This week, I am featuring a rockin’ new brewery from Spartanburg, S.C. called, strangely enough, R.J. Rockers Brewing Co. Founded in 1997, by Mark Johnson, it specializes in handcrafted beers, including: First Snow, an American Pale Ale flavored with spices and available only during the winter; Patriot Pale Ale, aggressively hopped with Cascade and Challenger hops and finishing slightly sweet; Bald Eagle Brown, brewed with Chocolate and Black malts, 5.6 percent ABV; and my favorite, the high-gravity Bell Ringer Ale with 8.5% ABV and zingy, hoppy bitterness.
$12.99/6 pk for First Snow, Patriot and Bald Eagle
$14.99/6 pk for the Bell Ringer

Back in Oregon, Heater Allen Brewing in McMinnville is making some world-class lagers. Our newest addition is the Scharzbier. Amber and black malts with light hoppiness give the espresso, chocolate and caramel flavors some zip! $4.79/22oz.

My pick this week:
The Fantome ‘Saison’ Belgian Ale. I’ve been sitting on this for about a year and a half and just opened a bottle last weekend. Huge nose with tangerine and cardamom segues into a tart, mouthful with strong carbonation and a dry finish. Mmmmm! I have been working with this unusual brewery in the heart of the Ardennes Forest (a region of extensive forests and rolling hills and old mountains found primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg) for about five years now. I cellar the beer regularly and have never been disappointed. $11.19/750ml.

Tasting schedule for the next two weeks:
• Friday, March 20 at 5 p.m.: Codirosso Chiani
• Saturday, March 21 at 5 p.m.: Jay Zink from Widmeer Brewery
• Sunday, March 22 at 5 p.m.: Denise Wallace with Triage Wines pouring Waldschutz 2006 Zweigelt and Domaine Labbe, and 2007 Abymes Vin de Savoie Blanc.
• Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m.: Tim Schimmel with Domaine Selections, Isa Vin de Pays des Cotes de Thongue Rouge 2006.
• Saturday, March 28 at 5 p.m.: Welsh ESB and Old Suffolk English Strong Ales.
• Sunday, March 29 at 5 p.m.: Christy with D’Vine pouring the 2008 vintage of Kung Fu Girl Riesling and Domaine de Durban Vin de pays de Vaucluse 2007.