• Alabama,  craft beer

    A pint at Rocket Republic Brewing in Madison, Ala.

    There are two notable industries in the area surrounding Huntsville, Ala.: space and craft beer.  When you bring the two industries together you get Rocket Republic Brewing Company in the suburb of Madison. Eric and Tatum Crigger along with business partners John and Lynn Troy launched (no pun intended) Rocket Republic in 2013, and eventually opened their own brewhouse and taproom in 2015.  Like many professional brewers, Eric started as a homebrewer before taking a course on opening a brewery, and eventually realizing that dream.  The taproom came to fruition after the brewery’s initial success with contract brewery and the aid of an Indiegogo campaign.  So onto the taproom… Visitors are…

  • Alabama,  craft beer

    A pint at Blue Pants Brewery in Madison, Ala.

    There are a lot of things you can do with an old cotton warehouse.  Building a brewery was an ideal fit because of the need for floor space to house all the brewing equipment.  It is a far cry from where Blue Pants Brewery started off Slaughter Road in a 400-square-foot space.  Now when visitors to the brewery and taproom arrive, they immediately see an expansive building with ample parking. Visitors immediately enter the taproom. The taproom maximizes the available space with a nice merchandise area. Uniquely among the merchandise is a cooler, so visitors can take home their new favorite beer and also some liquor that is distilled on…

  • Alabama,  craft beer

    A pint at Old Black Bear Brewing Co. in Madison, Ala.

    After losing their government contract jobs Todd and Dawn Seaton turned to a rather unconventional choice by opening a craft brewery.  After starting by contract brewing their beer, the couple finally realized the dream of opening a production facility of their own in 2015.  The pair went all in when they opened 7,000-square-foot facility that includes a restaurant.  So when people visit Old Black Bear Brewing Company in downtown Madison, you get much more than just beer. The brewery occupies two buildings in the corner of revitalized strip mall.  So there is a building that houses the production side and another building houses the taproom and restaurant.  In addition to…