4: 2SP Brewing’s mission is “to bring world-class beers from world-class brewers to this region.” Head brewer Bob Barrar’s brewing resume boasts 19 GABF and 10 World Beer Cup medals. While they’ve only been open a short amount of time, their staff has years of experience under their belts and are sure to deliver on their mission’s promise. I recommend their Pating Saison Farmhouse Ale and The Russian, their Imperial Stout. Rusty Rail just celebrated their first anniversary. Their focus is clean and consistent brews, and they are committed to continually making their core brews better and better. Expect to find well-crafted classic beers, Tierney Pomone is the founder of the Stouts & Stilettos beer blog. Provided by Tierney Pomone such as their Blue Collar Lager, right alongside our modern styles like their Warrior King Coffee Stout. This relatively new brewery just south of the Mason-Dixon Line says their “artfully crafted beer is meant to be an escape from whatever drama is present in your life.” Like many breweries, Jailbreak’s founders and staff were “brought together by the common desire to make something different and do something with our lives that has more purpose.” Must-drink brews: Big Punisher DIPA and Scoville Jalapeño IPA.

Soon opening a second spot in Pittsburgh, Southern Tier Brewing Company is best know for their Blackwater Series of imperial stouts, such as Creme Brulee, Warlock and Mokah. My favorites of their brews are Pumking — perhaps the greatest pumpkin beer ever made — and Choklat, which is heaven in a glass. Adroit Theory is a new nano brewery specializing in “esoteric brews with an emphasis on Barrel Aging.” It’s hard to say what they will bring to GABF as they are constantly brewing new beers. Those that do get re-brewed will have a new ghost number indicating a new batch was made, but it may not be the same as the one before. I’ve found all iterations of their brews to be flat-out awesome. They’re fairly underrated, but sometimes it’s better that way. I would happily drink their Edmund Fitzgerald Porter any day of the week, and I look forward to their Christmas Ale each year.

I know, you’ve heard about Asheville beers forever and it all sounds like a hype train, but have you heard about NoDa? I’m not a whale-hunter; I much prefer well-made beer from breweries people aren’t freaking out about. I wish I could get cans of NoDa Hop Drop & Roll dropped off at my door daily, they’re just that good. Don’t let the Asheville hype keep you away from these great brews.