We believe that beer is a springboard for creating community and that as brewers we hold a special role and responsibility in it.

It’s no secret that Alabama is home to some incredible breweries. The brewing culture has been wildly embraced by the region, and its popularity is still growing. We will be taking a “Brews Cruise” across the state in our newest blog series. Our first stop on our local “Brews Cruise” is Trim Tab Brewing Co.

History

By 2012, Harris Stewart’s seven year hobby of home brewing had become a passion. After moving to Tuscaloosa with his wife, Harris saw his brewing passion and desire to open a brewery grow beyond his interest in hitting the books like law school required. As a result, the couple chose to relocate to Birmingham, and Harris began solidifying the concept for a brewery and constructing his own business plan.

The couple wanted to found a brewery on the idea of celebrating people, organizations and ideas as small sources that facilitate big changes, thus inspiring the name Trim Tab. A Trim Tab is a small rudder housed on the large rudder of a ship whose small efforts and movement create dramatic changes on the course of a ship.

With a business plan in line, Trim Tab was ready to move forward. For head brewmaster, Harris recruited Will Crenshaw, former managing brewer of Sweetwater Brewing out of Atlanta. Will’s similar approach to brewing focused on balanced styles that explore complexity in the more subtle tones of craft beer made him a perfect fit. Harris and Will began crafting recipes, and in the last two years have created a portfolio with a breadth of twelve seasonal and year-round beers.

Community Involvement

Trim Tab honors and celebrates members of the community, and their involvement with the non-profit sector is part of who they are. The brewery doesn’t limit their contribution, and has worked with groups focused on issues varying from air quality and environmental conservation, to progressive issues, urban poetry education, autism, and heart disease. Trim Tab fully embraces the Birmingham community by giving back to the various components that make it whole.

Connection to the Outdoors

As for the best beer to enjoy in the Alabama outdoors, Harris said, “Since all of our beers are connected with being balanced, they all are suitable to an outdoor setting.” However, he did mention a few that stand out in particular. Revelator Pale Ale is a refreshing beer that has a huge passion fruit and herbal aroma, making for a crisp hoppy finish. Bankston 88 Belgian Pale Ale, a current spring seasonal, is an extremely versatile and very light wheat beer. Its hoppy aroma has lemon verbena and cedar notes that are complex for such a light and easy to drink beer.

Events

Trim Tab hosts several large events throughout the year, and their art-filled tasting room is available for rent for private events. The brewery also hosts its own weekly events, so there’s never a reason not to drop by.

Stop by the Trim Tab tap room and enjoy a cold beer with cool people any day of the week. The tap room is open Monday-Thursday from 4PM to 10PM, Friday from 3PM to 12AM, Saturday from 1PM to 12AM and Sunday from 2PM to 8PM. Check out their website here, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

Photos from www.trimtabbrewing.com